Communication is the foundation of ABA therapy. When I think about what drives successful outcomes, it always comes back to how well everyone in a child’s support network connects and stays aligned.
In ABA therapy, families aren’t just involved — they’re essential. Without strong communication, a child’s progress can stall despite everyone’s best efforts. Growth happens when information flows between everyone who matters in that child’s world.
At Brighter Strides ABA, we’ve built our entire approach around maintaining an open dialogue with every family. Communication isn’t something we add on to our services; it’s woven into every aspect of how we deliver care, from the first intake call to ongoing therapy sessions.
The role of communication in ABA therapy
Kids do best when the adults in their lives are on the same page. When everyone’s aligned and working together, children feel more stable, experience fewer surprises, and can focus on learning and growing.
Everyone in a child’s day-to-day life plays an integral part in their progress and helps to provide a complete picture of their circumstances and needs.
In home-based therapy, their network might include parents, siblings, grandparents and childcare providers. In school settings, this network expands to include teachers, assistant teachers, multiple subject-area instructors, school directors and social workers.
Working closely with other therapy providers — occupational therapists, psychologists, speech therapists and physical therapists — also ensures that all interventions are carefully coordinated and mutually supportive.
How communication supports excellent care
The difference between good and poor communication shows immediately in ABA therapy. When everyone can share information easily, children benefit in ways that families notice right away:
Consistency across environments ensures that children receive aligned support. This consistency accelerates learning and reduces confusion that can arise when different environments send mixed messages.
Early identification of challenges happens when communication channels remain open. Issues that might otherwise go unnoticed can be addressed quickly before they impact progress or family satisfaction.
Individualized care becomes possible when we receive regular feedback from families and other stakeholders. Therapy can be tailored to each child’s specific needs, circumstances and family priorities.
Family empowerment occurs when parents and caregivers understand what’s happening in therapy and how they can support their child’s progress at home. Families transform from passive observers into active partners in the therapeutic process.
Our communication philosophy: The “three P” approach
At Brighter Strides, we organize our communication around “the three Ps”: Proactive, personal, and practical feedback.
- Proactive: We don’t wait for issues to come up; we get ahead of them. We work to understand the full picture of each child’s situation so we can anticipate their needs and avoid obstacles. This proactive stance helps us maintain momentum in therapy and prevents small concerns from becoming larger roadblocks.
- Personal: We recognize that every family has different preferences for how they want to be contacted and what information they need. Some families prefer text messages for quick updates; others want detailed phone conversations. Some prefer face-to-face discussions during therapy sessions. We communicate in a style that fits each family’s tone, schedule, and comfort level.
- Practical: We keep our updates clear, useful, and to the point. Families have busy lives, often juggling multiple children, demanding jobs, and countless other responsibilities. Our communication style is designed to provide valuable information without adding unnecessary complexity to their already full plates.
Good communication starts at the intake call
From the moment a family contacts us, we’re building the foundation for a strong working relationship.
Families often come to us straight from receiving their child’s diagnosis, feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about next steps. Our intake coordinators are trained to provide education about ABA therapy, explain what families can expect, and help them understand their crucial role in their child’s therapeutic journey.
Each family is assigned a personal contact — a dedicated team member whose job is ensuring everything runs smoothly. This personalized approach helps families feel supported from day one and establishes clear channels for ongoing communication.
Weaving communication into the therapy process
Once therapy begins, communication becomes part of our daily routine. Every session is documented, and families receive regular updates on their child’s progress through easy-to-read data visuals that track tasks, goals, and achievements.
ABA therapy is dynamic by nature, with goals and strategies evolving as children grow and make progress. Regular communication ensures that all stakeholders can adapt when changes are needed.
Part of our approach means really listening to what families tell us. After all, we know ABA therapy, but parents and caregivers know their children. They might have different goals or hopes than us sometimes. Ongoing dialogue is incredibly important, as it ensures therapy is aligned with each family’s priorities while maintaining clinical effectiveness.
Creating multiple pathways for connection
We maintain an open line for questions and changes at every level of our organization.
For immediate, everyday queries, families can connect directly with our therapists working in their home or school. These frontline team members are trained to handle routine concerns and serve as the first point of contact.
For more complex clinical questions, the supervising Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) is always accessible via text, call, or email. They have the clinical expertise to address therapeutic concerns and can make real-time adjustments to treatment plans.
All administrative concerns are handled by dedicated client satisfaction specialists, assigned to work with a specific number of families.
The impact of our approach is evident in the feedback we receive from families. Recently, one mother told us, “Your staff talks to me like a teammate, not just a parent.” Another shared that for the first time, she felt truly included in her child’s therapy plan.
Encouraging internal communication
While much of our communication strategy centers on family relationships, we also prioritize connection among our team members.
In a field where therapists often work independently in homes or schools, maintaining team cohesion requires intentional effort.
We use a structured supervision system where Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) communicate with their supervising BCBAs through team meetings, video calls, and dedicated supervision time.
This regular contact ensures that RBTs feel supported in their work and have consistent access to clinical guidance when they encounter challenges or questions.
Recruiting with communication in mind
Our commitment to communication extends through our hiring practices. We recognize that while technical competence is essential, it must be paired with strong interpersonal skills to deliver the collaborative care we’re committed to providing.
For therapists interested in joining the Brighter Strides team, these communication skills will help you stand out:
- Adaptability in communication style based on different audiences and situations.
- Active listening skills that allow you to truly hear what families are saying, paying attention to both verbal and nonverbal cues.
- Emotional intelligence in navigating sensitive conversations about a child’s challenges while maintaining focus on their strengths and potential.
- A collaborative mindset, viewing families as partners rather than clients.
During interviews, we look for candidates who demonstrate warmth, clarity, and responsiveness. We use role-playing scenarios to assess how potential team members will interact with families and handle challenging conversations.
We ask candidates to provide specific examples of how your communication has improved outcomes in previous work. We want to hear about times when you’ve successfully navigated difficult situations, adapted your communication style to meet family needs, or used strong relationships to overcome therapeutic challenges.
We also ask candidates to translate complex clinical concepts into accessible language that families can understand and use. This skill is crucial for empowering families to support their child’s progress outside of formal therapy sessions.
The holistic impact of prioritizing communication
Kids don’t just exist in therapy. They live full lives that extend far beyond our formal sessions. Our communication-focused approach recognizes this and ensures that therapeutic gains are supported and reinforced across all aspects of a child’s experience.
Communication is a big part of the job description at Brighter Strides, and that’s exactly what makes our therapists successful. When you can connect with families who trust you, collaborate with colleagues who support you, and see your impact ripple through a child’s entire life, you create the foundation for lasting progress.
Together, we can prove that when everyone involved in a child’s care can communicate effectively, real change happens.
Explore job openings at Brighter Strides and join a company where you can make an impact.
