A compassionate and personalized alternative to ABA therapy

Positive Development offers a complete care model specifically tailored to meet the needs of your child.

Covered by most major insurers. Learn more

ABA therapy: possible challenges and limitations

Traditional Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has been the main therapy choice for people on the autism spectrum, teaching skills through reinforcement and discipline, usually led by an adult. ABA treatment may focus on observable behaviors and measure progress based on set developmental goals rather than individual benchmarks. Emphasis is commonly placed to develop or act “normal”, enforcing control and compliance.

Developmental therapy:
a tailored approach

Our developmental model harnesses your child’s natural curiosity by incorporating play and helping them grow at their own pace with individual benchmarks. This approach strongly differs from other types of traditional autism therapy - it builds safe and secure connections through play!

Developmental therapy at a glance

The developmental approach is uniquely tailored to each child's individual needs, focusing on their specific strengths and challenges. Unlike other therapies, this customized approach fosters significant progress, empowering families to see lasting, personalized results.

Developmental Therapy
ABA Therapy
Goals
Approach
Focus
Time
Goals
Goals are determined on child’s strengths and skillsets
Therapy is child-led, play-based
Goals are predetermined
Therapy is therapist-led in controlled environment
Focuses around skills and strict behaviors through compliance
Recommends 30+ hours/week
Intense, intrusive approach
Focuses on the entire profile of a child through meaningful engagement
Recommends 6-8 hours/week
Low intensity, less invasive approach

Hear directly from a parent

"I didn't know that I was looking for tools for myself. I learned how to be the kind of mom he needs. I learned to be his safe space. And I wasn't expecting that. And maybe I should have been looking for that and I didn't even know to look for it, but it was so necessary and I'm so grateful for it."

Pascale
Parent

Therapy that emphasizes the entire family

Not only does our therapeutic approach focus on functional development for your child, but it also concentrates on skills needed to create and maintain deep and meaningful relationships.

Join your child in their therapy journey. Your parent involvement directly impacts your child’s developmental progress - for the better!

A family sitting on a couch together smiling