Better Parent Engagement Leads to Better ABA—Here’s How to Get It

You finish a weekly ABA parent training session. You’ve provided practical strategies based on applied behavior analysis (ABA)—techniques the RBT® (Registered Behavior Technician) has been using consistently. The parent seemed engaged.

Before leaving, you ask, “Any questions or concerns?”

She shakes her head. “Nope, we’re good!”

You leave, reassured that everything is on track.

But what if you’re wrong?

What if that same parent is privately venting to a friend about frustrations with ABA parent training? What if she’s searching for alternative therapies because she’s unsure if ABA services are effective? What if she’s thinking about discontinuing services—but doesn’t want to seem ungrateful or difficult?

Parents don’t always tell you what they’re really thinking.

Not because they’re dishonest. Not because they don’t care.

But because we don’t always ask the right questions.

Key Takeaways

• Parent feedback is essential for improving engagement and ensuring the effectiveness of ABA parent training.

• Many parents hesitate to share concerns due to fear of conflict, unclear expectations, or lack of structured feedback opportunities.

• Ignoring parent feedback can lead to disengagement, lower follow-through, and higher dropout rates in ABA services.

• A simple, structured feedback system—such as short surveys or digital check-ins—can provide valuable insights without overwhelming parents.

• Acting on feedback strengthens trust and collaboration, leading to better outcomes for children receiving ABA services.

• BCBAs® can enhance parent engagement by prioritizing clear communication, compassionate care, and ongoing involvement in treatment planning.

Why Parent Feedback is Essential in ABA Parent Training

Many BCBAs® (Board Certified Behavior Analysts) assume that if a parent has concerns, they will voice them. But research and real-world experience suggest otherwise. In reality, parents often remain silent for several reasons:

• Fear of being perceived as difficult. They don’t want to seem ungrateful or create conflict.

• Unclear expectations. They may not know what progress should look like and assume their concerns aren’t valid.

• The impact of process on satisfaction. Research shows that parent satisfaction is influenced not just by what is being taught in ABA services but also by how services are delivered (Chadwell et al., 2019).

• Assuming silence means satisfaction. If no one asks, parents may assume concerns aren’t welcome.

The Consequences of Ignoring Parent Feedback in ABA

Failure to actively seek parent feedback can lead to:

• Lower engagement, resulting in poor follow-through with ABA strategies at home.

• Increased dropout rates, as families believe ABA isn’t working.

• Missed opportunities to improve ABA parent training programs.

• Negative word-of-mouth, damaging trust in ABA services.

A strong parent feedback system isn’t just about preventing problems—it’s about fostering collaboration, improving ABA service quality, and achieving better outcomes for children.

What Research Says About Parent Satisfaction in ABA Parent Training

Research consistently highlights the factors that influence parent satisfaction in ABA parent training:

• Communication Clarity. When parents receive clear explanations of ABA techniques and progress updates, they feel more confident in supporting interventions at home (Sneed & Samelson, 2022).

• Compassionate Care. Studies show that BCBAs® who prioritize empathy, active listening, and collaboration improve parent satisfaction and treatment adherence (Taylor et al., 2019).

• Engagement in Treatment Plans. When practitioners involve parents in decision-making and adjust interventions based on their input, families report higher satisfaction with ABA services (Chadwell et al., 2019).

If ABA parent training is to be effective, it must go beyond technical expertise. It must create an environment where parents feel heard, valued, and empowered.

Barriers to Honest Parent Feedback in ABA Parent Training

Even when BCBAs® understand the value of parent feedback, gathering honest input can be challenging. Here’s why:

• Fear of judgment or retaliation. Parents may hesitate to share negative feedback, fearing it could impact their child’s ABA services.

• Limited structured feedback opportunities. Many ABA providers don’t have systems for collecting ongoing parent input.

• Time constraints. Parents juggling work, caregiving, and other responsibilities may struggle to find time for detailed surveys or additional parent training sessions.

• Lack of anonymity. Some parents feel uncomfortable giving direct feedback to the BCBA® or RBT® working with their child.

How to Overcome These Barriers

To ensure ABA parent training is effective, BCBAs® must create structured, consistent, and low-effort ways for parents to share feedback. The best approaches:

• Make feedback easy and quick (short surveys, digital check-ins).

• Provide both anonymous and direct feedback options.

• Gather feedback regularly, not just when issues arise.

• Demonstrate that parent feedback leads to meaningful action.

Ignoring these barriers leaves BCBAs® unaware of critical concerns that could impact service quality and ABA effectiveness.

A Simple System to Collect and Use Parent Feedback in ABA Parent Training

Gathering parent feedback doesn’t have to be overwhelming. A streamlined system can make it efficient and actionable.

Step 1: Use a Digital Feedback Tool

A Google Forms survey linked to a Google Sheet (with automated graphs) allows BCBAs® to:

• Collect feedback immediately after parent training sessions or on a regular schedule.

• Identify trends over time to improve ABA parent training services.

• Allow parents to express concerns without additional meetings.

• Quickly analyze responses without manually sorting data.

Step 2: Provide Multiple Feedback Options

Parents should have both direct and anonymous ways to give input:

• Post-session check-ins: Quick two-question surveys via email or text.

• Quarterly satisfaction surveys: More detailed feedback on overall ABA services.

• Open forums or focus groups: Occasional in-person or virtual discussions.

Step 3: Act on the Feedback

Feedback is only valuable if it leads to action. Parents need to see that their input matters. BCBAs® should:

• Adjust parent training sessions based on feedback trends.

• Communicate changes so parents know their voices are heard.

• Use feedback data to refine ABA strategies for better outcomes.

If setting up a parent feedback system feels overwhelming, a CEU course is available that provides a ready-to-use survey and automated tracking system—making it easy to integrate into ABA parent training programs.

Why Parent Feedback Matters in ABA Parent Training

ABA parent training is more than teaching behavior strategies—it’s about partnership, collaboration, and trust.

A structured feedback system helps:

• Improve parent satisfaction with ABA services.

• Increase engagement in behavior strategies at home.

• Prevent families from dropping out of ABA services.

• Enhance the overall effectiveness of ABA parent training.

Parent feedback isn’t just an ethical requirement—it’s a game-changer for improving ABA services. By making it easy, structured, and actionable, BCBAs® can strengthen relationships, improve outcomes, and ensure long-term engagement.

References

Callahan, K., Foxx, R. M., Swierczynski, A., Aerts, X., Mehta, S., McComb, M. E., ... & Sharma, R. (2019). Behavioral artistry: Examining the relationship between the interpersonal skills and effective practice repertoires of applied behavior analysis practitioners. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 49(9), 3557-3570.

Chadwell, M. R., Sikorski, J. D., Roberts, H., & Allen, K. D. (2019). Process versus content in delivering ABA services: Does process matter when you have content that works?. Behavior Analysis: Research and Practice, 19(1), 14.

Sneed, L., & Samelson, D. (2022). Effectiveness of parent-led applied behavior analysis at improving outcomes for parents of autistic children. Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences, 16(1), 160-176.

Taylor, B. A., LeBlanc, L. A., & Nosik, M. R. (2019). Compassionate care in behavior analytic treatment: Can outcomes be enhanced by attending to relationships with caregivers?. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 12(3), 654-666.