What whole person care looks like in ABA

“The beauty of ABA therapy lies in its flexibility to meet each person’s unique needs for learning new skills and behaviors.” 
– Dr. Laura Schreibman 

Whole person care takes this to heart. Instead of just zeroing in on a single behavior, it pays attention to all the things that make up a person’s daily life – like health, feelings, routines, and surroundings. By looking at the bigger picture, ABA providers can better understand what each child and family needs to succeed. 

What whole person care means in ABA 

Whole-person care in ABA therapy means looking at every part of a client’s life – not just their behaviors. It includes physical health, emotions, family routines, and the environments where someone spends time. In ABA, this means knowing that behavior challenges might be caused by medical problems, sensory needs, trouble communicating, or stress at home – not just skill gaps. 

According to the Carolina Behavioral Health Alliance, whole person care relies on these key ideas:  

• Look at everything: Check for medical, sensory, communication, or environmental factors 

• Work together: ABA providers, families, schools, and other pros must coordinate 

• Support families: Help the whole family, not just the client 

• Personalize plans: Treat each person’s needs as unique 

• Think long-term: Aim for real, lasting change 

How whole person care works in real life 

Programs like those at Boundless show what this kind of care looks like day-to-day. Their services fall into three big groups that all work together. 

Health services: Boundless offers more than ABA – they include primary medical care and help families figure out health concerns, resources, and insurance. Their care coordinators help with everything from doctor visits to transportation and financial planning, making sure health issues don’t get in the way of therapy. 

Community services: They help clients get involved with things that matter to them, like art classes, exercise, community events, and job training. For example, their Spire Arts program lets people grow creative skills while also learning work habits. 

Residential and family support: They also offer options to fit different family needs. Families might choose a program where they hire their own helpers, or a structured living facility for extra support. Supported living helps clients learn independence, but with help when needed. The idea is that where and how someone lives can make a big difference in their progress. 

What makes it work is that all these services are connected. A client can get ABA therapy, train for a job, and live in supported housing, with care coordinators helping everything run smoothly and with shared goals.

The difference whole person care makes 

When ABA providers use whole person care, the results are clear. Studies show this approach helps across many areas of life. 

A review from the Association for Science in Autism Treatment found that ABA programs work best when they look at the client’s whole situation and use tailored plans. 

Examples from top ABA providers show that: 

• Clients who get medical and behavioral care together pick up new skills faster and have fewer tough behaviors. 

• Families in comprehensive support programs feel less stressed and report better lives. 

• When job programs use ABA and job training, clients keep jobs longer. 

• Mixing ABA and education helps with schoolwork and social skills. 

It works because teams look for root problems, not just surface behaviors. They help with medical needs, sensory issues, and communication, and they give families real support to help clients keep growing. 

The future of ABA is holistic 

ABA therapy is moving toward more holistic, whole-person approaches – embracing what whole person care truly means: 

• Working in harmony as a care team: Actively building relationships with other professionals in a client’s life, from teachers and doctors to speech therapists and occupational therapists. 

• Eliminating complexities in daily operations: Advocating for and using systems that facilitate smooth communication and data sharing, ensuring everyone on the team has the information they need. 

• Supporting the whole person: Looking beyond the immediate behavioral goals to consider how you can contribute to your client’s happiness, health, and integration into their community. 

In the future, ABA programs will likely bring together behavior analysts, doctors, teachers, and community groups even more. Technology will help share information quickly, and training will focus on teamwork across specialties. 

Most importantly, families and clients are asking for more personalized, respectful care – and the field is listening by making whole person principles the new standard.