Building routines at home doesn’t have to feel rigid or overwhelming. In this parent-friendly guide, a BCBA shares simple, evidence-based strategies to help families create routines that support autistic children without pressure or perfection. Learn how predictability can reduce stress, improve transitions, and build independence—using small steps, visual supports, and flexible routines that actually work in real life.
The holiday season is a time for connection and celebration—but for many autistic children, it can also bring overwhelm, sensory overload, and big changes in routine. If you’re preparing your autistic child for holiday events, parties, guests, or travel this year, you’re not alone. With a few simple, evidence-based ABA strategies like priming, social stories, sensory planning, and teaching break cards, you can help your child feel calmer, more confident, and ready for the season ahead. This guide offers compassionate, practical steps you can use right away to make holiday gatherings smoother and more enjoyable for your whole family.
Struggling with bedtime battles, night wakings, or early mornings? You’re not alone. Many children—especially those with developmental differences—need extra support learning healthy sleep habits. In this post, a compassionate BCBA walks you through evidence-based ABA sleep strategies, including bedtime fading, bedtime passes, and scheduled check-ins, to help your child fall asleep more easily and stay asleep longer. Learn how to create a calming bedtime routine, set up a sleep-friendly environment, and choose the right tools for your family—so everyone can finally get the rest they need.
As parents, you’re often juggling advice, recommendations, and reports from so many different professionals. It can feel like you’re carrying the weight of coordinating everything—speech therapy, occupational therapy, medical appointments, school supports, and behavior goals—all while trying to simply be “mom” or “dad.” I see this all the time in my work as a BCBA, and I want you to know: you don’t have to do this alone. When professionals work together—not just alongside each other—your child gets consistent, compassionate support across all areas of their life. That’s the heart of interdisciplinary care, and it can be a true game-changer for families.
Transitions can be tough—for any child. But for autistic kids, even small shifts in routine can feel overwhelming and lead to meltdowns, shutdowns, or refusal. As a BCBA who works closely with families, I see this every day—and I want you to know you’re not alone. In this post, I’ll explain why transitions are so hard for autistic children (it’s not just “bad behavior”), and share simple, compassionate strategies that actually help.
Explore friendly tips and an ABA potty training schedule for autism success. You’re not alone in this journey!
As a BCBA, I’ve witnessed just how overwhelming IEP meetings can feel for parents — even the most prepared ones. This guide was created with you in mind: the parent who wants to advocate confidently but might be feeling unsure or intimidated. Inside, you’ll find compassionate, practical strategies to help you walk into your next IEP meeting with clarity, confidence, and a strong sense of purpose. Because no one knows your child like you do — and your voice matters more than you know.
Spring is the perfect time to reset your child’s daily routine. In this post, learn about practical ABA strategies—like visual schedules and behavior momentum—to reduce challenging behavior and build positive habits at home.
Many parents wonder whether rewarding their child is reinforcing positive behavior or simply bribery. While both involve incentives, reinforcement strengthens desired behaviors over time, whereas bribery often reinforces problem behaviors in the moment. In this guide, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) breaks down the key differences and offers practical strategies to use reinforcement effectively, helping parents foster long-term success and intrinsic motivation in their children.
Parenting a child with autism comes with its unique challenges, but every difficult moment holds the potential for learning and growth. In this post, I’ll share evidence-based ABA strategies to help transform everyday struggles—like grocery store meltdowns, bedtime battles, and social skill difficulties—into powerful learning moments. With a compassionate approach and the right techniques, you can foster independence, emotional regulation, and positive behaviors in your child while reducing stress for both of you. Let’s turn challenges into opportunities together!
