The Benefits of Telehealth for ABA Therapy

By Jennifer Ramirez, BCBA

Introduction

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In recent years, telehealth has become a powerful tool across health care, offering flexibility, accessibility, and consistency. In this article, we will focus on its relevance in the delivery of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).

With the increased need for the autistic population to access ABA therapy, the field has utilized telehealth for clinical supervision and caregiver guidance—with research supporting both modalities. Research also validates the effectiveness of telehealth direct therapy to teach new skills to individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

It is crucial that behavior analysts ensure the services they provide are effective in order to be ethical. Thus, telehealth has proven to be an evidence-based, family-centered approach that enhances quality of care.

Is Telehealth Better Than Waiting for In-Person ABA Therapy?

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One of the most common questions parents and professionals ask is: “Is telehealth better than waiting for an in-person provider?”

The short answer: Yes—starting ABA therapy via telehealth is usually better than waiting.

• ABA is most effective when intervention begins early and consistently.
• Delays in starting services can allow skill gaps to widen and challenging behaviors to intensify.
• Research shows that telehealth ABA therapy is a highly effective alternative.

At BH Field, we work with remote supervisors to avoid placing children on endless waitlists and to ensure they start treatment quickly. While in-person services may be ideal in some cases, telehealth allows families to access care faster, establish routines, and make progress without sacrificing quality.

Is Telehealth Suitable for Direct ABA Therapy?

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One of the greatest strengths of ABA via telehealth is that it brings services directly into the child’s natural environment.

• Children often learn best in the contexts where they live, play, and interact every day.
• Telehealth ABA can effectively improve communication, social skills, and adaptive behaviors.
• Caregiver coaching during sessions ensures strategies are applied consistently.

Parents often report that telehealth:

• Offers more scheduling flexibility
• Reduces travel time
• Allows them to be more involved in therapy

This participation leads to stronger generalization of skills and empowers caregivers as active partners in their child’s progress.

Is Telehealth Suitable for Supervision?

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Telehealth is equally valuable for clinical supervision:

• Supervisors (BCBAs) can observe sessions in real time
• They provide immediate feedback to therapists
• They can model strategies virtually

Research supports that remote supervision is as effective as in-person supervision for staff training and treatment fidelity.

Additionally, telehealth supervision allows supervisors to extend their reach across multiple locations, ensuring consistent, high-quality care.

Why Telehealth Matters for Families and Professionals

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For families, telehealth reduces barriers to receiving ABA services—especially in rural or underserved areas.

For professionals, it:

• Enhances collaboration
• Supports creative problem-solving
• Encourages ongoing professional development

Key Point: Telehealth is not a replacement for quality ABA—it is a powerful extension of it.

Conclusions

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Telehealth has transformed how families access ABA therapy, making quality care more flexible and efficient.

By connecting with children in their home environment, providers can:

• Observe real-life behaviors
• Give timely feedback
• Update treatment plans without long waits for in-person visits

This approach reduces barriers like travel and scheduling while helping children stay on track with goals.

Importantly, telehealth doesn’t replace in-person therapists—it enhances their effectiveness. With caregiver coaching and real-time BCBA support, families often see faster progress and feel more involved in the process.

Together, telehealth and in-person care create a balanced, effective system to support every child’s growth and success.

References

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• Nohelty, K., et al. (2022). Effectiveness of telehealth direct therapy for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 15(3), 643-658.
• Ferguson, J., Dounavi, K., & Craig, E. A. (2022). The impact of a telehealth platform on ABA-based parent training targeting social communication in children with autism spectrum disorder. J. of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 34(6), 1089-1120.
• Micai, M., et al. (2024). Effectiveness, implementation settings, and research priorities of telemedicine-delivered interventions for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 166, 105875.
• Suess, A. N., et al. (2014). Evaluating the treatment fidelity of parents who conduct in-home functional communication training with coaching via telehealth. J. of Behavioral Education, 23(1), 34-59.
• Ferguson, J., Craig, E. A., & Dounavi, K. (2019). Telehealth as a model for providing behaviour analytic interventions to individuals with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review. J. of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49(2), 582-616.
• Craig, E. A., Dounavi, K., & Ferguson, J. (2023). Effectiveness of a brief functional analysis and functional communication training conducted through telehealth. J. of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, 35(2), 227-246.
• Lindgren, S., et al. (2016). Telehealth and autism: Treating challenging behavior at lower cost. Pediatrics, 137 (Suppl 2), S167–S175.
• Corona, L. L., et al. (2021). Utilization of telemedicine to support caregivers of young children with ASD and their Part C service providers. J. of Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 13(1), 38.
• Marino, F., et al. (2020). Tele-assisted behavioral intervention for families with children with autism spectrum disorders: A randomized control trial. Brain Sciences, 10(9), 649.