Blog

Explore the Move Up blog for practical strategies, real-world insights, and resources designed to help children reach their full potential.

Built for families.Useful for professionals.Grounded in what works.

A girl throwing tissue papers in a living room

AutismOct 22, 202610 min readAutism and Hyperactivity: Is It a Sign of Autism, and Why Some Autistic Kids Seem So Hyper

Dr. Allison Reyes

Navigating Autism & ABA

606 articles

AutismOct 22, 202610 min read

Autism and Hyperactivity: Is It a Sign of Autism, and Why Some Autistic Kids Seem So Hyper

Discover the causes, symptoms, and solutions for autism hyperactivity. Explore insights to help you understand this condition better.

Two young girls hug outdoors in warm sunlight, laughing joyfully; one wears a blue dress, the other a yellow top with a red flower in her hair.

AutismOct 21, 202610 min read

How to Get IHSS for an Autistic Child in California: Eligibility, Protective Supervision, and Step-by-Step Application

Feeling overwhelmed caring for your autistic child at home? Help might be closer than you think! This guide unlocks the secrets of IHSS (In-Home Supportive Services) and how it can provide vital support for your child and your family. Read on to navigate the process and secure the helping hand you deserve.

A child with autism working on a colorful alphabet puzzle at a table

ABA ServicesOct 20, 202622 min read

Autism Benefits by State: A Comprehensive Guide

Confused about autism benefits in your state? Navigating a maze of insurance coverage and resources can be frustrating! This guide breaks down everything you need to know, state-by-state. Find out what support is available for your child and unlock the key to maximizing their potential.

An autistic young girl resting peacefully with her head and t-rex arms on an RBT's lap outdoors in Maryland.

autism & moreSep 20, 20268 min read

T-Rex Arms: What They Mean in Autism and ADHD (and Why It’s Not a Diagnosis)

“T-Rex arms” describes a posture — elbows bent, hands held close to the chest, forearms tucked in like a Tyrannosaurus rex — that functions as a common self-regulation or comfort behavior. It shows up in autistic people, people with ADHD, and plenty of neurotypical children and adults, especially when they’re excited, anxious, cold, or sensory-overloaded.…

Antique-style scales of justice in a modern office setting

ABA Behavioral TherapistsSep 19, 20268 min read

BACB Ethical Codes Essential Guidance for Professionals

When a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) sits down to design your child’s treatment plan, runs a parent-training session, or supervises the RBT who works with your family each week, they are bound by a single document: the Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts, published by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). This is the official,…

Therapist with a clipboard sitting and talking with a young girl who is holding a large teddy bear on a couch in a bright living room

ADHDSep 19, 202611 min read

Understanding the RBT Ethics Code 2.0: A Comprehensive Guide

The RBT Ethics Code (2.0) is the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s official ethics standard for every certified or applicant RBT, in effect since January 1, 2022, and organized into 3 sections comprising 29 individual standards (BACB document RBT-Ethics-Code-240830-a, most recently revised August 2024). If a Registered Behavior Technician, the front-line provider running most ABA therapy…

Working in ABA

12 articles

RBTJun 25, 20267 min read

RBT Support in Your Daycare: What It Means, How It Works, and Why It Matters

Picture a Tuesday morning at a busy daycare. Twelve children at tables, crayons everywhere, someone crying in the corner over a snack swap. A staff member is managing three conversations at once. And somewhere in that organized chaos, a four-year-old with autism is struggling to stay at the table long enough to finish a simple…

BCBAMar 3, 20264 min read

The Impact of Burnout on ABA Professionals and Strategies for Prevention: A Data-Based Guide

ABA professionals work in high-demand environments. They manage challenging behaviors, support families, track data, and maintain ethical standards. Over time, chronic workplace stress can lead to burnout. The Impact of Burnout on ABA Professionals and Strategies for Prevention is a growing concern in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. Research shows that burnout affects job…

A BCBA smiling with BCBA task list clipboard in an office while colleague uses phone nearby in MD.

BCBAJun 29, 20255 min read

Understanding the Essential BCBA Task List for Success

Understanding the BCBA Task List is essential for anyone pursuing Board Certified Behavior Analyst certification or supporting someone on that path. This guide breaks down each domain, explains exam structure, highlights updates in the latest edition, and offers proven study strategies. Readers will gain clear insight into the competencies defined by the Behavior Analyst Certification…

Frustrated BCBA student covering face while checking BCBA exam results on her laptop in Virginia.

BCBAMay 4, 202511 min read

How Many Times Can You Fail the BCBA Exam? Expert Advice

Key Highlights The BCBA certification exam is challenging but allows up to eight retakes within a two-year authorization period, offering extended opportunities for success. Effective preparation involves using structured study plans, BACB task lists, and practice exams to master applied behavior analysis concepts. Joining study groups and collaborating with mentors enhance understanding and create a…

BCBAApr 23, 20259 min read

How is ABA Therapy Different? Expert Insights

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is now one of the most well-known methods in behavior analysis. It is beneficial for people with developmental disorders, like autism. ABA therapy uses the ideas of applied behavior analysis to help people grow skills, talk better, and lessen challenging behaviors. What makes it special is its personalized approach. It…

BCBA helping an autistic child color in a coloring book with crayons scattered on the table in MD.

BCBAFeb 9, 202511 min read

The Truth About the BCBA Shortage in Maryland

Key Highlights The blog delves into the critical shortage of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) in Maryland, impacting the delivery of quality Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) treatment through Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy. It examines the reasons behind the shortage, including challenges in education and certification processes, as well as the high demand for BCBAs…

Behind the posts

Meet our blog authors

Every article on this blog is written by a member of our team — the behavior analysts, technicians, and family-care specialists who work with Maryland and Virginia families every day.

Dr. Allison Reyes
PhD, BCBA-D
Senior Behavior Analyst
A Board Certified Behavior Analyst – Doctoral level with more than 15 years in the field, Allison earned her doctorate in Behavior Analysis from Western Michigan University. Her work centers on functional communication training, naturalistic teaching, and helping families translate clinical strategies into real life — the dinner table, the grocery store, the school drop-off line. She is a strong advocate for neurodiversity-affirming, assent-based ABA and has trained dozens of clinicians over her career.
Marissa Chen
MS, BCBA
Board Certified Behavior Analyst · Autism parent
A BCBA with seven years of in-home and school-based experience, Marissa holds an MS in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University. Her oldest son was diagnosed with autism at age three, and she spent two years on the parent side of the therapy table before running a session of her own. She knows what it feels like to wonder how you’re supposed to do this at 6 p.m. on a Tuesday with two other kids in the house. She specializes in toilet training, sleep routines, and the everyday skills that most often leave families stuck.
Devon Whitfield
RBT
Registered Behavior Technician · BCBA candidate
An RBT for six years, Devon works directly with kids ages four through twelve across home and school-based settings in Northern Virginia, and is completing his Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis on his path to BCBA certification. Before ABA, he spent four years as a paraprofessional in autism-focused classrooms — work he credits with teaching him that small wins are never actually small. He cares deeply about the craft of being a great technician and writes for clinicians earlier in their careers, because he remembers exactly how steep that first year felt.
Sophia Martinelli
BSW
Intake & Family Care Lead
For nine years Sophia has helped families navigate the maze that surrounds an autism diagnosis — insurance authorizations, school meetings, waitlists, second opinions, and the dozens of small decisions in between. She holds a Bachelor’s in Social Work from Fordham University. Often the first voice a family hears, she has walked hundreds of parents through their first conversation about ABA, their first insurance denial, and their first time hearing the word “autism” out loud. She believes families deserve straight answers, real timelines, and someone who actually picks up the phone.