ABA therapy has a multitude of benefits, including but not limited to the following:

1. Develops, improves, and maintains a variety of skill sets, including:

a. Adaptive & self care skills

b. Attending & social referencing

c. Cognitive functioning

d. Community participation

e. Coping & tolerance skills

f. Emotional development

g. Family relationships

h. Language and communication

i. Play and leisure skills

j. Pre-academic skills

k. Safety skills

l. Self advocacy & independence

m. Self management skills

n. Social relationships

o. Vocational skills

2. Learner’s needs are individualized and programmed into a customizable treatment package.

3. Provides strong levels of parent/guardian support to help navigate otherwise difficult obstacles, as well as educate on basic ABA principles that can help increase skills.

4. Helps increase the quality of life of parents/caregivers and learners.

5. Minimizes challenging behaviors such as self-injury, aggression, elopement, and property destruction.

Risks pertaining to participation in ABA therapy vary and are unique to each participant. These risks are listed below:

1. ABA therapy is a comprehensive service that may include a large amount of service hours per week. At times, the amount of services provided per week may become time consuming and cumbersome for families.

2. Progress takes time and results from therapy are not immediate. This can cause families to feel upset, defeated, or as if the services are not helping their child.

3. Due to the high frequency of therapy sessions, learners may become prompt dependent on the care they are provided. Rainbow ABA programs for generalization and maintenance throughout services to reduce prompt dependency, as well as create ample opportunities to play, socialize, and be involved in community outings outside of the primary therapy location.

4. ABA therapy can be expensive if families’ primary or secondary insurance funder(s) do not cover ABA services.

5. Therapy may be ineffective if recommended interventions are not being utilized by all caregivers involved. This may be especially true for families that have many caregivers involved in the learner’s care.

6. Sometimes when a new treatment/intervention is implemented, maladaptive behavior can become more intense before it lessens. This is called an extinction burst. This can be stressful on families and difficult to navigate without consistent support from a BCBA and/or Behavior Technician.

7. The field of ABA has recently struggled with increased rates of staff turnover. Staff turnover may lead to case interruptions and delay learner progress.

Rainbow ABA strives to ensure all families thoroughly understand the risks and benefits mentioned above and have the opportunity to discuss any and all concerns with their provider at the start of services, as well as ongoing.

Parent/Guardian Presence and Responsibility

I understand that a parent, guardian, or approved adult must remain on the premises during all in-home therapy sessions. Rainbow ABA staff are not responsible for accidental damage to property or personal belongings during sessions, provided reasonable care was used. Rainbow ABA staff are not responsible for loss or damage to items in the home, daycare, or community environment beyond normal wear and tear. Rainbow ABA employees are responsible only for the identified client and are not responsible for the supervision or safety of other children or individuals in the home. I am responsible for ensuring that the environment is safe and conducive to therapy, including but not limited to securing pets, keeping hazardous materials out of reach, and ensuring adequate space is available for therapy activities.

Acknowledgment of Risk and Safety

I acknowledge that ABA therapy may involve movement, play, and the use of materials or reinforcement items, which carry minimal inherent risk of accidental injury. Rainbow ABA staff are trained professionals who take all reasonable precautions to ensure safety. I will immediately inform staff of any new medical, behavioral, or environmental concerns that could affect therapy or safety in the home.

Emergency Procedures

If an accident or emergency occurs, Rainbow ABA staff will provide immediate assistance and call 911 when necessary. I will be contacted as soon as possible regarding the situation. An incident report will be completed and shared with me. Rainbow ABA maintains liability insurance and accepts responsibility for care delivered within the scope of professional standards.

Transportation Policy

Rainbow ABA employees and contractors are not permitted to transport clients or family members in personal vehicles at any time. If community-based goals are part of the treatment plan, are clinically relevant, and have been previously discussed, I will transport my child or coordinate transportation as appropriate.

Community and Daycare Settings

When services are delivered in a daycare, school, or community location, I understand that Rainbow ABA staff are guests in those environments and must follow site-specific rules and procedures. I consent to reasonable coordination and communication between Rainbow ABA and the host site to support safe and effective therapy. I acknowledge that Rainbow ABA is not responsible for supervision or care of other individuals at the site.

Release and Acknowledgment

I understand and agree that Rainbow ABA maintains professional and general liability insurance for all services provided by its employees and contractors acting within their professional scope. Rainbow ABA is not liable for injuries or damages resulting from unforeseeable accidents or circumstances beyond reasonable control, unsafe home conditions, or failure to follow staff guidance, provided reasonable care was used. This acknowledgment does not waive my legal rights in the event of gross negligence or misconduct. This form is intended solely to confirm shared understanding of safety procedures and is not a waiver of any rights afforded under law. I have been informed of my responsibilities and the procedures Rainbow ABA follows to maintain a safe therapeutic environment.

Agreement and Signature

By signing below, I confirm that I have read, understand, and voluntarily consent to my child’s participation in Rainbow ABA’s services, as well as the terms of this Liability Acknowledgement Form. I understand I may ask questions or request a copy at any time.

By law, the rules of confidentiality do not hold under the following conditions:

1. If abuse or neglect of a minor, disabled, or elderly person is reported or suspected, the professional involved is required to report it to the Department of Children and Families for investigation.

2. If, during the course of services, the professional involved receives information that someone’s life is in danger, that professional has a duty to warn the potential victim.

3. If our records, our subcontractor records or staff testimony are subpoenaed by court order, we are required to produce requested information or appear in court to answer questions regarding the client.

I understand that by signing this consent I authorize Rainbow ABA to use and disclose my protected health information to carry out:

• Treatment (including direct or indirect treatment by other healthcare providers involved in my treatment)

• Obtaining payment from third-party payers (e.g. my insurance company)

• The day-to-day healthcare operations of Rainbow ABA.

I have also been informed of and given the right to review and secure a copy of your Notice of Privacy Practices, which contains a more complete description of the uses and disclosures of my protected health information and my rights under HIPAA.

I understand that you reserve the right to change the terms of this notice from time to time and that I may contact Rainbow ABA at any time to obtain the most current copy of this notice.

I understand that I have the right to request restrictions on how my protected health information is used and disclosed to carry out treatment, payment, and health care operations, but that you are not required to agree to these requested restrictions. However, if you do agree, you are then bound to comply with this restriction.

I understand that I may revoke this consent, in writing, at any time. However, any use or disclosure that occurred prior to the date I revoke this consent is not affected.