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Saying Goodbye to a Client

By: Cristina Martínez M.B.A, M.S, BCBA, LBA Coauthor: Ariadna Martin MS

Saying goodbye to a client and family we have worked with for a long time can be difficult. Often, our clients are very young, and we see them grow and develop thanks to our work as ABA providers.

Other natural variables such as the client's initiation into school may influence the reduction of therapy hours, as well as events such as moving out of the service area or many other circumstances that determine the termination of services. However, regardless of the random circumstances that influence the reduction or termination of services, there are events that will undoubtedly determine the farewell. The first is that we did our job well and our client has achieved significant progress, so that the maximum therapeutic benefits were met. The second is that insurance expects this to be the case and will demand such evidence.

At that point, both the team providing ABA services and the family itself must be prepared, and that preparation must begin even from the intake process.

Discharge Plan

In the context of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), discharge refers to the process of ending or discontinuing services for a client. This usually includes information about the client’s progress, goals achieved, and recommendations for future care. The specifics of discharge criteria can vary based on insurance requirements, provider policies, and individual client needs. Here are some key components that may include in a discharge plan:

Summary of Progress and Achievements:

  1. Detailed overview of the client’s progress during ABA therapy: specific goals achieved, behavioral improvements, and significant changes.
  2. Data on skill acquisition, reduction in challenging behaviors, and overall functioning.

Transition Recommendations:

  1. Specification of steps leading to and after discharge. Will the client continue with less intensive services, transition to a different therapy, or no longer receive ABA?
  2. If applicable, recommendation of other services or interventions that may be beneficial (e.g., speech therapy, occupational therapy).

Maintenance Strategies:

  1. This involves providing caregivers with tools, resources, and techniques to reinforce learned skills, besides ongoing training already provided.
  2. Maintenance includes ongoing practice, generalization activities, and ways to incorporate ABA principles into daily routines.

Behavioral Support Plan:

  1. Includes strategies for managing challenging behaviors without intensive ABA therapy.

Emergency Contacts and Crisis Management:

  1. Includes emergency contact information for crisis situations and outlines steps to take if these behaviors escalate or if the client experiences distress.

Follow-Up Schedule:

  1. Follow-up appointments or periodic reviews to assess progress after discharge.
Saying good bye

It may sound smoother if we speak of the client's transition process, rather than termination of services, and thereby alleviate the difficulty of saying goodbye. The truth is that, for every client, ABA therapy will come to an end and defining it clearly from the beginning is not only advisable, but crucial. The journey of helping a client achieve their goals is remarkable to be part of. As ABA providers, we celebrate when our clients have reached a point where they no longer need our services because they’ve made significant progress. It’s a testament to their hard work, resilience, and the dedicated support they’ve received. While it may mark the end of our professional relationship, it’s also a joyous milestone as we witness their newfound independence and success.

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