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Our Blog — Page 9

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 9 of 46

Does ABA Improve IQ? Exploring the Evidence
ABA Therapy Dec 2025

Does ABA Improve IQ? Exploring the Evidence

The relationship between ABA therapy and intelligence quotient (IQ) in children with autism spectrum disorder is a topic of great interest for many families. Does this therapeutic approach actually help improve cognitive abilities? This article explores the connection between Applied Behavior Analys

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Does Autism Get Better with Age? What Studies Reveal
Autism Dec 2025

Does Autism Get Better with Age? What Studies Reveal

If you have a loved one with autism spectrum disorder, you might wonder about their future. Does autism get better as children grow older? This is a common question for many families. Autism is a complex condition related to brain development that begins in early childhood. While it is a lifelong jo

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Understanding the Autistic Hug: What It Means
Autism Dec 2025

Understanding the Autistic Hug: What It Means

Key Highlights In a world where communication often defaults to words, the significance of physical touch, particularly in the context of autism, is frequently overlooked. Hugs can carry profound meanings and serve as powerful connectors for many individuals on the spectrum. They can act as a bridge

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Meltdown
Autism Dec 2025

6 Stages of an Autism Meltdown

Autism meltdowns are intense responses to overwhelming situations. They are not tantrums and do not happen for the purpose of gaining something. Many professionals describe meltdowns using a stage-based model to help caregivers recognize early signs and offer support. While the exact pattern varies

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Autistic
Autism Dec 2025

Supporting Bilingual Skills in Autistic Children

Teaching an autistic child a second language can be a smooth and meaningful process when it’s done with structure, consistency, and support. Research has shown that exposure to two languages does not negatively affect language development in autistic children. In many cases, it can strengthen commun

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ABA
ABA Therapy Dec 2025

Should ABA Therapy Replace Traditional Schooling?

Autism support looks different for every child, and families often wonder whether ABA therapy can replace school, especially when a child needs more one-on-one attention. ABA offers structured learning, targeted skill-building, and personalized programs—but can it fulfill the same role as a traditio

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Autistic
Autism Dec 2025

Intoverted or Autistic: How to Tell the Difference

Is It Autism or Just Introversion? Understanding the difference between autism and introversion can be confusing, especially when some traits overlap. Both involve a preference for quiet environments and time alone, but autism is a neurodevelopmental condition, while introversion is a personality tr

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Autism
Autism Dec 2025

Why Autism Is Diagnosed More Often in Boys

Understanding Gender Differences in Autism Autism is diagnosed more frequently in boys than girls, and this trend has been consistent for years. Research shows that boys are identified with autism about four times more often than girls. Scientists believe this difference is influenced by biology, br

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Autism
Autism Dec 2025

Sociopath vs Autism: How They Differ and Relate

It's easy to get confused by the traits of sociopathy and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). On the surface, challenges with social interaction can look similar, but their origins are worlds apart. Sociopathy is a personality-based condition, while autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder stemming from

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ABA
ABA Therapy Dec 2025

What is DRI vs DRO vs DRA in ABA? A Simple Guide

Welcome! If you’re exploring the world of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), you’ve likely come across terms like DRI, DRO, and DRA. These acronyms represent powerful behavior modification techniques known as differential reinforcement. This simple guide will break down what these strategies are, how

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Young boy with autism cheering excitedly while an older girl smiles beside him during a a group ABA therapy session.
ABA Therapy Dec 2025

Social Reinforcement Strategies in ABA: Building Motivation, Connection, and Skills

I know how overwhelming ABA concepts can feel at first, especially when you’re trying to support a child you love. But social reinforcement is one of those ideas that instantly makes sense once you see it in action. Let me walk you through how simple, natural interactions like praise and shared joy

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A female BCBA relaxing in a chair while reading a book near a bright window after an ABA therapy session.
ABA Therapy Dec 2025

Best ABA Therapy Books for Parents, Teachers, and Caregivers Supporting Autistic Children

When you’re supporting an autistic child, you want tools you can trust—and tools that fit real life. That’s why I’m such a big fan of ABA therapy books written for actual parents and teachers, not just professionals. “The ABA Visual Language” by Alexandra Garcia A go-to beginner ABA therapy book tha

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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