Paper Lantern Therapies LLC

12/11/2025

Play-based sessions can be powerful when implemented with care. As a BCBA, I set 5–8 targets per session (based on duration) and track progress in quick, time-based intervals so I can stay fully present in the child therapist relationship. Growth happens fast when we let connection lead the work.

Today’s targets included:
• Turning toward a person in response to voice
• Using multimodal communication with intent
• Responding to “show me” by extending an object
• Spontaneously showing objects to another person
• Using multimodal communication to echo a spoken word

Play is not a break from learning. Play is learning. Let’s stay open to it.

11/24/2025

The process of observing, interviewing, and engaging to define assent for an emerging speaker is complex and nuanced. Every child deserves their own individualized definition of assent. There are some universal signs of assent: reaching, smiling, nodding yes. However, assent can change just as quickly as an activity can become challenging or confusing.

I try to gather as much information as possible from caregivers before engaging in therapy to give the child the most ideal environment for engagement. Additionally, the more I know about their behavioral cues, the more effectively I am able to demonstrate compassion and responsiveness.

How do you define and measure assent or assent withdrawal?

11/17/2025

VALUES

It’s easy to talk about and focus on what is important to us. Many times we do so without awareness.

It’s also important to observe and bring awareness to what is important to our learners. In the application of applied behavior analysis, many decisions end up being one good choice versus another. One way to ensure these choices are made in an ethical way is to align the team on the set of values which are most important to the child and family. These should be established at the onset of services and reviewed regularly throughout.

10/22/2025

ABA can be a place where autistic children are welcomed, accepted, and celebrated for who they are.

10/17/2025

10/09/2025

All children deserve the right to a voice even if they are still learning how to use it.

10/09/2025

Here’s the truth:
A child who wants to communicate will communicate everywhere.
A child who’s required to communicate just to access something fun? That skill fades as soon as the demand disappears.

When we focus on internal motivation, we’re building a voice that lasts across time, environments, and people.

What does that look like in practice?
Here are a few ways ABA therapy can create environments that invite communication rather than demand it 👇

1️⃣ Follow the child’s curiosity.
If a child is drawn to a toy car, join them there. Model language, comment, expand — but don’t require a response. Shared attention fuels natural communication far more than prompted requests.

2️⃣ Embed communication into joy.
Instead of holding the bubbles until the child “mands,” play with the bubbles. Blow some, pause naturally, wait for that look, giggle, or gesture, that’s your opportunity to build connection and spontaneous bids.

3️⃣ Create communication-rich contexts, not drills.
During play, narrate, take turns, and celebrate attempts. Build an atmosphere where words and gestures are powerful because they connect.

When motivation drives the moment, communication becomes meaningful.
And meaningful communication? That’s the kind that sticks, across sessions, settings, and seasons of life.

10/06/2025

09/29/2025

Here are three of many ways we can provide this confidence:

🌟 1. Assent Checks & Choices Throughout Sessions

We actively invite build in. Offering choices, using visuals, and checking in on readiness helps children feel safe, heard, and empowered to participate.

🌟 2. Co-Designing Goals With Children & Families

We gather the child’s interests and communication attempts and weave them, along with family priorities, directly into goals so therapy truly reflects their voice.

🌟 3. Respecting “No” & Adjusting in Real Time

When a child signals “stop,” disengages, or says “no,” we pause, listen, and adapt. Responding respectfully shows families we value their child’s communication as meaningful because it is!