What is ABA therapy?
A plain-language guide for parents, from the Lux ABA team.
ABA in one paragraph
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is an evidence-based applied science. It builds a very detailed understanding of socially important behavior: what comes before it, what comes after it, and what it does for the child. With that understanding, ABA creates methods to increase helpful behavior, teach and maintain new skills, generalize those skills across time, settings and people, and reduce behaviors that get in the way. In short, ABA creates practical technology for improving behavior and building skills.
Three ideas behind every session
Understand
We look for the reason behind a behavior instead of just reacting to it.
Teach
We break skills into small steps and reinforce each one, so learning feels good.
Generalize
A skill only counts when your child can use it at home, at school and in the community, with different people.
Skills we work on and help improve
Every plan is different, but these are the areas we work on most. We help improve:
Language
asking, labeling, answering, having a conversation
Basic living skills
dressing, toileting, brushing teeth, eating, sleeping routines
Play skills
playing alone, playing next to others, playing together
Executive functions
waiting, planning, moving from one activity to the next
Cognition
matching, sorting, problem-solving, understanding concepts
Social skills
sharing, turn-taking, reading social cues, making friends
Motor skills
fine motor (grasping, writing) and gross motor (running, climbing)
Academic skills
pre-reading, reading, writing, math foundations
What ABA looks like at Lux ABA
- Play-based. Sessions look like play because, for a child, play is where learning happens.
- Strengths-first. We start with what your child already loves and can do.
- Family-led. Goals are chosen with you, and you learn the strategies too.
- Data-driven. Every goal is measured, so we know what works and change what doesn’t.
- Respectful. We follow your child’s lead and honor how they communicate.
Myths and facts
Myth: “ABA is just drills at a table.”
Fact: Modern ABA is natural, play-based and happens where life happens.
Myth: “ABA tries to make children ‘normal’.”
Fact: Good ABA builds skills your child and family choose, so your child can do more of what they want to do.
Myth: “It’s only for autism.”
Fact: ABA supports many children with developmental, language or learning differences.
Myth: “Parents just watch.”
Fact: Parents are the most important part of the team.
Want to know if ABA could help your child?
One call or one short form. We’ll take it from there.