What ABA actually is
ABA stands for Applied Behaviour Analysis. At its heart, it’s the careful study of how a child learns — and the use of that understanding to help them learn things that are otherwise out of reach.
Done well, ABA is patient, structured, and respectful. It breaks complex skills (asking for water, joining a peer at play, tolerating a haircut) into small, learnable parts. The therapist works at the child’s pace. Progress is measured, not assumed. The plan adjusts when the data says it should.
ABA has a complicated reputation. We take that seriously. Some of the early forms of ABA were rigid in ways that today we’d call coercive. Modern, ethical ABA — what we practise — is centred on the child, builds on what they’re motivated by, never punishes, and is led by a senior therapist who knows when not to push.
Who ABA is for
You might be reading this if:
- Your child has an autism diagnosis and a clinician has suggested ABA
- They struggle with everyday skills — asking for what they want, transitions between activities, tolerating new situations
- Behaviours that are getting in the way (aggression, self-injury, severe withdrawal) are escalating, and other approaches aren’t reaching them
- You want a structured, measurable approach you can see progress in
- You’ve had ABA elsewhere and felt it was too rigid, too rote, or not led by senior enough therapists
You don’t need to commit to ABA before talking to us. The right starting point for your child might be ABA, or might not.
What an ABA session looks like
Sessions are typically 1 to 2 hours, depending on the child’s age and tolerance. We meet a child where they are — many of our youngest sessions look mostly like play, with structure layered in carefully.
A senior therapist designs the plan and oversees every session. The child works on a small number of carefully chosen targets — say, four or five — across the session. Tasks are short. Breaks are frequent. Reinforcement is what the child genuinely loves, not a generic reward chart.
Data is taken every session. Not as a chore, but because the data is what tells us when the plan needs to change.
How we approach ABA
Senior-led, always. Your child’s plan is designed and overseen by a senior therapist with deep ABA experience. Junior therapists, when involved, work under direct supervision — never on their own.
Naturalistic where it works, structured where it’s needed. A lot of modern ABA happens in play and natural routines, not just at a table. We use whichever shape of the work fits the child and the goal — and we move between them deliberately.
No punishment. Ever. Modern ABA reinforces what works. It doesn’t punish what doesn’t. If you’ve experienced ABA that involved restraint, removal of preferred items as a punishment, or “extinction” used coercively — that’s not what we do.
Parent training is part of the plan. ABA only sticks if home reinforces it. Senior therapists train parents directly — not in a one-off workshop, but in regular ongoing sessions.
What you can expect
Pace. ABA tends to be more intensive than other modalities. Many children we see start at 10–20 hours a week, depending on need and what’s being targeted. Hours often reduce as skills consolidate and goals are met.
Reports. Data summaries go home regularly — we’ll show you graphs, not just words. Each report names what we worked on, what’s improving, what isn’t, and what’s next.
PTMs. Senior-led, on a regular cadence. We review the data together.
What we don’t promise. A “recovery.” A timeline. A specific outcome. What we promise is a plan that’s specific, a senior therapist’s eyes on the work every session, and the discipline to change the plan when the data says we should.
Frequently asked
Is ABA the same as autism therapy? No. ABA is one approach used with children on the autism spectrum, among others (OT, speech, play, special education). It’s not “autism therapy” — it’s a specific methodology. Many autistic children benefit from ABA combined with other modalities. Some don’t need ABA at all.
I’ve read concerns about ABA. What do you think? The concerns are real and worth reading carefully. Older forms of ABA, and some current ones, can be coercive. We’ve designed our practice to address those concerns directly: senior-led, no punishment, child-assent throughout, parent training built in, willingness to stop if it isn’t working. If you have specific concerns, bring them to the first conversation.
How many hours a week? Depends on age, goals, and intensity of need. Typical starting points range from 10 to 20 hours per week for younger children, with reductions as goals are met. The senior therapist recommends a starting volume after the assessment.
Can my child do ABA and OT/speech at the same time? Yes. Most children we see across modalities have plans that co-ordinate. Therapists meet regularly to keep the plan coherent.
Will I be in the room? Often, especially early on. Parent involvement is part of how skills generalise. Some sessions are without you — and you’ll always know why.