In this model, the whole needs of the child are considered and addressed including diagnosis and ABA evaluations, ABA therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language pathology, physical therapy, feeding and swallowing therapy, and family guidance. For example, a child who has restricted eating habits may appear to be having severe problem behavior when offered new foods. When addressed from a behavior analytic perspective, only the behavior is addressed. In this model, if there is another underlying issue, treatment can force the child into a high stress and traumatic situation. When Speech/Language Pathology and Occupational Therapy are incorporated, sensory components and oral motor needs will also be evaluated. A more comprehensive, therapeutic and well-rounded treatment plan will be established that will result in more positive gains for the client.

74% of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are likely to have other comorbidities that impact learning, therapeutic treatment and functional skill set development. Many of those comorbidities are outside the scope of the behavior analyst and require coordination of care across disciplines to consider all factors. Another example would be a child with hypotonia, or low muscle tone. Low muscle tone can lead to difficulty sitting still and concentrating, as substantial effort is utilized just on physical management, let alone on skill acquisition. A physical therapist can target this deficit, while also working with the ABA team to find strategies to promote skill acquisition in other areas. By having ABA, Speech/Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy under one roof, we reduce the burden on the caregiver to coordinate care and increase the opportunities for effective and informed collaboration.