Abstract
Defining quality in applied behavior analytic support service is an evolving priority. As organizations begin creating professional and organizational standards, it is important that these metrics encompass consumer perceptions of quality. Thus, understanding how caregivers-close proxies to autism support service delivery-define and evaluate quality may offer critical insights. This qualitative study explored how caregivers of autistic children perceive and evaluate the quality of behavior analytic services, in the context of navigating autism support services broadly. Sixteen caregivers participated in semi-structured interviews, and data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Our analysis revealed three focal areas influencing caregiver perceptions of quality: system experiences (e.g., insurance barriers, provider coordination), caregiver experiences (e.g., work-life balance, provider relationships), and child experiences (e.g., autonomy, skill development, rapport). Caregivers emphasized that perceptions of quality extend beyond child outcomes and include caregiver support and collaborative engagement. Barriers, such as high staff turnover and fragmented systems, diminished perceptions of service quality. While caregiver perceptions of quality are multifaceted, movement toward family-centered, coordinated service models may enhance perceptions of service delivery.