Office Puzzle is proud to partner with ABA Resource Center to support the incredible work that professionals in the ABA industry do every day! Helping clinicians and organizations navigate day-to-day challenges with confidence is a passion we’re proud to share.
We chatted with ABA Resource Center founder Ashleigh Evans on her journey, mission, and perspective on the importance of quality resources in the ABA space:
Can you share the story of how the ABA Resource Center was founded?
ABA Resource Center was founded in 2022, initially as a platform to sell the therapy resources that I had created, like my BCBA® Fieldwork Supervision Curriculum and RBT® study materials. Over time, my vision for ABA Resource Center expanded as I recognized an opportunity to not only share my own resources but to support the ABA community more broadly by helping clinicians and organizations access the tools, resources, and services that advance the field forward.
What are the core values that guide ARC’s work in creating resources, supporting professionals, community outreach, and more?
- Evidence-based practices: We only promote resources and interventions that are grounded in research.
- Empowerment through education: We believe in equipping ABA professionals and aspiring clinicians with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to achieve the best outcomes for their learners.
- Community and collaboration: We firmly believe that advancing the ABA field is bigger than any one organization. We value fostering connections to strengthen the ABA community.
- Integrity: We hold ourselves to high standards in the resources and tools we share, recommending only those that meet quality and ethical guidelines.
- Innovation & growth: We’re constantly looking for new and innovative tools and resources that support ABA professionals without the added administrative burdens.
- Advocacy: While the ABA field has evolved significantly over the years, there is always room for improvement. We believe in advocating for improved clinical, supervision, and ethical practices.
What do you think are some of the biggest challenges ABA providers are facing today?
ABA providers are facing increased pressure from funders, which often adds heavy administrative burdens that pull clinicians away from direct clinical work. This, paired with decreasing or stagnant reimbursement rates, puts financial strain on organizations, often leading to higher caseloads, increased billable expectations, and added stress for clinicians.
Companies are struggling to keep up with the demand for ABA. While increased demand is a positive sign for business, many practices are facing hurdles when staffing for BCBAs and RBTs to meet that need. This gap between demand and availability of clinicians can result in lengthy waitlists, reduced access to services, strain on existing staff, and implications for the long-term stability of the organization.
Creating the next generation of BCBAs requires a comprehensive fieldwork experience. Unfortunately, many behavior analysts are ill-prepared for the responsibility of fieldwork supervision and struggle to develop meaningful activities that help aspiring clinicians develop the hands-on experiences needed to gain BCBA-level competencies. Many organizational and field-wide barriers contribute to less-than-ideal supervised fieldwork experiences.
Burnout. This one ties into all of the above. Heavy caseloads, admin demands, staff shortages, and insufficient support are leaving clinicians susceptible to high levels of burnout.
What do you see as the future of ABA training and resources, and how might ARC evolve in the next few years?
The ABA field is moving away from paper and pen and toward integration with innovative digital tools. My goal at ABA Resource Center is to stay ahead of these changes and share the cutting-edge tools that simplify workflows, support and strengthen the fieldwork experience, and support clinicians throughout their careers. ABA Resource Center is evolving into a central hub for ABA organizations and professionals.
What piece of advice would you give to current or future BCBAs and RBTs on using resources effectively to help their growth and development?
My best advice is to be intentional with the tools you select and how you use them. Ensure you understand the tool’s purposes and limitations, the experience level of those who created it, and whether it aligns with evidence-based practices.
Ashleigh Evans, MS, BCBA