The Ultimate Guide to ABA Therapy in New Hampshire: What Parents Need to Know

Nov 20, 2025 | ABA Therapy Guide

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy is a scientifically proven method used to help children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) develop important life skills. ABA therapy looks at how behaviors function in real-life situations and uses research-backed techniques to teach valuable skills while minimizing behaviors that may disrupt learning and daily activities.

Both the medical and educational fields recognize ABA as the leading treatment for autism, thanks to extensive research showing its effectiveness over many years. Multiple studies have shown that early and intensive ABA intervention leads to significant improvements in communication, social interaction, and adaptive behaviors.

With structured yet adaptable teaching methods, ABA therapy assists children with autism in:

  • Improving communication and language abilities
  • Establishing social connections with peers and family members
  • Mastering everyday tasks such as dressing, eating, and personal hygiene
  • Acquiring academic concepts and skills necessary for school readiness
  • Decreasing challenging behaviors that hinder learning

This all-encompassing approach brings about lasting change by empowering children to navigate their environment with increased independence and self-assurance.

Understanding How ABA Therapy Works

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ABA therapy takes a systematic approach to understanding and shaping behavior through careful observation and strategic intervention.

The ABC Model

The ABC model—Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence—serves as the foundation for how we analyze and respond to each child’s actions:

  1. Antecedent: What happens immediately before a behavior occurs
  2. Behavior: The observable action itself
  3. Consequence: What follows the behavior

By examining these three components, our Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) can identify patterns and develop targeted strategies that support positive change.

Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement drives meaningful learning experiences for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). When a child demonstrates a desired behavior—whether that’s making eye contact, using words to communicate, or completing a task—we immediately provide something they find motivating. This might be verbal praise, access to a favorite toy, or a preferred activity. This approach builds confidence and encourages children to repeat behaviors that lead to success.

Tailored Teaching Methods

Our therapists employ multiple teaching methods tailored to each child’s learning style:

  • Discrete Trial Training (DTT): Structured, one-on-one instruction broken into small, teachable steps with clear beginnings and endings
  • Naturalistic teaching: Learning opportunities embedded within play and daily routines, following the child’s interests and motivation
  • Incidental teaching: Capitalizing on spontaneous moments throughout the day to reinforce skills in real-world contexts

Complementary Goals of ABA Therapy

ABA therapy addresses two complementary goals:

  1. Reducing challenging behaviors that interfere with learning and daily life
  2. Teaching new, functional skills

Rather than simply stopping unwanted behaviors, we focus on understanding their purpose and teaching alternative, appropriate ways for children to meet their needs.

Our ABA Therapy Approaches at Moving Mountains ABA

Customized ABA Therapy Plans Tailored to Your Child’s Unique Needs

Every child with autism has their own strengths, interests, and areas where they can improve. Before starting ABA therapy, our team does thorough assessments to understand how your child communicates, interacts socially, manages daily activities, and behaves. These evaluations give us a clear understanding of your child’s current situation and help us plan for meaningful progress.

How We Assess Your Child

The assessment process includes:

  • Observing your child directly
  • Talking to parents about their experiences and concerns
  • Using standardized tests to measure specific skills
  • Analyzing your child’s natural environment to see how it affects their behavior

During this process, we pay close attention to what motivates your child, which ways of learning work best for them, and what factors in their surroundings impact their behavior. This deep understanding becomes the basis for everything we do moving forward.

Collaboration with families shapes every aspect of treatment planning. We sit down with parents to discuss priorities, concerns, and hopes for their child’s future. Together, we establish goals that feel both ambitious and achievable—whether that means improving verbal communication, reducing meltdowns during transitions, or building independence in self-care routines. Each objective includes clear criteria for success and realistic timelines based on your child’s current capabilities.

The resulting individualized plan becomes a living document that guides daily therapy sessions. We select specific teaching methods, reinforcement strategies, and intervention techniques that align with your child’s learning profile. A child who thrives on visual supports receives different programming than one who responds best to verbal prompts and physical guidance.

The Role of Our Expert Team: BCBAs and RBTs You Can Trust

Behind every successful ABA therapy journey stands a team of dedicated professionals who bring both expertise and heart to their work. At Moving Mountains ABA, our Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) form the backbone of our service delivery, working collaboratively to support children with autism and their families throughout New Hampshire.

Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs)

Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) hold advanced degrees in behavior analysis or related fields and have completed rigorous coursework, supervised fieldwork, and passed a comprehensive examination. These professionals design individualized treatment plans, conduct assessments, analyze data, and provide clinical oversight to ensure each child receives evidence-based interventions tailored to their specific needs. Our BCBAs bring years of experience working with diverse learners across various settings, from early intervention with toddlers to supporting school-aged children in developing independence.

Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs)

Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) work directly with children during therapy sessions, implementing the strategies and programs developed by BCBAs. These compassionate professionals complete extensive training and certification requirements, demonstrating competency in applying ABA therapy techniques with fidelity and care. They build meaningful relationships with the children they serve, creating a safe and encouraging environment where learning flourishes naturally.

Our commitment to excellence extends beyond initial certifications. Every team member participates in regular supervision sessions, attends continuing education workshops, and engages with current research to refine their skills and incorporate innovative approaches into practice.

In-Home ABA Therapy: Convenience Meets Effectiveness for Your Family’s Benefit

The environment where your child learns matters. When ABA therapy takes place in your home, children practice skills in the exact setting where they’ll use them most—making breakfast in the kitchen, getting dressed in their bedroom, or playing with siblings in the living room. This natural context accelerates generalization, helping children transfer what they learn during therapy sessions to everyday life without the artificial barrier of a clinical setting.

Your family becomes an integral part of the therapeutic process. During in-home sessions, parents observe techniques in real-time, ask questions as situations unfold, and learn to implement strategies immediately. Siblings can participate in social skills practice naturally, creating authentic opportunities for interaction that mirror real family dynamics. This seamless integration means therapy doesn’t feel like an isolated event—it becomes woven into your daily routine.

We design our ABA therapy approaches around your home’s unique layout and your family’s specific routines. If your child struggles with transitions between activities, we work on those exact transitions in your home. If mealtime presents challenges, we address them at your actual dining table with your family’s typical foods and utensils. This practical, context-specific approach ensures that the skills your child develops aren’t confined to therapy time—they become part of how your child navigates their world every single day.

Parent Training and Family Empowerment: Key Components of Successful ABA Therapy

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The most transformative ABA therapy outcomes happen when parents become active partners in their child’s development. While our BCBAs and RBTs provide expert guidance during sessions, children spend the majority of their time with family members. Equipping parents with the same evidence-based strategies we use ensures consistency across all environments, dramatically accelerating skill acquisition and behavior change.

We invest significant time teaching parents how to recognize behavioral patterns, implement positive reinforcement effectively, and respond to challenging moments with confidence. This hands-on training transforms everyday interactions into learning opportunities, extending the impact of ABA therapy far beyond scheduled sessions.

Practical tools we teach parents to implement include:

  • Visual schedules that break down daily routines into manageable steps, reducing anxiety around transitions and building independence
  • Token economy systems that motivate desired behaviors through earning rewards children genuinely value
  • Social stories customized to prepare children for new experiences or practice appropriate responses to social situations
  • Consistent communication strategies using clear, concrete language paired with visual supports when needed

Parents learn to collect simple data on their child’s progress, helping them identify what’s working and what needs adjustment. This collaborative approach builds parental confidence while creating a unified support system where children receive consistent messaging and expectations across all settings. The skills parents develop become lifelong tools for supporting their child’s continued growth.

Navigating autism services in the Granite State doesn’t have to be a solo journey. Contact Moving Mountains to learn how our local, compassionate team can support your family.

Tracking Progress Through Data Collection and Evaluation: Ensuring Continuous Improvement in Your Child’s Journey with Us

Data collection is a crucial part of effective ABA therapy. It turns our observations into useful insights that shape your child’s treatment plan. Each therapy session provides us with important information about what strategies are working, what needs to be changed, and where your child is making significant progress. This systematic method eliminates guesswork and allows us to make decisions based on concrete evidence rather than assumptions.

How We Collect Data

Our Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) use established measurement techniques to record specific behaviors and skill attempts during each session:

  • Frequency recording: We keep track of how often a behavior occurs. This helps us identify patterns in communication attempts or challenging behaviors.
  • Duration measurement: We measure how long your child engages in activities. This gives us insights into improvements in attention span and task completion.
  • Trial-by-trial data: We document success rates for specific skills being taught. This shows us which teaching strategies resonate with your child.
  • ABC data collection: We examine the antecedents (what happens before a behavior), behaviors, and consequences (what happens after a behavior). This helps us understand the environmental factors influencing behaviors so we can make targeted modifications.

Using Data to Drive Progress

The information we gather from these measurements is used in regular progress reviews. During these reviews, your BCBA analyzes trends, celebrates achievements, and adjusts intervention strategies as necessary. You’ll receive clear visual graphs and reports that make it easy for you to understand your child’s progress.

When the data shows a plateau or an unexpected challenge, we act quickly. This may involve changing our teaching methods, adjusting reinforcement systems, or breaking skills down into smaller, more attainable steps. By being responsive in this way, we ensure that your child continues to make progress at their own pace.

What We Treat: Our Autism Services at Moving Mountains ABA

Insurance Coverage and Accessibility of Our Comprehensive ABA Therapy Services

Guiding families through coverage with clarity and care.

Understanding the financial aspects of ABA therapy helps families plan confidently for their child’s treatment journey. We are committed to removing barriers to care by helping you navigate the insurance landscape with transparency and ease.

Insurance Options and Coverage

In New Hampshire, access to these essential services is protected by law. Under RSA 417-E, ABA therapy is covered by most private insurers and NH Medicaid for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

At Moving Mountains ABA, we take the stress out of the paperwork. Our team will work directly with your insurance provider to verify benefits and maximize your coverage. We handle the complexities of the authorization process and will explain your coverage and next steps in plain language, ensuring you understand exactly what is provided. Verify your benefits today.

Typical coverage under these plans includes:

  • Initial assessments and diagnostic evaluations
  • Direct therapy sessions with Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs)
  • Supervision and program development by Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs)
  • Parent training and consultation services

Out-of-Pocket Considerations

While the state mandate ensures broad coverage, session frequency recommendations depend entirely on your child’s individual needs, goals, and current skill levels. Some children benefit from intensive programs (20–30 hours weekly), while others thrive with fewer hours focused on specific skill areas.

Your out-of-pocket costs will reflect your specific insurance plan’s deductibles, co-payments, and any amounts exceeding covered hours. We provide transparent cost estimates upfront and discuss flexible options that align with both clinical recommendations and your family’s financial situation.

Measuring the Effectiveness of Our Evidence-Based Approach: Realizing Positive Outcomes Through Early Intervention With Us

Research consistently demonstrates that children who receive ABA therapy during their early developmental years experience substantial, lasting improvements across multiple domains. Studies published in peer-reviewed journals reveal that intensive early intervention leads to measurable gains that persist well into adolescence and adulthood.

At Moving Mountains ABA, we’ve witnessed these transformative outcomes in the children and families we serve throughout New Hampshire. The evidence-based methods we employ—from naturalistic teaching to positive reinforcement strategies—create meaningful change in critical developmental areas:

  • Communication skills: Children develop functional language, from requesting basic needs to engaging in complex conversations with peers and family members
  • Social functioning: Kids learn to initiate play, take turns, recognize social cues, and build genuine friendships with others
  • Daily living skills: Independence grows as children master self-care routines, household tasks, and community navigation
  • Academic readiness: Pre-academic and academic skills flourish, preparing children for successful school experiences
  • Emotional regulation: Children acquire tools to identify, express, and manage their emotions appropriately across different settings

The data we collect during each session provides concrete evidence of your child’s progress. We track skill acquisition rates, behavior reduction trends, and generalization patterns to ensure our interventions produce real-world results. This measurement approach allows us to celebrate victories—both big and small—while continuously refining strategies to maximize your child’s potential.

How to Choose the Right Provider For Your Family’s Needs

Selecting the right ABA therapy provider represents one of the most significant decisions you’ll make for your child’s development. The quality of care your child receives depends heavily on the expertise and approach of the professionals you choose to partner with.

1. Verify Professional Credentials

Start by confirming that potential providers employ Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) who hold current licensure in your state. BCBAs complete rigorous graduate-level education, supervised fieldwork, and national certification exams. Ask about the experience level of both BCBAs and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) working directly with your child—particularly their background supporting children with similar needs and age ranges.

2. Assess Treatment Philosophy

The provider’s approach to ABA therapy matters just as much as credentials. Seek out teams that prioritize assent-based practices, where your child’s comfort and willingness to participate guide every session. Providers using modern, naturalistic methods that incorporate play and follow your child’s interests typically achieve better engagement than those relying on rigid, table-based drills alone.

3. Evaluate Collaboration Style

Schedule initial consultations to gauge how providers communicate and involve families. Ask specific questions about parent training opportunities, frequency of progress updates, and how they incorporate family input into treatment planning. The relationship between your family and the therapy team should feel like a true partnership, with open dialogue and shared decision-making at its foundation.

Finding ABA Therapy with Moving Mountains ABA

Your child deserves ABA therapy that celebrates who they are while building the skills they need to thrive. At Moving Mountains ABA, we bring compassionate, evidence-based support directly to your home and community throughout New Hampshire.

Our team of certified BCBAs and dedicated RBTs is ready to partner with your family, creating individualized treatment plans that honor your child’s unique strengths and address their specific challenges. We believe in an assent-based approach—one that prioritizes your child’s comfort and willingness to participate every step of the way.

Every service we provide is built on the foundation of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) — a proven, evidence-based therapy for skill development that creates lasting change in daily life.

Ready to start this journey together? Connect with us today:

  • Call us to speak with a member of our team who can answer your questions
  • Email us to learn more about our services and availability
  • Schedule a consultation to discuss your child’s needs and how we can help

We’re here to help your family move mountains—one meaningful milestone at a time.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is ABA Therapy and why is it considered the gold standard for treating Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?

ABA Therapy, or Applied Behavior Analysis, is a scientifically validated approach that focuses on skill development and behavior modification to support children with ASD. It is considered the gold standard because of its proven effectiveness in improving communication, social skills, and reducing challenging behaviors through individualized interventions.

How does the ABC model work in ABA Therapy?

The ABC model stands for Antecedent, Behavior, and Consequence. It helps therapists understand what happens before a behavior (Antecedent), the behavior itself, and what follows (Consequence). This framework guides positive reinforcement strategies to motivate children with ASD to engage in desired behaviors effectively.

What types of therapy methods are used in ABA Therapy?

Common ABA therapy methods include Discrete Trial Training (DTT), naturalistic teaching, and incidental teaching. DTT involves structured learning trials; naturalistic teaching uses everyday activities to promote learning; incidental teaching capitalizes on spontaneous opportunities. Together, these approaches address both skill acquisition and behavior reduction tailored to each child.

How are ABA Therapy plans customized to meet my child’s unique needs?

Each child undergoes a thorough assessment to identify their strengths and challenges. We collaborate closely with families to set realistic, measurable goals aligned with your child’s specific needs. Customized plans incorporate strategies that effectively build skills and manage behaviors, ensuring personalized intervention for optimal progress.

What role do BCBAs and RBTs play in delivering high-quality ABA Therapy?

Our expert team includes Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) who design individualized treatment plans, and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) who implement therapy sessions. Both are highly trained and receive ongoing supervision to stay current with evidence-based practices, ensuring your child receives compassionate and effective care.

How does in-home ABA Therapy benefit my family and support my child’s progress?

In-home ABA Therapy offers convenience by providing services in your child’s natural environment, which enhances generalization of learned skills. Family involvement is naturally integrated during sessions, allowing parents to actively participate and apply strategies at home. Techniques are adapted to fit everyday routines for better long-term outcomes.

Ready to see how in-home therapy works? Reach out to Moving Mountains today for a consultation to see if our New Hampshire-based program is the right fit for your child.