Understanding Outcome Measures for ABA Services

You must complete outcome measures prior to ABA services. ABA providers use outcome measures to inform treatment plans and track progress. Your ABA provider will submit outcome measures with the treatment plan to start and continue ABA services. Outcomes measures are due every six months or yearly depending on the measure. If your ABA provider can’t complete the outcome measures, then your Autism Services Navigator can help.

TRICARE requires the following Outcome Measures:

Clinical Outcome Measures

• Pervasive Developmental Disorder Behavior Inventory: The PDDBI is a tool that helps understand how a person with autism behaves and learns. You complete the PDDBI prior to starting ABA services and again every six months after. Your ABA provider also completes the PDDBI Teacher Form every six months.
• Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Third Edition: The Vineland-3 is a tool that helps understand how well a person with autism is in socializing, talking, taking care of themselves, and adapting to daily life. You complete the Vineland-3 prior to starting ABA services and again every year after.
• Social Responsiveness Scale: The SRS-2 is a tool that helps understand how well a person with autism interacts with others in social situations. You complete the SRS-2 prior to starting ABA services and again every year after. Your ABA provider also completes the Interview or Teacher Form every year.

Program Outcome Measures

• Parenting Stress Index, Fourth Edition Short Form: The PSI-4-SF is a tool to screen parent/caregiver stress. You complete prior to starting ABA services and again every six months, for ages 0-12 years.
• Stress Index for Parents of Adolescents: This SIPA is tool to screen stress in parents/caregivers. You complete prior to starting ABA services and again every six months, for ages 11 to 19 years.

If your dependent is new to the ACD, TRICARE West will accept outcome measures administered up to one year before starting ABA services.

If you need help with outcome measures, contact your Autism Services Navigator for help.