At So Much to Say, we believe that every child has something important to say — and our mission is to help them say it, in whatever way works best for them.
Communication is about connection; it’s how we connect with our environment in meaningful ways. It’s about sharing needs, expressing joy, asking questions, and feeling understood. That’s why Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) focuses so deeply on helping children build the foundational communication skills that make those connections possible — whether that’s through spoken words, sign language, picture exchange, or augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices like iPads.
In this post, we’ll explore how the principles of behavior guide the way ABA therapists teach communication across different modalities — and why this individualized, flexible approach helps children truly find their voice.
Before children learn to use words, gestures, or devices, they communicate through behavior. A child might cry or tantrum to request help, push an item away to say “no,” or pull a parent’s hand toward something they want, as form of requesting.
In ABA, we start by recognizing that all behavior has a purpose — typically, it’s a form of communication. Our job as clinicians is to uncover what that behavior is trying to say and then teach a more effective, socially acceptable way to express it.
This process begins with a functional behavior assessment (FBA), which helps us understand why a behavior occurs. For example:
Once we identify the purpose behind the behavior, we can replace it with a clearer, more successful form of communication — one that gets the same need met but in a way that others can easily understand.
One of the guiding principles of ABA is reinforcement — the idea that what happens after a behavior occurs (the consequence, for example: “Good job”, or “That was great”) make that behavior more likely to happen again in the future.
When it comes to teaching communication, motivation, prompting and reinforcement are the magic ingredients. We use what motivates the child — their favorite toy, activity, song, or social interaction — to encourage them to communicate intentionally by prompting the intended communication response, and providing reinforcement after the child exhibits the communication response.
Here’s how it might look in practice:
This immediate and meaningful connection between communication and outcome helps the child understand the power of their voice, no matter the mode they use.
Functional Communication Training (FCT) is a cornerstone of ABA-based language development. It focuses on replacing challenging behaviors with effective communication skills that serve the same purpose.
For example:
Through repeated practice, appropriate motivation, prompting, and reinforcement, children learn that communication is a faster and more reliable way to get their needs met than using problem behaviors. We call the combination of effort and speed – efficiency.
FCT empowers children — and helps parents and teachers better understand what those children are trying to say.
At So Much to Say, we know that communication is not one-size-fits-all. Every child’s abilities, preferences, and needs are unique, which is why we teach across multiple communication modalities:
For some children, vocal speech is their most natural and effective form of communication. ABA supports vocal development by teaching sound imitation (we call echoics), shaping approximations of words, and reinforcing verbal attempts.
We break language into manageable steps — starting with basic sounds or syllables, moving toward words, and eventually to phrases and full sentences. The key is celebrating every effort, no matter how small.
Sign language can be an incredibly powerful and accessible tool, especially for children who are not yet using speech. Signs provide a visual, motor-based way to communicate — often reducing frustration while supporting language development.
Therapists teach signs through modeling, prompting, and reinforcement. For instance, when a child signs “eat,” they immediately receive a snack. Over time, this consistent cause-and-effect relationship helps signs become meaningful communication tools.
Many families notice that once their child’s signing increases, vocalizations often follow naturally. Sign language doesn’t replace speech — it builds the foundation for it. The reason vocal-verbal behavior can often follow sign or AAC use is due to the auditory signals provided. For example, when teaching the sign for “more”, the teacher or parent saying “more” so the child can hear it, produces a connection between the two. Vocal-verbal behavior can follow due to efficiency – it can be quicker and less labor intensive to speak the word rather than sign it.
For children who benefit from additional support, we use AAC systems — such as picture exchange communication systems (PECS), speech-generating devices, or tablet-based communication apps. When recommended and necessary, at So Much to Say – we purchase these devices for the children we serve.
ABA principles guide every step of AAC instruction: identifying motivating items, teaching symbol selection, reinforcing correct use, and gradually expanding vocabulary.
Whether a child uses a simple set of pictures or a high-tech device with hundreds of words, we make sure it’s tailored to their developmental level and communication goals. All of which is done in collaboration with the help and consultation of certified Speech Pathologists.
The most important thing? The mode doesn’t matter — the message does. We celebrate every successful communication attempt, no matter how it’s expressed.
The next most important thing to understand is that research shows AAC usage does not prevent or block the production of speech – it may help facilitate it, although the factors involved are still being researched and investigated. AAC should be viewed as just that – an augmentation – to help reduce frustration and open up an avenue to begin to communicate.
The magic of ABA lies in its scientific precision and flexibility. Every communication goal is data-driven, individualized, and continually adjusted based on the child’s progress.
Here are a few key behavior principles at play:
This systematic, supportive approach ensures that children don’t just learn communication — they learn to use it meaningfully, everywhere.
Families are a vital part of the communication journey. At So Much to Say, we provide hands-on parent training and coaching so caregivers can support communication practice throughout daily routines.
We teach families how to:
When families and therapists work together, children get more opportunities to practice — and progress happens faster.
The most rewarding part of our work is watching a child’s world open up. The moment they use their first sign, press their first AAC button, or speak a new word — it’s more than a milestone. It’s a connection, a conversation, a doorway to belonging.
At So Much to Say, we don’t measure success by the method — we measure it by the meaning. Whether your child communicates through gestures, signs, pictures, or speech, our goal is to help them be heard, understood, and empowered.
Communication is the foundation of learning, relationships, and independence. Through the science of behavior and the heart of individualized care, ABA helps children find their voices — in whatever form that voice takes.
At So Much to Say, we’re honored to walk beside families and other trusted professionals on this journey. Together, we can turn everyday moments into communication opportunities and celebrate every word, sign, and symbol along the way. If you’d like to learn more about how our team uses the principles of ABA to support communication in all its forms, we’d love to connect.
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