02/07/2025
Why ABA Therapy Matters — And What Happens If It’s Taken Away
For children with autism, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is more than therapy — it’s a foundation for learning, communicating, and navigating the world. It helps children develop essential life skills, regulate emotions, and reduce dangerous or disruptive behaviors. These aren’t small milestones — they’re life-changing.
But due to recent cuts to reimbursement rates and increased denial of authorizations, ABA providers are being forced to close. If these changes continue, families will lose access to the services their children rely on — and the impact will ripple far beyond the therapy room.
When ABA services disappear:
• Children with autism lose access to the tools they need to succeed in life and in school.
• Families are left without support, and children may regress in behavior, communication, and daily living skills.
• Emotional, behavioral, and social challenges that were being managed with ABA will now enter classrooms without proper intervention or support.
And this affects all children.
When students who need ABA support enter schools without the necessary skills or trained support staff, teachers are overwhelmed, classrooms are disrupted, and learning is impacted — not just for children with autism, but for every student in that room. Schools are not equipped to fill the gap that ABA leaves behind.
What’s often overlooked is the incredible heart, patience, and resilience it takes to be an ABA therapist. This work is not easy — it takes hours of repetition, quiet celebration of small wins, and the ability to stay grounded during the hard moments. These therapists become trusted guides, safe people, and cheerleaders for each child. And now, many of them are being pushed out of a field they love — not because they want to leave, but because it’s becoming unsustainable to stay.
We’re not just talking about budgets and authorizations. We’re talking about real children. Real families. Real classrooms. Real people who’ve dedicated their lives to helping others.
If we are forced to close, it’s not just our staff and clients who will feel the loss — entire schools and communities will feel it too.
“When we give children the tools to succeed, we don’t just change their lives — we change every life around them.”
Please don’t let these children fall through the cracks. ABA is not a luxury. It is essential.
