If your child is receiving ABA therapy, you’ve probably heard terms like “data,” “tracking,” or “behavior goals.”
But you might be wondering what those terms mean, how therapists actually track or measure ABA therapy, and most importantly—how you can know if it’s really working.
You’re not alone. Many Ohio families ask the same thing.
One of the best things about effective ABA therapy is that it is measurable. Not guessed, assumed, or loosely observed—but carefully tracked in ways that make sense for your child and family.In this guide, we’ll explain how therapists and teachers track and measure ABA progress, what that progress looks like in everyday life, and how you can be sure that your child’s learning environment is truly working for them.
What is ABA therapy? A quick refresher
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a form of therapy that helps children with autism and other developmental differences to learn socially important skills and reduce problematic behaviors.
At its core, ABA focuses on understanding how behaviors work, and then using that knowledge to teach and reinforce new skills and behaviors.
It essentially involves looking at behaviors as a 3-stage process:
- What happens before a behavior (e.g. the triggers)
- The actual behavior (e.g. the action or response itself)
- What happens after the behavior (e.g. the consequence: praise, reward, redirection)
…and then applying principles of learning—such as positive reinforcement— to strengthen positive behaviors, and reduce those that get in the way of learning or daily life.
Unlike some therapies that follow a set script, ABA is highly individualized.
Your child’s therapist will observe and analyze their unique behavior traits, set clear goals based on their individual needs, and develop (and use) strategies accordingly: to help your child reach their specific goals.
Want to learn more about how ABA therapy works at EA Schools? Read our full blog on ABA services for autism.
Why measuring ABA progress matters
For any parent whose child is receiving any sort of special education, therapy, or other form or support, one of the biggest questions is always: Is this really helping my child?
With ABA therapy, the answer isn’t based on opinions or guesswork—it’s based on data. Progress is tracked carefully and intentionally, so families and therapists can make informed decisions together.
Measuring ABA progress like this does two important things:
- It shows what’s working (and what’s not), so therapy can be adjusted when needed.
- It helps everyone involved—therapists, parents, teachers—see the real improvements happening over time.
Essentially, ABA measurement is what allows us to confidently say things like…
- “Your child is now using words to ask for help 4 out of 5 times.”
- “They’re staying with the group for 10 minutes longer than last month.”
- “They’ve gone a full week without a major meltdown during transitions.”
These aren’t vague observations. They’re real, measurable wins.
Explaining continuous vs. discontinuous measurement for ABA
So how exactly do we measure ABA progress?
Therapists use two main types of measurement for ABA therapy: continuous and discontinuous. Both are effective—they just serve different purposes depending on the behavior being observed.
Here’s what each one means, and why it matters:
Continuous measurement for ABA
This means recording every time a target behavior happens. It’s used when a behavior is frequent and clearly observable.
For example:
- Counting how many times your child raises their hand in class
- Timing how long they stay seated during a group activity
- Noting how quickly they respond to a direction
This approach helps capture detailed, moment-by-moment data.
Discontinuous measurement for ABA
This method involves sampling behavior during set intervals or moments in time. It’s used when behaviors happen too quickly or too often to track every instance—or when the setting requires a more practical approach.
Examples:
- Checking every 5 minutes to see if your child is staying on task
- Recording whether a behavior occurs during specific parts of the day (e.g., circle time, recess, independent study time)
- Using “momentary time sampling”—seeing whether the behavior is occurring at the end of a time block
Both continuous and discontinuous measurement are used by trained professionals to ensure the data is accurate, meaningful, and relevant to your child’s goals.
What does effective ABA look like in real life?
Just like any type of therapy or treatment, effective ABA isn’t just about charts or numbers. It’s about seeing real change in your child’s daily life.
Here are some examples of how progress might be measured during ABA therapy—and how that progress might show up at home:
| ABA Measurement Focus | What’s Being Tracked | What Progress Might Look Like |
| Communication | How often your child uses words, signs, or a device to express needs | They ask for help with homework instead of shutting down, or request a snack instead of crying or grabbing |
| Emotional regulation | How long your child stays calm before a meltdown or outburst | They stay calm longer during difficult transitions or moments, or visibly use taught coping strategies (like deep breathing) |
| Social skills | Number of positive peer interactions per day | Your child greets a classmate, initiates a game, or joins in without being prompted |
| Independence | Steps completed in daily routines | They get ready for school with fewer reminders, or independently complete part of a bedtime routine |
| Focus & learning | Time spent staying on task during lessons or activities | They focus on a puzzle or activity for longer, or work steadily on a school project without getting bored or distracted |
Progress doesn’t always mean big leaps. It often happens in small, meaningful steps—and measurement helps capture every one of them.
Who tracks and oversees ABA progress?
ABA therapy should always be overseen by a certified professional who is trained and accredited as an ABA specialist. In Ohio, this means BCBA and COBA certifications.
However, because ABA therapy is most effective when woven into everyday routines, teachers in special education also often receive training that enables them to use these ABA approaches in the classroom. This allows them to reinforce strategies, monitor progress, and document daily wins—even if they don’t hold a specialist ABA qualification themselves.
At EA Schools, our ABA programs are led by Dr. Oksana Trimble—Director of Autism Services, whose role spans both EA Schools and our sister organization, REACH Behavioral Health.
In addition to her expertise and obvious passion for her work, Oksana brings an impressive background to the role, including a bachelor’s degree, two master’s degrees (one in applied behavior analysis), a doctorate in special education, and many years of experience as a special ed teacher and director. Most importantly, she holds the professional credentials required to practice and supervise ABA therapy in Ohio:
- BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst): a national certification for ABA practitioners. BCBAs are the primary providers and supervisors of ABA services, responsible for assessing, designing, and guiding intervention plans.
- COBA (Certified Ohio Behavior Analyst): the state license required to practice ABA in Ohio.
As Director of our Coral Autism Program at EA Schools, Oksana works directly with the students, as well as with our teachers—training them to use evidence-based strategies, reinforce positive behaviors, and help monitor student progress throughout the school day.
What Ohio families should know about ABA at EA Schools
If you’re an Ohio parent exploring ABA services, it’s important to know that EA Schools offers individualized ABA therapy as part of the school day—not as a separate appointment after hours.
Through our Coral Autism Program, your child receives:
- A customized ABA therapy plan developed by licensed behavior analysts
- Regular progress reviews and parent updates
- Supportive school staff trained in ABA strategies
- Real-time tracking of skills and goals, using both continuous and discontinuous measurement methods to capture progress in different situations
It’s all designed to help your child grow both at school and at home—with less stress, more structure, and measurable progress along the way.
Learn more about how we measure ABA at EA Schools
Understanding how progress is measured in ABA can give you real peace of mind. It helps you feel confident that your child is learning, growing, and moving forward—in ways that truly matter.
Whether you’re just starting to explore ABA or want to learn how it fits into your child’s school day, we’re here to help.
Contact us today to learn more about our alternative education programs and how individualized ABA therapy can support your child’s success.
| Medición / Enfoque ABA | Qué se está rastreando | Cómo podría verse el progreso en casa |
|---|---|---|
| Comunicación | Frecuencia con la que el niño usa palabras, señas o un dispositivo para expresar necesidades | Pide ayuda con la tarea en lugar de bloquearse, o solicita un snack en lugar de llorar o agarrar. |
| Regulación emocional | Duración que el niño se mantiene calmado antes de un colapso o estallido | Permanece calmado más tiempo durante transiciones difíciles o usa estrategias enseñadas (p. ej. respiración profunda). |
| Habilidades sociales | Número de interacciones positivas con compañeros por día | Saluda a un compañero, inicia un juego o se incorpora sin que se lo indiquen. |
| Independencia | Pasos completados en rutinas diarias | Se prepara para ir al cole con menos recordatorios o completa de forma independiente parte de la rutina de acostarse. |
| Atención y aprendizaje | Tiempo que mantiene atención durante lecciones o actividades | Se concentra en un puzzle o actividad más tiempo, o trabaja de forma constante en un proyecto escolar sin aburrirse rápidamente. |