How client voices are driving ABA forward

There’s a growing conversation within ABA care that’s changing the field for the better. More professionals are focusing on approaches that put the client’s voice at the center. This shift goes far beyond simply acknowledging individual perspectives; it prioritizes them. Instead of shaping behavior to fit neurotypical norms, care plans now focus more on respecting what matters most to clients—their goals, preferences, and unique experiences. 

This change isn’t just shaping care itself; it’s deepening relationships and improving outcomes along the way. 

Understanding the shift  

For a long time, ABA therapy put a lot of emphasis on teaching clients to fit into societal norms, often based on neurotypical standards. While helpful for building skills, many argue these methods sometimes missed the mark when it came to aligning with a client’s own goals and identity. Therapy sessions could feel disconnected or driven by a compliance-based mindset rather than collaboration. 

Today, the focus is shifting. Clinicians are asking, “What does success look like for each individual?” and “How can therapy reflect their unique strengths and aspirations?” This mirrors the growing societal understanding of neurodiversity, which recognizes that brains can work in many different ways, and there’s no single “right” way to think or live. 

Examples of change in action  

Many organizations are bringing these changes to life. Take Autism Level UP!, for instance. They advocate setting goals collaboratively, focusing on the priorities of the individual rather than pre-determined benchmarks. They’ve also created resources to help clinicians build relationships with clients that respect their autonomy.  

Similarly, NeuroClastic, an organization rooted in neurodiverse communities, provides valuable tools and perspectives. By emphasizing the importance of understanding and challenging biases, they demonstrate how incorporating diverse voices can help clinicians deliver more meaningful and inclusive care.  

Bringing this approach to your practice  

If you’re exploring ways to better integrate client voices into your practice, here are a few key points from many of the professionals and thinkers driving this movement forward.  

1. Co-create goals that matter  

Clinicians widely advocate for setting goals in collaboration with clients and their families. Using tools, like the Adolescent Adult Goal Setting Tool, practitioners have found success in helping clients define personal priorities in areas like independence, social engagement, or emotional regulation. This approach fosters buy-in and helps ensure the therapy stays aligned with client aspirations over time. 

Even outside of formal tools, clinicians are finding that goal-setting can be as simple as asking thoughtful, open-ended questions. For clients who communicate verbally, ask, “What do you enjoy doing?” or “What’s something you’ve always wanted to learn?” For nonverbal clients, working with caregivers to understand sensory needs or preferred forms of communication can make a big difference. 

2. Turn feedback into action  

Gathering feedback doesn’t need to be complicated or intimidating. Experts recommend accessible methods like using quick visual scales or jotting notes about behavioral cues. For caregivers, targeted questions like, “Was [client’s name] more engaged this week?” or “Have you noticed any new behaviors at home?” can provide valuable insights. 

They also underscore the importance of turning client and caregiver responses into real changes during therapy. By treating feedback as an ongoing dialogue, you show that the client’s voice actively shapes the process, strengthening engagement and trust. 

3. Adapt session plans in real time  

Being adaptable during therapy sessions can make a world of difference. If a client lights up when painting or playing music, use that interest as a starting point to build communication or teach new skills. Many professionals agree that flexibility and creativity go hand in hand with client-centered care. 

It’s also important to celebrate when clients speak up, even if it’s to say something like “I don’t want to do that.” These moments, when respected, build confidence in self-advocacy and help clients feel heard.   

4. Explore ways to strengthen self-expression  

Many experts, including those at NeuroClastic, emphasize the importance of creating space for clients to express themselves in ways that feel authentic. This may involve supporting preferred communication methods, from AAC devices to gestures, and letting clients take the lead in a way that feels natural for them. 

Choice-making also plays a pivotal role. By presenting clients with options during sessions, like activities or reinforcers, you enable them to take an active role in their therapy, promoting decision-making skills crucial for independence. 

5. Train your team to recognize nonverbal cues  

Not all client preferences are communicated directly. Clinicians are looking to more intentional observation of nonverbal communication, such as body language, facial expressions, and changes in tone or energy, to better understand client preferences and needs. For example, if a client gets excited when a specific toy is brought out, use that as a motivator in sessions.  

Training teams to notice these moments and integrate them into therapy sessions not only personalizes the experience but also boosts client engagement, helping them understand that their feelings and interests are seen and valued.  

6. Take therapy into the real world  

Practices are putting more focus on practicing skills in everyday settings. This could mean working on turn-taking at a park or practicing social skills at a library. While natural environment teaching (NET) has been around for a while, there’s now a bigger push to make it more client-focused by choosing places where the client wants to build independence. 

Research shows that these real-world experiences make therapy more engaging and help clients use their skills in ways that truly matter to them. Working with families to pick safe, familiar spots ensures sessions are not only practical but also comfortable and meaningful for each client. 

7. Celebrate every achievement as meaningful  

Celebrating progress, no matter how small, is becoming a bigger focus in ABA therapy. Clinicians are encouraging their teams and clients’ support systems to recognize and cheer on every milestone. For example, the Ontario Association for Behaviour Analysis highlights stories of how ABA changes lives. In one story, a mother was nearly brought to tears when her son, for the first time, expressed that he wanted his sister to stop playing with his toys. While this might seem small to some, for that family, it was a huge step forward – and absolutely worth celebrating. 

Whether it’s offering words of encouragement, sharing wins with caregivers, or celebrating in a way that feels right for the client, recognizing progress from their perspective builds motivation and strengthens the connection between clients and therapists. 

Redefining ABA for the future  

Clinicians across the field are calling for ABA to grow in ways that value and empower individual clients. By shifting focus towards client voices, therapy is moving beyond compliance and into a space of collaboration, inclusivity, and trust. Listening to clients doesn’t just improve their experiences; it also enhances broader ABA processes like value-based care (VBC), which focuses on measurable, meaningful results.  

The conversation is growing, and every effort to champion client voices makes the field stronger. By continuously seeking insights from neurodiverse voices, and integrating these values into practice, clinicians can ensure that ABA continues to serve individuals in meaningful ways, today and into the future.