Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is an evidence-based approach that helps children, including those who are neurodiverse, learn new skills, build communication skills, and increase independence. ABA uses individualized methods and data-driven decision-making to help children achieve meaningful goals.
A child’s world is much bigger and goes beyond just a clinic or home-based therapy setting. Their learning continues even after the therapy session has ended. That’s why strong collaboration between all members of a child’s support team is so important, it creates a united team working toward the same goals for the child.
Why Collaboration Matters
Children thrive when support and expectations are consistent across all areas where they spend their time. One piece of ensuring this consistency is collaboration between all professionals and caregivers involved in the child’s care. This collaborative effort ensures that strategies, expectations, and other methods are aligned and complement each other. A child’s network may include, but not limited to, ABA therapists, teachers, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and other professionals. This consistency helps children apply skills learned in a therapy setting to other real world situations and environments, such as the playground, classroom, or even the doctor’s office.
Who is part of a child’s network of support?
These individuals are all part of every child’s team and it is important that everyone work together for the best outcomes for the child. Everyone plays a role!
- Parents/Caregivers: Advocates for their child’s needs (a child’s biggest cheerleader!) and is a child’s first and most consistent teacher that supports carry over of strategies at home and in the community (e.g., going to the grocery store)
- Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA): Oversee the child’s ABA program and develops the individualized treatment plan for the child. The BCBA conducts assessments, supervises team members working directly with the child (Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) and Behavior Technicians), and analyzes data to evaluate progress and make adjustments to the goals as needed to support the child’s success.
- Teachers: Reinforces skills in the academic environment, adapt classroom activities, and support a child’s social skills.
- Speech-Language Pathologists: Supports communication goals, from vocabulary development to social language use.
- Occupational Therapists: Helps with motor skills or other physical supports, sensory needs, and other day to day functional activities.
- School Counselors or Psychologists: Support emotional well-being and help with behavior strategies in school.
- Physicians and other medical providers: Provide diagnoses, manage medications, and provide insights into medical or other physiological considerations that may impact a child’s learning and behavior.
Some helpful tips for collaboration:
- Understand ABA basics: Explain terms in a way that makes sense to all members of the team and ensure everyone has a thorough understanding. A shared understanding helps everyone work together effectively.
- Regular connections: Consistent communication is key. Whether it's a quick email, a phone call, or a scheduled meeting, sharing updates and discussing any questions or successes ensures everyone is on the same page.
- Value everyone's input: Remember that each professional brings valuable knowledge and different perspectives that play a crucial role in every child’s progress. Recognizing and valuing different perspectives fosters trust and stronger teamwork.
- Ensure consistency: Aligning goals and strategies across everyone involved ensures the child receives clear and consistent messages, supports growth and reduces confusion. so the child gets clear and consistent messages to speed up learning and reduce confusion.
- Be flexible and solution-focused. Progress is not always linear, and every child moves at their own pace. Plans may need to change based on the child’s growth or as new challenges arise. By staying open-minded and focusing on solutions, you can turn these moments into opportunities for learning, adjustment, and continued progress.
- Document and share progress. Simple data sheets, progress notes, or video clips can help everyone visualize the child’s growth and make informed decisions.
- Encourage caregiver involvement. Caregivers are often the link between ABA therapy and other environments. Providing caregivers with practical strategies they can use daily strengthens carryover into other environments.
These tips are valuable for all providers, not just caregivers. By embracing these principles, providers and caregivers can create a truly collaborative and supportive environment for every child.
When caregivers and professionals collaborate, they form a united team that creates a seamless support system around the child, both within the therapy setting and throughout other environments. This interdisciplinary collaboration is essential, as it not only supports better learning outcomes but also builds the child's confidence and independence across all environments—not just in therapy sessions.
No matter your role, whether you are a caregiver, teacher, therapist, or other specialist, we all share a common goal: to help the child grow, learn, and thrive. By working together, we ensure that progress made in one setting translates into progress everywhere. In short, interdisciplinary collaboration isn’t just a best practice in ABA; it is how we help every child succeed, no matter where they are.
Author: Meade McHenry, MS, BCBA, Vice President of Compliance at Mindcolor Autism