ABC's Action Institute for Outcomes Research Marks One Year of Published ABA Research

In 2024, Action Behavior Centers launched the Action Institute for Outcomes Research (AIoR), a research institute dedicated to advancing behavioral early intervention through treatment outcome research and integrating findings directly into ABC's clinical practice. This month, AIoR marks its one-year anniversary.

Led by Executive Director Linda LeBlanc, Ph.D., BCBA-D, the institute reflects ABC's commitment to ensuring that the care children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) receive is grounded in evidence and continuously improving.

"AIoR represents our long-term commitment to ensuring families receive the very best in evidence-based ABA care," said Dr. Charna Mintz, Chief Clinical Officer at ABC. "It allows us to continuously refine how we serve children and families."

Learn more: ABA Therapy Outcomes & Family Impact Stories

What AIoR published in its first year

In its first year, AIoR published two peer-reviewed studies examining real outcomes for autistic children and their families.

• Parenting Stress in the First Year of Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, by Linda A. LeBlanc, Claire Schutte, Charna Mintz, and Lucy Barnard-Brak. Published in the Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities (2024). Read the study.

Findings: Families whose children received applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy at ABC reported reduced parenting stress over the first year of treatment, with the largest improvements seen in families who entered care with the highest stress levels.

• School Placement Outcomes Following Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention in a Routine Clinical Care Setting, by Linda A. LeBlanc, Charna Mintz, Avery Caffee, and Brent A. Kaplan. Published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders (2025). Read the study.

Findings: The majority of children graduating from services entered school spending most or all of their time in general education settings. In contrast, most children who exited services prematurely spent most or all of their time in special education settings or alternative placements.

National and international recognition for ABC's clinical research

Over the past year, Dr. LeBlanc and several ABC clinical leaders presented AIoR research findings at major state, national, and international conferences, bringing the institute's work to wider audiences of researchers, clinicians, and behavior analysts.

Learn more: How ABC Delivers Meaningful Outcomes in ABA Therapy

How AIoR keeps families informed on ABA therapy outcomes

Publishing peer-reviewed research is one part of ABC's broader commitment to transparency and accountability. Families and clinicians deserve clear, accessible information about treatment outcomes, and AIoR's work is designed to provide exactly that.

"Our work ensures that children receive care that is both compassionate and grounded in science," said Dr. LeBlanc.

To learn more about AIoR and ABC's approach to evidence-based ABA therapy, find a center near you and check your insurance coverage here.

About the Action Institute for Outcomes Research

Founded in 2024, the Action Institute for Outcomes Research supports ABC's mission of advancing behavioral early intervention through treatment outcome research. The institute empowers behavior analysts, families, and clinicians with data to make informed care decisions. Findings are integrated into clinical practice to drive continuous improvement. Executive Director Dr. Linda LeBlanc leads the research team, bringing decades of clinical and research experience and over 130 publications.