Offering Telesupervision Can Help Provide Greater Access To ABA Therapy

Starting Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy as soon as possible after an individual is diagnosed with autism has been shown to be the most effective treatment to reduce the signs and symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

The rising prevalence of autism is leading more families to seek treatment options, such as ABA Therapy, but there simply aren't enough clinicians in the U.S.—especially in the more remote areas. To meet the growing demand, Centria Autism offers families who live in areas without a clinician the opportunity to still receive ABA Therapy through a service called Telesupervision.

Telesupervision will give families an opportunity to gain access to the best care for their child with autism as soon as possible.

What is telesupervision?

On a secure, HIPAA-compliant web-based platform, Centria Autism works with families and their therapy team to provide individualized ABA Therapy sessions with an in-person Behavior Technician, but instead of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) offering in-person supervision and consultation on those sessions, it is done remotely. 

"A remote telesupervision BCBA is someone that practices the same as an on-the-ground clinician. BCBAs develop behavior intervention plans for problem behaviors and then also behavior treatment plans to target skill acquisition for individuals diagnosed with autism," BCBA Anne Boardman says. 

"Having a remote supervised clinician is really beneficial," Ashley, mom of two girls in ABA Therapy, said. "I actually get dedicated one-on-one time and I can talk to [my BCBA] when I'm driving home from work or while I'm at the grocery store walking around, so it's really helpful to make it work with my schedule." 

Telesupervision provides added benefits to the parents of children receiving ABA Therapy services. By offering one-on-one time remotely, it is no less personal than having a BCBA physically there. "It's actually almost the same," says Centria Autism Behavior Technician Samantha, who has been supervised by both remote BCBAs and on-the-ground BCBAs.

Remote BCBA Supervision is just as attentive as in-person

BCBAs, whether remote or in-person, are very active in the therapy process. "My BCBA tells me exactly what to do and so having input from other people like a BCBA, whether remote or in-person, helps technicians grow" in their ability to be skilled in their application of a child's individualized treatment program, said Samantha. 

There are added benefits a family may not even realize until their child is receiving remotely supervised visits. Logistically preparing for and accommodating a treatment team versus just the one technician a child is more familiar with allows the family to get the benefits of supervision more conveniently, albeit remotely. "I still have the same communication with her," mom Ashley said. "Being remote or not remote doesn't really make a difference" in their participation and attention to your child's case, she added.

"Everybody wants the best for your child and everybody is open to communication and if you tell them you like this or you don't like this, they take that feedback and they implement it." 

Less wait time, more chances to develop skills

Telesupervision is not only helpful, but it is also necessary. With the increase in ASD diagnoses, the number of highly qualified certified BCBAs available in certain regions of the country who can offer professionally supervised treatment for individuals with autism is stretched. So by offering this kind of service, families may find they don't have to be on longer waitlists to get ABA services."You'll be able to schedule treatment much quicker having a remote supervised clinician in certain areas of the county where there may be a limited amount of Behavior Analysts," according to Boardman.

Delays in services risk early development of functional skills. Research shows that early intervention treatment services, such as ABA, can greatly improve a child's development. The National Research Council's American Academy of Pediatrics reported that early intervention services help children from birth to 3 years old (36 months) learn important skills. Services include therapy to help the child talk, walk, and interact with others. 

Who works with my child directly?

ABA breaks down tasks into small steps until mastered all while encouraging progress towards those functions and positive behaviors with positive reinforcements. Such verbal and tangible reinforcers are distributed in person to the child through the BT and supervised by the team's BCBA via remote supervision.

A BCBA will communicate with your child and BT weekly. But technicians can see their supervising BCBA as much as they like to ask questions and talk about specific behaviors they are targeting. Typically, parent engagement sessions are held once per month with the family and treatment team.  

To learn more about how  Centria Autism can help you and your family navigate a diagnosis and insurance verification, or treatment of ABA Therapy, please contact our team of specialists at (855) 423-4629.