Parent Resource and Connection 

At Innovative Behavior Management, we believe parents and caregivers are partners in their child’s growth. This

guide explains what ABA is, how it works, and how you can be involved in making it most effective for your child.

What is ABA?

• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a research-based approach that helps children learn new skills and reduce

behaviors that interfere with learning or daily life.

• Builds communication, social, daily living, and academic skills.

• Reduces challenging behaviors through positive strategies.

• Supports independence, confidence, and quality of life.

How Does ABA Work?

• Uses the ABC Model: Antecedent (trigger), Behavior (action), Consequence (result).

• Tracks progress using data to make ongoing adjustments.

• Customizes teaching strategies to meet each child’s needs.

What Does ABA Look Like?

• One-on-one therapy with a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT).

• Group social skills activities.

• Parent training sessions.

• School collaboration with teachers and support staff.

• Often play-based, incorporating toys, games, and real-life routines.

Who Will Work with My Child?

• Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) — designs and monitors the program.

• RBT or Behavior Therapist — works directly with your child on daily goals.

• Parents/caregivers — essential partners in the process.

Parent Involvement

• Attend parent training sessions.

• Practice skills at home in daily routines.

• Communicate openly about progress or challenges.

• Celebrate successes — big and small!

Common ABA Strategies

• Positive Reinforcement — rewarding desired behaviors.

• Prompting — giving hints or assistance to encourage success.

• Shaping — reinforcing small steps toward a larger goal.

• Task Analysis — breaking tasks into smaller steps.

• Generalization — practicing skills in different settings so they ‘stick’.

How Long Will My Child Need ABA?

• Depends on age, developmental needs, goals, and progress.

• Some children benefit for a few months, others for several years.

These activities can help your child regulate emotions, explore safely, and build skills in a comfortable home

environment. Choose activities that fit your child's sensory preferences and always supervise play.

Calming (Regulation) Activities

• Weighted blanket or lap pad time for deep pressure input.

• Soft music or nature sounds in the background.

• Slow rocking in a rocking chair or hammock.

• Bubble tube or lava lamp watching for soothing visual input.

• Deep breathing games such as blowing bubbles, pinwheels, or feathers.

Tactile (Touch) Activities

• Sensory bins with rice, dry beans, kinetic sand, or water beads.

• Finger painting with washable paints or pudding.

• Playdough or modeling clay for rolling, squishing, and cutting.

• Texture walk — barefoot on carpet, foam mats, grass, and blankets.

• Mystery bag game — feel objects inside a bag and guess what they are.

Proprioceptive (Heavy Work) Activities

• Animal walks such as bear crawl, crab walk, and frog hops.

• Jumping into a safe pile of pillows or beanbags.

• Carrying groceries or laundry (with supervision).

• Wall pushes or chair pushes.

• Vacuuming or sweeping for functional heavy work.

Vestibular (Movement) Activities

• Mini trampoline jumping.

• Swinging on an indoor or outdoor swing.

• Short, controlled spinning in a swivel chair.

• Obstacle course with climbing, crawling, and jumping over cushions.

• Scooter board rides on tummy or sitting.

Auditory (Hearing) Activities

• Listening station with headphones and various music types.

• Homemade instruments like shakers, drums, or rubber band guitars.

• Sound scavenger hunt to find objects making specific sounds.

• Storytime with varied voices and sound effects.

Visual (Sight) Activities

• Light-up toys or glow sticks in a dark room.

• Sensory bottles with glitter, beads, or oil-and-water mixtures.

• I Spy games by color, shape, or size.

• Shadow play with flashlights.

Olfactory & Taste (Smell/Taste) Activities

• Smell matching game with scented cotton balls or jars (vanilla, lemon, cinnamon).

• Cooking together and smelling ingredients during preparation.

• Taste testing safe new flavors in small amounts.

• Herb sensory garden to touch, smell, and taste fresh herbs.

We encourage you to check out these resources below: 

Autism support, resources & advocacy | Autism Speaks 

Home - National Autism Center at May Institute 

Disability Rights Florida 

Nonprofit Org | Autism Society of Florida | United States 

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) | Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) | CDC