The Use of a Pictorially Enhanced Self-Instruction Packet to Improve Weekly Time Sheet Completion in an ABA Clinic

ABSTRACT Applied behavior analysis (ABA) has steadily grown over the previous 30 years due in large part to its effectiveness as a treatment for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities. This growth has led to increasing insurance coverage for ABA services used to treat ASD. Accurate insurance billing practices are critical for timely payment for services, correct reflection of services provided, and are ethically mandated. Incomplete or incorrect billing invoices can cause payment delays, require time to correct billing records, and in some cases cost ABA companies money in the form of lost time and/or insurance paybacks. The purpose of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of a pictorially enhanced self-instruction (PESI) packet to improve the completion of weekly billing sheets turned in by five technicians at a clinic providing ABA services to individuals with ASD and other developmental delays. Each technician was given a PESI packet that contained step-by-step directions with corresponding picture examples of how to complete portions of their weekly timesheet. Results indicated the packet was rapidly effective for increasing the completion of timesheets submitted for 4 of 5 technicians. Limitations and directions for future research are discussed.