What  is  ABA Therapy?

A Parent-Friendly Guide to Understanding Applied Behavior Analysis

Brave Steps ABA Blog

If you’re a parent navigating an autism diagnosis, chances are you’ve come across the term ABA therapy. But what does it really mean - and how can it help your child thrive?

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is one of the most widely used and research-supported approaches for helping children with autism build meaningful skills and reduce challenging behaviors. This guide offers a clear, parent-friendly explanation of what ABA therapy is, how it works, and why it's often recommended as part of early intervention and long-term support.

What Is ABA Therapy?

ABA stands for Applied Behavior Analysis. At its core, ABA is the science of behavior - how we learn, how we interact, and how we adapt to the world around us.

ABA therapy helps individuals with autism by:

• Increasing meaningful skills like communication, play, following instructions, and safety awareness
• Decreasing behaviors that might interfere with daily life, such as aggression, self-injury, or intense emotional outbursts

The goal isn’t to change who a child is - it’s to support them in reaching their goals, connecting with others, and gaining access to things they enjoy in life.

How Does ABA Work?

ABA therapy is individualized, evidence-based, and always focused on progress at the child’s pace.

Here’s what that means:

• Skills are broken down into small, manageable steps, so your child experiences success along the way - building confidence and momentum.
  
  
• Positive reinforcement is used to encourage and celebrate progress, helping your child stay motivated and engaged.
  
  
• Evidence-based behavior strategies are applied to teach new skills and reduce behaviors that may be getting in the way of learning & daily functioning.
  
  
• Behavior Analysts and therapists collect ongoing data to track what’s working and adjust strategies in real time.
  
  
• Each child’s program is unique, tailored to their interests, strengths, goals, and needs  - because no two children learn in the same way.

At its core, ABA is about helping each child reach their full potential - one meaningful step at a time.

Curious about what ABA sessions actually look like? From playful learning to real-life practice, we've got you covered.
👉 Click here to read: What Does ABA Therapy Look Like?

Why Families Choose ABA -Especially Military Families

For many families, especially those connected to the military, ABA offers structure, consistency, and support.

It can help with:

• Adjusting to new routines during relocations
• Developing social skills to make new friends
• Reducing stress around transitions and change
• Building life-long skills that travel with the family - wherever duty calls

ABA therapy is covered by many insurance plans, including Tricare for military families.