Understanding ABA

A child drops their head onto the table for the third time during a matching activity, pushing the cards away each time the RBT places them back in front of him. His responses are slowing down, frustration is building, and engagement is disappearing in real time. The RBT checks in with the BCBA again, asking…

Many parents are surprised when they first hear the number of therapy hours recommended for their child. The number can feel like a signal. A score. Something that reflects how serious things are or how far your child has to go. So when the number is higher than expected, the reaction is immediate: Is something…

The BCBA–RBT relationship connects clinical decision-making with the day-to-day realities of implementation. While the BCBA develops and oversees treatment, the RBT’s repeated interactions with the child reveal how that treatment functions across sessions. Neither perspective is complete on its own. This connection can weaken when communication is limited to data review, brief updates, or written…

When people describe the role of a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), they often say that RBTs implement programs designed by a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). While technically accurate, that description can make the role sound far more mechanical than it really is. RBTs are not simply working through a list of targets or recording whether…

Autism vs Behavior: Understanding What Your Child Is Communicating “Is this autism, or is my child just acting out?” It’s a question many parents ask, often in the middle of a moment that feels overwhelming. Your child refuses to follow a direction, drops to the floor, screams, or lashes out, and you’re left trying to…

What Happens During an ABA Therapy Session? What Parents Can Expect After weeks of phone calls, evaluations, insurance paperwork, and treatment planning, the day of your child’s first ABA therapy session finally arrives. While reaching this point is exciting, it’s also completely normal to have questions. Will your child be expected to sit at a…