Communication is so much bigger than talking.

Before your child ever said a word, they were already communicating. Reaching
for a toy. Pulling you toward the kitchen. Crying when something felt wrong.
That’s real communication, and it matters just as much as spoken language.

If your child struggles to express what they want, or if they’re non-verbal,
or somewhere in between, you’ve probably wondered what kind of therapy
actually helps. Speech therapy plays an important role. ABA therapy works
alongside it, targeting communication in ways that reinforce and extend what
speech therapy covers.

ABA Looks at the Whole Picture

Speech therapy tends to focus on the mechanics of language. Pronunciation,
sentence structure, vocabulary. All important stuff.

ABA takes a different angle. It asks: what is your child trying to
communicate, and how can we make that easier for them?

That means ABA therapists work on the function behind communication, not just
the form. A child who screams when they’re hungry is communicating. The goal
isn’t to stop the screaming. It’s to give them a better tool to say “I’m
hungry” in a way that works for them and the people around them.

This is why ABA can be so effective for kids across the entire communication
spectrum. Verbal, non-verbal, or anywhere in between.

Specific Techniques That Build Communication

ABA uses several evidence-based strategies to teach communication. Here are
the ones you’ll see most often in sessions.

Manding (Requesting)

Manding is ABA’s term for teaching a child to request things. It’s usually one
of the first skills therapists target because it’s immediately useful.

Think about it from your child’s perspective. If they learn that saying
“juice” (or pointing to a picture of juice, or pressing a button on a device)
actually gets them juice, they have a reason to communicate. That’s powerful
motivation.

Manding starts with whatever your child can do right now. Maybe that’s a word.
Maybe it’s a gesture. Maybe it’s touching a picture card. The starting point
doesn’t matter nearly as much as building that connection between “I
communicated” and “I got what I needed.”

Tacting (Labeling)

Tacting is labeling things in the environment. Your child learns to identify
objects, actions, feelings, and people.

This might look like a therapist holding up a ball and teaching your child to
say “ball,” or point to it on a communication board. Over time, tacting
expands into more complex language. Colors, sizes, emotions. “The big red
ball.” “I feel sad.”

For non-verbal kids, tacting still happens. It just uses different tools, like
picture exchange systems or speech-generating devices.

Visual Supports

Many kids on the autism spectrum process visual information more easily than
verbal instructions. ABA therapists use this to their advantage.

Visual schedules show what’s coming next. Choice boards let your child pick
between options without needing words. Social stories walk through situations
before they happen, reducing anxiety and giving your child a framework for how
to respond.

These aren’t crutches. They’re bridges. And for a lot of kids, having that
visual anchor is the thing that finally makes communication click.

AAC Devices and Tools

AAC stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. These are tools
that give your child a voice when spoken words aren’t accessible to them.

This could be a high-tech tablet app like Proloquo2Go that speaks when your
child taps pictures. It could be a low-tech binder of picture cards. Some kids
use sign language. Some use a combination of everything.

There’s a myth that using AAC devices will prevent a child from learning to
talk. Peer-reviewed research consistently shows the opposite. Kids who use AAC
devices often develop more spoken language over time, not less. The device
doesn’t replace speech. It builds the foundation for it.

At Treetop, our therapists are trained to match AAC tools to each child’s
specific needs and abilities. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach.

Center-based environments are especially helpful for communication practice.
Children interact with peers throughout the day, which creates natural
opportunities to use the skills they’re building, whether that’s requesting a
turn with a toy, greeting a friend, or navigating a group activity.

What Progress Actually Looks Like

Progress in communication doesn’t always look like a child suddenly speaking
in full sentences. Sometimes it’s quieter than that.

It’s the child who used to throw their plate when they were done eating, and
now pushes it away and shakes their head. That’s communication progress.

It’s the child who hands you a picture card for “outside” instead of melting
down at the back door. That’s huge.

It’s the teenager who learns to type “I need a break” on their device during
an overwhelming moment at school. That changes everything.

Every one of these examples represents a child gaining more control over their
world. That’s what ABA communication training is really about.

How You Can Reinforce This at Home

The work your child does in therapy sessions is important, but what happens at
home matters just as much. Here are things you can do right now.

Wait before helping. When your child wants something, pause
for a few seconds before jumping in. Give them space to attempt communication,
whatever that looks like for them.

Honor every attempt. If your child points, grunts, signs, or
uses a device, respond to it. Treat it like real communication, because it is.

Use the same tools. If your child uses picture cards or an
AAC device in therapy, keep those tools accessible at home. Consistency
between settings makes a massive difference.

Narrate your day. Talk through what you’re doing. “I’m
pouring water. The water is cold.” Keep it simple. You’re building a
language-rich environment without putting pressure on your child to respond.

Celebrate the small wins. Your child pointed at the fridge
instead of crying? That’s worth celebrating. Progress compounds over time.

Finding the Right Support

If your child is struggling with communication, whether they have some words,
no words, or words that don’t quite match what they’re trying to say, ABA
therapy can help build those skills in a structured, compassionate way.

Take a look at our ABA therapy services to understand
what a typical program looks like. We work with most major
accepted insurance plans, so cost doesn’t have to
be the barrier.

And if you just have questions, that’s enough reason to
reach out to our team. No commitment required.
Sometimes a conversation is the best first step, for you and your child.