RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES

Starting ABA services can feel like a big step. Families may wonder what happens after they reach out, whether their child needs to attend meetings, how we decide if services are a good fit, how the waitlist works, and what happens before therapy actually begins. At Progressive Steps, our intake process is designed to help us learn more about your child and family, determine whether our services may be the right fit, and make sure we are able to recommend a service option tha

Understanding Play-Based, Naturalistic, and Meaningful Learning in ABA When many families picture ABA therapy, they imagine a child sitting at a table, completing structured tasks, answering questions, matchi ng cards, pointing to pictures, or practising skills in a very organized “work” format. That type of teaching can absolutely have a place in ABA. But it is not the only way ABA happens. In fact, some of the most meaningful learning often happens when a session looks like

If you are parenting a child or teen who seems to experience everyday demands as overwhelming, you may have come across the term PDA profile. For many families, discovering this term can feel like a relief. It can help explain why things like getting dressed, starting schoolwork, following through with routines, or even responding to simple requests can lead to intense distress, shutdown, negotiation, or explosive behaviour. At the same time, parents often feel stuck when it

When families first hear about Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), they often wonder: Will this feel rigid? Will my child be pushed too hard? Will therapy focus only on stopping behaviour? At Progressive Steps, we believe there is a better way. Skill-Based Treatment (SBT) is a research-based approach to ABA that prioritizes safety, trust, and emotional regulation while building meaningful skills. It is especially helpful for children who engage in aggression, self-injury, sever

When families think about ABA therapy, they may picture a child sitting at a table, completing structured tasks, or working through a list of skills with a therapist. For preschool-aged children, therapy often looks very different. At Progressive Steps, ABA therapy for young children is designed to be developmentally appropriate, relationship-based, and meaningful to the child and family. Preschoolers learn best through play, movement, routines, curiosity, repetition, and con

Living in a society that thrives on social interactions, the ability to navigate social situations is crucial for personal and professional success. For adults with autism, developing social skills might pose unique challenges, but the benefits of cultivating these skills are profound. In this blog post, we'll explore the reasons why adults with autism should prioritize learning social skills and delve into the potential impact of not having meaningful friendships, supported

Adolescence is a tumultuous journey marked by rapid changes, challenging emotions, and a quest for identity. As teenagers navigate this complex terrain, finding effective tools to cope with the ups and downs becomes paramount. Enter Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACTr), a transformative approach that empowers teenagers to embrace challenges, build resilience, and chart a course toward a fulfilling future. The Mindful Revolution At the heart of ACTr lies mindfulness—a pow

Dealing with trauma in your child's life can feel overwhelming, but there's a beacon of hope called Skill-Based Treatment (SBT) (Hanley, 2020). SBT is all about helping your child develop essential life skills while ensuring their safety, dignity, and happiness. Understanding the Skill-Based Treatment Journey Imagine a process that focuses on building skills and fostering a sense of joy instead of just addressing problem behaviors. That's what SBT is all about. Let's explore

Families who come to Progressive Steps with the goal of treating challenging behaviour are often stressed, overwhelmed, and looking for a solution to decrease challenging behaviour quickly. At Progressive Steps, our goal is to help. We specialize in treating challenging behaviour ethically, collaboratively, and using evidence-based methods and treatments are most likely to be effective. This resource will go into detail about our process for effectively assessing and treating

While we know how important consent is in ABA therapy, how much consent are children really giving when instructors are working with them?

Do you dream of the day when your child or adolescent goes to sleep without protest, falls asleep quickly and remains in bed throughout the