One of the most common things parents tell me is, "I just want my child to have a friend." As a BCBA, I completely understand that feeling. But when we talk about social skills, we're talking about so much more than friendships. Social skills are the little interactions we use every single day to connect with other people. They're what help us communicate, solve problems, and build relationships over time. For some children, these skills come naturally. For others, especially

If you’ve recently heard that your child might benefit from ABA therapy, you’re likely wondering, “What exactly is ABA?” This question is common among families exploring support options, and understanding ABA can help you make informed decisions about your child’s care. Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA, is a science focused on learning and behavior. It helps us understand why behaviors happen and how to teach skills that improve daily life for children and their families. Bu

One of the biggest misconceptions about ABA therapy is that it's all flashcards and sitting at a table. While there is a time and place for structured teaching, some of the best learning happens when we're simply playing. That's called Natural Environment Teaching, or NET. NET is exactly what it sounds like—we teach skills during everyday activities instead of creating artificial situations. Instead of asking a child to identify a picture of a ball on a worksheet, we might be