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It’s 2024: Your ABA Data Collection App and Web Browser Should Have the Same User Experience

It’s 2024: Your ABA Data Collection App and Web Browser Should Have the Same User Experience

by | Mar 21, 2024 | Blogs

 

 

 

The New Standard of Usability – Anytime, Anywhere

Remember the web-to-mobile crisis that hit Facebook in the late 2000s? At the time, it was seen as a significant risk to the tech giant’s future. Fast forward to today, many ABA therapy technology companies find themselves in a similar quagmire. Initially starting with web-only platforms, they tacked on mobile interfaces as an afterthought, leading to what we now recognize as a serious oversight.

The Practical Challenges of Separate Web and App Interfaces

When web and app experiences feel like they’re from two different eras, users are the ones who suffer. They’re forced to master two systems instead of one, doubling the learning curve and halving the efficiency. It’s not just about user frustration; this separation creates real data synchronization headaches. If one platform updates without considering the data on the other, you’ve got a recipe for data integrity disaster.

But the implications stretch beyond usability. Separate platforms can spell technical disasters, risking outages that can cripple entire systems. The healthcare sector has seen its share of such fiascos, where misaligned data syncing caused significant downtime, affecting critical patient services. Some companies have attempted to patch up this issue by linking devices with a web browser. However, this band-aid solution opens up a Pandora’s box.

Embracing React Native for Responsive Design

The answer may lie in embracing technologies like React, which ensures responsive, consistent design across devices. This isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s rapidly becoming the gold standard in app development.

Facebook tackled the web-to-mobile crisis by developing React Native, which brought modern web techniques to mobile development. This solution allowed Facebook engineers to build apps with a consistent user experience across web and mobile platforms, leveraging the benefits of React, like declarative UIs, while still using native components. React Native was a game-changer, enabling faster development cycles
and cross-platform work without compromising on the quality of the user experience.

Unlike Facebook, legacy ABA tech platforms lack the resources needed to engineer such an elegant solution. Instead, they often pass the buck to their customers, expecting them to juggle between disjointed systems. Thankfully, the technology that Facebook developed is now being used by startups like Raven Health, unleashing the power of the platform and giving clinicians a clean, unified mobile/web experience. It’s 2024, and it’s time for ABA tech to catch up — ensuring that therapists can focus on what they do best… without technology getting in the way.

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Crafting Custom ABA Programs: Ensuring Your Data Collection Platform Measures Up

Crafting Custom ABA Programs: Ensuring Your Data Collection Platform Measures Up

by | Mar 15, 2024 | Blogs

 

Paraphrasing the old ABA therapy adage, if you gather 100 BCBAs in a room you’ll find 100 unique approaches to treatment. This is both the beauty and the challenge of the field: the need for personalized programs that resonate with the individuality of each client. After all, when no two clients are alike, a one-size-fits-all method just won’t cut it. The very diversity in administration is not a bug; it’s a feature that makes ABA therapy profoundly special and effective.

One Size Fits None: The Dilemma of Standard Data Collection Platforms

Unfortunately, too many data collection platforms in the market haven’t caught up with this reality. They come with rigid programming, offering a set menu of prompts that are about as flexible as a steel rod. Clinicians find themselves in a maze of scroll bars, zoom tools, and endless clicking — all just to input data that should be straightforward. It’s a classic case of the tool defining the craft, not the other way around. This rigidity constrains BCBAs, forcing them into a mold that might not serve.

Tailoring ABA Therapy: Features that Speak ‘Flexibility’

The gold standard for any clinical programming is flexibility. When shopping for an electronic data collection platform, it’s essential to prioritize one that bends to fit your clinic’s needs, not the other way around. Here’s what to look for:

 

    • A program library that empowers BCBAs to create new programs from templates or from the ground up.

    • Mastery criteria and thresholds that are as customizable as your approach to each client.

    • A customizable prompt library, ready to be tailored to the nuances of specific programs.

    • A user-friendly interface that not only is a breeze to navigate but also allows clinicians to quickly identify top-performing programs.

Conclusion: The Power of Flexibility in Data Collection

The ubiquity of pen and paper data collection in ABA therapy speaks volumes about the unmatched flexibility it offers. However, the drawbacks of shunning modern data collection platforms far outweigh the benefits of sticking to old methods. As you contemplate integrating a new platform into your practice, weigh the benefits of digital efficiency against the potential for clinical constraint. The right data collection platform should feel like a natural extension of your expertise, not a straightjacket limiting your clinical creativity. So, when you take that step forward, make sure the platform you choose allows your clinic — and your clients — to move with you, stride for stride.

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Streamlining Success: How All-in-One Platforms Empower Growing ABA Clinics

Streamlining Success: How All-in-One Platforms Empower Growing ABA Clinics

by | Mar 15, 2024 | Blogs

 

Remember the pre-smartphone era? Those of us who grew up in the 90s might recall lugging around a backpack filled with a flip phone, calendar, calculator, notebook, and a small library’s worth of schoolbooks. Fast forward to today, and all those items have been condensed into one sleek device that slips into your pocket. The digital transformation has reshaped our personal lives and, finally, it’s reshaping healthcare too.

In the past decade, digital healthcare tools have evolved from a jumble of disjointed applications to cohesive, all-in-one platforms. For growing ABA therapy clinics, this integration has arrived not a moment too soon. These comprehensive data collection and practice management solutions allow BCBAs to reduce administrative clutter and dedicate themselves to what truly matters: unparalleled client care.

 

Digital tools should solve clinic problems, not create them

The era of using multiple digital healthcare solutions brought about integration headaches. Problems could spiral into a blame game among vendors, leaving clinics in a bind. As Richard Wagner, Raven Health’s CEO put it, “Having a single ‘throat to choke’ simplifies everything. Clinicians don’t want to hear from Vendor A to call Vendor B and vice versa.” The challenges don’t stop there:

 

    • Multiple systems mean multiple onboarding processes, complicating what should be a streamlined operation.

    • Piecing together disparate systems can inadvertently lead to HIPAA compliance nightmares, like exporting sensitive session data into insecure environments.

    • Costs add up when you’re paying for several solutions. An all-in-one platform often provides not just better value, but better pricing through bundled services.

All-in-one platforms: not only cutting down workflow complexity, but enhancing operational efficiency

Small clinics in particular feel the strain of integrating point solutions, lacking the deep tech teams necessary to overcome technical hurdles. But the workflow challenges are even more daunting, given that most applications aren’t designed to play nice with others.
Enter the all-in-one platform, a beacon of administrative simplicity. Let’s look at what this means in practice:

 

    • Workflow automation: Session data flows seamlessly into billing tools, reducing the time to reimbursement and minimizing claim denials.

    • Easy audit management: Keeping track of compliance becomes less of a chore.

    • Centralized business operations: Admins can manage everything—from user access to reporting—through a single interface.

Conclusion

As ABA clinics expand, the ability to provide superior care with efficient back-end operations is not just an advantage — it’s essential. An all-in-one platform can be a useful tool in helping streamline administrative back-end complexities, helping a clinic shift the majority of their focus to delivering life-changing care.

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Start Small, Think Big: Guidance for New ABA Start-Ups

Start Small, Think Big: Guidance for New ABA Start-Ups

by | Mar 8, 2024 | Blogs

 

 

Overview

Could today be the day that the stars and the moon have aligned, and you are ready to take the plunge into business ownership? After weighing the pros and cons, you are determined to become the founder of your very own ABA clinic. Congratulations! First step, don’t quit your day job, just yet. Before you fully jump in, let’s make sure you have checked most of the boxes to be ready for self-employment. 

  • Legal entity, business name and structure
    The type of corporate structure determines your liability, business registration requirements, and how you will file taxes.  
  • Registration, federal and state tax ID, licenses and / or permits
    LLCs, non-profit entities,or corporations will need to file with the federal government. An Employee Identification Number (EIN) allows you to pay federal taxes and state income, along with employment taxes. Be sure to apply for any required permits or licenses, hire employees, and set up a business bank account.
  • Determine which type(s) of business insurance you need to start operating
    General liability insurance vs. property insurance vs. income insurance vs. worker’s comp vs. data breach coverage should be considered depending on the business model, scope, and size of the organization.  
  • Choose a bank and set up a business account
    Separate business and personal funds, whether for spending or receivables, protect your interests. Be sure to consider personal relationships, potential lines of credit, credit cards, and small business support when choosing your banking institution.  
  • Set up an accounting system
    Consult with a professional if you do not have the knowledge and experience to be organized and compliant with federal and state tax laws.It is important to establish a system for filing financial statements and reports, as well as tracking profits and losses, based on an annual budget and projections.
  • Determine which tools, equipment, technology, and electronic platforms are needed to operate the business
    Whether home-based or center-based, certain technologies and platforms will be necessary to operate the business. Are you a Mac or PC fan? Microsoft vs. Apple platforms will determine, by design, options for business tools and technology resources. Clinical data gathering, billing platforms, monitoring KPIs, HRIS, ATS, and more influence how to document, bill claims, make data-driven business decisions, recruit, select, hire, and document and retain team member information. Don’t be overwhelmed… Remember, start small, think big.

These steps may not seem glamorous or fun, however, it is essential to check the boxes to ensure you are set up to succeed and to protect your personal and professional interests for the long term.

Resources 

These resources are neither endorsed nor supported by J2Jacobson Consulting, LLC or Raven Health and are simply provided to assist in expediting your research for starting an ABA provider company. We invite you to demo Raven Health ABA EHR and associated tools ABA Data Collection & Practice Management  Software | Raven Health and to reach out to J2Jacobson Consulting Home (j2jacobsonconsulting.com) as you launch your journey into entrepreneurship.  

 

Next Up:

The four (4) C’s: cash, credentialing, contracting, clinical model 

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Using Technology for Data Collection

Using Technology for Data Collection

by | Nov 1, 2023 | Blogs, Uncategorized

 

Data-driven decision-making is at the core of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Technology advancements continue to shape how behavior analysts and other ABA professionals approach client care. Traditional pen-and-paper documentation is steadily giving way to innovative digital solutions. Using technology for data collection improves accuracy and efficiency and allows behavior analysts to more rapidly make data-driven decisions to improve client outcomes.

 

Importance of Data Collection for Children with Autism

The vast majority of ABA clinicians, over 70%, work within the autism population (BACB). Each child is unique and requires individualized, data-driven care. As such, ABA clinicians know the importance of accurate and efficient data collection for driving the best possible outcomes. Data enables behavior analysts to develop tailored interventions based on a client’s needs, track progress, analyze trends, and make data-informed modifications about their progress on an ongoing basis. Data is crucial for assessing the effectiveness of interventions and ensuring clients progress toward their long-term goals.

How to Improve Data Collection with Technology

While many options exist for collecting ABA data, technology-based methods have emerged during the current digital age. Utilizing technology for data collection comes with many advantages. By using a data collection software that is tailored to the unique needs of ABA professionals, organizations can improve client and staff outcomes, resulting in improved quality of life for clients and higher job satisfaction for staff.

ABA organizations can improve their data collection methods by adopting digital-based data solutions. Some of the benefits of transitioning to a technology-based data collection method include:

 

    • Reduced chances of human error– Improved accuracy is one of the primary benefits of digital data. When using paper data, technicians may be unable to immediately enter data, resulting in data entry several minutes after the observation, reducing accuracy. Digital data collection allows staff to seamlessly enter data in real-time, which reduces the chances of staff forgetting the correct information and thus entering inaccurate data. Entering data only once, rather than transferring paper data to another system, also reduces the likelihood of human error.

 

    • Increased efficiency– Digital data platforms allow technicians to enter data immediately upon observation, saving time and allowing technicians to focus more of their attention directly on their clients rather than being bogged down with paperwork. Digital data also makes session note writing effortless, allowing technicians to end each session with a well-written, concise note.

 

    • Streamlined data analysis– With real-time data submitted electronically, behavior analysts can readily analyze data, allowing them to make well-informed, data-driven treatment decisions. This all leads to more effective and individualized interventions.

 

    • Enhanced security and privacy– Digital ABA data also enhances the security and privacy of client data when using a HIPAA-compliant platform. All client data and session notes are housed in one secure location rather than on numerous data sheets that can be lost or misplaced.

 

    • Ease of use– In a fast-paced therapy session, carrying around a clunky clipboard or binder and scrambling through data sheets can be a challenge. Using a phone, tablet, or other compatible device, a technician can efficiently move about the session and seamlessly enter data as the session progresses without missing anything. Whether chasing clients around their homes or working out in the community, digital data makes this much more manageable.

 

    • Increased compliance– Maintaining records in one secure location increases compliance with laws, funding requirements, and regulatory bodies.

 

Why Are Some ABA Professionals Still Using Paper?

Despite the countless benefits of technology-driven data collection, some ABA clinicians still cling to paper-based and other disintegrated methods. This reluctance to transition to digital data collection often stems from a pre-existing comfort with using one’s current system. While paper data collection is less efficient and comes with other challenges, such as increased proneness to error and risk of non-compliance, change can be difficult to accept. Some behavior analysts may continue to use paper data because they feel it has worked well enough for them thus far. Likely, many are simply unaware of the available ABA data collection solutions and their benefits.

Other reasons ABA professionals may avoid adapting to digital data collection may be concerns regarding technology complexity, a lack of time to learn new methods, and the costs associated with digital platforms.

At Raven Health, we recognize the concerns many ABA clinicians have with transitioning to digital data collection. As such, we are committed to making the switch as seamless as possible.

Raven Health’s Mission to Equip the ABA Industry

Raven Health enables behavior analysts to harness the power of data collection effectively. With innovative software tailored for ABA, clinicians can improve client outcomes while improving staff satisfaction.

Schedule a demo today to see our platform in action and learn more about how we’re improving care through technology.  

ReferencesCooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2019). Applied Behavior Analysis (3rd Edition). Hoboken, NJ: Pearson Education.

 

Types of ABA Data Collection Methods

Types of ABA Data Collection Methods

by | Oct 19, 2023 | Blogs, Uncategorized

 

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is a data-driven science. Data collection and analysis are at the heart of what ABA practitioners do. Each learner has unique behaviors and environmental variables that can impact data collection needs. There is no one-size-fits-all approach in ABA. In this blog, we will dive into the intricacies of the various ABA data methods.

 

What is Data Collection in ABA?

ABA data collection is a systematic process of gathering information about a learner’s behavior, their environment, and the circumstances surrounding their behavior. This data is crucial for behavior analysts to understand the learner’s behaviors and current skills, inform interventions that best meet the learner’s unique needs, and monitor progress to ensure ongoing success.

Types of ABA Data Collection Methods

There are several different data collection methods in the ABA industry. Each method has its’ own benefits depending on the goal, learner needs, environmental factors and barriers, and the resources available to the behavior analyst.

Methods for collecting quantifiable behavior data are divided into two categories: continuous and discontinuous. Continuous data consists of measures like latency, count, rate, interesponse time, and duration. These methods involve tracking each occurrence of the target behavior. Conversely, discontinuous data consists of measures such as whole and partial interval recording and time sampling. Discontinuous data involves recording some, but not all, occurrences of a target behavior. Continuous measurement is more accurate and concise. However, discontinuous measurement is often better when time constraints and other environmental barriers are at play.

 

Overview of the Most Common ABA Data Collection Methods

1. Latency Recording

Latency is a measurement of the time between the presentation of a stimulus (e.g., a demand) and the onset of the behavior. For example, if you instruct your student to go get their backpack and they get up two minutes later to get it, the latency is two minutes. Latency recording is beneficial for monitoring delayed responses.

2. Event Recording (Count and Rate)

Event recording is one of the most common data collection methods in ABA for tracking target behaviors and skills. Event recording measures the number of times a particular behavior occurs. The count is an overall tally of the behavior. For example, recording your client manded (requested) 12 times. The rate measures the number of times the behavior occurs across a specified period of time. For example, if your client mands 12 times in a 2-hour session, the rate would be 6x/hour. 

3. Duration Recording

Duration recording is your best option when you’re interested in knowing how long a particular behavior lasts. Duration involves recording the total time from the start of a behavior until the behavior ceases. Recording duration is best for behaviors that have a discrete beginning and ending.

4. Interresponse Time

Interresponse time consists of recording the amount of time from the end of one response to the beginning of the next. For example, if your client spits, then 14 minutes later, they spit again, then the interresponse time between the two occurrences of spitting was 14 minutes.

5. Whole Interval Recording

Whole interval recording is a discontinuous measurement procedure. In this method, the observation period is divided into intervals of time. During each interval, if the client engages in the target behavior for the full duration, the interval is marked with a +, ✓, or yes. If the client does not engage in the target behavior for the entire interval, it is marked as a -, X, or no. 

6. Partial Interval Recording

Partial interval recording is another discontinuous measurement procedure. Again, start by breaking the observation into intervals. Record a +, ✓, or yes for each interval that the client engaged in the target behavior at all during the interval.

7. Time Sampling

Another discontinuous measurement procedure is time sampling or momentary time sampling. In this method, the session is divided into intervals. At the end of each interval, the observer records whether or not the behavior is occurring at that time. Partial and whole interval recording and time sampling are often used in schools and other situations when continuously observing and recording each occurrence of a target behavior is not feasible. 

8. Trial-By-Trial/Per Opportunity Recording

Trial-by-trial or per-opportunity recording is commonly used for skill acquisition data. This method consists of recording the total number of times the learner engaged in the target behavior or demonstrated the target skill out of the total number of opportunities. For example, imagine you’re teaching your client to respond to the question, “What’s your name?” You ask them this question five times throughout the session. Two of the times you target this skill, they answer correctly. Thus, the per opportunity data would be 2/5 or 40% accuracy.

9. Rating Scale Data

Rating scales are used to assess and monitor behavior on a continuum. This type of data measurement is more subjective than the others. However, they can be beneficial in certain circumstances. Rating scales can be used when teaching a learner to self-monitor and evaluate their own behavior. Rating scales can also be used to assess the magnitude or intensity of a behavior, such as the intensity of aggression or the magnitude of a learner’s voice volume.

10. Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence (ABC) Data

ABC data comprises recording the antecedent (the event that occurred directly before the behavior), the target behavior, and the consequence (the event that occurred directly after the behavior). ABC data is crucial for behavior analysts to better understand the variables surrounding their learner’s behavior. By analyzing ABC data, behavior analysts can identify the potential function(s) of the behavior by looking at trends in the antecedents and consequences.

11. Scatterplot Analysis

A scatterplot analysis is another method for analyzing target behaviors. Scatterplot data helps behavior analysts visualize the relationship between different variables, such as the time of day and the target behavior. This is beneficial for identifying patterns in the learner’s behavior.

Raven Health’s ABA software makes data collection seamless for behavior technicians and behavior analysts. With a user-friendly interface, ABA professionals can utilize a wide range of data collection methods that address the unique needs of the learner. Book a demo to learn more about the data tracking and analysis tools available with Raven Health.

Choosing the Best ABA Data Collection Method

The method of ABA data collection you use depends on many factors. Consider the following questions when determining the best method to use.

 

    • Are you tracking behaviors targeted for reduction or skill acquisition?

    • Are you seeking to identify variables related to the target behavior or quantifiable data, such as how often the behavior occurs?

    • Can you count the number of times the behavior occurs or how long the behavior occurs?

    • Are there barriers or time constraints to data recording?

    • Which data method would best support the learner in meeting their individualized goals?

    • Which method allows the ABA professional to maximize time spent with the learner?

Raven Health’s Mission to Equip the ABA Industry

Raven Health enables behavior analysts to harness the power of data collection effectively. With innovative software tailored for ABA, clinicians can improve client outcomes while improving staff satisfaction.

Schedule a demo today to see our platform in action and learn more about how we’re improving care through technology.  

ReferencesCooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2019). Applied Behavior Analysis (3rd Edition). Hoboken, NJ: Pearson Education.