WHAT IS ABA?
Click here to download our ABA essentials guide. This resource guide is the first step in finding the right provider for you.
DAYTASTIC TEACHING STRATEGIES
Dayastic ABA prides itself on creating innovative and responsive teaching strategies. Learn more about our teaching strategies and methods.
ABA AND ME
Download our guide to see what you can expect from taking part in the most widely recognized evidence-based treatment for autism.
MY EMOTIONAL JOURNAL
Help your child learn how to identify and process big emotions with their own emotions journal.
Daytastic ABA Blog: Resources to Equip & Empower Parents & Caregivers of Children with Autism
The ABA assessment is the starting point of your child’s therapy journey. While it may seem overwhelming at first, it’s really about building a bridge between your child’s current abilities and the bright future you envision for them. With care, playfulness, and science on your side, you’re setting the stage for progress that matters. Most importantly, know this: You are a vital part of the team. Your love, your insight, and your involvement will shape every step forward.
The Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence model is a practical and effective way for families to understand and support their child’s behavior. By identifying what triggers behaviors and what consequences maintain them, caregivers can create thoughtful interventions that promote learning, communication, and independence. For families of children with ASD, using the ABC model can make daily routines smoother, reduce stress, and foster meaningful growth.Parent training is a major component of many ABA programs, and learning how to use ABCs is often one of the first steps. While families can do a lot on their own, working with a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) can help fine-tune the process. A professional can assist with collecting and interpreting ABC data, conducting a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA), and designing a personalized Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP).
Treatment integrity is the bridge between a well-designed behavior plan and meaningful, lasting results. It ensures that interventions are implemented as intended, leading to better outcomes, ethical practice, and reliable data. For families of children with ASD, understanding and monitoring treatment integrity can feel empowering. It shifts the focus from “Is this working?” to “Are we doing it the way it was designed?” This insight leads to more effective problem-solving and faster progress.
• The impact of low treatment fidelity on client progress
• Strategies like performance feedback, staff training, and integrity checklists
• Alignment with the BACB 6th Edition Task List and ethical guidelines
• The role of treatment integrity in data-based decision making
Token economies have been successfully used in classroom management, therapeutic settings, and even corporate environments to improve productivity and adherence to behavioral expectations. Token economies are a valuable tool in ABA that facilitate behavior change, motivation, and self-regulation. When implemented effectively, they promote skill acquisition, increase engagement, and support long-term behavior maintenance. By carefully selecting target behaviors, reinforcing appropriately, and avoiding common pitfalls, practitioners can maximize the benefits of token economies and foster meaningful behavior change in individuals they support.
For children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), motivation plays a crucial role in learning new skills and engaging in positive behaviors. A preference assessment is a structured way to identify which items, activities, or stimuli are most preferred by a child, which can then be used to encourage participation, engagement, and skill acquisition. Since every child is unique, it is essential to determine what they find enjoyable and reinforcing. In Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), preference assessments are used to guide the selection of reinforcers.
Trials-to-criterion is an effective way to measure learning progress in children with ASD, providing a clear picture of how long it takes to master specific skills. By tracking the number of attempts required to meet a predetermined level of accuracy, caregivers and therapists can tailor teaching strategies to fit each child’s individual needs. Whether used in ABA therapy or at home, this approach helps ensure that children are learning efficiently and receiving the support they need to succeed.
Shaping and chaining provide children with autism the tools needed to build independence and confidence in their everyday lives. Shaping involves reinforcing small steps toward a desired behavior. For example, when teaching a child to say "water," we first reinforce attempts like "w" or "wa" until the full word is achieved. Chaining helps children learn multi-step tasks by breaking them into smaller, teachable components. Whether using forward chaining, backward chaining, or total task chaining, each step is reinforced to build a complete skill, such as tying shoes or handwashing. Reinforcement is essential in both strategies, as it keeps children engaged and motivated to learn new behaviors through positive encouragement.
Families can apply these techniques at home by incorporating structured learning into daily routines like brushing teeth, dressing, or setting the table.
Interobserver Agreement (IOA): Ensuring Accuracy for a Better Quality of Life
This resource explores how reinforcement—a core principle of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)—can help strengthen desired behaviors and support skill development for individuals with autism and other developmental differences.
In this overview, you’ll find:
• Clear definitions of positive and negative reinforcement
• Practical examples of how each type works in everyday situations
• Tips for implementing reinforcement strategies at home
• Common challenges and best practices for effective reinforcement
By understanding how reinforcement influences behavior, families can create structured and supportive environments that encourage meaningful progress.
