What is ABA?

We tailor your child’s ABA treatment plan to their strengths, challenges, and abilities. They’ll work with dedicated therapists to practice skills and achieve goals in a positive, encouraging environment. 

Catalyst Academy

Catalyst Academy is an early intervention program combining the science of ABA with play-based learning, a supportive environment, and a customized curriculum to help kids with autism.

Personalized ABA Therapy

At Catalyst, we’re all about tailoring your child’s ABA program to their personality, abilities, and preferences. We know enjoyable learning leads to successful outcomes, and we’re here to help.

ABA For School Age Children

ABA Therapy designed just for kids ages 7-11. Discover the difference personalized treatment can make for your child with autism. No waitlists, just immediate, tailored interventions.

ABA For Pre-Teens & Teens

Providing self-management skills to help pre-teens and teens manage their environments and emotions to best interact with the world around them in order to improve their quality of life. 

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is a therapy based on the principles of behaviorism, which suggest behavior is shaped by environment and can be modified through learning. 

ABA therapy encourages desirable behaviors and reduces challenging ones using positive reinforcement.

How does ABA therapy help kids with autism?

ABA therapy has been shown to help kids with autism improve social and communication skills and reduce problem behaviors, leading to greater independence and better overall quality of life. 

ABA therapy is the only autism treatment widely recognized as effective by medical and psychological professionals. The U.S. Surgeon General, American Psychological Association, and National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) recognize ABA as an evidence-based best-practice treatment for autism. 

How does ABA therapy work?

In ABA therapy, specialists work closely with your child to understand why they engage in certain behaviors, then develop a customized treatment plan to address their unique needs and challenges.

Breaking desired behaviors into small, achievable steps and using positive reinforcement encourages your child to learn and practice these behaviors. For example, if the goal is to improve social communication skills. In that case, your child’s therapist may start by teaching them to make eye contact, then gradually work on other social communication skills like turn-taking in conversation.

ABA therapy is a collaborative process that involves parents, caregivers, and therapists working together to meet your child’s unique needs. With proper support and guidance, kids with autism can make great strides in their development and lead happier, more fulfilling lives.

What techniques are used in ABA therapy?

ABA therapy techniques include positive reinforcement, prompting, and shaping–designed to encourage positive behaviors and reduce challenging ones. 

 

Positive reinforcement involves rewarding kids for exhibiting a desired behavior, such as using language to communicate their needs or playing cooperatively with others. 

Prompting is used to help kids learn new skills by giving them cues to guide their behavior, such as pointing to a picture of a ball when teaching them the word “ball.”

Shaping involves breaking complex goals into smaller, more manageable steps, gradually increasing the difficulty level as the child becomes more proficient.

Will my child’s therapy be personalized?

Your child is one of a kind–and their treatment should be, too. 

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to ABA. At Catalyst, we believe every child deserves care customized just for them. Our treatment plans are individualized–every time.

When you enroll your child at Catalyst, we’ll start by getting to know them. We’ll conduct a thorough assessment to identify their strengths, preferences, and areas where they may need some extra help. 

Our team of experts, including board-certified behavior analysts (BCBAs) and registered behavior technicians (RBTs), will collaborate to identify the underlying causes of any problem behaviors and develop a treatment plan that meets your child’s specific needs. 

How does early intervention make a difference?

When it comes to ABA therapy, the earlier your child starts, the better. Research shows a strong link between early intervention and successful outcomes for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Children who begin intensive ABA treatment at a young age are more likely to make substantial, sustained gains in cognition, language, academic performance, executive function, motor skills, and social behaviors. 

Play-based therapy techniques help your child develop social, emotional, and cognitive skills in natural and enjoyable ways. They’ll feel accomplished and motivated, inspiring them to develop a curiosity about the world around them and sustain good behavior at home. 

When should my child begin ABA therapy?

At Catalyst, we see children as young as two years–but if your child is older, that’s okay! It’s not too late to start. Children of all ages can benefit from ABA–and the sooner they begin treatment, the better their outcomes are likely to be. 

At the end of the day, ABA therapy is about helping your child build the skills and behaviors they need to thrive. It’s a supportive and positive approach that focuses on what your child can do, rather than what they struggle with. 

 

Discover our personalized approach to autism treatment.