What is ABA therapy?
Applied Behavior Analysis — ABA — is a research-based approach to understanding behavior and teaching meaningful skills. In plain language: we work with your child to build the skills that matter for everyday life, while gently supporting changes in behavior that get in the way.
It’s the most widely studied therapy for autism. At Solara, we practice modern, assent-based ABA — therapy that respects your child’s comfort, dignity, and engagement, not just whether they completed a task.
How do I know if my child needs ABA therapy?
If your child has been diagnosed with autism — or is being evaluated for one — ABA may help build the skills that support communication, independence, and connection. But the honest answer is: we won’t know whether ABA is the right fit for your child until we meet them.
Our intake conversation and functional assessment are designed to give you a clear answer, not a sales pitch. If ABA isn’t the right fit, we’ll tell you that too.
At what age can a child start ABA therapy?
Children can begin ABA therapy as young as 18 to 24 months, though most of our work is with children between ages 2 and 12. Earlier intervention tends to support stronger outcomes — the years between 2 and 5 are an especially powerful developmental window — but ABA can help at many ages, including older children and teens we evaluate on a case-by-case basis.
How long does therapy typically last?
ABA isn’t designed to be forever. The goal is for your child to build the skills they need and gradually step down to less intensive support. Some children are with us for a year. Others longer. We’re transparent about progress and reduce hours as soon as your child is ready.
What ABA isn’t is a permanent service. If a provider can’t tell you what success looks like or when therapy ends, that’s a red flag.
What does a typical week of therapy look like?
It depends entirely on your child’s plan. After the functional assessment, your behavior analyst recommends a specific number of hours based on clinical need, your child’s age, and your family’s goals. A week might include in-home sessions, clinic sessions, or a mix — plus a regular parent training touchpoint.
Some children benefit from focused, lower-intensity programs (around 10 hours a week). Others benefit from more comprehensive schedules (25–40 hours). The right number is the one that fits your child and your family.
Can therapy happen at home or only in a clinic?
Both. We offer in-home, in-clinic, and school-based ABA therapy. Many children benefit from a combination.
In-home therapy is great for daily living skills and real-world routines. Clinic-based therapy offers structure and peer opportunities. School-based support helps your child access learning in their classroom. We’ll help you figure out what setting — or mix of settings — makes the most sense for your child.
How do I know if therapy is working?
We collect data on every goal, every session. Your behavior analyst reviews the data regularly and meets with you to share progress, discuss what’s working, and adjust the plan as needed.
You’ll always know how things are going — in plain language, not jargon-filled reports. If you ever feel like progress has stalled or something isn’t right, we want to hear about it directly. Honest conversation is part of the work.
What qualifications do your therapists have?
Your child’s care team includes a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), who designs and oversees the treatment plan, and a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), who delivers most of the direct therapy hours under BCBA supervision.
All team members work within the ethical standards set by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) and the licensing requirements of every state where we practice.