This Is What Maturity Looks Like: How Increased Scrutiny in Autism Can Advance Progress
By Chris Larson | October 14, 2026
Historically high scrutiny will likely be the norm going forward for the autism therapy industry. This new, constant pressure will have both a refining and weathering effect, demanding that all providers—irrespective of size, age, or development—be prepared to face scrutiny of their work, especially in care documentation and billing practices. Organizations that excel in this environment need to be ready to clearly articulate their practices to patient families, peers, health plans, and state officials to further their organization's and the industry's objectives. They must also be resilient enough to withstand intense scrutiny.
"The strongest advocacy connects the data to the person," says Alisha Simpson-Watt, executive clinical director and founder of Collaborative ABA Services, during a BHB-hosted webinar. "They want very objective information—they want to know where the child started, what progress they’re making, what barriers remain, why the recommended services are still needed. Data alone cannot communicate the full picture."
Collaborative ABA Services, based in Middletown, Connecticut, was founded in 2019 and offers applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, diagnostic evaluations, case management, social skills groups, parent and community training, and translation services.
Providers should anticipate that heightened scrutiny will also translate into financial pressure. As health plans seek to curb ABA spending, Simpson-Watt advises providers to be prepared with robust, data-driven justifications for their practices.
Register for Autism Investor Summit East to connect with leading names in the field and navigate these evolving challenges.