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What Is ABA Therapy? A Parent's First Guide

By American Institute of Mental Health Clinical Team · · 1 min read

What Is ABA Therapy? A Parent's First Guide

If your child was recently diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, you have probably heard the term ABA — Applied Behavior Analysis. It can sound technical, but the idea behind it is simple: understand how your child learns, and use that understanding to teach meaningful skills, one step at a time.

What ABA actually is

ABA is the science of learning and behavior. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) evaluates your child's strengths and needs, then designs an individualized plan with clear, measurable goals — things like communicating wants and needs, playing with siblings, following routines, or reducing behaviors that get in the way of learning.

What a session looks like

Sessions are one-on-one with a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), supervised by the BCBA. With young children, most of it looks like structured play: practicing a skill in small steps, celebrating every success, and collecting data so the team knows exactly what is working.

Why families choose ABA

  • It is the most researched autism intervention, endorsed by the U.S. Surgeon General and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
  • Every plan is individualized — there is no one-size-fits-all program.
  • Parents are part of the team: you learn strategies to use at home every day.

Have questions? Call us at (786) 652-6945 — we are happy to explain everything in English or Spanish, with no pressure.

This article is general information and does not replace advice from a professional who knows your child.

Questions about ABA therapy for your child?

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