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Our Blog — Page 25

The True Progress Therapy blog is your trusted source for evidence-based ABA insights, autism research, and clinical perspectives. Designed for families seeking answers and professionals raising the bar — because meaningful progress starts with knowledge.

Showing 12 of 543 articles · page 25 of 46

A smiling baby in a red top and rainbow leggings lies on a bed, looking at a man nearby. Toys are scattered, creating a warm, playful atmosphere.
Autism Jun 2025

Can Autism Be Diagnosed Before Age 2? Early Signs and Answers

Can autism be diagnosed before age 2? Yes, autism can sometimes be identified as early as 14 to 18 months, though most reliable diagnoses occur around age 2. Early signs—such as limited eye contact, not responding to their name, or lack of gestures—often appear in babies and toddlers. The American A

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A smiling teacher interacts with a young girl at a small table in a colorful classroom. Behind them, an easel displays numbers and vowels.
ABA Therapy Jun 2025

What Is the Real Cost—and Solution? How Do People Afford ABA Therapy?

How do people afford ABA therapy? In New Jersey, most families pay for ABA therapy through a mix of insurance, Medicaid, grants, and flexible payment plans. The Affordable Care Act and New Jersey’s Autism Insurance Law require most private insurance and Medicaid plans to cover ABA therapy for childr

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A smiling child and a woman engage in a language activity, holding a card with a large red letter "A." Toys and colorful items are visible in the background.
ABA Therapy Jun 2025

What Is the Minimum Hours for ABA Therapy? A Parent’s Guide

What is the minimum hours for ABA therapy? Most experts recommend at least 10 hours per week as the minimum effective amount for children to make consistent progress. This number can vary, but 10–15 hours weekly is a common starting point for focused ABA plans. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BC

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Top 10 Engaging Activities for Autistic Teenagers
Autism Jun 2025

Top 10 Engaging Activities for Autistic Teenagers

Autistic teenagers can face challenges because of the way they see and feel things, and how they talk to others. When you understand and support the different needs of people on the autism spectrum, you can help make their quality of life better. When teens join activities that are planned well, the

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Can-ABA-Therapy-Replace-School?
ABA Therapy Jun 2025

Can ABA Therapy Replace School? Pros and Cons

If you are thinking can ABA Therapy replace school? You are not the only one with this question. Many parents of kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder want to know what is best for their children. ABA therapy, which is based on Applied Behavior Analysis, helps with a child’s learning and changes in the

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autistic-info-dumping
Autism Jun 2025

Autistic Info Dumping: Tips for Effective Listening

Autistic info dumping is a way some autistic people talk by sharing lots of details about something they really care about. This form of communication helps others see how they think and what they're passionate about. Autistic people might spend a lot of time talking about their favorite topic, or t

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Can Two Autistic Parents Have a Normal Child? Understanding Genetics and Autism
Autism Jun 2025

Can Two Autistic Parents Have a Normal Child? Understanding Genetics and Autism

Many people wonder can two autistic parents can have a normal child. The answer is yes, they can. Autism has a genetic component, which means it can run in families, but that doesn’t guarantee every child will be autistic. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is influenced by a combination of genetic and

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Do Children with Autism Talk Differently? Understanding Speech Patterns in Autism
Autism Jun 2025

Do Children with Autism Talk Differently? Understanding Speech Patterns in Autism

Children with autism often communicate in unique ways, and many do talk, though their speech may differ from that of neurotypical peers. These differences can include tone, rhythm, pitch, word choice, or how conversations are started and maintained. Some autistic children speak with a flat or roboti

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A baby receiving a vaccine in the arm from a healthcare worker wearing blue gloves. The baby looks pensive. The setting conveys a professional tone.
Autism Jun 2025

Is Autism Caused by Vaccines? The Scientific Answer

Is autism caused by vaccines? The answer is no—vaccines do not cause autism. Decades of scientific research from organizations like the CDC, the National Academy of Medicine, and studies across multiple countries have found no link between vaccines or any of their ingredients and autism spectrum dis

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A group of children and an adult engage in a cheerful painting activity. They're focused on colorful artwork with paints, pencils, and brushes on the table.
Autism Jun 2025

Is Autism a Mental Illness or a Developmental Disorder? What Parents Should Know

Autism is not a mental illness—it is classified as a developmental disorder, specifically a neurodevelopmental disorder. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects how a person communicates, interacts, and behaves, but it is

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differential-reinforcement-aba
ABA Therapy Jun 2025

Enhance Learning with Differential Reinforcement ABA Methods

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) uses differential reinforcement ABA as an important way to help with behavior change, a key topic discussed in the journal of applied behavior analysis. In this method, you give rewards for the behaviors you want to see, and you do not give them for actions you do not

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A little girl doing blocks with her RBT.
ABA Therapy Jun 2025

Beginner’s Guide to Creating a Behavior Intervention Plan

Every person acts in certain ways for a reason. But sometimes, problem behavior can stop learning and get in the way of daily tasks. If your child’s behavior is making it hard for them and others to learn, a well-made Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) can help. This written plan gives clear steps to

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About the Author

Michele Young

Regional Clinical Director

MS · CCC-SLP · BCBA · LBA

Michele has been working with young people with autism since 2009, bringing more than 15 years of hands-on clinical experience to every article she writes. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist (CCC-SLP), Michele has built programs at Rutgers, led behavioral services at Autism Family Services of NJ, taught graduate students at LaSalle University, and worked in schools across New Jersey and the Carolinas.

As Regional Clinical Director at True Progress Therapy, Michele oversees clinical operations and makes sure every BCBA on the team has what they need to deliver real, measurable results for families.

She writes about ABA therapy, autism support, communication-building strategies, and what families and therapists can do to drive measurable progress — translating decades of clinical experience into guidance you can actually use.

Clinical Specialties

  • Functional Communication Training (FCT)
  • Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
  • Real-world ABA program design
Credentials & Verification

BACB Certification #1-10-6918

Active · Certified since 2010

Verify on BACB