Part-Time Reporter - ABA Industry News

Breaking News ABA is an independent newsroom covering Applied Behavior Analysis — the therapy field that serves autistic kids and adults, employs hundreds of thousands of clinicians, and is being reshaped right now by private equity, Medicaid policy, and a workforce crisis nobody outside the field is reporting on. We're the only outlet 100% dedicated to it.

We're looking for a part-time reporter in the Lake Forest, IL area to help us cover it.

This is a real beat. New CPT codes. Medicaid rate changes. Clinics changing hands. RBTs burning out. Policy fights in state capitols. You don't need to know what any of those mean yet — but you need to be the kind of reporter who gets up to speed fast and files clean copy on deadline.

What you'll do:

• Report and write a steady mix of news pieces, short features, and the occasional deeper dive

• Cover assigned beats: business/M&A, policy, clinical practice, careers, and research as it affects working clinicians

• Turn dense source material (regulatory filings, research, press releases) into tight, readable copy a busy clinic owner reads in two minutes

• Pitch your own stories — we want a reporter with a nose, not a content mill

What we're looking for (required):

• Demonstrated writing/reporting ability — clips, a portfolio, or a strong test piece (student media, freelance, and newsroom internships all count)

• Can take a complex topic and make it clear, fast — and hit a deadline without being chased

• Based in or near Lake Forest, IL — we'd love to have you in the office (no event coverage or travel required)

• Comfortable working independently with light supervision

Helpful, not required:

• Background in healthcare, B2B/trade, or business reporting

• Familiarity with autism services, ABA, or the disability space (we'll teach you the beat — we can't teach you how to report)

• SEO/CMS experience (WordPress)

The details:

• Part-time, ongoing

• Lake Forest, IL — in-office preferred. No event coverage or travel required.

• Compensation: $15–$25 per hour, based on experience

• Report directly to the editor/founder. Small team, fast feedback, real bylines, real ownership of a beat.

How to apply: Apply through ZipRecruiter with (1) a short note on why this beat interests you, (2) 2–3 writing samples or clips, and (3) your availability. Bonus points for a one-paragraph pitch for a story you'd want to write for us.