Navigating the Conversation: Our Commitment to Responsible, Compassionate ABA

A recent New York Times investigation, titled Short Naps, Long Hours: How Autism Clinics Squeeze Medicaid Dollars Out of Preschoolers, highlighted deeply concerning practices within the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) industry. The article detailed how some private-equity-backed clinics are recommending grueling 30- to 40-hour therapy weeks for toddlers, sometimes advising parents to pull their children out of preschool or sacrifice nap times simply to maximize billing.

If you read this article and felt a wave of anxiety or confusion, we want you to know your reaction is completely valid. When you entrust a therapy team with your child’s development, you need absolute peace of mind.

At ABA Solutions, we read the article too. We don’t shy away from these conversations, nor do we dismiss the experiences of families who have been subjected to poor, profit-driven therapeutic practices. We believe it is our professional and ethical duty to address them head-on.

The truth is, the ABA industry has grown rapidly. With that growth, we have seen an influx of corporate-driven models and a stark divide in the quality of care. Not all ABA is created equal. Here is how we view the difference between the irresponsible practices highlighted in the news and the compassionate, responsible ABA we champion every day.

Recognizing the Divide: Irresponsible vs. Responsible ABA

Historically, and in some poorly run clinics today, ABA has been misused as a tool for rigid compliance or maximized for corporate profit. Responsible ABA is fundamentally different—it is about providing your child with the tools they need to navigate the world safely and autonomously, at a pace that is healthy for them.

The “Corporate” Clinic Model	Our Standard (Responsible ABA)
Prescribes 30-40 therapy hours based on maximum billing and availability.	Recommends individualized hours based strictly on clinical need and family capacity.
Advises pulling children out of school to fill clinic schedules.	Collaborates with schools to support inclusive education and holistic development.
Forces therapy through nap times and natural breaks.	Prioritizes child well-being, rest, and naturalistic, play-based learning.
Demands strict, unquestioning compliance.	Prioritizes child assent and teaches self-advocacy (saying “no” is a skill).
Driven by private equity investors and profit margins.	BCBA-owned, operated, and clinically driven.

The “BCBA-Owned” Difference

The most severe criticisms of modern ABA stem from clinics owned by private equity firms, where decisions about a child’s care are influenced by bottom lines and billing quotas. In these environments, workers report being pressured to assign therapy hours based on a child’s availability rather than what the child actually needs.

ABA Solutions is proudly BCBA-owned and operated. This is not just a business detail; it is the foundation of our clinical integrity.

Because we are run by Board Certified Behavior Analysts, every decision made—from hiring and staff training to program design and discharge planning—is viewed through a clinical and ethical lens. We do not answer to shareholders. We hold ourselves to stringent standards because we answer to our profession, our ethics code, and most importantly, to you and your child.

Moving Forward Together

If you are a prospective family researching therapies, or a current family feeling unsettled by what you see in the news, we encourage you to ask hard questions. Ask us about our assent-based practices. Ask us how we determine the exact number of hours your child actually needs. Ask us how we protect your child’s right to simply be a kid.

Responsible ABA should always look like a partnership. It should look like joy, play, and connection. Most importantly, it should empower your child to be their most authentic, independent self.

Our doors—and our inboxes—are always open. If you want to discuss your child’s specific program or have questions about our clinical standards, please reach out to us.