Key Highlights
- Teaches expressive & receptive language, social communication, and behavior regulation
- Focuses on functional communication, not just vocabulary
- Uses ABA teaching methods like DTT, NET, Verbal Behavior, and play-based learning
- Custom goals for speech, gestures, AAC, emotional expression, and social interaction
- Parents receive guidance to reinforce communication at home
- In-home ABA & natural routines supercharge generalization
For many families beginning their autism journey, communication feels like the biggest mountain to climb. I’ve sat with parents who dream of hearing “Mama,” “I need help,” or “I love you.”
ABA therapy gives children the tools and support they need to learn communication in a way that fits their strengths. It’s amazing to see how even small breakthroughs can transform family life.
What Is ABA Therapy & How It Supports Communication?
Before exploring communication strategies, it’s helpful to understand what ABA therapy is. ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) is an evidence-based autism therapy that teaches meaningful skills through reinforcement, structured teaching, and individualized goals.
ABA therapy breaks skills into steps, uses motivation and play, and supports children in learning communication naturally over time. Whether a child is non-verbal, emerging verbal, or speaking in sentences, ABA meets them where they are and builds forward.
Principles Behind Applied Behavior Analysis
ABA is based on understanding how behavior, environment, and reinforcement work together. We use techniques like:
- Positive reinforcement to encourage language attempts
- Prompting & shaping to support learning new sounds and words
- Data tracking to measure progress and adjust strategies
- Consistency across environments to build lasting skills
In simple terms: when communication leads to success, children want to communicate more — and ABA makes that happen.
Why Communication Skills Are a Central Focus in ABA Therapy
Communication isn’t just talking — it helps children:
- Express needs and wants
- Ask for help
- Share feelings
- Build friendships
- Reduce frustration and challenging behaviors
Many behaviors happen because a child can’t communicate yet, not because they won’t. Strengthening communication skills improves behavior, confidence, learning, and social success.
Common Communication Goals Set in ABA Therapy Sessions
Communication goals are personalized, but common targets include:
- Manding (requesting)
- Tacting (labeling people, items, actions)
- Intraverbals (conversation, answering questions)
- Echoics (speech imitation for sound clarity)
- Following directions
- Social communication (greetings, eye contact, turn-taking)
Every goal aims toward functional language — communication that helps children thrive in everyday life.
How ABA Strengthens Verbal & Non-Verbal Communication
Communication happens in many forms. ABA therapy supports speech development, gestures, AAC, eye contact, and understanding language — allowing children to communicate in the way that works best for them.
Developing Expressive Language Through ABA Techniques
Expressive language means using words, signs, AAC, or gestures to communicate.
We often start with motivating communication like asking for favorite snacks or toys — because when communication works, kids want to keep trying. We use:
- Reinforcement when a child communicates (even approximations count!)
- Modeling words and phrases
- Gradually expanding from single words → phrases → sentences
Over time, children use language more confidently and independently.
Supporting Receptive Language Growth in Children
Receptive language means understanding others, including:
- Following directions
- Identifying objects or actions
- Understanding names, feelings, and routines
We often use visual supports, gestures, and repetition to build comprehension. As receptive skills strengthen, children become more confident participants in conversations, routines, and learning activities.
Enhancing Nonverbal Communication Skills
Non-verbal skills give meaning to communication. ABA teaches:
- Eye contact
- Gestures (pointing, waving)
- Facial expression recognition
- Body language understanding
- Joint attention & shared play
These skills help build friendships, emotional awareness, and social connection.
ABA Teaching Methods That Build Communication Skills
ABA uses multiple strategies to support language learning because every child learns differently. Structured practice and natural learning moments work together to build strong communication skills.
Discrete Trial Training (DTT) for Communication Foundations
DTT breaks communication tasks into simple steps and teaches one at a time. For instance, pointing to pictures, labeling items, or practicing sounds.
The format is predictable and supportive:
Instruction → Child response → Positive reinforcement
This structure helps many children succeed and gain confidence with early language skills.
Natural Environment Teaching (NET) for Real-Life Language
NET teaches language during everyday routines and play — snack time, playtime, outdoor activities, etc.
Instead of asking a child to label colors at a table, for example, we might ask:
“Do you want the blue ball or the red ball?”
NET builds spontaneous language, social skills, and real-world communication success.
Verbal Behavior Therapy for Functional Speech
Verbal Behavior (VB) focuses on why we communicate — not just what we say.
We teach children to use language to:
- Request items & help
- Comment & share information
- Answer questions
- Have conversations
VB builds meaningful communication, not scripted speech.
Play-Based ABA & Social Learning
Play is deeply motivating for children — and when kids are engaged, learning sticks. In my sessions, we use play to encourage language, social interaction, turn-taking, imagination, and emotional skills.
Using Play to Build Language & Social Engagement
Through pretend play, games, and shared activities, children practice:
- Describing actions
- Taking turns
- Sharing items
- Requesting help
- Making choices
- Following social cues
Play creates a fun, natural environment for communication to grow.
Strategies for Peer Interaction & Turn-Taking Practice
We support peer interaction by practicing:
- Waiting
- Sharing
- Greetings
- Joint play
- Simple problem-solving
Tools like visual supports, structured play, and modeling help children build real-world social communication skills.
In-Home ABA Therapy & Communication Consistency
One of my favorite things about in-home ABA is seeing communication skills used where life happens — during meals, routines, playtime, and family moments. Children learn faster when communication is practiced naturally throughout the day.
Practicing Speech & Language Across Home Routines
We turn everyday moments into communication opportunities:
- Requesting food or toys
- Asking for help during dressing or bath time
- Labeling household items
- Greeting family members
- Following instructions during routines
Natural practice = lasting growth.
The Role of Parent Training in Communication Success
Parent involvement is one of the strongest predictors of progress.
We coach parents to:
- Reinforce communication attempts
- Model language
- Use visual and AAC supports
- Create predictable routines
- Practice skills between sessions
When families participate, children thrive.
Conclusion: Helping Your Child’s Voice Grow with ABA
Communication builds confidence, independence, friendships, and emotional understanding — and ABA therapy creates the stepping stones to get there. With structured teaching, natural play, and family collaboration, each child learns to communicate in their own powerful way.
At Precious Care ABA, we are committed to helping children build strong communication and social skills through compassionate, tailored ABA programs.
We proudly provide autism therapy services in:
Our programs include:
- In-Home ABA Therapy
- ABA Therapy at Daycare
Our mission is to support your child’s voice, joy, and future — with dignity, encouragement, and evidence-based ABA treatment.
Schedule a FREE ABA consultation! Let’s build language, connection, and confidence — one meaningful moment at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does ABA help with communication delays?
ABA breaks communication into small steps and reinforces progress, helping children learn at their pace in a positive way.
Do children have to be verbal to start ABA?
No — we support speech, gestures, sign language, and AAC. Every form of communication matters.
How can parents help at home?
Use reinforcement, model language during routines, follow therapist strategies, and stay consistent.
Sources:
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9458805/
- https://www.bfskinner.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/2014_05_P_003.pdf
- https://online.regiscollege.edu/blog/4-methods-for-increasing-communication-within-applied-behavior-analysis
- https://www.asha.org/njc/applied-behavior-analysis-and-communication-services/
https://www.autismspeaks.org/applied-behavior-analysis
