Our Commitment to Safety, Transparency, and the Families We Serve

A family hugging each other in a park.

At Essential Speech and ABA Therapy, we know that trust is everything. When you entrust your child to our care, you are entrusting us with your world. That is a responsibility we carry with great humility and deep care.

Recently, there have been public discussions and misinformation circulating regarding a lawsuit that involved our corporate organization and a former employee. While the lawsuit has since been dismissed with prejudice, we believe it’s important to address the full scope of the situation with compassion, transparency, and a commitment to answering every question families may have.

We have nothing to hide—and everything to protect, especially the children and families we serve.

What Happened?

In July 2023, we learned that a former employee, Zachariah Barineau, had been arrested for an incident completely unrelated to our organization. The matter occurred entirely in his personal life, outside of our facility, and did not involve any client or child at Essential Speech and ABA Therapy.

Upon being made aware of the warrant for his arrest, we acted immediately and terminated his employment. His RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) certification was later revoked by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).

There were no reports or incidents involving Mr. Barineau at our clinic, and no concerns had ever been raised by families or staff during his employment with us.

Why Was There a Delay in Communicating With Families?

This is a fair and important question, and we want to speak to it with honesty and care.

At the time we became aware of the arrest, Mr. Barineau had already been removed from our staff. Because the matter did not involve his conduct in the workplace, we were navigating legal and ethical limitations related to disclosing private personnel matters.

Under both federal and state law, employers are generally prohibited from disclosing private employment matters, especially those involving an employee’s legal situation that does not involve the workplace. Sharing unverified allegations about an employee not only risks defamation but could also violate their rights and open our organization to liability.

That said, once the matter became public and media inquiries began, we notified families and offered direct meetings and written statements to provide as much clarity as we could, within legal bounds.

Are There Cameras in the Clinics?

Yes. Every Essential Speech and ABA Therapy clinic has cameras installed in all areas where children receive therapy. These cameras are monitored throughout the day and reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance practices.

To protect the privacy of all children, we do not allow remote access to video footage, as doing so would violate HIPAA regulations. However, parents are welcome to schedule a time to view video footage of their child’s therapy in person.

What About Background Checks?

We have always required comprehensive background checks for all employees before hiring. In addition, we conduct follow-up screenings periodically throughout employment to remain in compliance with insurance and regulatory guidelines.

Claims that we began background checks only in 2023 are false. In Mr. Barineau’s case, multiple background checks were completed—including a post-hire follow-up—and all results returned clear at the time of employment.

What Safeguards Are in Place to Protect Children?

At Essential Speech and ABA Therapy, we have a multi-layered safety system that includes:

• Cameras in all therapy areas, monitored and reviewed by our clinical teams.

• On-site supervision by clinic leads and BCBAs who actively observe sessions and intervene when needed.

• Mandatory reporting protocols in which all team members are trained to report suspected abuse or neglect to the proper authorities.

• Ongoing clinical training, emphasizing ethical practice, dignity, and assent-based care.

  
  

Our staff are deeply committed to providing safe, compassionate, and effective therapy. Any concerns raised are taken seriously, documented, and addressed in line with internal policy and state regulations.

Why Did Some Parents File a Lawsuit?

We understand that learning someone connected to your child’s care has been accused of a serious crime—regardless of whether it occurred in the clinic—can cause fear and anxiety.

Several families chose to file a lawsuit against our organization. Their concerns, while rooted in emotion, were unfortunately based on incorrect assumptions and incomplete information. After reviewing our documentation, the attorney representing those families withdrew from the case. The lawsuit was later dismissed with prejudice by the court, meaning the claims could not be refiled.

We respect every parent's right to ask questions, and we responded to the legal process with transparency, documentation, and a willingness to stand behind our actions.

What Have We Learned?

While we are proud of how we handled the situation—particularly regarding our immediate response and ongoing safety practices—we also learned that public trust requires not only doing the right thing but clearly communicating what we’ve done and why.

We’ve since implemented:

• Stronger internal communication protocols, to ensure clarity and speed at all levels of reporting.

• Refresher training for leadership and administrative staff on privacy laws and appropriate parent communication boundaries.

• Renewed commitment to transparency, while staying within the bounds of confidentiality and the law.

  
  

Our Core Values Guide Everything We Do

At Essential Speech and ABA Therapy, we are grounded in four core values:

• Excellence in Care: We provide high-quality, evidence-based services in a setting that prioritizes outcomes and emotional safety.

• Integrity: We do what is right, not what is easy—even when no one is watching.

• Empathy: We lead with compassion, recognizing the fears and hopes of the families we serve.

• Collaboration: We work as partners—with families, providers, and community members—to help every child thrive.

  
  

These values are not marketing terms. They are the standard by which we hold ourselves accountable every day.

For Families Past, Present, and Future

We know that no blog post or statement can undo fear. But we hope this message helps restore peace of mind by offering full transparency, supported by facts, and delivered with compassion.

The safety of your child will always be our first priority. We are honored to do this work, and we will continue to grow, learn, and serve families with the integrity you deserve.

If you ever have questions, please reach out to us directly. Our door is always open.

With gratitude,

The Essential Speech and ABA Therapy Team