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Learning Center
A helpful hub where parents can explore simple guides on ABA strategies, teaching methods, behavior supports, and tools to better understand their child’s therapy journey.
Click on the images/text below to learn more!
Teaching Methods
NET
Natural Enviornment Training
Behavior Strategies
Reinforcement
Premack Principle
First - Then
Extinction
FCT (Functional Communication Training)
ABC Data
Shaping
Definition: Rewarding small improvements that move closer to the final skill.
Examples include:
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Rewarding sounds like “mmm” before saying “more”
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Accepting a partial wave before a full wave
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Praising touching a toothbrush before learning full brushing
DTT (Discrete Trial Training)
Definition: A structured way of teaching skills in small, repeated steps.
Examples include:
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Sitting at the table to complete a matching activity
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Practicing eye contact after hearing “look”
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Identifying colors one at a time
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Following simple instructions like “touch head”
Reinforcement
Definition: Rewarding behavior you want to see more often.
Examples include:
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Praising sitting nicely
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Stickers or tokens for completing tasks
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Break time after finishing an activity
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Access to a preferred toy for good effort
Differential Reinforcement
Definition: Reinforcing appropriate behaviors while reducing challenging ones.
Examples include:
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Rewarding hands-down instead of hitting
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Praising calm body instead of yelling
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Reinforcing waiting instead of grabbing
Chaining
Definition: Teaching a skill step-by-step until the whole routine is mastered.
Examples include:
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Handwashing steps taught in order
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Toothbrushing broken into small parts
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Putting on shoes one step at a time
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Following a morning routine checklist
NET (Natural Environment Teaching)
Definition: Teaching during play and everyday routines using what the child naturally enjoys.
Examples include:
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Asking for “more bubbles” while blowing bubbles
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Labeling toys during play
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Practicing turn-taking during a game
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Requesting snacks at the table
Premack Principle (“First-Then”)
Definition: Completing a required task first to earn a preferred activity next.
Examples include:
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First clean up, then play
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First finish worksheet, then iPad time
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First brush teeth, then story
ABC Data
Definition: Tracking the Antecedent (what happened before), the Behavior, and the Consequence (what happened after).
Examples include:
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A: asked to clean up → B: tantrum → C: escape from task
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A: denied iPad → B: yelling → C: verbal redirection
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A: peer takes toy → B: hitting → C: adult intervenes
Prompting & Fading
Definition: Helping the child when needed, then slowly reducing the help.
Examples include:
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Hand-over-hand help to stack blocks → then light touch → then no help
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Pointing to the correct answer → then waiting for independent choice
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Saying the first sound of a word and fading prompts over time
Incidental Teaching
Definition: Creating learning opportunities based on the child’s interests or choices.
Examples include:
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Child reaches for a toy → therapist prompts them to say/request it
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Child points to a book → therapist asks “What do you want?”
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Child wants swing → therapist prompts “Push, please”
Extinction
Definition: Reducing a behavior by removing the reinforcement that previously kept it going.
Examples include:
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Ignoring tantrums that were used to gain attention
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Not giving extra snacks when the child whines
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Not providing the toy when screaming occurs (but teaching replacement skills alongside)
FCT (Functional Communication Training)
Definition: Reinforcing appropriate behaviors while reducing challenging ones.
Examples include:
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Rewarding hands-down instead of hitting
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Praising calm body instead of yelling
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Reinforcing waiting instead of grabbing
