Blogs
ABA 101

Exploring ABA Therapy: Inside a Typical Session
Every ABA therapy session is tailored to the individual needs of the child and focuses on improving specific behaviors, skills, and overall development. While sessions can vary based on the child’s goals, preferences, and challenges, below is an outline of what a usual ABA therapy
Autism Diagnosis and ABA Therapy: Early Intervention for Effective Treatment
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects children…
4 Steps to Navigating the Autism Evaluation Process
Finding answers about your child’s developmental…
Diagnosis and Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Black Community
Written by: Erica Ranade, SSP, NCSP, BCBA, LBA,…
How ABA Therapy Can Help Learners Acquire Vocational Skills
As your child ages, you may begin wondering when to start focusing on vocational skills. While traditionally vocational skills are addressed in a special education environment, did you know that many of those skills can also be worked on in an ABA program?
La Terapia ABA Puede Ayudar
El análisis de comportamiento aplicado (ABA) es…
The Power of Words: Using Positive Phrases with Your Child
Next up in our Parent Training series, we will be discussing the Power of Words: Using Positive Phrases with Your Child. The powerpoint presentation below provides audio narration for ease of access. Click on the link below to follow along.
Principles of Reinforcement
This week in our Parent Training series, we will be exploring different principles of reinforcement. Reinforcement is a powerful tool that we utilize when we are teaching new behaviors as well as when we are maintaining behaviors.
What is an Oasis Space?
An Oasis Space is a place in our home, school or ABA center that help learners decompress, relax and get ready to learn. Creating an Oasis Space or Sensory Space is just as easy and can also give your child the tools to be ready to learn.
Navigating IEPs
If your child is struggling in school, or if…
The ABC’s of ABA Therapy (A through F)
Cultivate provides ABA Therapy resources for the whole family. In this post, we’re sharing the first in our ABC’s of ABA Therapy series.
Let’s Look at the Data!
Using an Evidence-Based Approach to Make…
Pivotal Behaviors
If you’re a practitioner, you should read (or reread) the post (Behavioral Cusps) on 4.1.16. It’ll help you understand the differences. If you’re a parent, you likely only have time to read one thing at the moment, so I’ll make this as clear and as entertaining as I can. To review very briefly the prior post, a behavioral cusp is essentially a behavior change that has consequences beyond the change itself (as defined by Rosales-Ruiz & Baer).
Behavioral Cusps
Rosales-Ruiz & Baer define behavioral cusps as a behavior change that has consequences beyond the change itself. Once a behavioral cusp is taught, the individual can now access new opportunities and new experiences that were not previously available. Clinicians typically want their learners to develop skills that will allow for new found access to meaningful opportunities (parents clearly want this as well).
Generalizations in ABA Therapy: Why is it so important?
Generalization is an area that quality practitioners need to emphasize. Like we’ve said since the beginning, this is particularly challenging when a behavior analyst is only providing services in the center. At Cultivate, we provide services where it matters most. We utilize a hybrid model, so we work at homes, schools, our centers, and anywhere else we can bring about meaningful behavior change. The subject in this blog post is generalization and we’ll explore what that means on a very practical level.
What is an extended mand?
Some terms that are used within the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) community may seem quite confusing until you realize how often they occur. One of those examples is the term MAND. Simply put, a mand is another term for requesting for an item, activity, etc.
The Ins-and-Outs of an ASD Evaluation
When to Get an ASD Evaluation If you or your…
ABA Therapy Can Help
ABA therapy is an evidence-based approach for creating significant positive behavior change. It focuses on the idea that our consequences affect how we learn as well as our future actions.
Sleep Problems
80% of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder…
3 Phases of the Insurance Authorization Process
3 Phases of the Insurance Authorization Process…
Parent Education Support

Creating a Visual Schedule
Most children with ASD have difficulty with transitions and unexpected changes in routines. Schedules help cope with unexpected changes.
The Principles of Pairing
In today’s discussion we will talk about what pairing is, how to pair, why it is important, and finally going through some scenarios of what pairing looks like. Pairing is a way to establish yourself as a reinforcer for your child. Some people may also refer to this as building a rapport. During the pairing process, you want to establish yourself with things your child finds enjoyable.
The Power of Words: Using Positive Phrases with Your Child
Next up in our Parent Training series, we will be discussing the Power of Words: Using Positive Phrases with Your Child. The powerpoint presentation below provides audio narration for ease of access. Click on the link below to follow along.
Principles of Reinforcement
This week in our Parent Training series, we will be exploring different principles of reinforcement. Reinforcement is a powerful tool that we utilize when we are teaching new behaviors as well as when we are maintaining behaviors.
Navigating IEPs
If your child is struggling in school, or if…
3 Questions to ask yourself when evaluating social validity in treatment outcomes
Do you ever wonder if what you’re doing matters much? If you’re an RBT or a BCBA, you likely know how important it is to ensure that your programming is relevant and socially valid, especially when you’re serving kiddos with autism who really need strategic plans in place. According to Montrose Wolf (1978), social validity in behavior analysis can be evaluated in 3 ways.
5 Tips to Prepare for Your Child’s Virtual Learning
We’ve all needed to make adjustments to our work, school, and socializing over the last six months. One aspect that can be especially challenging is successfully adapting to virtual learning, and we want to help! These tips and tricks were compiled from recommendations from Cultivate employees who have supported or are currently supporting their own children in the virtual learning process.
5 Tips to Support Your Child’s Virtual Learning
You’ve prepared a learning space, printed and organized materials, and set expectations for the daily routine. Now what?
Motivating your child, creating achievable goals for yourself, and generally setting everyone up for success for consistent, effective virtual learning can be a challenge. We hope the following tips will help parents manage and functionally support schooling from home.
Crisis Management
As a parent with a child on the autism spectrum,…
Creating Visual Schedules
The third presentation in our Parent Training…
Sleep Problems
80% of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder…
Navigating the Back 2 School Journey
Cultivate is dedicated to working with our…
Feeding Problems
Are you a parent with a child on the autism…
ASD Caregiver Support Group
Please join us for our Virtual ASD Caregiver…
Crafts / Activities

Summer Activities for Children with Autism: Inclusive & Sensory-Friendly Ideas
Summer is an ideal time to explore new…
5 Autism-Friendly Summer Travel Ideas
Discover exciting summer ideas that are autism-friendly! Explore a variety of destinations, accommodations, and activities specially designed to cater to individuals with autism.
DIY Penguin & Snowman Ornaments
Items needed for Penguin Ornament: Wood Craft…
Paper Airplane Experiment
Below you will find 4 different designs of…
Tissue Paper Snail Craft
Want to do a FUN activity with your child? They’ll surely enjoy creating this craft!
Paint with Ice!
If you’re looking for a fun summer activity that will cool your kids you have to try painting with ice!
How to Make a Whirlygig!
What You Will Need: • String• A scrap…
I-Spy Coloring Sheets
Download the activity sheets
Calming Find-It Bottle Craft
Items needed: 1 empty water bottle1 cup of…
Homemade Kaleidoscope
Are you looking for a new activity to inspire creativity from your kiddos? These homemade kaleidoscopes are so fun and easy to make. To learn how to create your very own customizable kaleidoscope at home, follow along step by step!
Sensory Processing Crafts
What is Sensory Input? A sensory/automatically…
Mental Health

Socializing with Individuals with Disabilities
Socializing with individuals with disabilities should be no different from any other socialization. However, if you’re not familiar with a given disability, you might fear either saying something offensive or doing the wrong thing.