Essential Speech and ABA Therapy Richmond

09/08/2025

ABCs of ABA: D is for Discrete Trial Training (DTT) 🎯

DTT is a structured way of teaching skills by breaking them down into small, clear steps. Each trial has three parts:
1️⃣ The instruction (“Touch your nose”)
2️⃣ The child’s response
3️⃣ Positive feedback or a gentle prompt

💡 Why it works:
DTT gives children repeated practice, immediate feedback, and builds confidence. Over time, these structured lessons turn into real-life skills — from communication to self-care to academics.

✨ At Essential, we balance structure with fun, ensuring that learning feels natural and empowering for every child.

09/03/2025

🧩 New Blog Post! 🧩

In our latest blog, Jasmine McCaskey, M.A., BCBA, explains how we use Natural Environment Teaching (NET) to make learning fun and meaningful. By following a child’s interests, NET helps build communication, social, problem-solving, and flexibility skills in real-world settings—making therapy engaging, effective, and something children look forward to!

Catch up on all our blogs: https://loom.ly/4NZesZw

ABA Therapy, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy. Where children on the Autism Spectrum have a team behind them!

09/01/2025

Today we honor the dedication, hard work, and contributions of workers everywhere. Wishing you a safe and restful Labor Day! 🇺🇸

09/01/2025

🇺🇸 Happy Labor Day! 🇺🇸

Today, we honor the dedication, determination, and hard work of individuals across all industries who keep our communities thriving. 💼💪

Labor Day is a time to reflect on the value of work, the progress we've made, and the people who make it all possible — from frontline workers and caregivers to educators, tradespeople, and everyone in between. 🙌

We hope you're able to take a moment today to relax, recharge, and spend time with loved ones. You’ve earned it!

Thank you for everything you do — your hard work does not go unnoticed. 💙❤️

Wishing everyone a safe, happy, and meaningful Labor Day! 🎉🇺🇸

08/29/2025

💼 Back to School: A Social Story 💼

Is your child nervous about the upcoming school year? Ease them into the new term with our latest social story: Back to School! This short story will teach your children how to handle anxiety about a new school year and teach them fun ways to count down to the new school year! Download it from our website: https://loom.ly/6VQ2d4w

08/27/2025

🇺🇸 Labor Day Closure Notice 🇺🇸

In honor of Labor Day, we will be closed on Monday, September 1st, 2025.

We hope you enjoy a safe and relaxing holiday with your loved ones! ❤️💙

Regular hours will resume on Tuesday, September 2nd.

Thank you for all the hard work you do — Happy Labor Day! 💪🎉

08/26/2025

🧩 The ABCs of ABA - C is for Consequence 🧩

This week, we explain the meaning of consequences in ABA Therapy. In ABA, a consequence is defined as a stimulus change that occurs after a behavior. Despite the name, consequences aren’t always negative. For example, a consequence for cleaning up their toys might include praise or a sticker as a reward! They can also discourage undesirable behaviors, like tantrums.

By consistently using consequences, parents and caregivers can help children learn new skills and reinforce them!

Did you learn something new? Like and save this post!

08/21/2025

🌊ASD and Water Safety 🌊

It’s almost fall, but water safety is a year-round concern! Children on the spectrum love playing in the water, so it’s important to be prepared! The best way to protect your child from water-related injuries is by installing a fence around pools, ponds, or fountains on your property. You can also install gate and pool alarms, along with visual aids (like stop signs), on gates.

What are your top water safety tips for children with ASD? Share in the comments below!

08/20/2025

New Blog Post!

The first day of therapy can be nerve-wracking for caregivers and children alike! In this week's blog post, Shelby Nelson, our Director of Clinical Quality, breaks down how you can help your child prepare for their first day of therapy, and several strategies to help them decompress after. Read the full post on our website: https://loom.ly/snINQNM

08/18/2025

🧩 The ABCs of ABA - B is for Behavior 🧩

This week, we explain the meaning of behavior in ABA Therapy. In ABA, a behavior is part of the Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence model and is defined as an observable action that happens as a reaction to the antecedent. TA behavior can be anything from verbal expressions to physical actions, such as shouting, crying, or engaging in repetitive movements.

By identifying behaviors, we identify triggers and promote positive behaviors that improve communication, self-regulation, and social interactions.

08/15/2025

💬 Speech Therapy Techniques to Use at Home 💬

Beyond the clinic, consistent practice at home is key to reinforcing speech therapy progress! Here are a few techniques you can easily incorporate into your daily routine:

🗣️ Modeling: Speak clearly and slowly, exaggerating sounds and words. Your child learns by imitating you!
🗣️ Parallel Talk: Narrate what your child is doing, using descriptive language. "You're building a tall tower with red blocks."
🗣️ Self-Talk: Describe your own actions as you do them. "I'm stirring the soup. Stir, stir, stir!"
🗣️ Expansion: Repeat what your child says, but add more words to make it a complete sentence. If they say "Car go," you can say, "Yes, the big car is going fast!"
🗣️ Recasting: Correct your child's grammar or pronunciation by repeating their utterance correctly without directly pointing out their mistake. If they say "Him go," you say, "He went."

Remember: consistency and patience are crucial. Use these techniques multiple times a day to help your child retain these skills!

08/13/2025

🧩 The Link Between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Vision 🧩

Children on the autism spectrum are at a greater risk of vision problems. These overlooked issues may contribute to common signs of autism, such as difficulty making eye contact or tracking objects. The best way to help your child is to visit an eye doctor who works with special needs children. Most eye doctors who do so will label themselves as “special needs eye doctors.” Searching “special needs eye doctors near me” can help you locate a specialist who will go out of their way to make your child comfortable in a new environment!