How ABA Therapy Helps Children with Autism Build Social Skills
- Virginia Serpas, MA, BCBA
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Is ABA therapy Only for Behavior — or Can It Help with Social Skills Too?
When parents first receive a referral for their child to begin ABA therapy, it’s common to think it only means getting help with challenging behaviors. Many families are surprised to learn that ABA therapy is also about teaching important skills — like communication, independence, and social skills. While behavior support is important part of ABA, it’s only one piece of the puzzle. At its heart, ABA is about teaching skills that open doors for children — and one of the most meaningful areas we focus on is social development.
Why Social Skills Matter
Social skills are the foundation of making friends, joining group activities, and thriving in school. For children with autism, these skills don’t always come naturally, which can make it harder to connect with others. ABA therapy helps break social skills down into smaller steps so children can practice and succeed — from making eye contact to sharing toys to joining circle time.
How ABA Builds Social Skills
In ABA therapy, we use different strategies to help children learn step by step. This might look like giving lots of praise and encouragement, breaking skills down into smaller steps, or offering extra support at first and then gradually letting your child do more on their own. With plenty of practice and encouragement, these ABA approaches make it possible for children to gain confidence and succeed. Some of the ways we work on social skills include:
Turn-taking and sharing: Using games, toys, and activities that encourage waiting and cooperation.
Communication practice: Teaching children how to ask for items, respond to greetings, or invite a peer to play.
Group activities: Practicing circle time, songs, or art projects that naturally involve other children.
Imitation skills:Â Encouraging children to copy actions, words, or play routines from peers, which is the foundation of learning through observation.
Joint attention:Â Practicing looking at an object or activity together with another child or adult to build shared experiences.
Conversation skills:Â Teaching children how to take turns in conversations, ask simple questions, and respond to what others say.
Problem-solving with peers:Â Guiding children through simple conflicts (like wanting the same toy) to learn compromise and negotiation.
Role-playing and modeling: Therapists demonstrate skills and help children practice with guidance and encouragement.
By teaching in small steps and celebrating progress, children gain the confidence to use these skills in real-life settings.
Why a Center-Based Setting Makes a Difference
One of the unique advantages of a center-based ABA program is the opportunity for built-in social interaction. Unlike in-home therapy, children have daily chances to:
Be around peers who are also learning and growing.
Join group routines like circle time, arts and crafts, snack time, play centers,
Practice skills in a structured, supportive environment that looks and feels like a preschool classroom.
This natural exposure helps children apply what they’re learning in therapy to real-world social situations.
Questions to Ask When Choosing an ABA Program
If you’re exploring ABA therapy for your child, here are some important questions to consider:
How will my child’s program include goals for social skills, not just behavior? Quality ABA programs set individualized goals for both behavior and social development. Parents should expect social skills like sharing, greetings, or group play to be built into the treatment plan.
What kinds of group or peer activities are built into the day? A strong center-based program includes daily opportunities for peer interaction, such as circle time, games, and other routines that promote cooperation and turn-taking.
How do therapists encourage communication between children? Therapists should create structured opportunities for children to talk and interact with peers, like prompting greetings, encouraging requests, or guiding simple back-and-forth exchanges.
Asking these questions helps ensure your child’s program goes beyond behavior reduction to focus on connection, confidence, and friendships.
Final Thoughts
ABA therapy is about more than addressing behaviors — it’s about helping children thrive in every area of life. One of the greatest benefits is the development of social skills, giving children the ability to share, play, and connect with others while building meaningful relationships.
About Pivotal Achievements
At Pivotal Achievements ABA in Coral Springs, we specialize in center-based therapy for children ages 2–6, where social skill development is woven into every part of the day. From circle time to play centers, our team creates daily opportunities for children to practice building friendships in a warm, supportive environment.
If you’d like to learn more about how we support social skill development through ABA, we’d be happy to schedule a tour and show you how we can help your child grow.