How to Advocate for Art-Based Programs in ABA Therapy

Introduction

Behavior analysts are no strangers to resistance when introducing new therapeutic approaches, especially those that deviate from traditional forms of ABA therapy. While art-based ABA programs like Canvas ABA-Art and Canvas ACT-Art offer powerful ways to foster communication, flexibility, and emotional regulation, getting leadership or clinics to adopt them can be an uphill battle.

This guide will equip you with strategies to advocate for art-based ABA interventions in schools and clinical settings, address common objections, and align these creative approaches with behavior-analytic principles and funding requirements.

Why Art-Based ABA? Bridging Creativity with Science

Art and ABA may seem like an unlikely pair to those unfamiliar with behavior-analytic applications of creative expression. However, the use of art within ABA frameworks is evidence-based and aligns with core behavior-analytic principles:

✅ Reinforcement & Motivation – Art activities can serve as powerful reinforcers for skill acquisition and behavior reduction plans.

✅ Generalization & Functional Communication – Many learners struggle with traditional communication methods. Art can serve as an alternative form of verbal behavior, fostering manding, tacting, and intraverbal development through drawing, painting, and storytelling.

✅ Self-Regulation & Acceptance and Commitment Therapy– Canvas ACT-Art integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy techniques into ABA through creative exercises that help learners identify emotions, practice mindfulness, and develop psychological flexibility.

✅ Individualized & Accessible – Art-based ABA can be adapted for a wide range of learners, including those who have sensory sensitivities, communication challenges, or difficulties with fine motor skills.

While the evidence is compelling, gaining buy-in from schools and clinics requires framing the program in a way that speaks to administrators, funding sources, and fellow clinicians.

Advocating for Art-Based ABA in Schools: Overcoming Resistance

Behavior analysts working in school settings often encounter three major roadblocks when proposing non-traditional interventions like Canvas ABA-Art:

1️⃣ Misconceptions About ABA & Art – Many educators still perceive ABA as rigid and compliance-driven, while others view art as a freeform, unstructured activity with no measurable outcomes.

Solution:

• Frame art-based ABA as an evidence-based teaching strategy, emphasizing functional communication, emotional regulation, and social interaction goals.

• Use terms that align with school initiatives (e.g., Social-Emotional Learning, Universal Design for Learning, and self-regulation strategies.

2️⃣ Perceived Lack of Academic Relevance – Some administrators may question whether art-based ABA aligns with IEP goals or state standards.

Solution:

• Show how Canvas ABA-Art can be integrated into existing curricula, aligning with literacy, fine motor development, and problem-solving skills.

• Provide examples of data collection and measurable progress using skill acquisition programs.

3️⃣ Concerns About Implementation & Training – Schools may worry about training requirements or feasibility.

Solution:

• Offer to conduct training sessions for staff on integrating art-based ABA techniques into existing classroom routines.

• Highlight that RBTs, teachers, and paraprofessionals can implement structured art activities with minimal additional resources.

📌 Actionable Tip: Start with a small pilot group or demonstration session. Schools are more likely to embrace new methods when they see direct student engagement and progress.

Advocating for Art-Based ABA in Clinics: Making the Case for Insurance & Funding

For behavior analysts working in clinic-based settings, the biggest challenge is gaining approval from administrators and insurance providers. Payors may question whether art-based ABA interventions meet medical necessity criteria. Here’s how to frame your advocacy effectively:

💡 Use Behavior-Analytic Literature to Support Your Case

• Cite research on alternative augmentative communication and visual supports, showing how art-based interventions align with established ABA strategies.

• Reference studies demonstrating the impact of ACT interventions on psychological flexibility and distress tolerance in individuals with ASD.

📊 Show Measurable Outcomes & Data Collection

• Develop task analyses for art-based activities, ensuring that clinicians can collect data on skill acquisition, self-regulation, and verbal behavior.

• Use functional communication training principles to demonstrate how art activities serve as a structured method for teaching requests, comments, and emotional labeling.

💰 Present the Financial & Clinical Benefits

• Highlight that art-based ABA programs can reduce problem behaviors and increase engagement, reducing the need for intensive 1:1 staffing.

• Show that payors and funding sources value interventions that improve long-term outcomes, such as increasing independent coping skills and alternative communication.

📌 Actionable Tip: Write a justification letter when submitting claims for art-based interventions, clearly linking the program to functional skill development and medical necessity criteria.

Gaining Institutional Support & Expanding Acceptance

For both schools and clinics, long-term success depends on institutional buy-in. To make art-based ABA interventions a standard part of behavioral programming, consider these steps:

🔹 Partner with Special Education & Therapy Teams – Collaborate with SLPs, OTs, and special education teachers to integrate Canvas ABA-Art into interdisciplinary interventions.

🔹 Develop Training for Staff & Caregivers – The more comfortable educators and therapists are with implementing art-based ABA, the more likely they are to support its use.

🔹 Publish & Share Success Stories – Document case studies showcasing measurable improvements in self-expression, communication, and behavioral outcomes. This helps normalize the use of art within ABA therapy.

Conclusion & Next Steps

Advocating for art-based ABA curriculums such as Canvas ABA-Art or Canvas ACT-Art requires a strategic approach that addresses concerns, highlights the evidence base, and aligns with institutional goals. By positioning art-based ABA as a functional, data-driven intervention, behavior analysts can increase acceptance and implementation in schools and clinics.

📌 Key Takeaways for Clinicians & Behavior Analysts: 

✔ Frame art-based ABA in familiar terms (SEL, functional communication, self-regulation) 

✔ Use behavior-analytic literature & research to justify interventions 

✔ Anticipate and address concerns about implementation & funding 

✔ Start with a pilot program, collect data, and demonstrate progress

By taking these steps, we can expand the field of behavior analysis and increase access to innovative, engaging, and effective interventions for individuals who need them most.