Rethinking Efficiency in ABA: Why Your Workflow Matters More Than Your Software
In behavior analysis, we’re trained to break down tasks into observable, measurable components. And yet, so many of us are bogged down by inefficient systems that hinder, not help, our work.
We’ve become accustomed to letting software dictate our workflows. But what if the opposite were true? What if your technology could flex to fit how you practice, rather than forcing you to change how you work?
That’s the approach we’ve taken at Burgos Behavior, and it’s why tech-driven workflows are one of the most underutilized opportunities in our field today.
From Behavior Data to Better Systems
When I started Burgos Behavior in 2020, I had two core goals:
To serve the neurodivergent community across the lifespan.
To work efficiently so I could have work life balance, without compromising meaningful care.
As we grew, from social skills groups for children to consultation for adult residential homes, I kept coming back to one question: How can we make this easier, faster, and more meaningful for everyone involved, staff, clients, caregivers, and consultants?
For us, the answer was data-driven design, using customizable platforms like Motivity not just for data collection but for total workflow transformation.
Tangible Results: How We Use Tech to Simplify Care
At Burgos Behavior, we use technology to simplify the things that used to take days. Here are just a few examples:
Streamlined Report Generation: What used to take 6–8 hours now takes 90 minutes because our data collection and documentation are pre-aligned with our reporting needs.
Automated Data Summaries: We built a custom app (using Google Sheets + AppSheet) to automatically format exported data into clean, two-page summaries for homes. We eliminated the need for staff to manually sort through 30+ pages of raw data.
Customizing Data Collection: In our residential programs, traditional ABC data often fell short. We added a simple, open-ended question: “Why do YOU think this behavior happened?” This small change gives us invaluable insight into a caregiver’s perspective, allowing for more collaborative and culturally aware behavior plans.
Role-Based Access: Each caregiver or team member sees only what’s relevant to them, minimizing confusion and boosting buy-in.
Screen-Recorded Updates: Instead of lengthy, static emails, we send quick video walk-throughs of behavior plan changes. These are accessible for all shifts, even night staff.
A Philosophy of Intention
When I approach tech or program design, I always start with a single guiding question: “What is the ideal outcome, and what's the most efficient, intuitive path to get there?”
This mindset helps us avoid clunky, redundant systems. It’s also the same philosophy that guides how we structure our services. For example, in our social skills groups, we don't push kids into interactions just to hit a goal. We reverse-engineer from the outcome of genuine connection.
We never write goals like, "Talk about non-preferred topics for 2 minutes." Instead, we help kids learn how to share their interests in a way that invites others in, expanding their options for connection without changing who they are.
It’s not about having the fanciest tools. It's about building intentional systems that work for your people and your mission.
To the Behavior Analysts Out There...
It’s time to stop letting platforms box us in. Your systems should serve you, not the other way around.
Ask yourself:
Is your documentation working for you or against you?
Are your caregivers and staff getting clear, actionable feedback?
Are your systems helping you deliver better care, or just checking compliance boxes?
Your time is your most valuable resource. We can’t afford to let it be consumed by inefficient systems.
If you’re ready to design workflows that truly match your values, goals, and reality, I’d love to connect.
Let's build a better way together.
