Christina Gladden - BCBA

Before starting my career in behavior analysis, I was sweeping p-ways and helming a naval ship. I’ve lived a lot of lives. There were many popular quotes thrown around and heard while I was in the U.S. Navy, one of which I am reminded of pretty often now that I’ve put down the binoculars and…

Manding is often one of the first skills targeted in early intervention programs because it gives a reliable way for a child to communicate wants and needs. For many learners with little to no language, manding may be the first time they discover an easier way to connect with caregivers. When a child reaches out—through…

Telling people that I work with children on the spectrum often triggers their need to share opinions on how kids should be raised. Many people think that gentle parenting is the cause of everything wrong in the world and that discipline is the golden standard for raising children. The “back in my day” lectures that…

One thing I’ve learned over the years while working in the field of applied behavior analysis is that I have been engaged in it my whole life. When you learn the basic principles, you quickly start recognizing them at work. Speeding tickets, red lights, my maps search to the closest Taco Bell after I hear…

Parents in ABA therapy often face challenges like school issues, buy-in, and burnout—but clear communication and teamwork can help families stay on track. It’s no secret that I am a believer in applied behavior analysis. I have my bachelor’s in psychology and my master’s in ABA. I started as a behavior technician years ago and…

Tacting is really just a fancy behavioral term for labeling things, actions, or events in an environment, but it is one of the most important verbal skills targeted in ABA therapy. When a child says “dog” after seeing a dog, or “wow, it’s raining” when looking outside, those are two perfect examples of tacting in…

Soon after a child is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, pediatricians will often give parents a range of treatment options, one of which is applied behavior analysis (ABA). ABA therapy is one of the most widely recognized and empirically backed treatments for autism spectrum disorder. Still, it is also relatively unknown to those who are…

Applied behavior analysis is one of the most commonly recommended behavioral therapies for children who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. But what makes it so popular? How can it be so easily trusted when there is so much misinformation out in the world relating to autism, its causes, and its treatment? Many hail it…

Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI) sounds… intense. If I had never heard of anything related to behavior analysis and someone told me that my child needed EIBI, I would probably panic.  As someone who has worked in applied behavior analysis (ABA) for many years now, I can say that EIBI is much, much less scary…

Many ABA sessions focus on building social skills, learning to communicate, completing activities of daily living, and other foundational skills essential for learning. For some children, there may also be a bit of focus on behaviors that others may find unsafe or otherwise concerning. This is where Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) come into play. A…

Data collection is the backbone of applied behavior analysis (ABA). Behavior analysts rely heavily on data to do, well… everything! Data and data collection help to guide treatment, understand behaviors, evaluate progress, make informed decisions, determine if goals are met, ensure teaching is effective, pretty much every step of a behavior analyst’s job requires looking…

I recall sitting in my psychology statistics class years ago, stressing over experimental types and the complex math involved in calculating p-values. All of the focus in my undergraduate statistics classes was on group experimental designs, and professors typically glazed over single-case designs (SCEDs), because they were “not as common” and that we weren’t likely…

Parents of newborns often learn to recognize the small differences in their baby’s cry. One cry might mean that they are hungry, another cry might mean they want to be held. They can interpret their baby’s behavior to determine why the baby is engaging in a particular behavior.  Similarly, behavior analysts are trained to “listen”…

After a series of appointments, evaluations, and assessments with various doctors and developmental professionals to get an autism diagnosis, parents may be a bit confused as to why an ABA therapy assessment is necessary.  However, this specific assessment is a very important step in creating a treatment plan for therapy that is unique to each…

So much of our life is measured. When I drive to work, my speed is measured by my car. When I have a doctor’s appointment, they check my weight, blood pressure, and heart rate. My smart watch measures my daily steps and notifies me if I’ve been sitting for too long. While in school, my…

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy is one of the most widely implemented and empirically-based treatments for autism spectrum disorder. It can help to improve social skills, daily living skills, adaptive behaviors, and more. Whether therapy sessions are conducted within the client’s home or in an autism clinic, ABA has been shown to make significant changes…

There are two main types of ABA Therapy professionals: Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs). Both play important roles in supporting individuals with autism and work very closely with the families they serve. However, there are significant differences in their responsibilities, education, and scope of practice. I have practised as both a…

Applied behavior analysis (ABA), as its name suggests, focuses on behavior. It is a therapeutic approach that utilizes science and behavioral principles to enhance the lives of others. Children with autism are the most common recipients of ABA therapy since it is one of the most common and empirically backed treatments for autism spectrum disorder.…

In autism care, behavior is everything. It’s the main indicator for diagnosis and one of the main areas of focus for treatment. Autistic children engage in many different behaviors, and we as professionals take note. Indirect assessments in ABA therapy (and outside therapy) also play a key role in this process. They offer a way…

I remember my first virtual Telehealth appointment. I was breaking out, and my skin seemed extra sensitive, so I scheduled an appointment with a dermatologist. It felt awkward at first, as most social interactions did in 2020, but I quickly realized how easy and helpful it was. There are benefits to in-person appointments, of course,…

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is usually known by parents as a whole package, but its value is most certainly the sum of its parts. It’s an overall practice that uses many methods and principles to achieve its aims. While parents don’t necessarily always need to know the intimate details of the theories and practices…

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is most known for its treatment in autism spectrum disorder. That’s not surprising, considering how commonly it is recommended to families with children who have been diagnosed and how established ABA research is in the field of autism. The truth is, ABA can be (and has been) applied in many, many…

Applied Behavior Analysis, known as ABA therapy by most, is a highly researched and widely used method for helping individuals learn important skills and behaviors. Most commonly, ABA is used in treating autism spectrum disorder, but it also has applications in fields such as sports, medicine, education, and workplace efficiency. In the treatment of autism,…

Arizona hosts approximately 1,000 Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), a number that has doubled since 2021. This number only continues to grow as more children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. According to the Arizona Developmental Disabilities Surveillance Program (ADDSP), it is estimated that about 1 in 36 children (around 2.7%) have autism. With a…

According to the Behavior Analyst Certification Board website, there are nearly 4000 BCBAs that are certified in the state of Texas as of May 2024. This number has continued to rise as the need for applied behavior analysis (ABA) services has continued to grow. Texas has one of the largest populations of autistic adults in…

ABA therapy for autism is often covered by insurance, but not always. Families can find themselves facing a series of challenges when it comes to coverage, especially in places such as Indiana. State laws, complexities of insurance policies, provider networks, out-of-pocket costs, and other bureaucratic hurdles are common. Families must learn to navigate the healthcare…

Despite the different ways that it can look in people, there are some common signs of autism that can often be observed in children by the age of three. Key indicators of autism at age 3 include social struggles, language delays, repetitive actions, and sensitivity to routines or changes in environment, although the intensity and…

If there is one thing that behavior analysts know, it is that behaviors always happen for a reason. While stopping at a red light or reaching into a cookie jar may be pretty straightforward, the behaviors of children, especially those with autism spectrum disorder, can be more challenging to figure out. When these challenging behaviors…

Children can be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder as early as 18 months old. For many children, they receive a diagnosis soon before they start preschool or kindergarten. A diagnosis made at any time can be stressful, but it can be especially tough for caregivers when they have to choose between school options and ABA…

The most important thing to understand about ABA therapy goals is that they are tailored to your child’s unique strengths and needs. There is no standardized set of goals that ABA Therapy will expect your child to achieve. Instead, ABA therapy begins with a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) assessing your child to determine where…

If you’ve recently received an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis for your toddler, you may feel overwhelmed by the choices for treatment options. While sifting through the seemingly endless amount of information available to you, one treatment that will frequently surface is applied behavior analysis (ABA). You might find yourself grappling with the decision of…

It is assumed by many that applied behavior analysis (ABA) is a treatment for younger children, typically around the ages of 2 to 5. While ABA therapy can make considerable improvements as an early intervention for those whose autism was recognized early on in life, the assumption that it is only for children is untrue.…

Examples of ABA therapy include singing songs, role-play, puzzles, and sensory play—each helping children build communication, social and daily living skills. In the realm of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), many evidence-based techniques discreetly come into play to teach individuals with autism spectrum disorder how to navigate the world around them. Some goals of ABA therapy…