Alternatives to ABA Therapy: What Parents Should Know

Q:
What are the alternatives to ABA therapy?
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A:
There are effective alternatives to ABA therapy, and I’ve worked with families who found success using them. Either on their own or alongside ABA. If your child has specific goals around communication, motor skills, or social connection, these options can be powerful.

‍Occupational Therapy (OT)
I’ve supported children who struggled with sensory overload, dressing routines, or fine-motor delays, where OT made the biggest impact. One child couldn’t tolerate socks or brush their teeth without meltdowns. With OT, we focused on desensitization and adaptive routines. If your child needs help with daily living or sensory processing, OT might be the better first step.

‍Speech Therapy
I had a family start ABA to teach requesting and imitation. A few months in, we layered in speech therapy to focus on articulation and conversation flow. That child went from single-word requests to three-word phrases by combining both therapies. If communication is the primary concern, speech therapy is essential.

‍Play Therapy
Some children aren’t ready for structured tasks. For them, play is the bridge. I’ve run sessions where we focused only on turn-taking, pretend play, or joint attention using games. One six-year-old girl showed her biggest gains during play therapy embedded inside her ABA plan. For social-emotional goals, play therapy is incredibly effective.The best choice depends on your child’s profile. I’m here to help guide you through what works best.
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More resources:
What is autism?
‍What is ABA?
How can ABA help?