The 7 Dimensions of ABA: What Parents Should Expect from Quality Services

As a parent, you want the very best support for your child—and when it comes to ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis), it’s important to know what quality looks like. Not all “behavior support” is created equal. For a provider to truly deliver ethical, effective ABA services, their work must align with the 7 Dimensions of ABA.

These seven dimensions aren’t just big words for professionals—they’re guideposts to help you know your child is getting care that is research-based, family-centered, and truly meaningful. Let’s break them down in parent-friendly terms and show how they show up in your child’s therapy, your parent coaching sessions, and even school support.

1. Applied: Focused on what matters to YOU and your child

ABA should target skills and behaviors that are important in real life—not just in a therapy room.

What this can look like:

• Teaching your child to communicate their needs (instead of screaming or hitting).

• Helping them follow routines at school or home.

• Coaching you on strategies to manage tough moments in public settings like the grocery store.

The goal? Meaningful change that improves daily life for your whole family.

2. Behavioral: Focused on what we can observe and measure

ABA works with behaviors we can see, hear, and track—not feelings or guesses.

What this can look like:

• Measuring how often your child asks for help instead of engaging in a tantrum.

• Tracking your child’s ability to complete steps in brushing teeth independently.

• Monitoring how quickly your child transitions from one activity to another at school.

Why? So we know exactly what’s improving and where we still need to support them.

3. Analytic: Making data-based decisions

In ABA, data drives decisions—not opinions or assumptions.

What this can look like:

• Your therapist adjusts teaching methods because the data shows your child is struggling with a goal.

• Graphs of your child’s progress are shared with you during parent meetings.

• Parent coaching focuses on the strategies that have shown measurable results for your child.

The key? If something isn’t working, we change it until it does.

4. Technological: Everyone’s on the same page

ABA plans should be written clearly so that any team member (or even you!) could understand and follow them.

What this can look like:

• A clear step-by-step plan for teaching your child to tie their shoes.

• Written strategies for managing challenging behaviors that both home and school teams can use.

• Parent-friendly handouts explaining how to use positive reinforcement at home.

Why? Consistency across environments helps your child succeed faster.

5. Conceptually Systematic: Based on sound principles

Every strategy in ABA connects back to core behavioral science—not random techniques.

What this can look like:

• Using reinforcement (not bribes) to build your child’s motivation.

• Applying evidence-based prompting strategies (like modeling and fading prompts).

• Explaining WHY a certain approach works during your parent coaching session.

This ensures the support is grounded in what research tells us is effective.

6. Effective: It actually works

ABA isn’t about endless therapy—it’s about meaningful results.

What this can look like:

• Your child can now play alongside peers for 10 minutes without adult prompts.

• Parents report fewer mealtime battles after coaching sessions.

• A teacher shares that your child is now following the classroom schedule independently.

Success is when real change happens—and it lasts.

7. Generality: Skills that stick and transfer

ABA teaches skills that last beyond the therapy room and work in different settings.

What this can look like:

• Your child uses their new communication skills at home, school, and grandma’s house.

• A strategy you learned during parent coaching helps at bedtime AND during outings.

• The team fades support as your child gains independence.

 The goal? Lasting progress that carries into the future.

Why This Matters for Your Family

When you work with an ABA provider, it’s your right to expect services that reflect these seven dimensions. If therapy doesn’t meet them, it may not truly be ABA. At BAJ, we pride ourselves on delivering ethical, family-centered, evidence-based services every single time.

We’re here to walk this journey with you—one meaningful, measurable step at a time.

Want to learn more about how we bring these 7 dimensions to life? Leave a comment below.