Maryland Applied Behavior Analysis Therapist | Move Up ABA

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Male therapist and autistic boy lying on the floor playing chess together in a cozy living room after ABA therapy.
Starting ABA therapy is a big step, and knowing what to expect can ease the transition for both you and your child. On the first day, your ABA team will focus on building rapport, observing behaviors, and gathering baseline data. This helps therapists understand your child’s strengths, challenges,...
Autistic young boy in red shirt reading a book at his desk in a blue-walled classroom after ABA therapy.
A Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) is a structured process used to understand why a person engages in challenging behaviors. In ABA therapy, it’s the first step toward creating an effective, individualized behavior intervention plan. An FBA identifies the function or purpose behind a behavior....
Female therapist and autistic girl playing with colorful blocks together at a white table in a living room.
Scripting is when an individual with autism repeats words, phrases, or entire dialogues—often from movies, books, or past conversations. While it may seem unusual, scripting serves important functions. It can help with language development, emotional regulation, and navigating social situations. F...
Autistic little girl sitting on a bus seat, resting her chin on the seatback, looking thoughtful after ABA therapy.
Autistic inertia refers to the difficulty some individuals with autism experience when starting, stopping, or switching tasks, even ones they want to do. It’s not laziness or defiance; it’s a neurological challenge that can affect daily routines, transitions, and independence. For example, a chi...
Two autistic teens in matching hoodies sitting on outdoor steps, one using a smartphone after ABA therapy.
Hyperempathy in autism refers to an intense emotional sensitivity, feeling others’ emotions deeply and sometimes overwhelmingly. While autism is often misunderstood as lacking empathy, many autistic individuals experience the opposite: they absorb others’ feelings so strongly that it can affect ...