What Is ABA Therapy? A Parent's Guide

What Is ABA Therapy?

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a scientific approach to understanding behavior and how it’s affected by the environment. For children with autism, ABA therapy uses these principles to increase helpful behaviors and reduce those that may interfere with learning.

How Does ABA Therapy Work?

ABA therapy is built on a simple but powerful framework:

Assess — Understand the child’s current skills and challenges
Plan — Create individualized goals based on the assessment
Teach — Use evidence-based strategies to build new skills
Measure — Track progress with data to ensure the approach is working
Adjust — Modify the plan as the child grows and develops

What Happens During a Session?

Sessions are tailored to your child’s unique needs. A Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) works one-on-one with your child under the supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).

Sessions typically include:

Structured activities focused on specific skills
Natural environment teaching using everyday moments
Play-based learning that follows your child’s interests
Data collection to track progress objectively

Is ABA Right for My Child?

ABA therapy is the most researched and evidence-based intervention for autism spectrum disorder. Research shows it can help children of all ages improve communication, social skills, adaptive behavior, and independence.

The best way to find out if ABA is right for your child is to speak with a qualified provider who can assess your child’s individual needs.