What is ABA Therapy? A Complete Guide for Parents
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the gold standard for autism treatment—but what does that actually mean? Here is everything you need to know to get started.
If your child has recently been diagnosed with autism, you’ve almost certainly heard the term ABA therapy. It is the most commonly recommended treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), but for many parents, it can sound like a confusing alphabet soup of acronyms and technical terms.
At Buzz ABA, we believe parents are the most important members of the therapy team. To be an effective advocate for your child, you need to understand not just that ABA works, but how it works. This guide will strip away the jargon and explain the foundations of Applied Behavior Analysis.
In Simple Terms: What is ABA?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a therapy based on the science of learning and behavior.
- Applied: It focuses on skills that are socially significant and useful in real life.
- Behavior: It looks at what a person does and how they interact with their environment.
- Analysis: It uses data to prove that the interventions are actually responsible for the change.
The Core Goal: Making Life Easier
The ultimate goal of ABA is not to change who your child is, but to help them learn skills that make their life easier, safer, and more fulfilling. A good ABA program focuses on two main areas:
1. Increasing Helpful Behaviors
- Communication (speaking, using AAC, signing)
- Social skills (playing, taking turns)
- Self-care (toileting, dressing, eating)
- Academic readiness
- Play and leisure skills
- Increasing helpful behaviors: Teaching communication, social skills, and daily living skills. For example, helping children express emotions effectively rather than through challenging behavior.
2. Decreasing Challenging Behaviors
- Aggression or self-injury
- Elopement (wandering away)
- Severe tantrums or meltdowns
- Behavior that interferes with learning
How Does ABA Work? The "ABC" Model
One of the foundational tools in ABA is the ABC model. Therapists use this to understand why a behavior is happening so they can help change it.
Antecedent
What happened immediately before the behavior? (e.g., Parent says "Time to clean up.")
Behavior
What did the child do? (e.g., Child throws toy across the room.)
Consequence
What happened immediately after? (e.g., Parent says "It's okay" and cleans it up for them.)
By analyzing these patterns, a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) can figure out if a child is acting out to escape a task, get attention, or get a visible item. Then, they can teach the child a better way to get that need met—like asking for a break instead of throwing a toy.
Key Techniques in ABA
ABA is not "one thing." It is a toolbox of many strategies. Here are a few you might see:
Positive Reinforcement
This is the cornerstone of ABA. When a behavior is followed by something valued (a high-five, a toy, praise), that behavior is more likely to be repeated. We focus heavily on catching your child being good!
Discrete Trial Training (DTT)
This involves breaking a skill down into its smallest parts and teaching them one by one in a structured way. For example, teaching the color "red" before moving to "blue."
Natural Environment Teaching (NET)
This involves teaching skills in the natural setting where they would normally occur. For example, practicing asking for "juice" during snack time rather than at a desk.
Does It Actually Work?
Yes. ABA is widely considered the most effective evidence-based treatment for autism. It has been endorsed by:
- The U.S. Surgeon General
- The American Psychological Association
- The American Academy of Pediatrics
Research spanning over 50 years consistently shows that intensive, high-quality ABA therapy can significantly improve intellectual functioning, language development, and daily living skills.
Frequently Asked Questions about ABA
What does ABA stand for?
ABA stands for Applied Behavior Analysis. It is a therapy based on the science of learning and behavior, used to help individuals with autism and other developmental conditions learn new skills and reduce challenging behaviors.
Is ABA therapy scientifically proven?
Yes, ABA is considered an evidence-based best practice treatment by the US Surgeon General and the American Psychological Association.
Decades of research show that it improves outcomes in communication, social skills, and daily living skills.
How does ABA therapy work?
ABA works by breaking down complex skills into small, teachable steps. It uses positive reinforcement to encourage desired behaviors and helps children generalize these skills to new environments.
Programs are highly individualized to each child's needs.
At what age should ABA therapy start?
ABA can help individuals of any age, but research shows that early intervention (starting before age 4) often yields the best long-term results.
However, older children, teens, and adults also benefit significantly from ABA.
Getting Started with ABA
If you are ready to explore ABA for your family, here is the typical path. You may also want to explore our guide on how to choose a center-based ABA program:
- Diagnosis: Obtain a medical diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
- Consultation: Contact a provider like Buzz ABA to discuss your needs.
- Assessment: A BCBA will spend time with your child to identify strengths and goals.
- Decreasing challenging behaviors: Addressing behaviors that may be harmful or interfere with learning. See our guide on common behaviors in autistic children for more insight.
- Treatment Plan: A personalized plan is created and reviewed with you.
- Therapy Begins: RBTs (Registered Behavior Technicians) work directly with your child.
- Parent Training: You learn strategies to support your child at home.
Ready to Learn More?
Buzz ABA offers compassionate, evidence-based therapy in Concord, Manchester, Nashua, and 31 other NH communities. We are here to answer all your "beginner" questions with zero judgment.
Start Your JourneyRelated Resources
Why Start Early?
Understanding the power of early intervention.
ABA vs OT vs Speech
Comparing different therapy approaches.
Types of Therapy
Comparing different approaches to autism treatment.
Finding a Provider
What to look for in a quality ABA program.
Insurance Guide
Navigating insurance coverage for ABA.