Published by Breakthrough ABA 

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When it comes to helping children with autism thrive, collaboration is key. While Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy plays a major role in building life and communication skills, it’s most effective when paired with support from other professionals—like your child’s pediatrician and school team. 

At Breakthrough ABA, we believe that real progress happens when everyone is on the same page. That’s why our ABA therapists routinely partner with healthcare providers and educators to create consistent, well-rounded care—especially for families in the Greater Houston area. 

Here’s how this collaboration works, why it matters, and what parents can expect. 

🤝 Why Teamwork Matters in ABA Therapy 

Children with autism often receive support from a variety of professionals, including: 

• Pediatricians 

• Developmental specialists 

• Speech and occupational therapists 

• Teachers and special education staff 

• Behavior analysts and RBTs 

Each person plays a role—but without strong communication, goals can get lost, overlap, or even conflict. Collaborative ABA therapy ensures: 

• Consistent strategies across home, school, and clinics 

• Shared understanding of your child’s needs 

• Unified goals for greater impact 

• Faster identification of barriers or progress 

• Reduced confusion and stress for your child 

🩺 How ABA Therapists Work with Pediatricians 

Pediatricians are often the first to raise developmental concerns and recommend ABA services. As therapy begins, we keep that relationship strong. 

Key points of collaboration: 

• Sharing Assessments: We provide pediatricians with summaries of behavior assessments, therapy plans, and updates as needed. 

• Medication Monitoring: If your child takes medication for attention, sleep, or anxiety, we share behavior data that may help inform dosage or changes. 

• Coordinated Referrals: Pediatricians may refer to ABA, and we may refer back to them for screenings, evaluations, or therapy reauthorization. 

We often work with Houston-based pediatric practices like Texas Children’s Pediatrics, Kelsey-Seybold, and Blue Fish Pediatrics to ensure seamless care. 

🏫 Partnering with Educators and Schools 

School is a huge part of a child’s life—and the classroom brings its own set of challenges and opportunities. Collaboration between ABA therapists and educators makes it easier to support learning, behavior, and inclusion. 

Common ways ABA therapists support school collaboration: 

• Reviewing IEP goals: We align ABA targets with Individualized Education Program (IEP) objectives. 

• Sharing data: ABA data can help support classroom accommodations or behavior intervention plans (BIPs). 

• Attending meetings: With parental permission, we attend IEP or ARD meetings (especially common in Texas districts) to advocate for appropriate services. 

• Coaching teachers: We may offer suggestions for managing behaviors or reinforcing skills like communication, transitions, or self-regulation. 

• Helping with generalization: We guide parents and schools on helping children apply ABA-learned skills in academic and social settings. 

Many Houston-area families work with districts like HISD, Katy ISD, Cy-Fair ISD, and Spring Branch ISD—and we’re familiar with their special education processes. 

🧩 What Does This Look Like for Parents? 

As a parent, you’re the heart of the care team. Here’s how you can support and benefit from collaboration: 

• Give consent for communication. We’ll only talk with doctors or schools with your written permission. 

• Share updates between teams. If your child’s teacher sees new behaviors, let us know. If the BCBA observes a breakthrough, we can share that with the school. 

• Attend team meetings. You’re the expert on your child—your voice matters most. 

• Ask for coordination help. Need a letter for school? Want us to summarize progress for your pediatrician? Just ask. 

With your involvement, we can bridge gaps and ensure your child’s support system is unified and effective. 

🌟 Local Example: Houston Families in Action 

Let’s say your child receives ABA therapy at Breakthrough ABA, attends speech therapy through Texas Children’s, and goes to school in Katy ISD. In that case, we might: 

• Coordinate therapy schedules to avoid conflicts 

• Align our ABA social goals with speech therapy targets 

• Share updates with the school team on how your child is managing transitions 

• Attend your next ARD meeting to support BIP development 

When teams work together, everyone benefits—especially your child. 

💬 Final Thoughts: Building a Circle of Support 

No therapist, doctor, or teacher works in isolation. The best outcomes come from a team approach, and at Breakthrough ABA, we’re proud to collaborate with professionals across Houston to ensure your child has the support they need—wherever they are. 

If you’d like help connecting your ABA services with your child’s doctor or school, reach out to our team. We’re here to partner with you and the people who care about your child most.