JANURARY 2026

A New Year, A Clearer Understanding: What ABA Therapy Really Is

By Alice Gutierrez MA, BCBA, LBA

3 minutes read


January has a way of making us pause. A new year often brings fresh questions, new goals, and a desire to better understand the choices we are making for our families. For many parents, especially those who are new to autism services, January is when one big question comes to the surface: What exactly is ABA therapy, and how does it help my child?


If you have heard the term but still feel unsure about what it truly means, you are not alone. ABA therapy can feel overwhelming at first, especially when you are already navigating diagnoses, school meetings, and daily routines. The start of the year is a perfect time to slow down and gain clarity.


What Is ABA Therapy?

Applied Behavior Analysis, often called ABA therapy, is a research-based approach that focuses on helping children learn meaningful skills while reducing behaviors that may interfere with daily life. At its core, ABA therapy is about understanding how behavior works and using that understanding to help children succeed at home, school, and in the community.


ABA therapy does not follow a one-size-fits-all model. When it starts, a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) determines your child’s treatment plan.  Every child’s treatment plan is individualized, based on their strengths, needs, and goals. Therapy sessions are structured but flexible, designed to meet children where they are and help them grow at a pace that feels supportive.  They should be conducted by a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) under the supervision of a BCBA or by the BCBA themselves.


What Does ABA Therapy Actually Look Like?

Many parents imagine therapy as something that only happens at a table or in a clinic room. In reality, ABA therapy often looks like play, conversation, routines, and everyday interactions.  Parent involvement is key to this process.

Your child might be learning how to:

  • Communicate wants and needs

  • Follow simple instructions

  • Transition between activities

  • Build social and play skills

  • Increase independence in daily routines

In Houston, where families are always on the go, ABA therapy also helps children apply skills in real-life settings, whether that is at home, in school, or out in the community.


Why January Is a Meaningful Time to Learn About ABA

The beginning of the year brings fresh routines and new expectations. School schedules reset, therapy plans are revisited, and families often feel ready to try something new. January is an ideal time to reflect on what support your child needs and how ABA therapy fits into your family’s goals.

Understanding ABA therapy can help parents feel more confident and empowered. When you know why strategies are being used and how skills are taught, you become an active part of your child’s progress.


ABA Therapy Is About More Than Behavior

One common misconception is that ABA therapy is only about correcting behavior. In reality, it is about teaching skills that improve quality of life. It focuses on helping children feel understood, capable, and supported.

Progress might look like better communication, smoother mornings, fewer frustrations, or increased independence. These changes often happen gradually, and that is okay. Small steps lead to meaningful growth.


Starting the Year With Knowledge and Support

A new year does not require having all the answers right away. January is simply an invitation to learn, ask questions, and explore options that support your child and your family.

If ABA therapy is part of your journey, know that you are not alone. With the right team, clear communication, and realistic goals, this year can be one of growth, understanding, and progress.

Un Nuevo Año, Una Mejor Comprensión: ¿Qué es Realmente la Terapia ABA?

Escrito Por Alice Gutierrez MA, BCBA, LBA

Lectura de 4 minutos


Enero tiene una forma especial de hacernos hacer una pausa. Un nuevo año suele traer preguntas nuevas, metas renovadas y el deseo de comprender mejor las decisiones que estamos tomando para nuestras familias. Para muchos padres, especialmente aquellos que son nuevos en los servicios para el autismo, enero es cuando surge una gran pregunta: ¿Qué es exactamente la terapia ABA y cómo ayuda a mi hijo?


Si has escuchado el término pero aún te sientes inseguro sobre lo que realmente significa, no estás solo. La terapia ABA puede parecer abrumadora al principio, sobre todo cuando ya estás navegando diagnósticos, juntas escolares y rutinas diarias. El inicio del año es un momento perfecto para bajar el ritmo y ganar claridad.


¿Qué es la terapia ABA?

El Análisis de Conducta Aplicado, conocido como terapia ABA, es un enfoque basado en la investigación que se centra en ayudar a los niños a aprender habilidades significativas mientras se reducen conductas que pueden interferir con la vida diaria. En esencia, la terapia ABA consiste en comprender cómo funciona la conducta y usar ese conocimiento para ayudar a los niños a tener éxito en casa, en la escuela y en la comunidad.


La terapia ABA no sigue un modelo único para todos. Al comenzar, un analista de conducta certificado (BCBA) determina el plan de tratamiento de tu hijo. Cada plan es individualizado y se basa en las fortalezas, necesidades y objetivos de cada niño. Las sesiones de terapia son estructuradas pero flexibles, diseñadas para encontrarse con el niño en donde está y ayudarlo a avanzar a un ritmo que se sienta de apoyo. Estas sesiones deben ser llevadas a cabo por un Técnico en Conducta Registrado (RBT) bajo la supervisión de un BCBA o por el BCBA directamente.


¿Cómo es realmente la terapia ABA?

Muchos padres imaginan la terapia como algo que solo sucede en una mesa o dentro de un consultorio. En realidad, la terapia ABA muchas veces se ve como juego, conversación, rutinas e interacciones cotidianas. La participación de los padres es clave en este proceso.

Tu hijo puede estar aprendiendo a:

  • Comunicar sus deseos y necesidades

  • Seguir instrucciones simples

  • Hacer transiciones entre actividades

  • Desarrollar habilidades sociales y de juego

  • Aumentar su independencia en las rutinas diarias

En Houston, donde las familias siempre están en movimiento, la terapia ABA también ayuda a los niños a aplicar estas habilidades en situaciones reales, ya sea en casa, en la escuela o dentro de la comunidad.


Por qué enero es un momento significativo para aprender sobre ABA

El comienzo del año trae nuevas rutinas y expectativas. Los horarios escolares se ajustan, los planes de terapia se revisan y muchas familias se sienten listas para intentar algo nuevo. Enero es un momento ideal para reflexionar sobre el apoyo que tu hijo necesita y cómo la terapia ABA encaja en las metas de tu familia.

Comprender la terapia ABA puede ayudar a los padres a sentirse más seguros y empoderados. Cuando sabes por qué se utilizan ciertas estrategias y cómo se enseñan las habilidades, te conviertes en una parte activa del progreso de tu hijo.


La terapia ABA es más que conducta

Una idea errónea común es pensar que la terapia ABA solo se trata de corregir conductas. En realidad, se trata de enseñar habilidades que mejoran la calidad de vida. Se enfoca en ayudar a los niños a sentirse comprendidos, capaces y apoyados.


El progreso puede verse como una mejor comunicación, mañanas más tranquilas, menos frustraciones o una mayor independencia. Estos cambios suelen darse de manera gradual, y eso está bien. Los pequeños pasos conducen a un crecimiento significativo.


Comenzar el año con conocimiento y apoyo

Un nuevo año no requiere tener todas las respuestas de inmediato. Enero es simplemente una invitación a aprender, hacer preguntas y explorar opciones que apoyen a tu hijo y a tu familia.

Si la terapia ABA forma parte de tu camino, ten presente que no estás solo. Con el equipo adecuado, una comunicación clara y metas realistas, este año puede ser uno de crecimiento, comprensión y avances.


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DECEMBER 2025

December 17, 2025
Finding Joy in the Routine: Making the Holidays Work for You By Alice Gutierrez MA, BCBA, LBA 3 minute read The holidays are filled with excitement, but all the lights, sounds, and schedule changes can be tough for children with autism. At All For One Therapy, we encourage families to approach the season with balance and flexibility. Tending to your child’s interests makes a big difference at this time of year. It’s possible that taking a picture with Santa at the mall would be challenging, but driving by a neighborhood full of Christmas lights, while holding their favorite blanket, would be more enjoyable. When Christmas shopping for your child, notice what toys they gravitate towards. If you feel stuck, ask their teacher, speech therapist or favorite RBT what toys they seem to enjoy the most while in school or therapy. We also recommend building a “holiday toolkit”—include noise-reducing headphones, favorite snacks, comfort items, and a photo book with pictures of the people and places they’ll see. This small bag can be a lifesaver during overstimulating outings. Keep in mind that skipping events is okay. What matters most is that your child feels safe and supported. The best memories might come from quiet moments at home, baking together, or looking at holiday lights with a cozy blanket. You don’t have to do it all. Celebrate your pace, your child’s growth, and the joy in progress. We’re here for your family every step of the way.

NOVEMBER 2025

November 30, 2025
Gratitude and Grounding: Supporting Our Kids During Thanksgiving By Alice Gutierrez MA, BCBA, LBA 3 minute read Thanksgiving often brings together family, food, and tradition, but for families with children on the autism spectrum, it can also bring sensory overload, unpredictability, and emotional challenges. At All For One Therapy, we help families prepare for these moments by introducing tools and strategies that build confidence and reduce stress. A visual schedule of the day helps your child know what’s coming next. This can be as simple as printed pictures or drawings showing each activity—breakfast, car ride, grandma’s house, playtime, meal, then quiet time. Giving your child a quiet corner or sensory-friendly space to take breaks helps manage emotions in busy environments. Some families even create a social story ahead of time to explain what to expect on Thanksgiving Day. Practicing gratitude is powerful. During the holiday season, many of our families find joy in taking a picture or a video of a new skill their child has learned to share with family. When looking at your day or week, think of the wins, even if they are small, and share them with those closest to you. These moments help kids feel seen and give families a chance to pause and reflect. We know the holidays aren’t always easy, but they can still be meaningful. Whether your child tries a new dish, stays at the table a few extra minutes, or simply makes it through the day, those moments are worth celebrating. Thank you for letting us be part of your journey.

OCTOBER 2025

October 15, 2025
Understanding What Causes Autism: Insights from an ABA Clinician Supporting Families in Texas By Alice Gutierrez MA, BCBA, LBA 4 minute read As a clinician that has spent my career working with children on the autism spectrum, I am frequently asked what causes autism. When answering this, I am clear that there is a lot we do not know yet but I always point families to what the current research is showing. We know that there is a strong genetic component to autism, as having one child on the spectrum increases the likelihood that a sibling is also diagnosed with autism. Additionally, boys have a higher likelihood of being diagnosed with autism than girls. However, we also know that there are environmental factors that can contribute to an autism diagnosis. Some of the more researched environmental factors are advanced parental age, prematurity and birth complications where babies are deprived of oxygen. We have also learned that for the vast majority of people worldwide, vaccines are safe and effective. There are some studies that found a link between acetaminophen use and autism and just as many studies that found no link between the two. The tricky part is that we don’t currently know every environmental factor associated with autism. To make matters more complicated, autism is a complex disorder that presents differently in every person diagnosed, which suggests that one person’s environmental trigger may not be another’s. I long for the day that we have answers for all these questions, because then we can have better prevention, intervention and treatments. I am glad that, as a country, we are having these conversations so that we can increase funding and awareness for autism research and support. These conversations are long overdue. Lastly, while we don’t have all the answers for a cause, we know that once a child is diagnosed, early intervention and support is critical to help children thrive. It is my life’s calling to help families and children get the support they need through ABA therapy. All for One Therapy exists to give children and families impacted by autism helping hands for their journey.

SEPTEMBER 2025

September 25, 2025
Helping Kids with Autism Navigate Change: Why Routines and Transitions Matter By Alice Gutierrez MA, BCBA, LBA 3 minute read  Transitions can be hard. If you're parenting a child with autism, I know you see this every day. Switching from playtime to dinner, going from home to school, and even turning off the tablet can lead to a burst of anger you did not mean to provoke. I want you to know that for many children on the spectrum, any type of transition can be a trigger for outbursts and tantrums. At All For One Therapy, we work with families every day who face these moments. While we can never predict what new transitions will cause stress in our lives, we can do a couple of things to reduce stress for the predictable everyday transitions our little ones may face. As a BCBA and mom to three kids, I’ve learned over the years the comfort that structure and routine brings, not just for children on the spectrum, but for all of us. When a child knows what’s coming next, they feel safe. Since autism affects the ability to communicate vocally for some children, we may use visuals to help them know what’s next. A visual schedule where you can point to what is next in the day, helps increase cooperation for many children. Visual timers also help children know how much time is left before an activity is over. Amazon has many visual timers but a simple search of “visual timer” on YouTube gives you a huge variety of fun visuals to work with. If your child is more tactile or sensory seeking, letting them hold a preferred object or a sensory toy may provide the stress relief needed to make it through the next transition. It may be beneficial to have a bag in your car with a few sensory toys that you can save for those extra tough transitions. Lastly, remember the power of your community. However you decide to help your child with transitions, share your plan with your family and those that make up your village. The more consistency across people in a child’s life, the more successful they will be. At All for One Therapy, we’re here to walk with parents, not just through sessions, but through the moments in between. If your child struggles with change, know that you’re not alone. You don’t have to figure it out on your own. With the right support, even the toughest transitions can become smoother.