In the world of ABA therapy, success truly takes a team. It’s part of why we at FOCUS Therapy prioritize a multidisciplinary approach, facilitating collaboration with therapists in other practice areas, such as speech and occupational therapy. But it’s also why we structure our Fort Myers ABA therapy sessions a bit differently than some other clinics.

Our approach to ABA involves assigning multiple, rotating behavior therapists to work with each patient, rather than assigning them one person with whom they’re always paired.

Many ABA clinics will assign a single Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) to each child. This one-to-one matching is often done for scheduling convenience. There’s no doubt it’s beneficial for administrative simplicity, and it also has the upside of creating a measure of consistency – which is important with any kind of therapy.

That said, we’ve found that this 1:1 approach can actually limit a child’s potential for developing truly functional skills. At FOCUS, we’ve intentionally designed our program to incorporate variety. Our Fort Myers ABA therapy clients work with 2-3 different behavior therapists throughout the day, and they may interact with 10-12 different professionals total (RBTs, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, etc.) throughout the week.

The advantage here stems from the fact that not every therapist is going to take the exact same approach. The slight variations that inevitably result with a variety of providers – each bringing their own unique experience and perspectives – means the child gets the chance to learn and practice these critical skills even when not all circumstances are exactly the same from day-to-day. This is a key part of something called “generalization.”

The Science of Skill Generalization

The cornerstone of effective ABA therapy isn’t just teaching skills. It’s teaching skills that can be applied across different environments, with different people, and in varying situations. This is what behavior analysts call “generalization,” and it’s absolutely essential for the real-world success of our patients.

When a child learns a new skill with only one therapist, they may become dependent on that specific person’s prompting style, voice, or even appearance. This can create what we call “therapist dependence,” where skills only emerge in the presence of that particular adult.

Research consistently shows that children who learn to perform skills with multiple adults are more likely to:

• Transfer those skills to new environments
• Maintain skills over time
• Apply learned techniques in natural settings like home and school
• Adapt their communication to different social partners

How Multiple Therapists Enhance Learning

Consider this common scenario: A child is working on identifying objects (known as “tacting” in ABA terminology). At FOCUS, one therapist might use a dollhouse to practice naming rooms, while another might take the child around the actual clinic to identify the real kitchen, bathroom, and front door.

This variety provides several distinct advantages:

1. Multiple Learning Contexts. The child learns that “kitchen” means both the miniature room in the dollhouse and the full-sized room where people prepare food, strengthening their conceptual understanding.
2. Varied Teaching Styles. Each therapist brings their unique approach, voice, and interaction style. This diversity helps the child adapt to different communication partners.
3. Generalized Responding. When a child can demonstrate a skill with multiple people in various settings, we gain confidence that they truly understand the concept rather than just responding to specific environmental cues.
4. Increased Engagement. Different therapists introduce novel energy and teaching approaches, preventing the monotony that can develop in long-term, one-on-one relationships.

Benefits Beyond the Client

Our multiple-therapist approach doesn’t just benefit the children we serve—it creates a more engaging and sustainable environment for our professional team as well.

For RBTs and other therapy providers, working with multiple children throughout the day provides:

• Professional variety that prevents burnout.
• Exposure to different skill levels and teaching challenges.
• Opportunities to learn from colleagues’ approaches.
• A more dynamic workday with natural breaks in intensity.
• Greater job satisfaction and professional growth.

This approach makes FOCUS an attractive workplace for talented professionals seeking meaningful variety in their clinical practice. The fresh energy and engagement our therapists bring to each session directly benefits the children they work with.

A Day at FOCUS: Consistency Without Uniformity

While children at FOCUS interact with multiple therapists, their treatment remains coordinated and consistent. Each child has a single treatment plan that all team members follow, with skills and objectives that remain consistent regardless of which professional is providing the session.

The difference lies in implementation. One therapist might practice following directions during an art activity, while another addresses the same skill during outdoor play. The objective remains consistent, but the multiple contexts significantly enhance the child’s ability to generalize.

Making the Shift to Multiple Therapists

For families considering ABA therapy, the multiple-therapist model initially raises concerns about consistency and relationship-building. However, we’ve found that children quickly adapt to working with different adults and often thrive with the variety.

The key lies in our coordinated approach: all therapists access the same treatment plan, data collection systems, and regular team meetings ensure everyone remains aligned on each child’s progress and needs.

Preparing for Real-World Success

At FOCUS, our multiple-therapist approach reflects our core philosophy: Therapy isn’t about teaching children to perform in clinical settings. It’s about preparing them for success in the diverse, unpredictable real world.

By learning to apply skills with different people and in various contexts, children develop greater flexibility, adaptability, and independence. These are precisely the qualities that will serve them well beyond the therapy setting, in classrooms, playgrounds, family gatherings, and eventually, workplaces and independent living.

The path to genuine skill mastery doesn’t run through a single relationship. It winds through many different interactions, environments, and challenges. At FOCUS Therapy, we’re committed to providing the diverse therapeutic experiences children need to truly thrive in all aspects of life.

FOCUS offers ABA therapy in Fort Myers and throughout Southwest Florida. Call (239) 313.5049 or Contact Us online.

Additional Resources:

ABA – The Strengths of Having a Collaborative, Multi-Disciplinary Team, Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center

More Blog Entries:

How Our Fort Myers ABA Therapy Supports School-Readiness & Self-Regulation