top of page

How We Do ABA

 

At Something to Say ABA, we use Progressive Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy to help children develop important skills and address challenges. Progressive ABA is a science-backed approach that focuses on how learning happens while still engaging in compassionate and supportive practices.

​

​Core Principles of ABA:​

​​

  • Applied: We focus on teaching skills that are important and helpful in your child's everyday life, making a real difference for your family.

  • Behavioral: We look at what your child does – their actions and responses – so we can clearly see how they are learning and growing.

  • Analytic: We carefully track how our teaching methods are working by looking at data, so we know what's helping your child make progress.

  • Technological: We use clear and specific teaching methods that anyone can understand and follow, ensuring consistency in how your child learns.

  • Conceptually Systematic: Our teaching strategies are based on the well-established principles of how learning works, giving us a strong foundation for our approach.

  • Effective: Most importantly, our goal is to use methods that actually work and lead to meaningful improvements in your child's skills and behavior.

​

​Progressive ABA:

 

Progressive ABA is all about your child's unique needs and making therapy a positive experience. We emphasize:

​

  • Learning Through Play & Daily Life: We teach your child new skills during fun activities and your regular routines.

  • Following Your Child's Lead: We pay attention to what interests your child and use those moments to teach.

  • Focusing on Real-World Skills: We help your child learn things they can use every day, at home, school, and in the community.

  • Meaningful Encouragement: We use motivators that are directly tied to the activity and what your child enjoys.

  • Working Closely with You: We partner with your family to make sure therapy fits your life and helps your child best.

  • Tailored to Your Child: We create a unique plan based on your child's specific needs and what they're good at.

  • Helping Skills Stick: We focus on making sure your child can use their new skills in different places and with different people.

  • Building Independence: We aim to teach your child skills that help them do more things on their own.

  • Focusing on Happiness & Well-being: We want your child to be happy, confident, and feel included.

  • Tracking Progress Together: We keep a close eye on how your child is doing and adjust our approach as needed.​

​

At Something to Say ABA, we're committed to using progressive, compassionate ABA therapy to help your child reach their full potential. Let's work together to create a brighter future for your family.

A child and therapist working together on a painting activity to build fine motor skills during an ABA session in Springfield.

Give us a call:
1-217-366-1611

Using a child’s natural interest in trains to teach communication and social skills through play-based ABA therapy.
Children practicing social interaction and cooperative play during a play-based ABA session.
A child-led ABA therapy session in Springfield, IL, using bubbles to encourage communication and engagement.


What a Day at
Something to Say ABA
Looks Like

RBTs and children dancing together at our Springfield, IL clinic, highlighting the joy and social connection in play-based ABA.

Key Elements of an ABA Session

Preference Assessments

Ongoing assessment of the child's interests and preferred activities to ensure high motivation for learning and an engaging fun environment.

Prompting and Fading

Using a hierarchy of prompts to support the child's success and systematically fading prompts to promote independence.

Data Collection

The therapist continuously collects data on target skills to monitor progress and make data-based decisions about the intervention.

Generalization

Intentionally varying activities, materials, and settings to help the child use learned skills in different situations. So they can use their skills in the real world.

Positive Reinforcement

Frequent and enthusiastic use of praise, attention, and preferred items/activities to reinforce desired behaviors and skill acquisition.

Flexibility

The therapist is responsive to the child's cues and adjusts activities as needed to maintain engagement and maximize learning.

Two children engaging in parallel play on a mat, a key developmental milestone supported by our ABA therapy.
Promoting social interaction and peer engagement during a small group session at our Springfield, IL clinic.
One-on-one ABA therapy session with a therapist using digital data collection to monitor a child's progress.
Children practicing alternative communication and social cues during a collaborative group learning activity.
Child-led therapy session focused on sensory play and motor skills development at our Springfield clinic.
bottom of page