Children learn new skills through practice, encouragement, and positive experiences. In Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), reinforcement helps strengthen behaviors by making them more likely to happen again. However, reinforcement does not always need to be provided every time a behavior occurs. Schedules of reinforcement in ABA help therapists determine when and how often reinforcement should […]

Every child experiences the world differently, and an autism diagnosis is only one part of understanding who they are.  For children with Level 1 autism, certain situations, such as navigating social interactions, managing unexpected changes, or processing sensory information, may require additional support. Parents may wonder whether these challenges mean their child has a disability […]

Hearing that a child has Level 3 autism can bring up many questions for parents. What does the level mean? What kinds of support might a child need? And does it say anything about what the future will look like? Level 3 autism refers to autism that requires very substantial support. The designation is based […]

Children learn many skills by watching the people around them. They may see a parent wave and begin waving back, watch a sibling build with blocks, or observe a teacher putting supplies away before trying it themselves. This natural way of learning can also be used intentionally in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy. Modeling in […]

Children encounter countless cues throughout the day. A parent’s question, a teacher’s instruction, a familiar object, or a change in the environment can all signal what to do next. Learning to tell these cues apart is an important part of developing accurate responses. In ABA, this skill is known as stimulus discrimination. It involves learning […]

Some skills take time to develop, especially when a child is learning something completely new. Expecting a child to master a complex behavior all at once can make learning feel frustrating. In ABA therapy, shaping provides a way to build skills gradually by reinforcing small steps that move a child closer to a desired behavior. […]

For parents and caregivers, few moments are more stressful than watching a child suddenly walk or run away from a safe area. Wandering and elopement can happen at home, school, in a store, or during a family outing. Understanding why it happens can help families take steps to improve safety. So, what is the main […]

Starting school is a big transition. A child may be excited about meeting new friends and exploring a new classroom, but they also have to adjust to new routines, expectations, people, and activities. School readiness involves much more than knowing letters, numbers, or shapes. Children also need to communicate their needs, follow directions, transition between […]

Autism can look different from one child to another. Some children may have noticeable differences in communication and social interaction, while others may manage many everyday activities independently but still struggle in specific situations. For parents, understanding what Level 1 autism can look like in daily life can make certain behaviors easier to recognize and […]

Have you ever asked your child to do something they don’t want to do, only to have them cry, argue, or refuse? Maybe you eventually drop the request because you don’t want the situation to turn into a bigger struggle. It may feel like the easiest way to get through the moment. But if the […]

Every behavior serves a purpose. When a child repeatedly engages in behaviors like hitting, running away, refusing instructions, or having frequent outbursts, it’s often a sign that they’re trying to communicate a need or respond to something in their environment. Rather than focusing only on stopping these behaviors, ABA therapy aims to understand why they […]

Hearing that your child has Level 1 autism can bring a mix of emotions. Along with learning more about the diagnosis, many parents find themselves asking difficult questions about the future. One of the most common is, “Is Level 1 autism curable?” The answer is no. Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition, not an illness […]