10 questions for the ABA specialist and red flags

Modern ethical ABA should be individual, based on assessment rather than assumptions, oriented toward functional goals, with constant data collection, with respect for the child's dignity. This is the BACB formulation, somewhat paraphrased. If something of this is violated, it is worth looking for another specialist.

1. Qualification

"What is your education and certification in ABA? Do you have a supervisor?"

* Good answer. Names relevant education, courses, certifications. Can show documents
* Concerning. Has no relevant education at all. Cannot name their supervisor

2. Experience with your profile

"What kind of children do you usually work with? Do you have experience with a profile similar to our child?"

* Good answer. Describes experience, openly talks about the limits of competence
* Concerning. "I help everyone the same way"

3. Assessment

"How do you assess the child's needs? Do you do a functional assessment of behavior?"

* Good answer. Explains about observation, interviews, possibly standardized tools, functional analysis of triggers
* Concerning. "No test is needed, let us just start"

4. Medical and sensory factors

"Do you take into account medical, sensory, and communication causes of behavior?"

* Good answer. Recommends a medical assessment if needed. Works in a team with a doctor, speech therapist, occupational therapist
* Concerning. "It does not matter, the main thing is discipline"

5. Goals

"How are goals formed? Can we agree on them?"

* Good answer. Joint planning. Transparent, measurable functional goals
* Concerning. "Only we know the goals"

6. Ethics of goals

"Are the goals aimed at communication and independence, rather than at making the child look unnoticeable?"

* Good answer. Emphasizes quality of life, safe stimming, neurodiversity
* Concerning. "The goal is so that autistic traits are not noticeable"

7. Methods

"What methods do you use? Do you apply punishment?"

* Good answer. Positive reinforcement, changing the environment, minimal punishment or absence of harmful practices
* Concerning. Physical coercion, isolation, shouting as "upbringing"

8. Reaction to the child's refusal

"What do you do if the child cries, refuses, or is clearly overwhelmed?"

* Good answer. Takes into account the child's assent, the right to a break, adapting the plan
* Concerning. "We ignore until they stop," "they have to get used to it"

9. AAC and stimming

"How do you feel about AAC and self-stimming?"

* Good answer. Supports AAC. Distinguishes safe stimming from risky
* Concerning. "AAC will interfere with speech," "we forbid stimming"

10. Data and parental involvement

"How do you measure progress and can we be present and learn?"

* Good answer. Regular data collection, charts, review of goals with parents, training for the family
* Concerning. "We see without data," "we ask parents not to interfere"

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Red flags (look for another specialist right away)

* promise to "cure autism" or "remove the diagnosis in a year"
* guarantee 100% result
* say parents do not need to be involved
* do not ask about health, sleep, nutrition, sensory needs
* do not explain goals and methods
* the same program for all children
* coercion to prolonged eye contact despite discomfort
* a ban on any stimming as a "bad habit"
* ignoring crying and fear, "upbringing" through shame and shouting
* "AAC will interfere with speech"
* refusal to cooperate with doctors, speech therapists, occupational therapists

If a specialist has 1-2 flags, ask for clarification. If 3 or more, go to another. There are enough ethical and competent specialists.