Are We Wasting Resources on High-Intensity ABA? Parent Training May Be the Answer

You’ve recommended it a hundred times: 25, 30, maybe even 40 hours of ABA per week. It’s what the research says works, right?

But here’s the thought you might not say out loud:

“Does every child on my caseload really need this many hours? Or are we pouring resources into some families that could thrive with less?”

Meanwhile, waitlists grow. Parents are exhausted. And you’re stretched thin, managing endless RBT® supervision and insurance paperwork.

Imagine this instead: What if some families could make meaningful progress with just YOU and a well-structured parent training program—no RBTs, no 40-hour treatment plans?

Research is starting to suggest they can. And it might just change how we think about “gold standard” ABA.

Key Takeaways

• High-intensity ABA works best for children with moderate-to-severe delays, but not every child needs 25–40 hours per week (Howard et al., 2014; CASP, 2023).

• Parent training is an evidence-based alternative for families with mild-to-moderate needs, early learners, or those waiting for services (Cheng et al., 2023).

• Severe behaviors can improve by nearly 50% with structured parent training (Kasari et al., 2015).

• BCBAs® have an ethical responsibility to recommend intensity based on individual need, not default protocols (BACB, 2023).

• Hybrid and consultative models can expand access while reducing waitlists and family burnout.

• Parent training works best with structured tools (e.g., ACHIEVE).

• Solo BCBAs® can build a sustainable niche offering private-pay parent coaching, especially via telehealth.

Why BCBAs® Push for High-Intensity ABA (and When It’s Justified)

That question—“Does every child really need this many hours?”—can feel almost taboo in our field. After all, the evidence for high-intensity ABA is strong, and for many children, it’s absolutely the right recommendation.

The Evidence for Intensive ABA

Classic studies, beginning with Lovaas (1987), showed that children receiving 30–40 hours per week of Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI) made life-changing gains—some gaining over 20 IQ points and significant improvements in adaptive functioning. More recent research backs this up:

• Howard et al. (2014) found that high-intensity programs led to +22 IQ points on average versus +11 in lower-intensity groups.

• The Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP, 2023) emphasizes that “treatment intensity is critical for maximizing outcomes,” especially for young children with significant developmental delays.

For children with moderate to severe autism symptoms, high-intensity ABA is still the gold standard. The developmental window for skill acquisition is narrow, and every hour counts.

But… Not Every Child Is the Same

Here’s where it gets tricky: not every child has those significant delays, and not every family can (or should) commit to 30–40 hours a week. Some parents describe these recommendations as “ungodly hours,” not because they don’t care, but because it doesn’t fit their child’s needs—or their family’s life.

So, the real question isn’t whether high-intensity ABA works. It’s this:

✅ Who truly needs it?
✅ Who might thrive with less?
✅ And how can we responsibly match dosage to need without sacrificing outcomes?

That’s where parent training enters the conversation.

The Case for Parent Training: What the Research Says

If high-intensity ABA is the gold standard for many kids, why even consider the parent training only model? Because for the right families, it works—and it works surprisingly well.

What the Data Shows

A growing body of research supports parent-implemented ABA strategies:

✅ Moderate but meaningful gains – A 2023 meta-analysis of 51 studies (Cheng et al., 2023) found effect sizes around g ≈ 0.5–0.6 for social communication, language, and reductions in challenging behaviors.

✅ Severe behaviors can improve dramatically – In the largest parent training RCT published in JAMA, a 24-week structured program led to a 48% reduction in serious behavior problems compared to education-only parent groups (Kasari et al., 2015).

✅ Generalization & natural environment learning – Parents can practice skills across daily routines, making learning more functional and easier to maintain over time.

This isn’t just “better than nothing.” Parent-led intervention is evidence-based in its own right—especially for children with milder delays, younger learners, or families waiting for traditional services.

Why Families Love It

• Natural integration – Parents teach during play, meals, and daily life (no 30-hour therapy schedules).

• Cost & access – Lower cost and faster availability, especially via telehealth.

• Empowerment – Parents gain confidence and skills, which improves long-term outcomes.

But It’s Not a Magic Wand

Parent training does have limitations:

• Treatment fidelity – Parents aren’t trained RBTs®; consistency may be lower.

• Family stress – Not all caregivers can be “therapist, data collector, and parent” at once.

• Scope of outcomes – Parent-led ABA works well for focused goals (e.g., communication, daily routines), but may not achieve the same global gains as a 30-hour comprehensive program.

The takeaway? Parent training isn’t a replacement for all ABA services, but it’s an underused tool—one that could reduce waitlists and optimize resources when matched to the right families.

Are We Wasting Resources? Rethinking Dosage Based on Need

If we know high-intensity ABA changes lives, but parent training works well for some families, then we have to ask:

Are We Allocating Our Resources Wisely?

Every hour of ABA is a resource—funded by insurance dollars, BCBA® supervision time, and family effort. When we prescribe 25–40 hours per week to a child who could make meaningful gains with a consultative, parent-led model, we may be:

• Over-serving one family while

• Under-serving another child who’s stuck on a waitlist for intensive care.

This isn’t just a financial issue—it’s an ethical one (BACB, 2023).

Matching Dosage to Need: A Smarter Approach

The research points us toward a more individualized framework:

The Ethical Imperative

The BACB® ethics code reminds us to recommend interventions based on individualized need, not default protocols. That means:

✅ High hours for kids who need them – not just because “more is always better.”
✅ Parent-led models for families who can thrive with them – especially as a bridge for waitlists or when 30-hour programs cause burnout.

Imagine this shift: instead of every child being funneled into a high-intensity model, BCBAs® strategically reserve intensive services for those who truly need them—while empowering parents who can succeed with consultation.

That’s not cutting corners. That’s doing more with less—and doing it ethically.

How BCBAs® Can Incorporate Parent Training Without Sacrificing Quality

So, if parent training is part of the solution, how do we integrate it ethically and effectively? Here’s a roadmap for BCBAs® who want to try this model—without compromising clinical quality.

1. Screen for the Right Families

Not every family is a good fit for a parent-led model. Ideal candidates include:

• Children with mild-to-moderate delays or no severe safety risks.

• Early learners (ages 1–5) where teaching can be embedded in play and daily routines.

• Motivated, engaged parents who want to learn and can follow through.

Families dealing with severe aggression, self-injury, or complex comorbidities likely need a higher-intensity program.

(Quick Tip Box Suggestion: “Ask yourself: Could this family succeed with weekly coaching and daily practice? If not, they may need traditional ABA support.”)

2. Start With Hybrid Models

You don’t have to go all-in on parent-only services. Consider:

• Combining 1–2 hours of parent training weekly with a few direct therapy hours.

• Using parent training as a bridge while families wait for RBT® availability.

• Gradually fading intensive services for families who show strong parent implementation skills.

3. Use Structured, Evidence-Based Tools

The biggest mistake BCBAs® make when launching parent training? Winging it. Families need clear, digestible teaching—not improvised lectures.

One way to streamline this is by using structured curricula like the ACHIEVE Parent Training Curriculum, which offers:

• 45+ ready-made lessons (e.g., toileting, sibling interactions, emotional regulation).

• Parent-friendly homework & quizzes to boost engagement.

• Progress-tracking tools (helpful for insurance documentation or private-pay justification) (Master ABA, n.d.).

This not only improves outcomes for families but saves BCBAs® hours of prep time each week.

4. Consider Business and Financial Viability

For BCBAs® in private practice:

• Parent training can be a sustainable niche. Solo practitioners report charging $100–$150/hour for parent coaching (private pay) (ABA Parent Training, 2019).

• Telehealth expands your reach while keeping overhead low.

• Position it as a boutique service—marketed to families looking for empowerment and convenience rather than intensive therapy.

Agencies may struggle to scale a parent-only model profitably due to slim insurance reimbursement margins, but for solo providers, it can be an ethical and lucrative alternative.

5. Track Outcomes & Stay Ethical

• Always collect data on parent fidelity and child outcomes (even if informally).

• Be clear about scope: Parent training isn’t a replacement for intensive therapy when needed. Refer out if the child’s needs exceed what coaching can provide.

• Stay within competence—seek CEUs or supervision on consultation-style service delivery if this is new territory.

The Bigger Picture: Doing More With Less

Parent training isn’t about cutting corners—it’s about using our limited resources wisely while empowering families to become active participants in their child’s success.

Imagine this shift:

• A child with mild social delays learns through parent-led play instead of 25 hours of direct therapy.

• Another child with severe aggression gets the intensive hours they desperately need—because resources weren’t spread too thin across every family.

• Parents feel confident and capable, not overwhelmed by therapy schedules.

That’s what “doing more with less” looks like in ABA.

Your Role as a BCBA®

As behavior analysts, we have an ethical duty to recommend the right intensity for each child—not just the default high-hour package. This means:
✅ Questioning old habits. Does this child truly need 30 hours, or could they thrive with 5 hours of consultative support?
✅ Reframing parent training as essential, not optional. Even in high-intensity programs, parents should be empowered partners, not passive observers.
✅ Leading the way in innovative service models. Long waitlists and RBT® shortages aren’t going away soon. BCBAs® who embrace parent training now will be at the forefront of change.

What’s Next for You?

If this post sparked questions about how to integrate parent training into your work, here are a few ideas to get started:

• Reflect on your caseload: Which families could succeed with fewer direct hours and more coaching?

• Learn more about parent-led models: Consider CEU courses on parent consultation (check out Master ABA Academy).

• Get the right tools: Programs like the ACHIEVE Parent Training Curriculum can help you start offering structured, evidence-based coaching immediately.

The future of ABA isn’t just more hours—it’s better-matched hours. By rethinking how we allocate services, we can help more families, reduce burnout (for us and for them), and keep our field moving forward.

So ask yourself the question that started this post one more time:

Are we wasting resources on high-intensity ABA? Or can parent training help us do better?

References

Cheng, W. M., Smith, T. B., et al. (2023). Effects of parent-implemented interventions on outcomes of children with autism spectrum disorder: A meta-analysis. Retrieved from https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/facpub/7659/

Howard, J. S., Sparkman, C. R., Cohen, H. G., Green, G., & Stanislaw, H. (2014). A comparison of intensive behavior analytic and eclectic treatments for young children with autism. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 35(12), 3326–3344.

Kasari, C., Kaiser, A., Goods, K., Nietfeld, J., Mathy, P., Landa, R., ... & Almirall, D. (2015). Communication interventions for minimally verbal children with autism: A sequential multiple assignment randomized trial. Journal of the American Medical Association, 314(9), 895–906.

Lovaas, O. I. (1987). Behavioral treatment and normal educational and intellectual functioning in young autistic children. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55(1), 3–9.

Rochester University Medical Center. (2015, May 29). Parent training leads to dramatic gains for children with autism. URMC Newsroom. Retrieved from https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/story/parent-training-leads-to-dramatic-gains-for-children-with-autism

Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (2023, July). BACB Newsletter: Ethical considerations in parent-as-RBT models. Retrieved from https://www.bacb.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/BACB_July2023_Newsletter-230913-a.pdf

Council of Autism Service Providers. (2023). Evidence about early intensive ABA treatment for children diagnosed with autism: The impact of treatment intensity on outcomes. Retrieved from https://www.casproviders.org/evidence-intensive-early-aba

Behavior Frontiers. (2023). Why care intensity matters in ABA therapy for autism. Retrieved from https://www.behaviorfrontiers.com/blog/why-care-intensity-matters-in-aba-therapy-for-autism

Washington State Health Care Authority. (2017). Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services billing guide for clients age 20 and younger. Retrieved from https://www.hca.wa.gov/assets/billers-and-providers/ABA-services-20171001.pdf

Master ABA. (n.d.). ACHIEVE Parent Training Curriculum. Retrieved from https://achieve.masteraba.academy/