Applied Behaviour Analysis Service Accessibility for Special Needs Children in Cavite

This study examined the barriers encountered by families in Cavite Province, Philippines, in accessing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services for children with special needs. A qualitative phenomenological approach was employed, utilizing semi-structured online interviews with ten parents who sought or are seeking ABA services for their children with special needs. The study was conducted from June to July 2025. With the participants' consent, interview sessions were audio-recorded to ensure accuracy in data collection. The recordings were subsequently transcribed and translated into English. The transcripts served as the primary data for thematic analysis. The findings revealed that families faced interconnected financial, geographic, systemic, and quality assurance barriers in accessing ABA services. Financially, families experienced significant strain due to high therapy fees, hidden expenses, and the need to adjust employment arrangements to accommodate their children's therapeutic needs. The study also uncovered a critical shortage and maldistribution of qualified ABA practitioners in the Philippines, resulting in long waitlists, irregular therapy schedules, and reliance on untrained staff, which undermined service effectiveness. Quality concerns, including unverified practitioner credentials and inadequate parental guidance, further restricted consistent access to intervention. The researcher proposed CAVITE CARES, an action plan for the consideration of the provincial government of Cavite, to alleviate the financial, geographic and systemic barriers to ABA services in Cavite by providing financial support, service decentralization, workforce development, and regulatory oversight.