
🧩 Trends, Truths & Turning Points: What’s Shaping Autism and Behavioral Health in 2025

Arkansas Mom Releases Powerful Children’s Book on Autism and Mealtime Struggles

Behavioral Health Deal Volume Up 53% in Early 2025: What This Means for ABA Practices

The Growing Gap in Autism and IDD Care: Why the Industry Must Scale Ethically and Strategically

Should a BCBA Always Own the Clinic? Maybe Not.

Staff, Tariffs, and RFK Jr.: What ABA Companies Need to Know Right Now - Live today at 8 AM Eastern!

ABA Staff Turnover Is Still Out of Control — Here’s What the Data Says

How the New Tariffs Could Impact ABA Businesses (And What You Can Do About It)

RFK Jr.’s Autism Registry Proposal: Understanding the Implications for ABA Companies

How Margin Keepers Can Help You Master Payroll & Financial Planning

Quality over Quantity- Is more supervision always better?

Denials, Audits & Billing Headaches: ABA News Roundup – April 14, 2025

Nebraska Issues New ABA Medicaid Service Definitions Amid Federal Audit Scrutiny

Concerns Grow Over Insurance Misuse of Medically Unlikely Edits (MUEs) in ABA Therapy Denials

Federal Audit Finds $56 Million in Improper Medicaid Payments for ABA Therapy in Indiana

UnitedHealthcare’s Strategy to Limit ABA Therapy Raises Alarm in the Autism Community

It’s Time to Get Real: ABA Business Owner Burnout

From Policy Shifts to Legal Hits: ABA News Roundup – April 7, 2025 - Live event today at 11AM Eastern!

Texas Recognizes QABA® for Behavior Analyst Licensure

Maryland Clinic Settles HIPAA Violations After Ransomware Attack

New York’s Proposed Medicaid Cuts Raise Concerns for Autism Services

Massachusetts Expands ABA Therapy Coverage to Children with Down Syndrome

Indiana’s Updated Medicaid Policy for ABA Therapy: What You Need to Know

Expanding to a Clinic? Do this first!

From Big Deals to Big Trouble: ABA Business News - March 31, 2025

The truth behind the client and staff cancellations

Top ABA Headlines

Local Owner Highlight- When to scale your ABA Business

Understanding the journey- Improving caregiver relationships with Melanie Thurston

How Effective Bookkeeping Ensures Payroll Stability and Helps You Retain ABA Staff

The Importance of Bookkeeping Services for ABA Business Owners

Mastering Marketing – Local Outreach Done Right

How to Scale Your ABA Business

You Just Closed Your ABA Company... Now What?

Building the Future of Small ABA Businesses – Join Us in This Mission

Red Flags in ABA Service Providers

Coaching Session- Discussing Onboarding with a New Owner

Would You Rather: Hiring in ABA

Grow your own BCBAs vs. hiring- What you need to know

Aligning Leadership with Values: Behavioral Intelligence in ABA with Dr. Paul Gavoni

ABA Accreditation: Compliance or Commitment to Quality?

AI meets clinical decision making- Using AI to improve patient outcomes- with Amanda Ralston

Comprehensive Updates to ABA Practice Handbooks: Enhanced Policies, Compliance, and ACQ Standards Integration

Leadership in ABA: Building Values, Managing Relationships, and Driving Progress with Martin Myers

Leadership, transparency, and collaboration in ABA organizations, with Jennifer Heidt

Building Better Care; Public Policy and Staff Empowerment

Free RBT Training for Your ABA Team This Holiday Season!

Innovating ABA Practice with AI Solutions

How can we help? Using ACT with Meg Solomon.

Building Resilience in ABA Practices: Lessons in Staffing, Billing, and Growth

Flash Sale: 6 Months Free Access to Our ABA Business Leaders Training Platform for 25 Companies!

I Hate My Job: Exploring Real Solutions

I Hate My Job: Reaction to Posts

I Hate My Job: Real Stories of Ethical Dilemmas in ABA

Introducing the New ABA Business Leaders Training Platform

I Hate My Job: Voicing the Frustrations of ABA Professionals

Introducing Our New Self-Paced Courses: Revenue Cycle Management & Effective Hiring with Indeed

CPABA Conference: A Path Forward for the Field - Get a 10% Discount!

Empower & Thrive: Registration Extended Until October 7 - 50% off!

Exciting New Coaching Opportunity for 3 Pie Squared ABA Business Leaders!

Free Download! Discover Essential Tax Compliance Tips with MarginKeepers

Why Stephen is Excited About the CPABA Conference 2024 - Discount just for you! -

3 Pie Squared Partners with Happy Medium RBT to Offer a Revolutionary 40-Hour RBT Training

Maximizing Recruitment with Indeed: How to Find the Right Candidates Without Breaking the Bank

Empathetic Leadership in ABA: Supporting Our Techs

Five Weeks of Wisdom: Bite-Sized Insights from 3 Pie Squared

Introducing the ABA Business Leaders Training Platform

Free Download! Boost Your Established ABA Practice with MarginKeepers' Essential Accounting Tips

Inside the World of ABA Audits and Legal Guidance with Kim Mack Rosenberg, Esq.

Ethical Practices for ABA Testimonials and Reviews with Dr. Jon Bailey

Navigating Growth and Challenges in ABA Business with Alecia Barrett

For a limited time, buy any of our handbooks and get our Business Leaders Membership for 75% off!

Collaboration in ABA: Strengthening Connections Among ABA Business Owners

"I Hate My Job" Series Kickoff: Discussing Burnout and Unethical Practices in the ABA Field

Top Five Essentials for Your Company Policies

Discount Ends Tomorrow – Last Chance to Get 20% Off Our Comprehensive ABA Billing Training Series!

Mastering Digital Marketing for ABA Practices with Reece from Reputation Elevation

Navigating ABA Business Growth: Consultation with Alecia Barrett

Unlock Your Billing Potential: Our New ABA Billing Course and Free ABA Billing Tips!

Navigating Company Policies: A Blueprint for ABA Practices

Free Chart of Accounts: Optimize Your Bookkeeping with MarginKeepers

Safeguarding Integrity: Proactive Strategies to Mitigate Billing Fraud in ABA Therapy

Steering Clear of Fraud: Mastering Insurance Billing in ABA Practice

From Overwhelm to Strategy: The Journey of an ABA Business Leader

Beyond the Startup: Common Mistakes by Seasoned ABA Business Owners

Essential Elements of an Employee Handbook for ABA Practices

Don’t Do That!: Avoiding Common Missteps in Your ABA Practice

Pre-Hire Power: The Critical Importance of an Employee Handbook for ABA Practices

Integrating Art into ABA Therapy: A Conversation with Natasha Bouchillon

Why a Client Handbook is Crucial Before Starting ABA Services

🥧 Grab a Slice of Success: Pi Day Flash Sale! 🎉

Why Should I Get a Client Handbook Before I Start Seeing Clients?

Financial Insights for ABA Practices: Free Chart of Accounts from MarginKeepers!

Navigating Authentic Copywriting in ABA Services: Insights and Innovations

Big Changes to the Podcast!

Get Free Expert Consulting for Your ABA Business on Our Podcast – Apply Now!

Navigating the Credentialing Conundrum: Insights from ABA Leaders

Navigating ADA Compliance: Essential Insights for ABA Business Owners

Nurturing Success: The Interplay Between Company and Team Dynamics

🌟 Dive Into the World of Sleep with Dr. Emily Ice: A Podcast Episode Not to Miss 🌜

A little late but our update is here!

Maximizing Your ABA Practice’s Potential: The Power of Bookkeeping with MarginKeepers

33% Off ABA Business Leaders for the Next 25 People!

Client Hours Discussion with April, Mallory Stinger, and Jennifer Helton

Improving Quality Through Accreditation: A Discussion with Erick Dubuque, Director of ACQ

Optimize Your ABA Practice with the Case Load Utilization Tool - 50% until Friday!

Black Friday Special - Rate Negotiations 2.0 - Elevating Your Practice with Provider Rate Resources

Navigating Medical Necessity with Dan and Mike from ABA on Tap

Upcoming Podcast with Erick Dubuque, Director of ACQ & Exciting News on How We Can Help Companies Navigate This New Standard! 🌟🎙️

Partnering with MarginKeepers, Co.: A Game Changer for Your ABA Practice

Celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving with a Bang: 50% Off ABA Business Leaders Membership and Earn 33.5 CEUs!

Empowering Change: Insights from New BCBA Business Owners

Founding a Nonprofit Practice with Susan Habchy

ABA Business Amazon List

De-Stress & Avoid ABA Burnout with a Relaxing Post-Work Routine

Three Common Struggles of a New ABA Practice

Benefits of Outsourcing with 3 Pie Squared

Why 3 Pie Squared

The Essential List for a Successful Business

2019 Satisfaction Survey results

The Cost of RBT Turnover

What You Need to Know About HIPAA

Podcast with Dr. Becca Tagg

Run Your Therapy Business Like a Well-Oiled Machine!

How to Grow Your Practice
“What are we really doing here?”: The Push to Standardize Quality in Autism Therapy
In 2025, the autism therapy industry is confronting a fundamental question: What defines quality in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), and how can we ensure all families—regardless of geography or payer—receive it?
A recent article by Behavioral Health Business, titled “What Are We Getting Out of This?”, highlights the growing concern that despite the field’s rapid expansion, there is still no cohesive framework for measuring outcomes or defining effective care. As a result, families, providers, and payers are navigating a fragmented system where expectations, practices, and results vary dramatically.
⚠️ ABA in 2025: A Patchwork of Priorities
Children across the country may receive vastly different levels of care based purely on where they live or who pays for their services. State regulations differ, insurer requirements diverge, and even provider approaches can be wildly inconsistent.
“We’re all delivering services. But what are we actually achieving?” — Autism therapy executive, Behavioral Health Business, April 2025
🧩 Regulatory Gaps and Real-World Impact
This inconsistency isn't just theoretical—it has real consequences. According to a 2025 investigation by CT Insider, several ABA centers in Connecticut were operating without proper licensing or regulatory oversight.
“When care quality is determined by your ZIP code, we’ve failed the families who rely on us.” — Connecticut Office of the Child Advocate
📚 Evidence-Based Practices: A Roadmap to Consistency
One major opportunity for improvement lies in standardizing the clinical interventions themselves. The National Clearinghouse on Autism Evidence and Practice (NCAEP) has identified 28 evidence-based practices (EBPs) in its most recent report, updated in 2020 and still referenced in 2025.
Download the NCAEP 2020 Evidence-Based Practices Report (PDF)
📈 Measuring What Matters: Outcomes and Progress
Payers and parents alike want to know: Is this working?
That’s where standardized outcome tracking comes in. Measuring things like language acquisition, daily living skills, generalization, and behavior reduction can create transparency and drive quality.
🔍 NADR: Toward a National Benchmark
One initiative gaining traction is the National Autism Data Registry (NADR), spearheaded by JADE Health. NADR aggregates standardized, de-identified outcome data across providers, allowing for benchmarking across key progress areas.
“We need to move from anecdotal progress to actionable data—and NADR is a step in the right direction.” — JADE Health executive
🏥 Value-Based Care: Payers Demand Proof
As Valenz Health reports, the ABA industry is experiencing a shift toward value-based care. That means reimbursement is increasingly tied to documented outcomes—not just hours billed.
The Changing Landscape of ABA Therapy – Valenz Health
🛠 The Ethical Provider’s Playbook
- Adopt EBP-aligned treatment protocols
- Train staff to fidelity with structured oversight
- Use standardized assessments (e.g., ABLLS-R, AFLS)
- Publish anonymized aggregate outcomes
- Participate in data-sharing platforms like NADR
💡 What Could Standardization Actually Look Like?
Category | Minimum Expectation |
---|---|
Staff Training | 40+ hours plus direct supervision before solo client time |
Supervision Ratio | Max 1 BCBA : 10 RBTs, reviewed quarterly |
Treatment Plans | EBP-aligned, updated every 90 days with outcome data |
Data Tracking | Collected daily, summarized weekly, reviewed monthly |
Discharge | Based on skill mastery and generalization |
🔚 The Bottom Line
ABA has matured, but its standards haven’t. It’s time to align. With quality benchmarks rooted in evidence, outcomes, and transparency, the industry can restore trust—and deliver on its promise to families.