Benefits of Hiring an Independent BCBA

Yellow background with sign saying "think outside the box"

When looking for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services, the obvious choice is going with a large ABA agency - they have good marketing, they are in-network with a number of insurance agencies, and they are typically the only providers recommend by other professionals.

As someone that has been in the field of ABA, this is not the best choice for everyone. These companies have high turnover, need to stick to a general formula for services, and are limited in terms of the services they provide.

If you are not happy with your ABA provider or are just starting to explore ABA, let me show you why an independent Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) may actually be better!

• An Independent BCBA can train and support you, your nanny, babysitter, teachers, grandparents, or other caregivers easily!

  • High turnover and staff that do not really know how to play or interact with children are very common, especially at the big ABA agencies. If you haven’t experienced it, you are lucky! This is one of the most common complaints and reasons for lack of progress in my experience.

  • Do you already have a nanny that your child loves? Is your child’s teacher open to learning more to better support your child? Are there other caregivers that would like to know more about ABA and/or autism?

  • Let an Independent BCBA support them! We are very flexible and can train anyone to implement ABA strategies, not just people working at the big ABA agencies.

  • Feeling connected and safe is the hardest part to ABA. If you already have that, why mess it up? Limit the disruptions for you, your family, and your child. Things are already hard enough.

• Insurance has limitations with the types of goals and services

  • Do you or your child need help with homework? Daily living skills? Executive function skills? These are often limited by insurance companies and treatment plans may be denied if they are included. With an independent BCBA, we can work on any skill as long as it is important to the learner.

  • Sometimes, insurance also limits the location for services. That will not happen with an independent BCBA. Especially when paired with hiring your own nanny or babysitter, ABA can take place anywhere!

• Is your child getting ready to ‘age out’ of ABA services? Do they only need a few hours per week and no big company will take them?

  • The large ABA companies will often discharge a client when they are below 10 or so hours per week of ABA. I have heard from many parents that there is no one to help after they have been discharged from an ABA company. An independent BCBA can help!

  • An independent BCBA can help with parent support, direct services to the child, collaboration with other providers, helping in IEPs, among other things! We can be far more flexible than ABA companies and you are getting someone that is very experienced and knowledgable in the field.

• Even a great ABA company will still have turnover and you do not get a choice of who works with your child

  • You are given to the first provider (BCBA or BT) that has room on their caseload. Only once things get to a breaking point with the provider will they contemplate changing the BT or the BCBA. This is wasted time for you and your child.

  • These companies are also often using brand new BCBAs and BTs (within a year or two of certification). Most independent BCBAs have way more experience - years certified, specific areas of interest, and knowledge of ABA and neurodiversity.

  • With an independent BCBA, you get to pick your BCBA!

• Many of the large ABA companies only promote from within

  • These means that the same strategies or goals are used by everyone at the company. While this is understandable, they are not thinking outside of the box.

  • When a BCBA can function independently, they are better able to meet the actual need of you and your child - not just do whatever their boss told them to do.

• The ABA companies are concerned with billable hours which often means large caseloads

  • Large caseloads lead to stress for the BCBA and likely less time with you are your family. Large caseloads are the main cause for burnout, even for great BCBAs!

  • An independent BCBA gets to work with each individual family to determine the level of support they want and need. We can accept fewer clients, be more flexible in our support, and work creatively with you!

• Many independent BCBAs will also offer a superbill or the necessary information for you to seek reimbursement from your insurance company for an out-of-network provider

  • A superbill is an itemized list of the services you received from an out-of-network provider (CPT codes, times, dates, etc.). This is very useful when seeking reimbursement.

  • Some or all of the cost of the service can be reimbursed. Please check with your insurance company prior to or upon starting with an independent BCBA to ensure the proper protocols are followed.

While an independent BCBA may not be for everyone, we can be invaluable if you are not getting the support you are looking for. Time is so valuable, make it count!