What Skills Will My Child Learn in ABA?
A Note from Dr. Autumn Flick
Over the years, I’ve seen the fields of special education and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) grow and evolve in meaningful ways. Best practices today look very different from when I first entered the field - and that growth matters.
I am deeply committed to ensuring that Orchid Academy stays ahead of the curve by engaging in ethical, compassionate, and effective practices. That commitment shows up in how we set goals, teach, and partner with families.
One of the most common questions parents ask me is:
What will my child actually learn in ABA?
It’s an important question because ABA is not one-size-fits-all, and it should never feel disconnected from real life. When done well, ABA evolves as your child grows, focusing on skills that truly support independence, communication, and confidence.
Below is a look at the kinds of skills ABA can support across ages and how those skills grow alongside your child.
Early Childhood: Building the Foundation
In the earliest years, ABA focuses on helping children access learning and connection.
Common skill areas include:
Communication: requesting wants and needs, using words, signs, pictures, or AAC devices
Joint attention: noticing others, sharing attention, responding to their name
Play skills: functional play, pretend play, turn-taking
Early learning readiness: following simple directions, sitting briefly, transitioning between activities
Emotional regulation: learning how to calm, wait, and cope with frustration
At this stage, progress often looks like fewer tears, more engagement, and growing curiosity!
Preschool & Early Elementary:
Learning How to Learn
As children grow, ABA expands beyond early milestones and begins supporting learning behaviors that are critical for school and daily life.
Skill areas often include:
Expressive and receptive language: answering questions, expanding sentences, following multi-step directions
Pre-academic and academic skills: early literacy, math concepts, writing readiness
Fine motor skills: grasping writing tools, cutting, dressing skills
Social skills: playing with peers, sharing, flexible thinking
Independence: toileting, handwashing, cleaning up, managing belongings
This is often when families notice something powerful: once communication improves, challenging behavior often decreases.
Upper Elementary & Middle School:
Independence and Flexibility
As expectations increase, ABA focuses on helping children navigate complexity — socially, emotionally, and academically.
Targeted skills may include:
Self-advocacy: asking for help, expressing preferences, setting boundaries
Executive functioning: organization, task initiation, problem-solving
Emotional regulation: identifying feelings, using coping strategies, and tolerating disappointment
Peer interaction: conversation skills, perspective-taking, conflict resolution
Academic support: sustaining attention, completing work, adapting to classroom demands
At this age, ABA is less about "teaching skills" and more about coaching real-life application.
Adolescence:
Preparing for Real Life
For older learners, ABA becomes highly individualized and practical.
Skill areas often include:
Daily living skills: cooking, hygiene routines, laundry, money concepts
Community skills: ordering food, navigating stores, safety awareness
Social relationships: friendships, boundaries, dating skills
Emotional resilience: managing anxiety, stress, and big emotions
Transition skills: preparing for high school, post-secondary options, or employment
The focus shifts from supporting success in childhood to building confidence for adulthood.
What ABA Is Not
It’s important to say this clearly.
ABA is not about:
Forcing compliance
Suppressing personality
Making children "look typical."
Modern ABA - when done ethically and compassionately - is about empowerment, autonomy, and dignity.
The Orchid Way
At Orchid Academy, we believe:
Skills should be meaningful, not performative
Teaching should feel safe, motivating, and respectful
Progress should be measured - but never rushed
Families should be partners, not observers
ABA works best when it grows with your child — adjusting goals, honoring individuality, and always asking: Does this skill improve their quality of life?
If you’ve been wondering whether ABA is still appropriate as your child gets older, the answer is often yes - when the focus is right.
And when it’s done well, ABA doesn’t just teach skills.
It teaches children how to navigate their world with confidence.
If this post raised questions for you, or if you’re unsure what skills should come next for your child, our team is always here to talk.
