Maryland Applied Behavior Analysis Therapist | Move Up ABA

ABA therapy

Autistic young girl in pink top forms heart shape with hands above head against plain white background.
Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is a profile on the autism spectrum where individuals experience extreme anxiety when faced with everyday demands. Unlike typical avoidance, PDA is rooted in a need for control and a fear of losing autonomy. Children and teens with PDA may resist requests, even on...
Autistic child shows phone after therapy to two adults on a bench in a green park; all focused on screen.
Key Highlights Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy provides a structured framework for teaching self-advocacy. Developing advocacy skills is crucial for helping children with autism achieve greater independence. ABA therapy uses behavior analysis to build essential communication skills for expre...
An autistic teen in blue shirt using laptop at home table with phone, notebook, and earbuds nearby after therapy.
Supporting adolescents with autism through the changes of puberty poses unique challenges for practitioners and families. When designing teen aba programming puberty protocols, professionals must address intensified sensory sensitivities, evolving social boundaries, and emerging sexual awareness. By...
Two autistic young boys sitting at a table working on homework with pencils and worksheets after ABA therapy.
Key Highlights Here are the main takeaways from our discussion on skill regression: Skill regression on the autism spectrum is the loss of previously learned abilities and is a common part of the learning journey. Recognizing the signs of skill loss early allows for timely and effective intervention...
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....
Welcome to a journey through the history of autism. The path to our current understanding of autism has been long and complex, with many twists and turns. For decades, it was misunderstood and often grouped with other developmental disorders or even thought to be caused by poor parenting. Tracing ho...