Hiring an ABA Therapist: 9 Questions Every Parent Should Ask (With Scripts)

When you’re beginning ABA therapy for your child, one of the most important steps is hiring an ABA therapist who will not just do therapy, but truly partner with your child and your family. Asking the right questions upfront helps you find someone who’s skilled, aligned with your values, and trustworthy. In this guide, we’ll walk through 9 essential questions every parent should ask when hiring an ABA therapist, with suggested scripts you can use directly in interviews.

1. What Certifications and Training Do You Hold?

One of the first and most crucial steps when searching for a therapist is ensuring they have appropriate credentials. You should look for either a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) or someone directly overseen by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) to meet these criteria.

At Celeration ABA, we hold ourselves to an exceptionally high standard. Every child we serve works exclusively with BCBAs who possess extensive education, clinical training, and ethical oversight - meaning every strategy, goal, or decision made within your child's program is data driven, evidence based and tailored specifically to meet his/her individual needs.

Choose a provider who emphasizes BCBA-led services to ensure that your child is not simply receiving therapy but rather expert care designed for meaningful, measurable growth..

Why it matters: Certification ensures they’ve met standards in behavior analysis. Without proper training, strategies may be applied incorrectly.

Script to use:

“Can you tell me your certifications (e.g. RBT) and how you stay current with ABA methods? What ongoing training do you receive?”

Also ask:

• How often your BCBA supervisor provides support and oversight

• Whether they use behavioral skills training (BST) (explain → model → practice → feedback) for new therapists (InBloom Autism Services)

• If they’ve worked with children with autism (especially those with communication or sensory differences) (Autism Speaks)

  
  

2. What Does a Typical Therapy Session Look Like?

Understanding the flow of a session helps you visualize how your child will engage in therapy.

Script to use:

“Walk me through what a typical session looks like from arrival to wrap-up. What do you expect from my child? What role do I play?”

You’re looking for signs of interaction, variety (not always table work), movement between tasks, and motivation-based teaching. Sessions that are overly rigid or monotonous can lead to burnout.

Ask the therapist how they adapt when your child struggles or becomes disengaged; competent therapists typically employ motivation-based strategies as solutions.

3. How Are Goals Developed and Updated?

Goals are the roadmap of therapy. But who sets them, how often are they reviewed, and how involved are you as a parent?

Script to use:

“How do you choose which goals to start with? How often are they updated? Can I (the parent) participate in goal selection?”

Look for a collaborative process: assessments, parent input, regular goal review cycles, and adjustment based on data.

Bad sign: goals that remain stuck for months or don’t seem relevant to real life. (Autism Speaks)

4. How Is Progress Measured & Communicated?

Transparency in data is key. You deserve clarity on how your child is doing, not vague statements.

Script to use:

“How do you track progress (data methods, frequency)? How and when will I receive updates? What happens if progress is slow?”

Therapists should collect data on each trial or interaction, analyze trends, and share results during regular meetings. (Golden Care Therapy)

They should also explain what “success” looks like and how they adjust if a goal is stagnating.

5. What Strategies Do You Use to Handle Behavior Challenges?

Therapy isn’t only about teaching skills it’s also about addressing behaviors that interfere with learning.

Script to use:

“If my child has a meltdown or refuses to participate, what strategies do you use to help them engage? Can you give me an example from your experience?”

You want therapists who understand behavior is communication, and who know how to conduct a functional behavior assessment (FBA) and apply positive interventions instead of punishment. (Autism Speaks)

Sense triggers, reinforcers, environmental adjustments, and gradual exposure are all valid tools.

6. How Will You Include Me (Parents) in the Process?

Parent involvement is often the multiplier of success. Therapists should not see you as outsiders.

Script to use:

“How will you involve me in therapy during sessions, coaching, or planning? How often will we meet to discuss progress?”

You want opportunities to learn and practice strategies with your child, not just observe. This integration helps generalization (skills carry outside therapy). (fortahealth.com)

7. How Flexible Is Your Schedule & How Do You Handle Changes?

Life happens. Your therapist should be able to adapt to schedule changes, disruptions,

or family needs.

Script to use:

“What’s your cancellation policy? If my child is sick, can you shift the session? How do you handle missed sessions?”

Look for flexibility, some home-based therapists may offer evening or weekend hours or short sessions rather than canceling entirely. Keep in mind, partner with someone that works WITH you and your family. 

8. What Is Your Caseload and Continuity Plan?

High turnover or overburdened therapists can impact consistency and progress.

Script to use:

“How many clients are on your caseload? What happens if you leave or become unavailable? Will there be a consistent plan/overlap?”

You’re looking for manageable caseloads, buffer plans, and overlap sessions to avoid abrupt transitions.

Bad sign: therapists juggling too many clients, or no backup strategy.

9. What Is Your Experience With My Child’s Needs / Profile?

Every child is unique. Ask about familiarity with communication challenges, sensory differences, or certain age groups.

Script to use:

“Do you have experience working with children who use AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication), or those with sensory needs? Can you share an example?”

You want someone who’s seen similar learners and knows how to adapt strategies.

Also ask:

• What outcomes they’ve achieved with those children

• Their philosophy on neurodiversity and how they balance challenge vs. comfort

  
  

Putting It Together: Sample Conversation Flow

Here’s a sample flow you can use when interviewing a potential therapist (in person or on call):

“Thank you for meeting. I’m here because I want to ensure we hire an ABA therapist who can grow with my child. Let’s start with your credentials… [Question 1] … Now, could you walk me through a typical session? [Q2] … How do you set goals and share data with us? [Q3 & Q4] … If my child has meltdowns, how do you respond? [Q5] … What role would I play as a parent? [Q6] … How flexible is your schedule [Q7]… What’s your usual caseload and backup plan? [Q8]… And do you have experience with children like mine especially in communication or sensory differences? [Q9]”

At the end of that, you should feel more confident. If any answer feels vague or uncomfortable, don’t hesitate to ask follow-ups or walk away.

Bonus Tips for Deciding on an ABA Therapist

• Ask for references or case studies (without violating privacy)

• Observe a trial session if possible

• Check for compatibility: personality, values, communication style

• Watch for rapport, not just technique

• Start with a pilot block of hours before fully committing

  
  

Also, while you’re interviewing, consider reading other parents’ FAQs and guides like 10 Common Questions About ABA Therapy (hopebridge.com) or Questions to Ask ABA Providers (InBloom Autism Services) to see how your candidate aligns with best practices.

Why These Questions Matter

Choosing the right person to guide your child’s growth is a big decision and not one to

rush. Asking these 9 questions when hiring an ABA therapist helps you avoid mismatches, wasted hours, and programs that don’t deliver lasting results. The best therapists don’t just show up to run sessions; they become a trusted part of your child’s support system.

A skilled ABA therapist for autism understands how to balance structure with compassion. They’ll know when to push and when to pause, how to celebrate every win, and how to communicate openly with you along the way. They’ll take the time to explain data, involve you in goal-setting, and make therapy feel like a team effort.

Remember ABA is not one-size-fits-all. Your child deserves a therapist who sees them as more than a checklist of behaviors, someone who recognizes their individuality and tailors every strategy to fit who they are. By asking thoughtful, intentional questions, you’re not being “too picky”, you’re advocating for your child’s success and well-being.

Wrapping It Up

Hiring an ABA therapist can feel overwhelming at first. Between acronyms, assessments, and insurance paperwork, it’s easy to wonder if you’re making the right choice. But when you know what to ask and what to look for you’re already setting your child up for a stronger, more positive start.

The right ABA therapist isn’t just someone who knows the science; they’re someone who understands your child. They bring patience, creativity, and collaboration into every session. With these questions and scripts in hand, you can make an informed decision grounded in trust and clarity.

Take your time. Ask the hard questions. Listen to your instincts. The goal isn’t just to find a therapist, it's to find the right fit for your child and your family. When that happens, therapy becomes more than intervention; it becomes connection, growth, and lasting progress. And if you have any additional questions, feel free to contact us. We’d love to help!

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