At Special Learning, our unwavering commitment is to "people over profits" and "outcomes over hours." This philosophy is the driving force behind ESBAP (Ethics Standards Board for ABA Providers), a new initiative designed to bring unprecedented transparency to the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) industry.

In a field as critical as ABA, where the well-being and progress of individuals with autism and developmental disabilities are paramount, knowing who is providing care and how they operate is no longer a luxury – it’s a necessity.

ESBAP empowers you, whether you’re a parent, a dedicated BCBA, or an industry stakeholder, to make truly informed decisions by illuminating the structures and track records of ABA provider organizations.

The Ownership Landscape: Understanding Who’s at the Helm

Not all ABA organizations are created equal, and their underlying ownership structure can significantly influence their operational philosophy and priorities.

PE-Backed Organizations

These providers receive substantial investment from Private Equity (PE) firms. While PE investment can bring resources for expansion, it often comes with an expectation of maximizing financial returns within a relatively short timeframe (e.g., 3–5 years). This model can, at times, create structural incentives that prioritize efficiency and cost-cutting, which may inadvertently impact clinical decisions, staffing ratios, and employee retention. High staff turnover can be a significant concern in the ABA industry, often correlating with certain operational models.

Independent / Unknown Organizations

This category encompasses a wide range of providers, from founder-led BCBA-owned practices to larger independent groups. While “Unknown” indicates that comprehensive ownership data is still being gathered, these organizations typically operate with different financial pressures than PE-backed entities.

Understanding this distinction, which we call “Ownership Literacy,” allows you to align with organizations whose foundational values and long-term goals best match your own. It’s about looking beyond the surface and understanding the ecosystem in which care is delivered.

Beyond the Brochure: What Real Indicators Tell You

Transparency goes deeper than just ownership. ESBAP provides clear, data-driven insights into other critical aspects of an organization’s operations, allowing you to gauge its quality and ethical standing.

Your Window to Real Experiences: Public Review Platforms

Forget curated testimonials. ESBAP offers direct, clickable links to independent review platforms like Google Reviews, Glassdoor, Indeed, and Facebook. These platforms are invaluable for:

  • Authentic Employee Insights: Gain a genuine understanding of a company’s culture, management practices, and staff satisfaction directly from current and former employees. High turnover is often a symptom of underlying issues, and employee reviews can illuminate these.
  • Service User Feedback: Hear directly from families and clients about their experiences with the services provided.
  • Independent Verification: Our platform guides you to the primary source, enabling you to conduct your own due diligence and interpret feedback without intermediary filtering.

A Mark of Quality: Industry Accreditations

Membership in esteemed organizations like the Behavioral Health Center of Excellence (BHCOE) or the Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP) often signals an adherence to recognized standards of clinical quality and ethical practice. While not a sole determinant, these accreditations provide an additional layer of assurance.

The “Teeth” of Transparency: Verifiable Public Records

In line with our “collaborative with teeth” approach, ESBAP believes that the most potent form of accountability comes from accessible, verifiable facts. Our profile pages will highlight public records related to an organization’s operational history, including:

  • Medicaid Fraud Charges: Instances of fraud or improper billing practices.
  • Lawsuits and Settlements: Legal actions against the organization, providing insight into potential operational risks or past grievances.
  • State Licensing Actions: Records of disciplinary actions or sanctions from relevant licensing boards.
  • Office of Inspector General (OIG) Exclusions: Federal exclusions that prevent individuals or entities from participating in Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal healthcare programs.

Data You Can Trust

ESBAP provides direct links to the official source documents and public databases for these records. We do not editorialize, interpret, or assign “scores” based on these facts. Instead, we empower you with direct access to primary information, allowing you to independently review the details, assess their relevance, and draw your own conclusions. This is the essence of true transparency: letting the data speak for itself.

ESBAP: Your Partner in Transforming the Industry

ESBAP is more than just a directory; it’s a dynamic platform built on the principles of collaboration and empowerment. We encourage ABA practitioners, families, and all stakeholders to actively Contribute Data and share their insights. Your contributions strengthen the collective knowledge base, ensuring ESBAP remains a powerful tool for positive industry transformation.

By actively engaging with ESBAP, exploring organizational profiles, and leveraging the transparent data provided, you become an active participant in shaping an ABA landscape that consistently prioritizes the highest ethical standards, exceptional clinical outcomes, and the unwavering well-being of every individual served.

Visit ESBAP.org today and join us in building a more transparent and accountable future for ABA.

Transparency isn’t just data—it’s power. Use it.

Get Your Organization’s Ethics Scorecard

See how your ABA provider measures up on transparency, staffing, and ethical practices.

Request Ethics Scorecard
  1. Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts.
  2. CentralReach Autism and IDD Care Market Report.
  3. Lightcast/BACB Labor Market Data & Certificant Data.
  4. Chung, K. (Ongoing). ABA Workforce Stability & Outcomes Trial. Special Learning, Inc.
  5. ESBAP Launch Dataset (internal data) — 14,975 organizations tracked.
  6. Publicly available records from government and regulatory bodies (e.g., OIG Exclusions Database, DOJ Antitrust Division, state licensing boards, court systems).