The Changing Profile of Caregivers Seeking ABA Therapy: Rebuilding Trust, One Family at a Time‍

Over the past few years, we’ve witnessed a significant shift in the types of conversations we have with caregivers when they first reach out to begin Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy services. 
Caregivers are more informed, more involved, and more cautious. While being informed and involved is a great thing, the root of the caution we see so often is troubling. Many of these families are burned out, disillusioned, and emotionally exhausted from previous experiences with ABA providers.

A Common Story: Burnout and Broken Trust

We hear it again and again: “We tried ABA before, and it didn’t feel right.”

Caregivers describe being overwhelmed by rigid, one-size-fits-all programs. Many were told that their child needed 40 hours a week of therapy, regardless of their unique needs. Some felt like their concerns were dismissed. Others were simply treated like a case number, not a family seeking help.

As a result, they arrive at our doorstep with a guarded demeanor, unsure whether this time will be any different. It’s no longer just about accessing services, but about deciding whether they can trust the process again.

When 40 Hours Becomes a Barrier, Not a Solution

Let’s be clear: intensive therapy, including 40 hours per week of ABA, can be incredibly valuable for some children. For others, though, it’s not appropriate or necessary. The problem isn’t the number of hours—it’s the assumption that every child must fit the same mold.

What we’re seeing now is that the providers who push for maximum hours without explanation or consideration are doing real harm, not just to individual families, but to the field of ABA itself. They’re creating a cycle of skepticism and fear that makes it harder for ethical, child-centered providers to gain trust.

A New Layer: The "Graduation Gap"

We’re also seeing another painful trend emerge: children who are “graduating” from ABA therapy programs that only serve kids up to age 6, and then are left with nowhere to go.

These are children who have made tremendous progress, only to hit a wall.

Their services end not because they no longer need support, but because the provider isn’t equipped or willing to continue treatment beyond early childhood. There’s no transition planning. No next step. 

Caregivers are once again scrambling to find a provider who will take them, and often facing long waitlists. Meanwhile, after-school ABA programs are at capacity, and services that align with school hours are limited. Families are being forced to choose school placements that aren't always a good fit, not because it's what’s best for their child, but because it’s the only option available.

This abrupt cutoff, happening right as children are transitioning into new environments and more complex developmental stages, is deeply destabilizing. And it’s leading to even more distrust in the system.

Families are asking: "Why did we invest so much in a program that abandoned us when we needed it most?"

It’s a question no caregiver should have to ask. And it's a gap we can no longer afford to ignore.

So, How Do We Rebuild That Trust?

At BPI, we’ve made it a priority to slow down and listen. We know that trust isn’t given, it’s earned. For families who have been through the wringer, that trust is fragile.

Here’s how we’re approaching it:

1. A Thoughtful, Transparent Intake Process

We take our time during intake not just to collect data, but to get to know the child and the family. We invite caregivers to tell their story. What has worked? What hasn’t? What are they hoping to see change? We explain not only what we’re doing, but why. No assumptions, no pressure, just collaboration.

2. Individualized Treatment Plans, Always

Every child is different, and their therapy should reflect that. Our Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) assess each child holistically, considering their learning style, goals, behavior, and family needs. Some children thrive with 10 hours a week. Others need more. But no one gets a blanket recommendation.

3. Ongoing Communication and Consent

Therapy shouldn’t be something that happens to a family. It should happen with them. We encourage constant dialogue, frequent check-ins, and shared decision-making. Caregivers are never left out of the loop. We view them as equal partners in their child’s progress.

Moving Forward Together

ABA therapy, when done right, is powerful. It can open doors, build skills, and improve lives. But only when it’s rooted in empathy, ethics, and individualization.

To the caregivers reading this who feel skeptical or burnt out: We hear you. We understand your caution, and it’s valid.

Our goal isn’t just to make therapy fit neatly into your routine. Our goal is to help you see the value of this therapy—the real, lasting impact it can have on your child and your family.

This work matters. And when it’s done thoughtfully and collaboratively, it can change lives.

We’re here to meet you where you are, to earn your trust, and to build something meaningful together.

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Let’s rewrite the story of what ABA can be. Together.

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