Our problem with ABA in house, was that our son felt like he was at home, so he didn't need to focus the way he does in a school or in office environment. He'd occasionally just walk away to his room. He definitely acts different at home than at school, and even at therapy.

When our son was 3,a BCBA trained me to do the work in home. She eventually trained an ABA therapist that we hired on our own. At 4, we attended a hospital program that was mainly ABA based, and a combination of in clinic and parent homework. Both of these programs worked out well. He also attended 1/2 day preschool. We later tried in home with a company that sends therapists. They sent a lot of different people without enough supervision. It became a power struggle. We are looking into clinic based because of the power struggle, but this could have also been the company. He receives it at school, but we think that outside help is needed. We do not feel that schools are strong enough, but that might just be our experience.

How old is your child? My 2 1/2 year old son has been receiving in home ABA treatment. I think when they are young it is nice for them to get ABA in home in their natural environment. The therapists can also show you tips that you can later use with your child right there in the home. Some children on the spectrum have difficulty generalizing so they may do learn a skill or exhibit a behavior at the clinic but will they do that new skill when they come home. So even if you do some hours at the clinic, I feel it also helps to do some hours of ABA in the home.

I can understand that. I'm son goes to developmental pre k 4 mornings a week. He has speech and OT in school but the school doesn't offer Aba. We haven't been there long but his behaviors have gotten worse at home since starting. We're going to give it a couple of months and then reevaluate if it's the right school program for him. Our insurance approved us for 10 hours of aba a week at $400 a month out of pocket so we will be doing that in the afternoons. I think in home will be beat for him since he is already getting social interaction at school

Hi Allygp.
We have done both in clinic (pre school setting) & at home ABA.
My son is 4 years old.
The school was good as my son had 4 different therapists and was around other children.
However we had limited visibility of what he was actually learning.
I would meet with the supervisor monthly & make suggestions but they were
never included in his program. He gained one or two words - but he lost them as the supervisor did not feel they "fit" into his program. Which was devestating!

So we have changed the therapy to at home. We found a great therapist.
I have complete visibility of his lessons which means we can practice on the weekends
and am able to add or remove concepts at anytime.

To compensate the social aspect - he goes to regular daycare 2 days a week.

The at home ABA has worked out much better & cheaper for us.
Good luck with your decision.