Is My Child Making Progress?

How We Track Success in ABA Therapy at The Nest

As a parent, one of the most important questions you’ll ask during your child’s ABA journey is:“Are we making progress?”

At The Nest Family Behaviour Support Services, we understand that every family wants to see meaningful growth in their child’s skills, communication, and independence. That’s why our approach to Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) isn’t just focused on running programs — it’s centered on measurable progress, open communication, and real-life, meaningful change.

Why Tracking Progress in ABA Is So Important

ABA therapy is data-driven. This means we don’t just hope something is working — we measure whether it is. Whether your child is learning to communicate, follow routines, or manage big emotions, every goal is broken down into clear, achievable steps - and we track progress every step of the way.

How We Track Progress at The Nest

1. Individualized Goals

Each child at The Nest receives a completely individualized treatment plan, based on their unique strengths and needs. Goals might include:

• Responding to their name

• Asking for help

• Using the toilet independently

• Tolerating a haircut

• Playing with peers

These goals are developed in collaboration with parents and caregivers and updated regularly.

2. Ongoing Data Collection

Our team collects data every time a teaching opportunity takes place — whether at home, in the community, or during play. This might look like:

• Counting the number of independent responses

• Tracking the level of prompting needed

• Recording behaviours (like tantrums or refusals)

• Measuring time to complete a task

This data helps us see exactly what’s working and what needs adjusting.

3. Graphing and Analysis

We take all of that raw data and turn it into visual graphs so we can track trends over time. Are skills increasing? Are interfering behaviours decreasing? We don’t rely on guesswork — we use real data to make real decisions.

4. Team Meetings and Parent Updates

We meet with you regularly to review progress, share graphs, and walk through what we’re seeing. This is your chance to ask questions, share observations, and help shape the next steps.

Some families say this is their favourite part — finally being able to see the progress their child is making!

5. Generalization and Maintenance

Progress isn’t just about what happens in session — it’s about what your child can do in real life.

That’s why we work hard to ensure that skills are:Generalized across different settings (home, school, community), Maintained over time, Used with multiple people (parents, siblings, teachers)

What Progress Really Looks Like

Progress might look like:

• Fewer meltdowns during transitions

• More spontaneous communication

• Being able to enjoy a family dinner without constant support

• A child smiling and reaching for a peer to play

We celebrate all progress — big or small — because we know that every step forward matters.

Your Child's Success Is Our Goal

At The Nest, we’re not just tracking data — we’re tracking meaningful change.The kind that helps your child feel more confident, more independent, and more connected to the world around them.

If you're wondering whether ABA is helping your child, we invite you to talk with us. Let's look at the data, share the stories, and celebrate your child’s success — together.

Ready to learn more? Contact us today to schedule a consultation and find out how The Nest can support your child’s journey.