1. Applied: Making Skills Truly Meaningful
At its core, ABA is about helping children build skills that make a real difference in their lives. The “Applied” dimension means we always ask:
How will this skill help the child at home, school, or in the community?
For example, if I’m teaching a child to request a snack, it’s not just about saying the word “cracker.” It’s about giving them a tool to meet their needs, reduce frustration, and feel heard. Applied goals are practical, relevant, and immediately useful.
I once worked with a little boy who loved puzzles but couldn’t ask for help when pieces didn’t fit. He would cry or give up. We taught him to simply say “help.” That one word reduced his meltdowns and let him enjoy his favorite activity again. That’s the power of “Applied.”
2. Behavioral: Focusing on What We Can See and Measure
The “Behavioral” dimension reminds us to look at actions we can observe and track. Instead of saying, “She’s frustrated,” we describe the behavior: “She’s throwing the toy and crying.”
Why does this matter? Because it keeps therapy clear and objective. If we can measure it, we can track progress.
For parents, this also means you’ll see concrete data — graphs that show your child is using more words, having fewer tantrums, or following directions more often.
According to the
CDC, 1 in 36 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with autism (2023 data). With numbers rising, families need therapies that show measurable progress — which is exactly why ABA emphasizes observable behavior.
3. Analytical: Using Data to Guide Every Step
This is where ABA shines. The “Analytical” dimension means we rely on data to make decisions, not guesswork. Every session, we collect data on how your child responds to teaching. If something isn’t working, we adjust.
It’s a bit like being a detective — we look at patterns, test strategies, and fine-tune until we see progress.
I once taught a child to wash hands using picture prompts. After a week, the data showed he stalled at the “turn off water” step. Instead of pushing harder, we adjusted the teaching — added a visual reminder and more practice — and within days, he mastered it.
That’s the “Analytical” dimension in action: data-driven, flexible, and always focused on progress.
4. Technological: Clear, Consistent Teaching Methods
The “Technological” dimension means that
ABA programs should be written clearly enough that anyone — whether it’s me, another therapist, or even you as a parent — can understand and follow them.
This ensures consistency. Your child won’t be confused by different teaching styles; instead, they’ll experience predictable, supportive learning across settings.
If your child is in ABA therapy, don’t hesitate to ask to see the written programs. They should be easy to read and walk you through step by step. That way, you can practice skills at home too.
5. Conceptually Systematic: Grounded in Proven Science
“Conceptually Systematic” might sound technical, but it simply means that ABA isn’t random. Every strategy we use is rooted in established behavioral principles, like positive reinforcement or shaping.
For instance, when we praise a child for saying “juice” instead of crying, we’re using the
principle of reinforcement: behaviors that get rewarded are more likely to happen again.
This matters because ABA isn’t about quick tricks — it’s about using tested, scientific methods that have been studied for decades.
Studies have shown that
early intensive ABA therapy can significantly improve language, social skills, and IQ in young children with autism (Lovaas, 1987; Smith, 2010). That’s why sticking to these proven principles is so important.
6. Effective: Therapy That Truly Works
At the end of the day, ABA must work. The “Effective” dimension means that the strategies we use actually help the child reach meaningful goals. If a program isn’t showing results, we don’t keep doing it — we change it.
I worked with a teenage client who struggled with daily living skills. After months of trial and error, the most effective approach ended up being video modeling — watching short clips of the skill before practicing it. Once we found what worked, progress took off.
Effectiveness in ABA also means we set goals that are big enough to matter, not just small wins that look good on paper.
7. Generality: Skills That Last and Transfer
This is the dimension parents often care about most: Will my child use these skills outside of therapy? That’s what “Generality” means — making sure skills stick and apply across places, people, and time.
For example, if your child learns to greet me with “Hi,” that’s great. But I want to see them say “Hi” to their teacher at school, their grandparents at home, and the cashier at the grocery store too.
One of my clients learned to tie his shoes in therapy. To ensure generality, we practiced with different shoes, in different rooms, and with both Mom and Dad. That way, the skill became part of his daily life, not just something he did in a therapy session.
Why the 7 Dimensions Matter for Families
When all 7
dimensions of ABA work together,
ABA therapy is more than just drills or flashcards — it’s a comprehensive approach that helps children thrive in the real world.
As an ABA therapist, I see the biggest transformations when therapy is:
