The Hidden Crisis: Why Utilization Should Be Your #1 KPI

Dear ABA Community,

After a brief summer hiatus from our newsletter, I’m back with what might be the most important message I’ll share this year. Today, I want to talk about a metric that’s silently undermining ABA practices across the country—and chances are, you’re not tracking it closely enough.

Last week, I received yet another call that’s become all too familiar. “We’re struggling with thin profit margins,” the practice owner explained. “Our RBT turnover is through the roof, and we can’t figure out why. Can you help?”

My first question is always the same: “What’s your utilization rate?”

Nine times out of ten, I’m met with silence. Then comes the hesitant response: “Our what?”

The 60% Problem

Here’s the harsh reality I’ve discovered working with hundreds of ABA practices: When we finally pull the utilization data, the typical rate hovers around 60%. Let that sink in for a moment. Sixty percent means that 40% of authorized hours are simply vanishing into thin air.

This isn’t just a number on a spreadsheet—it’s a crisis with three consequences:

For Our Learners: If we truly believe that ABA services are the key to helping children reach their full potential, then leaving 40% of authorized hours unused means we’re systematically depriving learners of the critical interventions they need and deserve.

For Your Business: You’re literally leaving 40% of your potential revenue on the table. That’s the difference between struggling with thin margins and running a thriving, sustainable practice.

For Your RBTs: When utilization is low, your team isn’t getting the hours they were promised or expected. Is it any wonder they’re looking elsewhere for more reliable income?

The Ripple Effect

Low utilization creates a vicious cycle. RBTs leave because they can’t count on consistent hours. This creates staffing shortages, which further reduces your ability to deliver authorized services. Families become frustrated with inconsistent service delivery. Your reputation suffers. Revenue drops. The cycle continues.

Meanwhile, you’re probably attributing these problems to everything except the real culprit: poor utilization management.

The Good News

Here’s what gives me hope: The practices that do track utilization closely and implement systematic improvements consistently see rates climb from that dismal 60% to 80% and higher. These aren’t massive, complicated overhauls—they’re strategic, implementable changes that create immediate and lasting impact.

I’ve seen practices transform their entire operation by focusing on this single metric. Profit margins improve. RBT retention stabilizes. Most importantly, children receive the consistent, intensive services that drive meaningful outcomes.

Your Next Step

If you don’t know your current utilization rate, that’s your homework assignment right now. Pull the data. Face the numbers. I guarantee you’ll be surprised—and motivated to take action.

If you discover you’re part of the 60% club (and statistics suggest you probably are), know that you’re not alone, and more importantly, this is completely fixable. We’ve developed several proven strategies that can be easily adopted to push utilization rates from 60% to 80% and beyond.

The question isn’t whether you can afford to address this—it’s whether you can afford not to.

Ready to transform your practice? Contact us to schedule a consultation. Let’s turn those missing hours into realized potential—for your learners, your team, and your business.

Warm regards,
Kim Finger, Ph.D.
CEO