Coordinated Care Across Services
Quick Summary
Many children benefit from more than one type of therapy. At Westside, ABA therapists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, counselors, and feeding specialists work together to coordinate goals, share progress, and provide more connected care so families don’t have to manage communication between providers.
Key takeaways
- Many children benefit from a combination of ABA therapy and other services.
- Westside’s therapy teams communicate regularly to coordinate goals and share progress.
- Coordinated care helps reduce duplicate work and creates a more consistent experience for your child.
- Families stay informed without having to act as the go-between for multiple providers.
- Evaluations help determine which combination of therapies will best support your child’s needs.
Children rarely have needs that fall into just one therapy category. A child working on communication may also need support with sensory processing. A child building social skills may also benefit from feeding therapy. At Westside, these services work together rather than in parallel.
Our ABA team coordinates directly with speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, counselors, and feeding specialists. You do not need to manage communication across separate providers. We handle that so you can focus on your child.
Children with complex needs deserve care that works together, not in silos. For a full overview of the services we offer and how our teams collaborate, visit our ABA therapy at Westside page.
How does coordinated care benefit my child?
When therapists work together, your child receives more consistent support across every service they receive. Instead of each provider working toward separate goals, the team shares information, aligns strategies, and builds on one another’s progress.
That means less repetition, fewer mixed messages, and a more complete picture of your child’s development. It also means you spend less time coordinating between providers and more time focusing on your child.
Does my child need ABA therapy, speech therapy, or both?
Many children benefit from more than one type of therapy. ABA focuses on behavioral skill-building and learning, helping children develop communication, social, and adaptive skills through structured, positive approaches. Speech therapy focuses on communication and language development specifically, including how children express themselves and understand language.
These approaches often go hand in hand. Your child’s evaluation will help point toward the right combination, and if both are recommended, our teams coordinate so the goals are aligned and therapy time is well spent.
What is the difference between ABA therapy and occupational therapy?
ABA focuses on behavioral learning, building communication, social, and adaptive skills through positive reinforcement. Occupational therapy focuses on a child’s ability to do everyday activities, including fine motor skills, sensory processing, and self-care routines. Both can be very helpful for children with autism, and they often work best together.
At Westside, children who receive both services have teams that talk to each other. Goals are aligned so your child is not getting conflicting messages or redundant work.
Can my child receive multiple therapies at once?
Yes. Many children at Westside receive multiple services at the same time. When that is the case, our teams coordinate with each other so that goals are aligned and therapy time is used well. You will not need to be the go-between.
What services does Westside offer?
Westside offers ABA therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, feeding therapy, counseling, and diagnostic evaluations. If your child has needs across more than one of these areas, we can often address them under one roof.
Frequently asked questions
How do I decide which therapies my child needs?
The right combination of services depends on your child’s strengths, challenges, and goals. Some children benefit from ABA therapy alone, while others may also need speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, feeding therapy, or counseling.
Your evaluation is designed to answer those questions. Our clinical team reviews your child’s overall development and recommends the services that will best support their progress, explaining why each may be helpful.
How does coordinated care actually work day to day?
When your child receives multiple services at Westside, their providers communicate regularly about goals, progress, and any concerns. If something comes up in speech therapy that is relevant to ABA goals, those teams talk. You will not need to relay information between providers or piece together a picture from separate sources.
What if my child is already receiving services elsewhere?
We can work alongside outside providers too. If your child is already receiving speech therapy or OT from another practice, let us know. We will reach out and coordinate wherever possible to make sure goals are aligned and your child’s care is not fragmented.
How do I know which therapies my child actually needs?
That is what the evaluation process is for. When a BCBA and our clinical team assess your child, they look at the full picture, not just the presenting diagnosis. If multiple services are recommended, we explain the reasoning clearly and walk you through what each one addresses and how they work together.
How are parents involved in coordinated care?
Parents are an important part of the care team. Your feedback helps therapists understand how your child is doing outside the clinic, and you’ll stay informed as providers share updates and adjust goals. Rather than coordinating between multiple therapists yourself, you’ll have one team working together and keeping you involved throughout the process.
To learn more about how ABA therapy fits into your child’s broader plan of care at Westside, visit our ABA therapy at Westside page.