Extinction Bursts: Why Your Child’s Behavior Gets Worse Before It Gets Better in ABA Therapy
If your child’s tantrums, hitting, or aggression got worse in the first weeks of ABA therapy — louder, longer, more intense — you are seeing what behavior analysts call an extinction burst. It is predictable, temporary, and a sign that the ABA therapy plan is working, not failing. The behavior gets bigger before it gets smaller. Knowing this in advance is the difference between staying the course and quitting ABA therapy two weeks before the breakthrough.
DTT vs. NET vs. Verbal Behavior: The Three Teaching Methods Inside Your Child’s ABA Therapy
ABA therapy is not one teaching style — it uses three main methods. Discrete Trial Training (DTT) is structured, at-the-table teaching with short, repeated tries and immediate rewards. Natural Environment Teaching (NET) weaves learning into play, snacks, and daily routines so skills happen in the real world. Verbal Behavior (VB) is a method for teaching language by purpose — asking, naming, repeating, conversing. A strong ABA therapy program for children blends all three to match how your child learns best.
Parent Training in ABA: What It Means, Why It’s Required, and How Families Use It
Parent training is one of the most misunderstood and emotionally charged parts of ABA therapy.
Many parents don’t ask for it.
Some feel judged by it.
Others worry it means becoming their child’s therapist or risking insurance coverage if they “do it wrong.”
This guide is designed to remove that fear.
Early Intervention ABA Therapy: What It Is, What It Isn’t, & How Parents Actually Use It
When parents hear the term Early Intervention, it often triggers confusion and, sometimes, panic.
Some people use it to mean any therapy started early. In the U.S., however, Early Intervention is also a specific legal term that refers to state-funded services for children under age 3.
Autism Developmental Milestones by Age (0-5 Years)
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is not a single condition with a single developmental path. It is a spectrum of neurological differences that affect how children communicate, interact, process sensory information, and engage with the world around them in unique and individualized ways.
If you’ve recently seen an autism “level” listed in an evaluation, school report, or medical note, it’s normal to feel confused or worried. Many parents wonder whether the level describes how severe autism is, whether it will change over time, or what it means for their child’s future.
Understanding ABA Insurance Coverage: A Parent Guide
At Sunshine Advantage, every week, we meet families who feel overwhelmed trying to navigate insurance coverage for ABA therapy. You’re not alone. And none of this confusion should stand in the way of your child receiving the support they need.
Unmasking ABA Therapy: What Parents Should Really Expect (Beyond the Myths)
Many parents encounter ABA while already feeling overwhelmed, protective, and unsure who to trust. It’s normal to feel conflicted before you feel confident.
Few therapies spark as much emotion as ABA therapy.
Some parents hear it described as life-changing. Others hear words like abusive, robotic, or traumatizing - often from adults with autism who experienced very different versions of ABA decades ago.
The first day of ABA therapy can feel like a big milestone. Parents often feel a mix of hope, nerves, curiosity, and “I just want this to go smoothly.” That feeling is completely normal. Your child’s therapy team knows how important this moment is, and their goal is to help both you and your child feel supported from the very start.
