What is ABA Therapy? A Beginner’s Guide for Families

Focus: Receiving a diagnosis can bring a mix of emotions—confusion, fear, hope, and uncertainty. ABA therapy is often one of the first recommendations parents hear, but it isn’t always clearly explained. This guide is here to help you understand what ABA really means, using language that feels human and approachable.

• Key Ideas to know:

  • The Science of Learning: ABA isn’t about “training” a child to behave a certain way. It’s about understanding how learning happens in everyday life, and how small changes in the environment can support meaningful progress.

  • Positive Reinforcement: Rather than focusing on what’s wrong, ABA emphasizes building helpful skills by noticing and encouraging what’s going well—celebrating small successes as they happen.

  • Individualization: No two children are the same, and no two ABA programs should be either. Support is tailored to each child’s strengths, needs, and personality, and evolves over time.

• The Takeaway: ABA is about giving your child the tools to navigate the world independently and confidently.