Ask how the program becomes individualized.
A provider should be able to explain how assessment, family priorities, communication, routines, interests and the child’s environments influence goals and teaching strategies.
Understand who supervises and reviews care.
Families can ask about the organization’s supervision process, how progress is reviewed and how program changes are made. Families can ask how supervision, progress review and program changes are handled across the organization.
Look for family collaboration.
Caregivers should have a clear way to share priorities, ask questions, receive updates and learn strategies that fit real routines.
Confirm service settings and coverage area.
Ask whether the provider works at home, at school or in the community, what permissions may be required and whether current staffing is available in your county.
Review privacy and communication practices.
General forms should avoid collecting unnecessary private health information. Sensitive documents should move through an appropriate intake process.
Consider the quality of the goals—not only the number of hours.
The care plan should describe meaningful skills, how progress will be measured and how learning will generalize beyond a single activity or therapist.
A trustworthy provider should answer questions directly, explain limits and avoid promising a specific outcome or timeline that cannot be guaranteed.
Trusted resources
This resource is general information and is not medical advice or a substitute for evaluation by a qualified professional.