You made the call. You booked the consultation. And now you're sitting with a mix of hope and nerves wondering — what actually happens next? If you're new to Applied Behavior Analysis, the idea of a first consultation can feel overwhelming. You might not know the right questions to ask, or even what ABA really looks like in practice. That's completely normal. And that's exactly why this first step exists — not to test you, but to get to know you. Here's what a first consultat

Your child's ABA sessions are going well. The therapist is reporting progress. New skills are emerging. But then your child comes home and it feels like a completely different story. Sound familiar? You're not doing anything wrong. This gap between "therapy progress" and "real life progress" is one of the most common challenges families face — and it has a name in ABA: generalization. It simply means that skills learned in one setting need practice and support to show up in o

Choosing an ABA provider for your child is a big decision — and an emotional one. You’re not just picking a service; you’re choosing the people who will work closely with your child, your family, and everyone in your child’s world. With so many options out there, how do you know you’ve found a good one? While a lot of advice focuses on the warning signs to avoid, we think it’s just as important to know what good looks like. Here are the green flags that tell you you’ve found

If you’ve found yourself wondering whether your child might benefit from extra support, you’re not alone — and that question itself is worth paying attention to. As a parent or caregiver, you spend more time with your child than anyone. You notice the things others miss. So when something feels off, that instinct is worth honoring. This post isn’t a diagnostic checklist, and noticing one or two of these things doesn’t mean anything is “wrong.” But if several of these resonate

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is one of the most widely used approaches for supporting autistic children and individuals with developmental differences. It’s also one of the most misunderstood. If you’ve done any searching online, you’ve probably run into strong opinions — and a lot of misinformation. We believe families deserve clear, honest answers. So let’s separate some common myths from the facts. Myth #1: “ABA tries to make autistic kids ‘normal.’” Fact: Good ABA isn’

“No” is one of the hardest words for any child to hear — and for many children with developmental differences, hearing “no” or “not right now” can lead to big feelings and big reactions. The good news? Tolerating “no” is a skill, and like any skill, it can be taught with patience and the right approach. Here’s what it really means, and how you can support it at home. What “Tolerating No” Actually Means Tolerating “no” doesn’t mean your child has to like hearing it. None of us

If you’re a parent or caregiver walking through ABA therapy with your child, you’ve probably felt it: the thrill of a big breakthrough one week, followed by the worry of what feels like a step backward the next. It can be confusing, even discouraging. Here’s something we want every family to know: progress isn’t always linear — and that’s completely normal. What “Non-Linear Progress” Looks Like Imagine a line graph. We tend to picture progress as a straight line heading stead

If your child is in ABA therapy, “reinforcement” is probably the word you’ll hear most. It’s the foundation that nearly everything else is built on — so let’s break down what it actually means, in plain language. What Is Reinforcement? Reinforcement is simple at its core: it’s anything that happens after a behavior that makes that behavior more likely to happen again. That’s it. If your child does something, and something good or satisfying follows, they’re more likely to do

When your child is learning something new — saying a word, washing their hands, putting on their shoes — it rarely happens all at once. It happens in small steps. In ABA, the strategy behind teaching those steps is called shaping, and it’s one of the most encouraging concepts there is. What Is Shaping? Shaping means teaching a new skill by reinforcing small steps that get closer and closer to the goal — instead of waiting for the whole skill to appear perfectly on its own. We

If your child has recently been diagnosed with autism — or you’re simply trying to be a better ally — you’ve probably encountered a lot of new vocabulary. Understanding the language helps you advocate, connect, and support more effectively. Here’s a gentle glossary of terms worth knowing. Neurodivergent “Neurodivergent” describes brains that work differently from what’s considered “typical.” It includes autism, ADHD, and other differences. The word reframes these differences

If “time to go!” in your house is often followed by tears, you’re not alone. Transitions — moving from one activity to the next — are one of the most common sources of meltdowns for young children, especially kids who thrive on predictability. The good news? A simple strategy can make a big difference: the countdown. Why Transitions Are So Hard Imagine being completely absorbed in something you love, and someone suddenly says, “Stop now, we’re leaving.” For many children — es

Every April, we see a wave of “autism awareness.” And awareness is a fine starting point — but more and more of the autism community is asking us to aim higher. The goal isn’t just awareness anymore. It’s acceptance. So what’s the difference, and why does it matter? Awareness Is Knowing Awareness means you know autism exists. You’ve heard the word. You understand it affects how some people communicate, process the world, and experience daily life. Awareness is important — you

At Baker Consulting, we believe meaningful behavior change doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens within systems. Whether that system is a classroom, a mental health clinic, or a church community, the people surrounding an individual play a critical role in shaping outcomes. That’s where clinical consulting services come in. Our work is rooted in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA consulting), but our approach goes beyond traditional service delivery. We partner with organization

If you’re on the path to becoming a BCBA or BCaBA, one of the most important steps is completing supervised fieldwork. But here’s the...

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy has long been recognized as a gold standard for supporting individuals with autism and other...