A plain-language guide to Applied Behavior Analysis, the difference between comprehensive and focused treatment, and how our compassionate, assent-based approach shapes care for every child we see.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a scientifically-supported approach to understanding behavior and teaching new skills. At its core, ABA looks at what happens right before and right after a behavior to understand why it's happening — then uses that understanding to teach communication, social, self-care, and learning skills in a way that's meaningful to your child.
ABA is not one-size-fits-all. It's a framework that a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) tailors to your child's specific needs, strengths, and family goals — which is exactly why the assessment process matters so much before any treatment plan is written.
Not every child needs the same intensity of treatment. Here's how the two levels of care differ.
Typically 20–40 hours per week, addressing multiple areas of development at once.
Typically fewer weekly hours, concentrated on one or a small number of specific skills or behaviors.
Our treatment is built on Practical Functional Assessment (PFA) and Skill-Based Treatment (SBT) — an approach developed to be compassionate and collaborative rather than compliance-driven — and delivered in alignment with the CASP ABA Practice Guidelines, the field's consensus standard for quality ABA treatment.
Before we teach anything, we take time to understand why a behavior is happening — what your child is communicating through it, and what they're trying to access or avoid. This assessment is done collaboratively with your family, in a way that prioritizes your child's comfort and assent throughout the process.
Once we understand the function of a behavior, we teach functional communication and tolerance skills directly tied to it — giving your child a better way to get their needs met. Treatment progresses at a pace your child is comfortable with, never through forced compliance.
The Council of Autism Service Providers publishes the ABA Practice Guidelines used by clinicians, healthcare funders, and regulators nationwide. Our care model follows these standards — individualized, medically necessary treatment planning; multi-method assessment; data-driven decision-making; caregiver collaboration; appropriate supervision; and planned transitions. Learn more at CASProviders.org.
Every recommendation we make — from assessment tools to weekly treatment hours — is grounded in published, evidence-based standards rather than convenience or one-size-fits-all formulas. You can always ask us how a decision connects back to best practice, and we'll walk you through it.
We're launching with a dedicated focus on ABA therapy for children ages 2–10, with services for preteens and teens planned as we grow.
| Typical age range | Ages 2–10 |
| Focus areas | Communication, play skills, learning readiness, toilet training, social skills, emotional regulation, and school readiness |
| Session style | Playful and structured, adapted to each child's age and developmental stage |
| Family involvement | Heavy emphasis on parent coaching during this formative stage |
| Typical age range | Preteens & teens (roughly 11–17 years) |
| Planned focus | Social skills, emotional regulation, independence, life-skills & transition planning |
| Status | Planned as our practice grows — contact us to join the interest list and be notified when enrollment opens |
We're happy to walk through it with you during a free consultation.