More Than A Checklist: How to Make a Powerful ABA Assessment

Assessments are more than forms to complete or boxes to tick. They are the foundation for building programs that truly matter to our learners. In this conversation, we unpack how to move beyond surface-level evaluations and use assessments as powerful tools for understanding strengths, identifying gaps, and setting meaningful goals.

Too often, assessments get mistaken for curriculum, leading to cookie-cutter programs that don’t reflect the individual needs of the learner. We discuss how to avoid this trap by reframing assessments as a starting point, not the destination. You’ll hear strategies for finding the right balance between thoroughness and efficiency, so learners don’t lose months of programming while assessments drag on.

We also talk about the importance of clinical judgment: why assessments belong in the hands of BCBAs and how to use results to shape goals that connect directly to the learner’s real-world needs. If you’ve ever felt bogged down by assessment requirements or questioned how to make them more meaningful, this episode will help you approach them with clarity and confidence.

What’s Inside:

• Why assessments should guide programming, not become the program
• How to balance thoroughness with timely implementation
• Tips for choosing meaningful, functional goals that go beyond checklists

Mentioned In This Episode:
Measuring What Matters: Meaningful Outcomes with the MOTAS Assessment CEU Event
HowToABA.com/join
How to ABA on YouTube
Find us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram