What to Do If You Have Questions or Concerns About Therapy

At Progressive Steps, we believe that strong therapy starts with strong communication.

We know that starting ABA therapy, behaviour consultation, or any new support service can bring up a lot of questions. Families may wonder what is happening during sessions, why certain goals were chosen, whether progress is happening quickly enough, or whether a specific strategy feels like the right fit for their child.

Those questions are welcome.

In fact, we want families to ask questions, share concerns, and tell us when something does not feel clear or comfortable.

Open and honest communication helps us do better work together.

We Cannot Address Concerns We Do Not Know About

Sometimes families hesitate to bring up concerns because they do not want to seem difficult, they are unsure whether their concern is “big enough,” or they worry that asking questions may be taken the wrong way.

Please know that your questions matter.

If something feels confusing, uncomfortable, unclear, or different from what you expected, we want to hear about it. If you are wondering why a therapist is using a particular strategy, why a session looked more like play than “work,” why a goal was chosen, or why progress seems slower than expected, those are all important conversations.

We cannot address concerns we do not know about.

When families share feedback early, we have the opportunity to explain, adjust, problem-solve, and make sure everyone feels more comfortable with the process.

Questions Do Not Mean Something Is Wrong

Having questions about therapy does not mean therapy is going badly.

Therapy is a collaborative process. It involves assessment, observation, planning, teaching, data collection, reflection, and adjustment. Sometimes what happens in session may not be obvious from the outside.

For example, a session may look like play, but the therapist may be working on communication, flexibility, tolerance, turn-taking, transitions, imitation, problem-solving, or emotional regulation.

A therapist may pause demands temporarily because they are rebuilding trust, increasing cooperation, or helping a child feel safe before increasing expectations.

A goal may look small, but it may be an important foundation for a much larger skill.

When families ask questions, it gives us a chance to explain the clinical reasoning behind what we are doing. It also gives families a chance to share their perspective, which may help us improve or change the plan.

What Kinds of Concerns Should You Bring Forward?

You should reach out if you have questions or concerns about anything related to your child’s therapy or support.

This may include questions such as:

• Why are we working on this goal?

• Why does the session look different than I expected?

• How do I know if my child is making progress?

• My child seems upset before or after sessions. What does that mean?

• I am not sure if this strategy fits with our family values.

• I am worried that we are not focusing on the right priorities.

• I do not understand the data or progress updates.

• I have concerns about how a therapist responded to my child.

• I want more parent coaching or more communication about what is happening.

• I am not sure if this service model is the right fit anymore.

No concern is too small to discuss. Sometimes a quick conversation can clear up a misunderstanding. Other times, your concern may lead to an important change in the treatment plan.

How Concerns May Be Addressed

When families bring forward questions or concerns, there are many ways we may respond, depending on the situation.

We may provide more information about the reason behind a specific goal, strategy, or recommendation.

• We may review session data and progress with you in more detail.

• We may observe a session or have a supervisor join to provide additional support.

• We may update goals to better reflect your family’s priorities.

• We may adjust how we communicate with you, including more frequent updates, parent meetings, or written summaries.

• We may change how a strategy is being taught or practised.

• We may provide additional therapist training or supervision.

• We may create a clearer plan for how skills can be supported at home, school, or in the community.

• We may pause, revise, or remove a goal if it is no longer appropriate or meaningful.

• We may discuss whether a different service model, schedule, therapist match, or level of support would be a better fit.

Most of the time, concerns can be addressed through communication, collaboration, and thoughtful changes to the plan.

Our goal is not to convince families that everything is fine. Our goal is to understand what you are experiencing, take your concerns seriously, and work together toward a solution.

Sometimes Concerns Help Us Improve the Plan

Therapy plans are not meant to be rigid.

As we learn more about your child, your family, and what is working, we may need to make changes. This is a normal and important part of quality care.

Your feedback helps us understand what is happening outside of sessions, how your child is responding at home, what feels realistic for your family, and whether the goals still feel meaningful.

When families are open with us, we can make therapy more individualized, more comfortable, and more effective.

Sometimes that means changing the pace.

Sometimes it means changing the goals.

Sometimes it means explaining the plan more clearly.

Sometimes it means making sure parents have more opportunities to participate, observe, or ask questions.

We want families to feel informed and involved, not left wondering what is happening or why.

When Values or Expectations May Not Align

While most concerns can be worked through, there may be times when we realize that our values, expectations, or service model do not align.

For example, Progressive Steps may not be the right fit for families looking for a highly compliance-focused approach, rapid behaviour suppression without understanding the reason behind the behaviour, or goals that focus on changing harmless autistic traits.

We are committed to providing services that are ethical, compassionate, individualized, trauma-informed, and neurodiversity-affirming. If a family is looking for a different type of service, we may have an honest conversation about whether another provider would be a better fit.

This does not mean anyone has done something wrong.

Fit matters.

If we determine that Progressive Steps is not the best fit, we will do our best to communicate respectfully, provide recommendations when possible, and support a thoughtful transition to another service provider.

Most of the Time, We Can Work Through It Together

In most cases, concerns do not mean services need to end.

Most of the time, concerns are an opportunity to improve communication, clarify expectations, and adjust the plan so everyone feels more comfortable with the process and the progress being made.

We want families to feel confident asking questions.

We want parents and caregivers to feel like active members of the team.

We want therapy to feel collaborative, not confusing.

We want to know if something is not working for you, because that gives us the chance to address it.

How to Bring Forward a Concern

If you have a question or concern, please contact your clinical supervisor, senior therapist, or the person you usually communicate with about your child’s services.

You can ask for a phone call, a meeting, a written update, or a review of your child’s goals and progress.

You do not need to have the perfect words. You can simply say:

• “I have some questions about what is happening in sessions.”

• “I am not sure I understand the reason for this goal.”

• “I am feeling concerned about something and would like to talk it through.”

• “I would like more information about my child’s progress.”

• “I am wondering if we can revisit the current plan.”

Those conversations are part of the process.

Final Thoughts

At Progressive Steps, we believe families should feel heard, respected, and included.

Questions and concerns are not a problem. Silence is harder, because it prevents us from knowing what families need from us.

If you are unsure, ask.

If something does not feel right, tell us.

If you need more information, reach out.

Open communication allows us to build stronger partnerships, make better clinical decisions, and support your child in a way that feels meaningful, respectful, and effective.

We are here to work with you.