Choosing the right intervention for a child with autism can feel overwhelming for parents. In Colorado, families are fortunate to have access to a range of autism therapy options – from Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to speech therapy, occupational therapy, and developmental programs. This guide provides a supportive overview of ABA therapy vs. other autism interventions, helping parents understand each approach’s key features and how they might benefit their child. With a friendly tone and research-backed insights, we’ll compare these options and offer tips for making the best choice for your family. Colorado’s healthcare landscape is autism-friendly – state law requires insurance to cover ABA, speech, and other therapies, ensuring families can access needed services.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is widely regarded as a “gold standard” therapy for autism due to its strong evidence base and structured approach. ABA focuses on understanding and improving behaviors by examining what happens before and after a behavior. Therapists use techniques like positive reinforcement, prompting, and modeling to encourage desirable behaviors and teach new skills. The aim isn’t to “cure” autism, but to help children build important life skills in areas like communication, social interaction, and self-care.
One reason ABA is so prominent is the wealth of research supporting its effectiveness. Decades of studies (starting with Dr. Ivar Lovaas in 1987) have shown that intensive ABA programs can lead to remarkable improvements in young children’s language, learning, and behavior. Major health organizations, including the U.S. Surgeon General and the American Psychological Association, endorse ABA as an effective treatment for autism. In fact, a comprehensive analysis of 14 studies found that ABA-based interventions yielded significant gains in children’s socialization, communication, and language skills. Many parents also observe positive changes in everyday skills and a reduction in challenging behaviors over time.
ABA is typically delivered one-on-one (often in home or clinic settings) by trained professionals (behavior therapists under the supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, BCBA). Therapy is highly individualized – goals are tailored to each child’s needs, whether it’s learning to say their first words or improving eye contact and play skills. Progress is closely tracked with data at each session, so the team can objectively see what’s working and adjust strategies as needed. This data-driven, customized approach helps ensure that gains in therapy translate to real-life improvements. Parents are usually involved as well: ABA programs often include parent training so families can carry over techniques at home for consistency.
Another hallmark of ABA is its intensity. Programs often involve 15–40 hours per week of therapy, especially for young children, to maximize learning opportunities. Research shows that starting early (as soon as autism is diagnosed) and delivering sufficient intensity leads to better outcomes. Children who begin ABA in the preschool years tend to make greater strides in language development, social skills, and school readiness. That said, ABA can benefit older children and even teens by addressing behavior challenges and teaching functional life skills. The structured teaching methods of ABA have been adapted into naturalistic styles as well – for example, pivotal response training (PRT) or the Early Start Denver Model blend ABA principles with play in more natural environments. This means ABA today is often very positive and fun for the child, using play and rewards to keep them motivated.
Every child with autism is unique, and there are many other interventions and therapies beyond ABA that can support their development. These approaches fall into several categories, each with a different focus. Here’s a look at some common autism interventions and what they offer:
Communication difficulties are a core challenge in autism, and speech therapy is the most common developmental intervention to address this. Speech-language pathologists help children improve understanding and use of language – from forming words and sentences to using alternative communication methods (like sign language, picture boards, or communication devices for nonverbal children). By focusing on articulation, language comprehension, and social communication skills, speech therapy helps kids express their needs and engage more meaningfully with others. This therapy often goes hand-in-hand with ABA: while ABA might prompt a child to request a toy, a speech therapist works on pronouncing the request clearly or expanding it into a full sentence.
Autism can affect a child’s ability to perform everyday tasks and handle sensory input. Occupational therapy focuses on building daily living skills and independence. An OT might work on skills like dressing, feeding, using utensils, handwriting, or toileting – all tailored to the child’s developmental level. They also address sensory processing issues: for example, if a child is overwhelmed by certain sounds or textures, OT provides activities to help them cope and adapt (this may include sensory integration techniques). By improving fine motor skills and coping strategies, OT helps children participate more fully in daily life. Many families in Colorado use OT alongside ABA; while ABA modifies behaviors and teaches routines, OT ensures the child can physically and sensorially carry out those routines (for instance, tolerating the feeling of a toothbrush and learning the motor skills to brush teeth).
These approaches focus on meeting the child at their current developmental level and building social/emotional skills through play and interaction. A well-known example is the Developmental, Individual Differences, Relationship-Based model, better known as Floortime (DIR). In Floortime, parents and therapists follow the child’s lead during play – joining the child’s activities and gently encouraging interactions to expand communication and emotional connection. The goal is to help the child progress through key developmental milestones (like back-and-forth play, empathy, symbolic thinking) by using their natural interests as motivation. Another approach, Relationship Development Intervention (RDI), involves activities that increase the child’s ability to participate in shared social interactions, again focusing on building relationships and motivation. These methods are generally less structured than ABA; they prioritize the child’s engagement and emotional development. Some families prefer these approaches or even integrate elements of them with ABA for a more balanced experience (for example, doing ABA therapy in the morning and a play-based Floortime session in the afternoon). While developmental therapies may not have as much quantitative research as ABA, they resonate with parents who value a child-led, play-centric philosophy.
Children with autism often receive specialized support in school. One influential program is TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication-Handicapped Children), which is used in some Colorado schools and centers. TEACCH is an educational approach that provides a highly structured classroom environment tailored to how autistic children learn best. For instance, teachers use visual schedules, clearly defined work areas, and consistent routines to help students predict and understand their day. The idea is that many autistic individuals thrive on consistency and visual learning. Educational interventions like TEACCH don’t replace therapies like ABA or speech, but they complement them in the classroom, creating a supportive learning environment. If your child is in preschool or elementary school, you might encounter elements of structured teaching, visual supports, or an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that incorporates these strategies.
Since making friends and navigating social situations can be hard for autistic kids, there are interventions specifically for social skills. Social skills groups (often led by therapists or schools) bring together similar-aged children to practice things like conversation, turn-taking, or understanding body language in a safe setting. Therapists may use role-playing or games to teach and reinforce social rules. There are also programs like PEERS (Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills) for older kids and teens, which provide structured social skills training. These social-focused interventions can be a great supplement to ABA – think of ABA teaching the foundational behaviors, and social groups providing a real-world practice arena. Even community programs (like a local Autism Society chapter organizing a playdate or teen hangout) can serve as social skills practice in a fun way.
While not a core autism therapy for young children, CBT can be very helpful for autistic individuals (usually higher functioning older children, teens, or adults) who struggle with anxiety, phobias, or rigid thoughts. CBT is a psychological approach that teaches a person to understand the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and to reframe negative thoughts. For an autistic teenager with social anxiety, for example, CBT might help them challenge fears about social situations and learn coping strategies. It’s often used when autism co-occurs with conditions like anxiety or OCD. In the context of autism interventions, you might see CBT or other counseling recommended to address emotional or behavioral issues that ABA or other therapies don’t directly target. Some therapists in Colorado integrate CBT techniques into ABA for older kids, especially if emotional regulation is a goal. The key point is that CBT addresses internal thought patterns and coping skills, whereas ABA focuses on observable behaviors – they serve different purposes and can complement each other.
There are numerous other interventions out there. Physical Therapy (PT) can improve gross motor skills (balance, coordination) if those are areas of need, helping children participate in sports or playground activities. Feeding therapy (often by OTs or specialized therapists) can help with very picky eating or food texture aversions common in autism. Additionally, many families explore complementary therapies like special diets, vitamin supplements, music therapy, animal-assisted therapy (e.g. horseback riding or service dogs), or mindfulness and yoga. It’s important to approach alternative treatments with caution – while some families report benefits, these methods typically have less scientific evidence and should supplement proven therapies, not replace them. Always discuss with your child’s doctor before starting any alternative therapy, to ensure it’s safe and won’t interfere with other treatments. Remember, any positive activity that engages your child and improves quality of life has value – just maintain a balanced plan and evidence-based core interventions as your anchor.
Now that we’ve outlined the major therapy options, let’s compare ABA therapy with other interventions to understand their differences. Each approach has its own philosophy and strengths. Here are some key points of comparison for parents:
ABA is a behavioral approach – it focuses on modifying observable behaviors through rewards and structured teaching. By contrast, many other interventions are developmental or therapeutic. For example, developmental therapies (like Floortime) focus on following the child’s natural interests to build skills, and speech/OT target specific developmental domains (communication or motor skills) rather than behavior generally. ABA’s methodology is very systematic and data-driven, whereas others like play therapy are more fluid and child-led. Neither is “better” universally – it depends on what style your child responds to. Some kids thrive under ABA’s structured routine; others benefit from a looser play-based environment, and many do well with a combination.
ABA is broad in scope – a well-rounded ABA program can work on communication, social skills, academics, self-care, and behavior management all at once. It’s often used to reduce challenging behaviors (like meltdowns or self-injury) while teaching positive alternatives. Other therapies usually have a narrower focus. For instance, speech therapy zooms in on language and communication only. Occupational therapy zeroes in on daily living tasks and sensory/motor skills. A social skills group will just practice peer interaction skills. This means ABA can serve as a core intervention covering many areas, while additional therapies fill in the gaps in specialized areas. Parents might notice ABA brings general improvement in learning and compliance, but a child may still need speech therapy to work on pronunciation or OT to help with handwriting – these targeted goals might be outside the scope of an ABA curriculum. It’s the combination that often results in comprehensive progress.
ABA is typically intensive and highly structured. Therapists often work with the child for multiple hours per day, using repetition and reinforcement in a distraction-free setting (at least initially). Other interventions vary in intensity – e.g., speech or OT might be just 1-2 hours per week each. Developmental interventions like Floortime might be done in shorter play sessions throughout the day. The structured nature of ABA can lead to faster skill acquisition in some cases (due to the high number of learning opportunities). However, intensive therapy requires a time commitment from the family and can be tiring for the child, so balance is important. Some children may benefit from breaks or a mix of structured and unstructured therapy times. Keep in mind that in Colorado, ABA providers (including insurance-funded programs) often aim for 20-40 hours/week for young kids with autism – which research suggests is effective – but you as a parent know your child’s stamina best and can help tailor the schedule accordingly.
One of ABA’s biggest advantages is the strong scientific support behind it. ABA has been studied for decades, with many success stories and measurable outcomes. As noted earlier, research reviews have found significant improvements in key areas like social and language skills for children in ABA programs. Other therapies have evidence as well, but it varies. Speech and occupational therapy are well-established disciplines (and are part of standard autism care) – they just target specific skills and their success is often measured in those domains (e.g. a child saying more words after months of speech therapy). Developmental approaches like DIR/Floortime have some case studies and growing research but not as extensive a body of evidence as ABA. That doesn’t mean they don’t work; it simply means ABA has more data showing its effectiveness across many children. Bottom line: ABA is often the first recommended therapy because of its proven results, but many complementary therapies are beneficial when addressing areas ABA might not fully cover. In fact, a balanced plan can achieve broader outcomes than ABA alone. For example, one analysis noted that ABA yielded great gains in communication, yet did not significantly improve certain adaptive skills on its own – suggesting that adding interventions (like OT for daily living skills) can help cover those areas.
The best intervention often depends on the child’s age and specific needs. ABA is commonly started at young ages (18 months to 5 years) as an early intervention to capitalize on developmental plasticity and teach foundational skills. It’s very effective for children who need help with basic learning skills, reducing tantrums, or increasing communication from scratch. On the other hand, as children grow, they might require different supports – for example, an older child with ASD who has basic communication might benefit more from social skills group or CBT to handle anxiety, rather than intensive ABA. In practice, many school-age children continue with ABA in some form (especially if they still have challenging behaviors or skill gaps) but also engage in therapies like speech for pragmatic social language or OT for handwriting and planning. Teens and young adults might shift further towards vocational training, life coaching, or psychotherapy to prepare for independent living. The focus shifts as the child’s profile changes. Thankfully, Colorado has resources across the age span – from early intervention programs for toddlers, to school support, to transition programs for teens. As a parent, consider what your child’s current highest needs are (is it communication? socialization? managing sensory issues? behavior?) and prioritize therapies that directly target those, with ABA often providing a strong behavioral foundation.
It’s worth noting that different therapies implicitly carry different philosophies about autism. ABA is built on the idea of helping the individual adapt by learning new behaviors and reducing those that hinder functioning. Some autistic self-advocates have critiqued ABA for trying to make individuals appear “less autistic,” though modern ABA emphasizes respect, positive reinforcement, and improving quality of life rather than forcing neurotypical behavior. Developmental interventions like Floortime operate from a neurodiversity perspective – valuing the autistic child’s unique way of experiencing the world and building skills with them through their interests. Neither perspective is wrong; many parents find ABA greatly helps their child learn and thrive, and also appreciate developmental therapies for addressing emotional connection. It can be helpful as a parent to educate yourself on these philosophies. For example, if you value a naturalistic, child-driven approach, you might lean towards providers who practice play-based ABA or combine ABA with developmental methods. If you want clear-cut progress and measurable outcomes, a more traditional ABA program might feel reassuring. Most importantly, any therapy should be compassionate and tailored to your child – good providers, whether ABA or otherwise, will welcome your input and adjust to what makes your child happiest and most successful.
Rather than an “ABA vs. others” showdown, in reality many families find that a combination of therapies is most beneficial. Autism is multi-faceted, so addressing it often requires a multi-faceted plan. Think of ABA as the core framework that can improve learning readiness and behavior, while other therapies layer on specialized instruction in communication, daily living, or socializing. Research and clinical practice support this combined approach – behavioral and developmental methods are not mutually exclusive and often work best hand-in-hand. In fact, some programs integrate therapies under one roof: for example, your child’s ABA session might incorporate a speech therapist for part of the time, or an OT might join occasionally to work on feeding skills within the ABA routine. This interdisciplinary collaboration ensures the child is generalizing skills across contexts.
Parents in Colorado consistently report that a team approach leads to the best outcomes. You might have an ABA therapist, speech therapist, and occupational therapist all collaborating on your child’s goals. One might focus on reducing problematic behavior (ABA) while another works on communication tools (speech) and another on sensory accommodations (OT). When these professionals communicate with each other and with you, the child gets a more unified, reinforced learning experience. For instance, if an OT helps your child tolerate noisy environments, the ABA therapist can then more effectively teach shopping skills in a loud grocery store without sensory meltdowns. Likewise, the speech therapist can teach a new phrase (“I need a break”) which the ABA team can prompt the child to use when they’re frustrated, reducing tantrums. This synergy is why many autism centers and schools use a “whole-child” approach, bringing together multiple therapies. As a parent, don’t worry that you must choose one therapy to the exclusion of others – it’s very common (and often recommended) to do several in parallel, as long as your child’s and family’s schedule can manage it.
That said, every family must consider practical limits. Time, finances, and your child’s energy level all play a role in how many therapies you can do at once. It’s okay to start with one or two core interventions and add others when ready. In Colorado, early intervention services (for kids under 3) typically provide a combination of therapies in a coordinated way, which can be a model for what to do after age 3 as well. Remember that quality matters more than quantity – a child may benefit more from a few high-quality sessions a week that they are engaged in, rather than being dragged to therapy all day every day. Keep an eye on your child’s stress and happiness; therapy should be challenging but positive. Regular team meetings with your providers can help ensure the mix of therapies is working for your child and adjust things if needed.
With so many options, how do you decide on the right plan? Here are some parent-friendly tips for choosing and combining autism interventions:
Start by listing the areas where your child needs the most help. Is it communication, behavior, social interaction, daily living skills, sensory issues, or something else? This will guide which therapy (or therapies) to prioritize. For example, non-verbal toddlers may benefit greatly from ABA with a focus on communication and some speech therapy, whereas an anxious grade-schooler with Asperger’s might need a social skills group plus CBT for anxiety management. Tailor the plan to your child’s profile.
Consult with trusted professionals, such as your pediatrician or a developmental specialist. They can explain the evidence behind each intervention. In general, ABA has the strongest overall evidence for improving core autism symptoms, and thus is often recommended as a foundation. Established therapies like speech and OT are usually recommended for almost all kids with ASD as well, because communication and daily living skills are common challenges. Be cautious of any program that promises a “quick cure” or isn’t backed by research. Stick with approaches that have a track record – but also keep an open mind to trying new techniques if they are reasonable and safe.
Not all therapy programs are equal. If you’re considering an ABA provider or any therapist in Colorado, schedule a meeting or observation. Ask about their methods and philosophy. Do they use positive reinforcement? How do they handle meltdowns or resistance? For ABA, you might ask about the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) supervision and how they develop goals. For other therapies, ask about experience with autism. A good therapist will welcome your questions and even involve you in goal-setting. Trust your gut – you want to feel comfortable with the people who will work closely with your child. (Tip: In Colorado, you can also check if providers are in-network with your insurance and if there’s a waitlist, as these practical factors matter too.)
Ensure that your child’s schedule isn’t all work and no play. The best interventions incorporate play and learning. ABA sessions, for instance, should include play breaks or use games as rewards. If you notice your child is getting frustrated or burnt out, discuss this with the team – sometimes a different approach or a short break is needed. Also, weave in regular childhood activities (playgrounds, hobbies, family time) alongside therapy. Every interaction can be a learning opportunity, but children also need time to relax and just be kids. Progress often happens when the child is happy and motivated, so a supportive, positive atmosphere in any therapy is crucial.
Autism interventions are not one-size-fits-all, and what works best may change as your child grows. Set short-term goals and track progress (most therapists will help with this). If after 6-12 months you don’t see the growth you hoped for in a certain area, it might be time to adjust the plan – maybe increase the hours, switch to a different approach, or add a new therapy. For example, if your child made great behavioral gains with ABA but is still struggling to pronounce words, you might amplify speech therapy focus for a while. Regularly celebrate the successes (no matter how small) and discuss challenges with your providers. As your child develops, you’ll fine-tune the mix – perhaps doing intensive ABA in early years, then tapering to more naturalistic or school-based supports later. The right intervention plan is one that evolves with your child’s needs.
Most importantly, trust your instincts and knowledge of your child. You are a key member of the team. Effective intervention isn’t something done to your child – it’s a collaborative effort that involves therapists, teachers, and you as the parent working together. Don’t hesitate to raise concerns or suggestions. For instance, if you notice your child loves music, mention this – maybe the speech therapist can incorporate singing, or the ABA therapist can use musical rewards. Your insight can help tailor therapies in a way that resonates most with your little one.
Being a parent of a child with autism can be challenging, but remember that in communities like Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs and beyond, you have a strong support network. Colorado has an active autism community with resources such as the Autism Society of Colorado, parent support groups, and public early intervention services. Under Colorado law, private insurance and Medicaid cover essential autism treatments including ABA, speech, OT, and more, which has opened doors for many families to access these interventions without prohibitive costs. Don’t be afraid to use these resources – whether it’s consulting a specialist at Children’s Hospital Colorado or joining a local meetup for parents to share experiences. Sometimes, just talking to other parents who have been through the therapy selection process can provide comfort and practical tips.
Finally, we encourage you to connect with local autism therapy providers who truly understand the Colorado context. At Kiwi Kids ABA, we provide in-home ABA therapy for children across Colorado, creating personalized programs in the comfort of your home. Our services are designed around each child’s unique needs, helping young minds “blossom” in a supportive atmosphere. We also guide parents on how ABA can complement other interventions their child may be receiving. By focusing on compassionate, evidence-based care, we strive to make a meaningful difference for families. From the foothills of the Rockies to the heart of Denver, Kiwi Kids ABA is here as your partner—listening, adapting, and supporting your child’s journey.
Our team of experienced therapists is dedicated to helping children with autism and other developmental disabilities reach their full potential. We are committed to creating a supportive and nurturing environment where every child can thrive.
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