About

Mission-driven nonprofit accreditation supported by a known and trusted entity

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nonprofit trade association cultivating, sharing, and advocating for provider best practices in autism services

In 2019, The Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP) began exploring the development of an accreditation program geared toward organizations serving individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). As CASP continued working on its ABA Organizational Guidelines and Practice Guidelines, it became apparent that developing an accreditation program which incorporated these sources was a logical next step.

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 nonprofit accreditation program for applied behavior analysis organizations serving individuals with autism

In 2022, CASP founded the Autism Commission on Quality (ACQ) to establish and promote organizational standards that improve the quality, effectiveness, and outcomes of ABA services for individuals and families impacted by autism. ACQ’s vision is for all recipients of applied behavior analysis services to reach their full potential through access to organizations offering the highest level of care.

ACQ’s mission is to continuously improve the impact of applied behavior analysis services for the autism community through education and accreditation of provider organizations. ACQ is proudly supported by CASP, however, all essential accreditation decisions (e.g., policies, standards, recognition, appeals) are handled independently from CASP. No single organization, including CASP, is permitted to have majority control over the Standards, Accreditation, and Appeals Committees that form ACQ. Additionally, all CASP member organizations are subject to the same review and are required to go through the same accreditation process as non-CASP members. Any ABA organization serving individuals with autism is eligible to apply for ACQ accreditation, regardless of their CASP membership status, business structure, or size.

Accreditation for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Organizations

Accreditation through the Autism Commission on Quality (ACQ) can help ensure ABA provider organizations:

  1. Use experienced, qualified, and trained ABA clinical providers.
  2. Prioritize patient health, safety, and services over investor profits.
  3. Receive close and ongoing clinical direction from qualified supervisors.
  4. Train and remain compliant with funder and contractual requirements.
  5. Carefully evaluate organizational capacity before accepting new patients.
  6. Clearly communicate and collaborate with patients and caregivers in services.
  7. Conduct internal audits to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
  8. Assign caseload sizes supporting individualized treatment across and within patients.
  9. Adopt billable hour expectations that allow for nonbillable caseload management time.
  10. Measure clinical outcomes using relevant assessments that align with stated patient goals.

The Benefits of Accreditation

Organizational Benefits

Accreditation offers multiple benefits to organizations committed to promoting a culture of continuous improvement:

  • Quality Improvement. Helps organizations enhance the quality and consistency of their ABA services by adhering to established standards and best practices.
  • Patient Safety. Requires that organizations keep a focus on patient safety, reducing the risk of errors or harm to individuals receiving ABA therapy.
  • Risk Mitigation. Helps organizations identify and mitigate other risks associated with ABA therapy, reducing the likelihood of legal issues and adverse events.
  • Consumer Satisfaction. Provides organizations with valuable measures of consumer satisfaction data gathered by an independent third-party entity.
  • Enhanced Credibility. Helps boost in organizational reputation and visibility, which can help attract more job applicants and patients seeking services.
  • Professional Development. Signals a commitment to ongoing professional development to ensure its providers are well-trained.
  • Access Funding. May facilitate access to funding sources, including insurance reimbursement, government grants, and contracts, which is crucial for sustaining ABA services.
  • Regulatory Compliance. May be used as a pathway for organizations to meet regulatory requirements set by state, federal, or other governing bodies.

Industry Benefits

Accreditation programs can also play a vital role in protecting an industry by establishing and upholding standards and best practices.

  • Stabilizing Force. Serves as a stabilizing force by setting and enforcing quality standards.
  • Consumer Confidence. Promotes consumer confidence by signaling to the public that they can trust the services offered by accredited providers.
  • Continuous Improvement. Helps foster a culture of continuous improvement by requiring organizations to regularly assess and enhance their services and operations.
  • Professionalism. Promotes a commitment to professionalism and ethical practice amongst industry players.
  • Consumer Redress. Creates consumer protections by providing a mechanism for the public to hold their providers accountable to an independent third party.
  • Public Safety. Protects public health by promoting standards focused on patient safety.
  • Transparency. Verifies organizations are remaining accountable and open about their practices.
  • Market Access. Helps prevent substandard players with the potential to harm the public from accessing the market.