Frequently Asked Questions

ABA is a type of therapy based on the science of learning and behavior. It works by reinforcing and rewarding helpful behaviors that improve learning and communication skills. ABA is the most widely used and scientifically supported treatment for autism spectrum disorders and is considered an evidenced-based best practice by the U.S. Surgeon General and the American Psychological Association.

ABA therapy can be used to teach someone almost anything. Our program focuses on the skills and behaviors that will best prepare a child for school or independent living in the future.

Some of the most common skills that we help our kids learn are:

• Playing with other kids their age
• Using the toilet independently
• Following directions
• Communicating their wants and needs
• Regulating their emotions

Really anyone can benefit from ABA therapy but it’s especially effective for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The U.S. Surgeon General and the American Psychological Association recognized it as an evidence-based, best practice treatment for ASD.

A BCBA, or Board Certified Behavior Analyst, is an expert in the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis. BCBAs generally work with individuals across a range of settings, including schools, clinics, homes, and community environments, and often focus on helping individuals with developmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). BCBAs are trained in behavior assessment, intervention planning and data collection and analysis.

In order to become a BCBA, first you must complete a Master’s degree. Most people study education, psychology or Applied Behavior Analysis at the graduate level. Next, you’re required to perform 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork or 1,500 hours of concentrated supervised fieldwork. This hands-on training under the watchful eye of an experienced BCBA is essential to becoming a competent practitioner. Finally, you must pass a written certification exam administered by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.

An RBT, or Registered Behavior Technician, is a paraprofessional certification for individuals who implement applied behavior analysis (ABA) treatment plans under the supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). RBTs play a crucial role in the day-to-day delivery of ABA services, primarily working directly with clients to help improve their behavior and teach critical skills.

To become an Registered Behavior technician, you must complete a 40-hour training program covering the RBT Task List, which includes skills such as measurement, assessment, skill acquisition, behavior reduction, documentation and reporting as well as professional conduct. Next, a BCBA will test your skills through an initial competency assessment. Finally, you must pass a written certification exam administered by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.

Evidence shows that the earlier a child begins receiving therapy, the higher the chance that child sees positive outcomes. Children under 5 usually make the fastest gains over time in targeted skill acquisition areas; although, children over 5 can still make significant progress.

Each year, one in four children are identified as “at risk” of developmental delays by their pediatrician. If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s development, give your pediatrician a call. They can help assess their skills and abilities and direct you to valuable resources.

There are many styles of ABA and many different types of ABA providers out there. The most important thing is that you find a team that can meet your child’s needs and fits with your values. It’s hard to tell from a website what a particular person or agency’s therapy will look like. That’s why we would encourage you to give them a call or ask your friends or other people in the autism community if they have worked with them before.

When you narrow your search down, we recommend that you ask each agency the following questions:

1) How do you train your providers? How experienced are they?
2) What style of ABA do you practice?
3) How is my child’s progress going to be measured?
4) How do you incorporate parent feedback?

There are many options out there and choosing the right one can have a huge impact on your child’s life. Bloomwell is here to help you and your child whether that means starting therapy with us or another provider.

At Bloomwell, the process kicks off after we have gathered your insurance information so that we can verify your benefits and give you an accurate picture of what the costs of receiving ABA will look like for your family.

Then, we’ll schedule two appointments. First, we’ll conduct a parent/caregiver interview to get to know more about your family and learn about the challenges your child is facing and what your goals are for them as they grow. Next, we’ll perform a comprehensive assessment on your child.

Once we score the assessment, we’ll create an individualized treatment plan tailored to you and your child’s specific goals and needs. We’ll review that plan with you to make sure that it meets your expectations and that everyone’s on the same page before starting therapy. Then, we’ll confirm your child’s weekly therapy schedule.

When the treatment plan’s ready, we’ll send it to your insurance company to request authorization to begin therapy. When authorization is granted, we’ll schedule your child’s first therapy session and begin working together to help your child reach their fullest potential.

There are several different components to a comprehensive ABA assessment at Bloomwell. Each of our clients receive a battery of standardized, peer-reviewed assessments. Then, we’ll choose to conduct a few additional age- and skill-related assessments that will help us get a more complete understanding of your child. Participating in these assessments could look like asking your child to identify a house, ask for a snack or point to a car.

We also ask you to complete an extensive questionnaire regarding your child’s developmental and medical history, what your goals are for therapy and the Parental Stress Index.

We are firm believers that the techniques used in ABA can help any person learn any skill or behavior; however, most insurance companies will only cover the cost of ABA if a person is formally diagnosed with autism.

If your child is facing other developmental challenges but doesn’t have a diagnosis of autism, we’re more than happy to check your coverage with your insurance company or work out an out-of-pocket payment plan with you.

Most health insurance plans cover ABA therapy. In fact, each state has a law that requires state-regulated insurance companies to cover ABA therapy. Unfortunately, there are a few exceptions. To find out what your child’s coverage is like, get in touch with our Insurance Specialists (link to insurance form) and we can check your benefits for you.

Bloomwell is led by clinicians that believe the best way to teach a child is by using the settings, objects and people that they encounter every day (also called Natural Environment Teaching) and to make sure that they have fun doing it.

All of our therapists are Registered Behavior Technicians and full-time employees, which ensure that your child develops a healthy relationship with their therapist and that they are able to provide the highest quality therapy.

We know that the short- or medium-term goal of most of our parents is for their child to be prepared to attend school. That’s why we created a program specifically geared toward preparing your child for kindergarten or another school setting.

Our proprietary (and required!) caregiver and family training program ensures that you are equipped with the knowledge and tools to continue what your child is working on in the clinic at home.

It’s these four things that we believe set us apart from other ABA providers and will help your child reach their fullest potential.

We strive to create a program and environment that is as similar to a preschool as possible. While every child’s treatment program and schedule is unique, this is generally what a day at Bloomwell might look like:

∙ 8:00 – 8:30 am | Drop Off, Group Outside Play
∙ 8:45 am | Circle Time
∙ 9:15 am | Toy Play
∙ 9:45 am | Snack
∙ 10:00 am | Group Active Play
∙ 10:30 am | Discrete Trial Training
∙ 10:45 am | Sensory Time
∙ 11:15 am | Lunch
∙ 12:00 pm | Rest
∙ 12:45 pm | Group Active Play
∙ 1:15 pm | Discrete Trial Training
∙ 1:45 pm | Snack
∙ 2:00 pm | Group Toy Play
∙ 2:30 pm | Art
∙ 3:00 pm | Pickup

Your child will make the most progress if they’re able to practice the skills they learn at the clinic while they’re at home with you. We’ve developed a Caregiver and Family Training Program that focuses on the principles of ABA, teaches you valuable practical techniques to use at home and addresses your child’s unique needs. In fact, participation in this program is a requirement during your child’s time at Bloomwell. Each family’s commitment will vary depending on the needs of your child, but you can expect to spend between 2-4 hours per month learning with our staff and other parents.

Feel free to give us a call, email us or fill out our contact form and someone from our team will get in touch and answer any questions you might have.