When you’re child is receiving Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, it’s not uncommon to wonder, “Are we making progress?” Our Cleveland ABA therapy team at Therapy and Wellness Connection recognizes that development can sometimes seem imperceptible day-to-day. But we also know it’s important to recognize and celebrate small victories is essential for both parental well-being and your child’s continued growth.

Understanding the Nature of Developmental Progress

Progress in therapy rarely follows a straight line. Research published in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis demonstrates that skill acquisition typically occurs in patterns of rapid growth followed by plateaus. These plateaus—periods where visible progress seems to pause—are not signs of failure but natural parts of the learning process.

Dr. Mark Dixon, BCBA-D and researcher at Southern Illinois University, compares this pattern to learning to ride a bike: “Children may struggle with balance for weeks with minimal visible improvement, then suddenly master the skill in what appears to be an overnight transformation.”

The Power of Data in Recognizing Progress

One benefit of our Cleveland ABA therapy services is the emphasis we place on data collection. While you might not notice subtle changes in behavior, your child’s therapy team tracks these meticulously.

A study in Behavior Analysis in Practice found that when parents were regularly shown visual representations of their child’s data, they reported significantly higher satisfaction with therapy and greater recognition of progress.

As one of our BCBAs (Board Certified Behavior Analysts) can explain, your child’s graphs are visual tools can reveal improvements that might otherwise go unnoticed—like a decrease in challenging behaviors from 80 to 60 percent of opportunities, or an increase in communication attempts from three to eight times per hour.

Progress Looks Different for Each Child

In a multidisciplinary clinic like ours, we see firsthand how development varies across domains. A child might make rapid strides in speech therapy while progress in their Cleveland ABA therapy goals seems slower, or vice versa.

Research published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders emphasizes that children have unique learning profiles based on their neurological differences. Some children develop skills sequentially, while others show scattered mastery across domains.

Your occupational therapist might notice improved sensory regulation during challenging tasks before you see behavioral changes at home. Your speech therapist might observe increased attempts at communication before words become clear. These observations from different specialists provide a more comprehensive picture of your child’s development.

Looking Beyond the Target Skills

Progress often appears first in areas adjacent to therapy targets. A landmark study by Koegel and colleagues (2013) found that improvements in pivotal response areas—like motivation and self-regulation—often preceded mastery of specific skills being taught.

Examples of progress you might notice include:

• Increased engagement with family members
• Quicker recovery from frustrating situations
• Greater interest in peers, even without direct interaction
• More flexibility with changes in routine
• Attempting tasks independently, even if not yet successful

Our social skills group facilitators often report that children begin showing interest in peers several weeks before actively engaging with them. This observational period, though it may look like inaction, represents crucial social learning.

The Multidisciplinary Advantage

At our clinic, we’ve found that progress often becomes more visible when viewed through multiple lenses. Our team meetings bring together perspectives from ABA therapists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and educators.

A systematic review in the International Journal of Developmental Disabilities confirmed that children receiving coordinated multidisciplinary interventions showed greater generalization of skills across environments compared to those receiving isolated therapies.

For example, a child might first demonstrate a new communication skill during a sensory-motor activity in occupational therapy, then gradually begin using it during ABA sessions, and finally incorporate it into daily life at home.

Practical Ways to Recognize Progress

1. Keep a “wins” journal – Document small changes you notice, even if they seem unrelated to therapy goals.
2. Take periodic videos – Monthly recordings of everyday activities can reveal changes that are difficult to notice day-to-day.
3. Look for decreased prompting – Notice when your child needs less help to complete familiar tasks.
4. Ask specific questions – Rather than “How was therapy?” ask your provider questions like “What was one thing my child did well today?”
5. Notice non-behavioral indicators – Changes in sleep patterns, decreased family stress, or more positive social interactions are meaningful forms of progress.

The Parent’s Crucial Role

Research by Brookman-Frazee and colleagues (2012) emphasizes that parent perception of therapy effectiveness significantly impacts family engagement and, ultimately, child outcomes. In short: Your belief in the process matters.

When you recognize and celebrate small steps, you not only improve your own experience but also create an environment that encourages your child’s continued growth.

At Therapy & Wellness Connection, our Cleveland ABA therapy team will always value parent observations. The progress you notice at home may provide crucial information about skill generalization—the ultimate goal of any effective intervention.

Celebrating the Journey

While we all wish for overnight transformations, lasting developmental progress typically comes through consistent, incremental change. By celebrating small victories and trusting the process, you honor your child’s unique journey.

Your child’s path may include detours and rest stops, but with the support of your multidisciplinary team at Therapy & Wellness Connection, each step—no matter how small—moves them forward.

Therapy & Wellness Connection – your connection to a life without limitations – provides ABA therapy to children in Akron, Cleveland, Brecksville-Broadview Heights and surrounding communities. We also offer summer camp, day programs, education services, vocational counseling and more. Call us at (330) 748-4807 or send us an email.

Additional Resources:

Parent Perspectives on Community Mental Health Services for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, 2012, Journal of Child and Family Studies

More Blog Entries:

On the Bright Side: Positive Reinforcement in ABA Therapy