What is ABA therapy?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is an evidence-based therapy that helps children build skills and reduce behaviors that get in the way of learning and daily life. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) designs an individualized plan, and a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) carries it out one-to-one. ABA covers a wide range of goals — communication, social skills, daily-living routines, play, and emotional regulation — using positive reinforcement and careful data tracking.
What is speech therapy?
Speech-language therapy is delivered by a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) and focuses specifically on communication: producing sounds and words, understanding language, building vocabulary and sentence structure, social use of language (pragmatics), and sometimes feeding and swallowing. For a non-speaking child, an SLP may also introduce augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) such as picture systems or speech-generating devices.
ABA vs. speech therapy: a side-by-side comparison
| ABA Therapy | Speech Therapy | |
|---|---|---|
| Provided by | BCBA + RBT | Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) |
| Main focus | Behavior & a broad range of skills | Communication & language |
| Typical goals | Communication, social, daily living, reducing challenging behavior | Speech sounds, vocabulary, comprehension, AAC, feeding |
| Method | Reinforcement, data-driven teaching | Language modeling, articulation, oral-motor work |
| Typical intensity | Several hours per week | Usually 30–60 minute sessions, 1–2x per week |
| Setting | Home, clinic, school, or telehealth | Clinic, school, or telehealth |
Which does my child need?
It isn’t always either/or. If your child’s challenges are mostly speech and language — unclear articulation, limited vocabulary, or trouble understanding language — speech therapy is the natural fit. If challenges are broader, involving behavior, social skills, daily routines, or learning across many areas, ABA is designed to address the whole picture. Many autistic children benefit from both, working on overlapping communication goals from different angles.
Signs speech therapy may help
- Difficulty producing certain sounds or being understood
- A small vocabulary relative to age, or trouble combining words
- Trouble following directions or understanding questions
- Feeding or swallowing concerns
Signs ABA may help
- Challenging behaviors like frequent meltdowns, aggression, or self-injury
- Difficulty with daily routines, transitions, or independence
- Delays across several areas, not just speech
- A need to build social and play skills with structured support
How ABA and speech therapy work together
When a child receives both, coordination is what makes them powerful. An SLP might target specific language forms while the ABA team reinforces and generalizes that communication across the child’s whole day — at mealtimes, during play, and in transitions. If communication breakdowns trigger frustration or challenging behavior, a functional behavior assessment can pinpoint the cause, and the two teams can align on a shared approach. Our parent training ties it together so you can support both sets of goals at home. For families juggling appointments, telehealth ABA can keep therapy consistent between visits.
What outcomes can you expect?
With either therapy, progress is measured against your child’s individual goals rather than a fixed timeline. In speech therapy you might see clearer speech, a growing vocabulary, or successful AAC use. In ABA you might see stronger functional communication, smoother routines, better social engagement, and fewer challenging behaviors. Children who start young — often through early intervention — frequently make the fastest gains, though meaningful progress is possible at any age.
Common misconceptions
- “ABA and speech therapy do the same thing.” They overlap on communication but differ in scope and method — ABA is broader; speech therapy is specialized.
- “You must choose one.” Many children do best with both, coordinated toward shared goals.
- “ABA is only about behavior, not talking.” Building functional communication is one of ABA’s central goals.
- “Speech therapy alone will fix everything.” It’s excellent for language, but broader skills and behaviors may need additional support.
Frequently asked questions
Can my child do ABA and speech therapy at the same time?
Yes. Many autistic children receive both. When the ABA team and SLP coordinate goals, the therapies reinforce each other and progress often accelerates.
Does ABA replace speech therapy?
No. ABA builds functional communication as part of a broader plan, but it doesn’t replace the specialized language and articulation work an SLP provides. The two are complementary.
Which should we start first?
It depends on your child’s primary needs. Your pediatrician, BCBA, and SLP can help prioritize, and starting one doesn’t prevent adding the other later.
Does insurance cover both therapies?
Many Illinois plans cover medically necessary ABA and speech therapy for children with autism. We verify your specific benefits and explain your coverage before therapy begins.
Helpful resources
- ASHA — Speech & Language Development
- CDC — Treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder
- AAP HealthyChildren.org — Autism
Clinically reviewed by Teba Aijaz, MS, BCBA, LBA, Founder & Clinical Director.