The successful collaboration between Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Occupational Therapy (OT) is the trademark of our therapy programs at Blue Bird Day, Eyas Landing, and Merlin Academy in Chicago. By combining the expertise of Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and Occupational Therapists (OTs), families are experiencing holistic care that addresses both behavioral and functional needs. This integrated approach is producing impressive results for individuals in the special needs community and transforming lives.

What is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)?

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) focuses on understanding and improving specific behaviors, such as communication, social interaction, and adaptive learning skills. Using evidence-based techniques, a BCBA designs and implements personalized therapy programs aimed at creating meaningful and lasting behavioral changes. ABA is about helping individuals reach their full potential and creating positive change in their everyday lives.

What is Occupational Therapy (OT)?

Occupational Therapy (OT) helps individuals participate in everyday activities by addressing physical, sensory, and cognitive challenges. OTs work to improve skills like self-care, fine motor control, and adaptation to different environments. Our goal at Eyas Landing, Blue Bird Day, and Merlin Day Academy is to empower clients to confidently engage in daily life, whether they’re tying their shoes or learning how to use a fork.

Why Integrate ABA and OT?

Combining ABA and OT creates a powerful synergy, addressing both behavioral needs and functional skills development. Here is how this partnership benefits individuals and families: 

Comprehensive Assessment: When ABA and OT professionals collaborate, they conduct thorough assessments that consider behavioral patterns, sensory processing, motor skills, and environmental factors. This dual perspective ensures that all aspects of an individual’s needs are understood and addressed. While ABA focuses on improving behaviors, OT works on enhancing physical and cognitive skills. Together, they ensure no aspect of development is overlooked. 

Tailored Interventions: Combining the expertise of both fields allows for the creation of highly personalized intervention plans. For example, an OT may develop strategies to improve fine motor skills, while an ABA therapist focuses on reinforcing the behaviors needed to use those skills effectively. When collaborating, OTs and ABAs align goals so that behavioral improvements are reinforced through functional tasks and vice-versa.

Enhanced Learning Opportunities: The collaborative approach fosters enriched learning environments. OT interventions can prepare individuals for ABA sessions by regulating sensory inputs, making them more receptive to learning new behaviors and skills. Families report greater success in achieving developmental milestones. For example, a child learning motor skills in OT can also practice following instructions and communication strategies from ABA.

Consistency Across Settings: Integrating ABA and OT helps consistently apply strategies across different settings, such as home, school, and community environments. This consistency helps individuals generalize skills and behaviors. Whether it is preparing for school or adapting to new environments, combining the two disciplines ensures a smoother, more tailored transition for the individual.

The Three Keys for Success

Communication

 Effective communication is the foundation of any successful collaboration, and it needs to be more than just exchanging emails and attending the same meetings. It requires a deep alignment on terminology, operational definitions, and the ability to articulate insights in language that resonates with both professions.   

  • The first step is to create a shared glossary of terms and concepts specific to your collaborative projects. Agree on the terminology for professional jargon, but also for child development milestones, specific therapeutic interventions, and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) techniques.   
  • Institute regular meetings where OTs and BCBAs discuss ongoing cases and intervention strategies. During these sessions, the goal is not to teach each other’s disciplines but to interpret findings and recommendations within the context of the child’s needs.   
  • Encourage cross-training opportunities. Co-attending workshops, courses, or even shadowing one another to understand the day-to-day workflows and key principles that guide each profession. 

Respecting Roles

Collaborations fail due to misunderstandings and lack of respect for the roles of each participant. OTs and BCBAs possess distinct skill sets and viewpoints that, when harmonized, can provide profound insights and strategies.   

  • Define specific and shared responsibilities. Outline who will lead which parts of the intervention and when it is appropriate to hand over based on the expertise needed at different points in a child’s therapy.   
  • Set up opportunities to shadow each other in clinical and work settings. Witnessing the daily tasks and challenges will deepen understanding and respect for the nuances of each role.   
  • Work on real or hypothetical case studies to develop solutions that utilize the strengths of both professions. This not only enhances teamwork but also ensures a well-rounded approach to problem-solving. 

Policies

The larger systems in which professionals practice play a critical role in fostering or hindering collaboration. Advocating for systemic changes conveys a commitment to collaborative care that benefits not only patients but the broader healthcare landscape.   

  • Identify and engage with institutional or policy leaders to advocate for collaborative care models. Demonstrate the value of OT-BCBA collaborations through research, patient testimonials, and cost-benefit analyses.  
  • Participate in the development of policies that promote interprofessional teams. This could involve defining team roles, establishing reporting structures, or even creating incentives for collaborative practices.
  • Build interdisciplinary teams within your setting that include professionals from diverse backgrounds, not just OTs and ABAs. Operating within these teams will become natural environments for future collaborations.

The combination of ABA and OT represents not just a treatment strategy, but a philosophy. By integrating these disciplines, healthcare professionals can deliver interventions that are more effective, empathetic, and tailored to the unique needs of their clients. This holistic approach not only improves outcomes but also enriches the lives of families and communities as a whole. By continuing to foster collaboration and innovation, we can create more inclusive environments that support all aspects of human development.  

For healthcare professionals interested in adopting this integrated approach, it is essential to stay informed and engaged with the latest research and methodologies. We encourage you to explore the links provided for deeper insights and practical applications of ABA and OT.  For further reading and resources visit; Association for Behavior Analysis International, American Occupational Therapy Association, Applied Behavior Analysis , Occupational Therapy.

Learn More About My Programs

Blue Bird Day is a rotational therapy program structured like a preschool or kindergarten, but instead of teachers all our staff are therapists! This program is designed to foster socialization, sensory regulation, and learning for children ages 2-7 and helps provide children the tools they need to succeed in a traditional classroom.

Eyas Landing is an outpatient therapy clinic that provides services for children ages 0-21. Our multidisciplinary team of therapists provide ABA, developmental, occupational, physical, speech, nutrition and feeding therapy along with early intervention, social work, counseling, and neuropsychological testing at our West Loop clinic, in-home, at school, and virtually.

Merlin Day Academy is a therapeutic day school for children ages 6-14. Our proprietary model utilizes daily therapeutic and educational rotations to support children’s growth, learning, and their transition into the least restrictive environment possible.

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