Applied Behavior Analysis and Telehealth
"Telemedicine seeks to improve a patient's health by permitting two-way, real time interactive communication between the patient, and the physician or practitioner at the distant site. This electronic communication means the use of interactive telecommunications equipment that includes, at a minimum, audio and video equipment" (Medicaid).
Sample ABA Telehealth Sessions
Parent Training no Client
Parent Training w/Client
ABA Direct via Telehealth
ABA Direct with Parent Facilitator
ABA Direct with Parent Facilitator
ABA, Telehealth, and COVID-19
Things to keep in mind when consulting esp. during a crisis (Dr. Rachel Taylor)
- Reference previous session recommendations
- Emphasize the importance of prioritization and compartmentalization
- Take every opportunity to “normalize” things as much as possible
- Highlight the value associated w/structure
- Encourage NET for previously more structured programs to protect against further potential regression
- Tie current recs to anticipated future benefits
- Adjust delivery format (TH session frequency and length) based on caregiver needs (and clarify related funding provider constraints but explain that it’s your job to worry about this part)
- Identify potential for both direct TH client interactions and separated caregiver training sessions (with any member of the household in need)
- Provide tips to capitalize on individual strengths
- Decrease caregiver and child response effort whenever possible
- Compare to other service disruptions (e.g. holiday breaks) to provide some perspective regarding having success before, yet acknowledge what now needs to be adjusted
- Reference caregiver provided data and videos
- Clearly define your communication turn around times (less than 1 day) and continued opportunities for increased support (eg have caregiver send video clips of any new concerns to review before next scheduled session)
- Include personal examples demonstrating that the caregiver has been heard before (eg specifically refer to activities that have changed for the caregiver in crisis and may be further contributing to their current well being)
- Validate.
Behaviorbabe Podcast: Kristen and Carla - Telehealth and COVID19
Mentioned in the podcast: checklists for telepractice
These checklists are offered courtesy of Kristen Koba-Burdt with BAYADA.
ABA Inside Track Podcast: Providing ABA Services in a Global Pandemic
Presenters:
Kristen Koba-Burdt
Dr. Carla Schmidt
Dr. Johanna Higgins
Dr. Amand N. Kelly
Topics discussed: Coding and billing for telehealth sessions, how to structure telehealth sessions, obtaining parent buy-in, direct implementation via telehealth and the role of RBTs, running group social skills sessions online, how to conduct intake assessments via telehealth, resources, research, references and much more.

Recent Publications - Telehealth & COVID-19
Recent Publications - Telehealth & COVID-19
Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP) Telehealth Resources
APBA Webinar: Telehealth and COVID-19
Association of Professional Behavior Analysts Webinar
Presenters: Gina Green, APBA; Jenna Minton, Minton Healthcare Strategies; Michele Silcox, ABA Therapy Billing and Insurance Services
The COVID-19 emergency is prompting many ABA healthcare providers to consider delivering services remotely for the first time or in an expanded way. That necessitates communicating with payers regarding authorizations or approvals, amended policies, billing codes and modifiers, documentation, and perhaps changes in client treatment targets, goals, and procedures. Laws, regulations, and ethical standards pertaining to remote delivery of ABA services must also be taken into account; some of those are changing rapidly in response to the pandemic. This 1.5-hour webinar (recorded on March 28, 2020) addresses those topics and offers suggestions based on the best information available to the presenters at the time.