ABA follow-up skills can support finding the original request, identifying who owns the response, checking the promised or required date, stating what remains unresolved, using an accessible follow-up route, recording the new commitment, and escalating when appropriate. Follow-up should preserve the original evidence and age. It cannot create authority, force a particular answer, or replace an emergency, appeal, complaint, or legal process.
Confirm the original request first
Find the request date, recipient, purpose, exact ask, attachment or evidence, delivery or receipt confirmation, response target, and current status. If the request was never received or lacked a required field, correct that specific problem while preserving the original timeline.
Use a concise follow-up message
State the original date and reference, what remains open, which response is needed, and when. Choose the permitted channel and accessible format. A follow-up can ask for status, missing information, a written decision, a new target date, or the proper escalation contact.
Keep communication access and privacy
Speech, writing, relay, interpreter support, AAC, or a chosen representative may fit the route. ASHA's AAC portal supports ongoing access to communication tools. Verify authority before a supporter receives private account, school, health, employer, or service information.
Escalate by source and consequence
Use the organization's stated supervisor, complaint, appeal, emergency, safety, regulatory, or legal route when its trigger occurs. For covered behavior analysts, the BACB Ethics Code addresses communication, documentation, client involvement, risk, and continuity. Other systems have different authorities.
A practical example
Jun tracks eight unresolved requests whose response targets have passed. All eight retain the original date and owner. Six receive a new written status after one follow-up; two move to the stated escalation route. Follow-up response is 6 of 8 at that step, with both escalated requests still open.
Questions families can use
Ask what was originally requested, what proves receipt, who owns the answer, which date controls, what remains open, which channel is accessible, what escalation applies, and what evidence closes the item. ABA follow-up skills should make unresolved work visible without resetting its age.
Sources
Finni resources
