Smart Two-on-One: Therapists’ Lived Experiences of a Collaborative Work System in Autism Therapy

Therapists working with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) simultaneously perform multiple tasks during Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) sessions. A high therapist workload may reduce attention, treatment fidelity, and intervention quality. Evidence regarding collaborative work systems that balance therapist workload remains limited. This study explored therapists’ experiences with the Smart Two-on-One (ToO) system, examined how it balances therapist workload, and identified factors supporting its successful implementation. A qualitative study using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was conducted with six Smart ABA therapists in Indonesia. Data were collected through semi-structured online interviews and analyzed using NVivo version 12 (QSR International Pty Ltd., Melbourne, Australia). Four themes emerged. Smart ToO balanced therapist workload through clear role division. Collaborative decision-making strengthened therapeutic planning. Implementation was facilitated by organizational support, including training, supervision, and standard operating procedures. Workplace spirituality reinforced therapists’ professional commitment. Participants consistently described collaborative role-sharing as an essential component of implementing the Smart ToO system. Smart ToO represents a collaborative work system that supports balanced therapist workload and consistent therapy implementation. The findings highlight the importance of collaborative work system design and organizational support in strengthening autism therapy services.