ABA & Therapy

10 Myths About Autism

What are some of the myths about autism, where do these myths come from, and how do they affect children, families, teachers, and therapists? By identifying the myths, we can challenge them through accurate information and education, as well as public policy.

Autism and Teletherapy: It’s Working!

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The Power of Positive Reinforcement for Teaching Autistic Children

Reinforcement or bribery: Is there a difference? Positive reinforcement is a powerful motivator. For autistic children, the purpose of using positive reinforcement in the classroom or at home is to shape better behavior and to help them learn new skills and maintain these skills

Can ARIS Work for an Autistic 29-Year-Old?

Using t he ARIS® Academic Readiness Intervention System With My Brother, Tommy. With ARIS, Skill Development Can Happen at Any Age Early intervention is the prime advice for education and life skills in the autism community, but should intervention ever truly stop? Although clin

How To Use Shaping to Teach Autistic Children New Behaviors at Home

As children become older and begin to develop new skills, it can be overwhelming for caregivers and parents to teach more complex behaviors, such as developing new language, making requests, cleaning their room, or completing homework. When caring for a child diagnosed as autist

How to Use Chaining to Break Down Complex Tasks for Autistic Children

What Is Chaining?

So You Want to Be a BCBA?

Maybe you’ve been working with an autistic child or adult and you’ve decided to make a career out of it. There are plenty of related jobs in fields like education and speech, but one of the most sought-after positions for supporting autistic people is that of a Board Certified B

Teletherapy and Teletraining: A Solution to the Shortage of Qualified ABA Therapists

Concern has been expressed regarding a shortage of qualified Applied Behavior Analysts to meet the demands of a growing ASD population and also about the quality of training available to such providers. The prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) has increased dramatically

Facing a Critical Shortage of ABA Therapists? Teletherapy Can Help

Proactive Strategies for Reducing Problem Behaviors Before They Happen

Using Routines and Pre-Correction in the Classroom for Autistic Students What is the best way to address a problem behavior? Before it happens! Procedures and routines paired with pre-correction strategies are evidence-based interventions for supporting autistic students. Instea

Using Sensory Solutions to Encourage Motor Skills in Autistic Children

Six sensory tools to use from an Occupational Therapist’s toolbox Autistic children often have over or under-responsive sensory systems that can impact the development of motor skills. The good news is we can use these deficits in sensory systems to help motivate autistic childr

8 Tips for Tackling the Grocery Store With Your Autistic Child

Working in early intervention, I am always checking in with parents regarding their triumphs and their struggles, and one struggle that comes up frequently is that intimidating trip to the grocery store. In general, any parent worries about being looked upon with judgment when a

Early Action Is Key to Getting Support for Your Autistic Child

New Research on Autism Spectrum Disorder

Exciting new research on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is helping us all learn more about autism. Researchers are investigating causal factors in autism, identifying early biomarkers, better understanding the social, physical, and psychological implications of autism, and sugge

Delaying Gratification: An Essential Skill for Autistic Children to Learn

Delaying gratification is an essential skill for autistic children to learn in order to help them learn new skills.

How to Run a Special Needs Daycare

My path from teenage helper to “nanny share” to ABA therapist to opening my own Special Needs Daycare. Special needs daycares provide a wonderful way to provide specialized support for your autistic child. Whether you want to go down this path yourself as a career option or want

Our Top Picks for Encouraging Gross Motor Skills for Children With Autism: Let the Great Outdoors be Your Natural Playground!

Use these therapist selected, parent approved and kid tested ideas to help your child with autism continue to develop gross motor skills! Spring has sprung! Tired of being inside? Spring is a great...

Our Top Picks for Encouraging Gross Motor Skills for Autistic Children: Let the Great Outdoors Be Your Natural Playground!

Use these therapist-selected, parent and teacher-approved, and kid-tested ideas to help your autistic child continue to develop gross motor skills! Spring has sprung! Tired of being inside? Spring is a great season to step outside with your autistic children and reap all the ben

10 Fun Activities Using Patterns to Teach Early Math Skills for Autistic Children

Red, Blue, Red, Blue: Using Patterns to Teach Early Math Skills Teaching autistic children various patterns is a key foundational skill that will support their later math development. The following activities utilize Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) strategies to provide an eng

Positive Identity Development in the Autistic Child

What can parents, teachers, and therapists do to encourage a positive sense of self in autistic children and teens? What can we do to avoid the obstacles to healthy and positive identity development?

Kid Friendly Household Chores For Developing Gross Motor Skills for Autistic Children

Household work or chores are great for developing motor skills, motor planning, coordination, work ethic, responsibility, and well-being for autistic children. You might not be a big fan of household chores, but we therapists like to think of those activities that require bendin

Product Review: Sensory Needs Therapy and Reading Lounger, Air Pump, and Repair Kit

I am a BCBA and in my clinical practice, I work with autistic children with sensory needs daily. The Special Supplies Inflatable Compression Boat Lounger has been a must-have item for me in both my in-home and in-clinic therapy. Kids love the gentle squeeze the boat provides --

Physical Therapy and Autism: Questions and Answers

Autistic children can often benefit from physical therapy. What does working with a physical therapist entail? And how can I work collaboratively with a physical therapist to best help my child?

Teletherapy for Autistic Children: Research-Based Best Practices

STAGES® Learning worked hard at building an online distance learning platform designed specifically to provide teletherapy to autistic children. Distance Learning, also called remote learning for autistic children, has been proven to be effective as a therapeutic intervention fo

A Guide to Data Collection for Applied Behavior Therapy (ABA) for Autistic Children

This step-by-step guide is focused on teaching new skills using ABA therapy for an autistic child. Today we are going to discuss the basics of collecting data when teaching your child new skills. Data collection is a necessary part of any applied behavior analysis (ABA) program.

Service Dogs and Therapy Dogs for Autistic Children

There can be many benefits to having a service or therapy dog, such as an autism assistance dog, for autistic children. The following article provides information to help you decide if a dog is right for your autistic child.

Coping Strategies: Find What Works Best For Your Autistic Child

Use zones of regulation and occupational therapy insight to find the best coping strategies for your autistic child. The phrase “coping strategy” can be thrown around often in the autism (ASD) community. But what are they? How do we find the best ones for our children? How do ea

What Is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and How Can It Help My Autistic Student?

Two Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) explain Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and how to determine the level of support needed to ensure success for each autistic child. ABA is a common practice used with Level 1 autistic individuals. The practice of ABA mainly focuses o

A New Curriculum for All Children with Autism

The new Language Builder: ARIS (Academic Readiness Intervention System) was developed to provide a curriculum to any teacher or parent interested in helping a child with autism develop to their full potential. ARIS was designed so that even school districts that cannot afford to

How ARIS Supports Social Emotional Learning and Whole Child Development for Students with Autism

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and the whole child approach have huge implications for child development and successful learning for all children of all ages, but SEL and whole child are especially critical for teaching children with autism. SEL is defined by the Collaborative

Strategies for Promoting Sensory Integration in Writing

Sensory struggles in a child with autism can hinder his or her ability to grasp a writing implement and to use it correctly. But some marvelous strategies exist that can help children learn to write: countering “floppy” muscle tone, varying implement thickness, trying different

Choosing iPad Apps for Children with Autism

The explosion of apps available on tablets like the iPad has been an exciting opportunity for children with autism. It may come as no shock to parents and educators that in general, children with autism prefer and are more engaged during app-based interventions than traditional

5 Positive Play Therapies to Help Your Child with Autism

Despite being riddled with its own challenges and stressors, childhood can often be idealized as a time of magic and freedom. What often makes childhood so uniquely sacred is the acceptance and endorsement of play. While play can often seem like a time of rest and rejuvenation u

Five Research-Based Strengths Associated with Autism

Genius, Attention to Detail, Problem Solving, Memory, and Visual Skills All children, whether or not they are neurotypical, have unique sets of strengths and weaknesses. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often also have some unique challenges to overcome in building r

Can Horseback Riding Help Children with Autism?

The Benefits of Equine Therapy What is Equine Therapy?

5 Ways to Help Reduce Anxiety in Children with Autism

Download FREE Autism Behavior Intervention Technique {{cta('4be34b8e-fbdf-462d-b166-928e9953dd40','justifycenter')}} It’s likely that we all know someone who experiences anxiety, and there’s no doubt that anxiety can be exhausting and can interfere with daily life. For children

Autism Magazines and Journals

Magazines The following are some of the leading magazines geared towards families, therapists, educators and researchers interested in staying on top of the news and scientific developments in the field of autism.

Schools Warned On Speech Services For Kids With Autism

According to The U.S. Department of Education an increasing number of kids on the autism spectrum may not be receiving services from speech-language pathologists at school, ( Disability Scoop July 28, 2015 ) and they are reminding schools not to skimp on needed speech and langua

Interviews from the Field: Kristy Johnson

Kristy Johnson is a mother of a child with significant special needs, as well as a researcher in the field of neurodevelopmental disorders. While she has always been very involved in science and engineering, her son greatly influenced her decision to pursue research in this fiel

In the News: Autism Research

This current news release is provided by Stages Learning. Stages Learning provides award winning learning tools and other resources for children with autism for parents , teachers , and therapists .

Building Language: What Does the Research Say?

Understanding the research on language development Think of a weekend visit to a park swarming with children. Kids playing soccer, kids swinging on the monkey bars, kids talking a mile a minute, kids climbing the jungle gym. Chances are a few of those kids have autism, a conditi

The Therapeutic Power of Pets for Children with Autism

Jackson Tillman is in third grade, lives in Kentucky, and has autism. The biggest challenge Jackson’s family has is that when a situation becomes overwhelming Jackson bolts, and when Jackson is with his grandmother she can’t keep up. That’s where Jackson’s buddy Mateo comes in.

Grandparent's Guide to Shopping for a Grandchild who has Autism

As a grandparent it can be a struggle to find presents for a granddaughter or grandson who has autism. Sometimes traditional gifts can backfire for the child with autism.

New Tools to Help Your Child Sleep

Research [i] confirms what many parents of children with autism already know: children with autism have a higher incidence of sleep challenges, and the more severe the autism symptoms the more severe the sleep challenges. Research, [ii] as well as common sense, also tells us tha

Using Sensory Tools to Help Kids Focus and Concentrate

Using sensory tools in your practice can provide a more focused, content and alert individual. Whether you are a specialist using ABA, speech and language techniques, occupational therapy interventions or teaching lessons, keeping the sensory needs of your children in mind while

A Closer Look: Pivotal Response Training (PRT)

Overview Pivotal Response Training (PRT) is a variation of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) type therapy. It focuses on more comprehensive “pivotal” areas such as increasing a child’s motivation to learn, initiate communication, and monitor their own behaviors. This focus on mo

A Closer Look: Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI)

Overview EIBI is a type of Applied Behavioral Analysis focused on children under five years of age. New research has shown that while intensive behavioral interventions work well with all children, children starting before the age of two were likely to make the most significant

Language Milestones

How many professionals have been asked: “How do I know if my child is behind in language development?” How many parents have asked the question, or at l east w ondered to themselves? Language development varies from child to child, and there are wide ranges of expected “normal”