Meet One of Our Real-Life Transformations
At Circle City ABA, every child’s progress is worth celebrating. One of our newest success stories comes from a fun-loving, competitive 7-year-old who recently began ABA therapy for the first time. This child, who enjoys video games, sports, cops and robbers, and hide and seek, is already making big gains—and loving it.
This story is a reminder that change doesn’t have to take years. Sometimes, all it takes is the right support, a fresh start, and a caring team.
Please note: Therapy is a highly personal experience, and, like any other treatment, results are not uniform. Several factors determine whether a child will benefit from therapy, including individual characteristics, the nature of their needs, and the quality of support they receive at home and/or school.
A New Start with ABA Therapy
Before starting with Circle City ABA, this young client had never received ABA services. They were getting ready to enter the third grade with an IEP already in place.
During the first assessment, caregivers shared their concerns. They said their child often avoided work. If asked to do something non-preferred, they would engage in challenging behavior to avoid it. This made learning harder, especially when things didn’t go their way.
Despite these struggles, they described their child as outgoing, full of personality, and always ready to play. Our team knew this was a child full of potential.
Gaining Trust and Understanding the Power of First/Then
After just one month in therapy, big changes were already showing.
This child now understands the contingencies of first/then—a powerful skill that helps many kids with autism. For example, the idea of “First, clean up, then play video games” is now something they can follow.
This simple structure helps them get through non-preferred tasks without resistance. It teaches patience, builds confidence, and allows them to enjoy their favorite activities as a reward. Most importantly, it puts the child in a position to succeed.
Learning to Work Through Non-Preferred Tasks
In the beginning, caregivers mentioned that their child had trouble following through when asked to complete something they didn’t enjoy.
But now, they willingly complete work, even tasks they used to avoid. This is a major win. Our team has seen how much more relaxed and engaged they are when given clear expectations and plenty of praise.
Over the course of a month, they’ve only had one brief instance of challenging behavior, which was related to a social interaction with a peer. That’s it. And even then, the team helped them process the moment and move forward in a positive way.
Connecting with Peers and Staff
One of the best parts of this transformation has been watching this child open up socially.
They’ve learned our team members’ names, greet others throughout the day, and seek out conversations with staff. They’ve even told us how much they enjoy coming to the center to play with our toys and games.
What once may have felt like a hard or uncomfortable place now feels safe and fun. That shift speaks volumes.
Steady Progress, Real Results
This client attends therapy three days a week—Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Even in that short time frame, we’ve seen real growth.
Understanding first/then, engaging in conversations, and completing tasks they used to avoid are all signs that ABA therapy is working. But more importantly, this child is happy. They smile, laugh, play, and feel proud of themselves.
Progress isn’t just about behavior change. It’s about confidence, connection, and joy.
Let Your Child Be Our Next Transformation
If your child is struggling with routines, behavior, or social skills, you don’t have to wait to get help. Circle City ABA offers personalized ABA therapy services in a welcoming, play-based environment.
Our team meets children where they are and celebrates every step forward. Contact our admissions team for more information on our services and how we can support you and your child. Find a location near you! We serve Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, and Nebraska.
*Our Arizona ABA Therapy locations are equipped to serve individuals with an autism spectrum disorder and other developmental diagnoses. Our Scottsdale ABA Center focuses explicitly on teens (13+) and adults.
Disclaimer: Every child is different. This story reflects the progress of one individual. Outcomes may vary based on several factors, including the child’s unique needs and the level of support they receive.
