In today’s field, it’s common to hear a growing list of terms used to describe high-quality interventions for young autistic children—strength-based, neuroaffirming, assent-based, trauma-informed, play-based, and more. While each of these reflects an important shift in how we think about supporting children, the sheer number of “buzzwords” can quickly become overwhelming. For both providers and parents, it can raise an important question: What does this actually look like in

There is a growing conversation in our field around assent-based practice—but also a growing number of misconceptions about what that actually means in applied settings. When assent is misunderstood as “the child decides if we proceed,” it can unintentionally lead to reduced intervention, avoidance of important skill building, and confusion for providers. This matters because young children—especially those in early intervention—do not yet have the developmental capacity for

When we think about moving beyond compliance, many approaches shift toward what we might call “cooperation.” And while cooperation is certainly a step in the right direction, it still centers the adult’s agenda. The expectation remains that the child will follow, respond, or participate in something that has already been decided for them. In other words, cooperation still requires the child to comply—just in a more supported or flexible way. But in Naturalistic Developmental

The Power of a Respectful “No” in a YES Environment

Child-led does not mean child-run.

Rejection is not the end of engagement. It is an invitation to tune in more closely. When we treat disengagement as redirection, we move from controlling behavior to understanding children.

Last week, after a meeting with my child’s school, I’ve found myself thinking more deeply about the phrase “children with special needs." It’s a term I’ve used for years. It’s familiar. It’s common in educational and clinical systems. But the more I sit with it, the more I’ve begun to gently question what it implies. Because when I really step back and reflect, I don’t believe the needs of autistic children are fundamentally different from the needs of their peers. All childr

For many young children, waiting is tough. But for children with executive functioning delays, it can feel nearly impossible

As a parent to a neurodivergent child, I’ve come to deeply appreciate the authentic, everyday moments when my son shows me something—not because I prompted him to, but because he genuinely wants to share his experience with me. He'll race into the room holding a bug he found outside, or drag me over to see an animal he caught in his net. He’s brought me poop in his underwear (yep, that happened), shown me his couch-jumping tricks with pure joy, and proudly pulled artwork from

In the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), we begin with a simple but powerful stance: let them. If a child wants to line up toys, let them. If they want to fill and dump containers, spin wheels, stack blocks, or open and close doors, let them. These patterns are not “wrong” or “empty.” They are authentic expressions of how that child is exploring their world. Autistic play is real play. It is meaningful to the child, even when it doesn’t look like adult-defined “functional” or

Bringing a new BCBA into your organization is an exciting opportunity to strengthen your team and elevate the services you provide. But without a clear and structured onboarding process, even the most talented professionals may struggle to adapt to your organization’s specific practices. A BCBA New Hire Onboarding Checklist is more than just a list of tasks; it’s an essential tool to set expectations, foster consistency, and ensure your new team member is equipped to hit the

Starting a new job can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially in the world of autism treatment. For Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), the onboarding process is crucial to ensure they’re not only confident in their role but also equipped to implement ABA-NDBI intervention. But here’s the thing—without a structured onboarding process, organizations risk inconsistent training, unclear expectations, and decreased staff confidence. That’s where a well-designed RBT New

In the realm of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), the spotlight often shines brightly on the effectiveness of interventions, the progress...

Children with ASD often face communication challenges, making it essential to employ creative strategies to promote their language...

Social motivation, the intrinsic drive to engage with others, lies at the heart of human interaction. For children with autism,...

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that affects individuals in unique ways. For parents,...

Outdoor play is a rich and dynamic environment that provides invaluable opportunities for children to develop their gross motor skills....

Image by Racool_studio on Freepik As a leading provider of professional development resources for behavior analysts, we understand the...

If you're in the field of ABA therapy, you know that putting children first is at the heart of everything we do. That's why a waitlist...

As behavior analysts, we are constantly seeking ways to improve and expand our intervention strategies. One approach that has gained...