Choosing the Right Support Team
If your child or family member has recently received an autism diagnosis, you may be navigating a lot of new information, including options like ABA services. As a neurodivergent BCBA, I believe that support should honor neurodivergent identities, prioritize autonomy, and center lived experience. This page shares information about ABA’s history, current practices, and diverse perspectives to help you make informed, values-aligned decisions when choosing providers for your family.
Finding a team that is collaborative; working alongside other service providers, educators, and family members is essential to ensure the individual receives consistent, holistic support across all areas of their life.
This summary of the Autism Society of America’s 2023 ABA resource helps families better understand Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)—its history, current use, and the range of experiences in the autism community. It includes insights from autistic individuals, families, and professionals, along with red, yellow, and green flags to consider when choosing a provider. The resource also explores how certain practices can be harmful without transparency, trauma-informed care, or collaboration. It’s designed to support families in making confident, informed decisions. You can also access the blog post here.
This resource helps parents make informed decisions about autism services by emphasizing each individual’s uniqueness and dignity. It encourages clear communication, collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, and choosing providers who prioritize inclusion and quality of life. Support should always be personalized to fit individual needs and strengths. Additional resources for informed decision-making include Organization for Autism Research: A Parent’s Guide to Research, National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorder, National Standards Project « National Autism Center, and Association for Science in Autism Treatment.
The Autism Society of Greater New Orleans offered a free 6-session seminar series—available in-person and online—for caregivers of autistic individuals. The recordings, slides, and resources from all 6 sessions are available on the ASGNO website. Designed to reduce barriers to support, the series provided practical, inclusive guidance along with time to connect with other caregivers. While this program is currently only available as recorded sessions, please visit ASGNO’s calendar of events or sign up for their email list to be alerted to their events and programs including parent support groups (available in Spanish too) as well as outings.
