Navigating ABA in English and Spanish
Families deserve to understand clinical recommendations and participate in decisions. Language preference should be discussed early and revisited throughout intake and care.
Request ServicesState your preference early
Tell the team which language you prefer for calls, meetings, forms, and clinical explanations. Ask what language support is available for the specific service and region.
Ask for plain language
It is appropriate to pause, ask for a term to be explained, request an interpreter when available, and ask for written next steps. A family member should not be placed in a clinical interpretation role by default.
Keep terms connected
Independent English and Spanish content may use different phrasing, but essential clinical meaning should remain accurate. Families can ask the team to identify the English and Spanish terms used in school, insurance, and clinical documents.