Focus on Function, LLC

11/16/2025

Something we strive for in every session - felt safety for kids AND parents!

11/03/2025

Really important to remember about spinning!

11/02/2025

A must-read!

11/01/2025

Adding “play based” before ABA doesn’t change what it is or circumvent the harms it causes.

“underneath the cheerful facade, the mechanism hasn’t changed. ABA, no matter how softly it’s packaged, still centers on shaping compliance and extinguishing behaviors the therapist deems undesirable. The environment might look nurturing, but the goal remains behavioral control.
In “play-based” sessions, toys are often not used for genuine exploration or creativity. They’re used as reinforcers, a behavioral currency. Play isn’t child-led; it’s adult-orchestrated. If a child lines up cars instead of driving them, a perfectly valid and often calming autistic way of engaging, the therapist redirects them back to the “target” behavior. If the child gets absorbed in sensory play like spinning wheels or squishing Play-Doh, the therapist interrupts, folding the moment back into the structured lesson.

This isn’t play. It’s performance; a simulation of play designed to maintain the adult’s control.”

Adding “play based” before ABA doesn’t change what it is or circumvent the harms it causes.

“underneath the cheerful facade, the mechanism hasn’t changed. ABA, no matter how softly it’s packaged, still centers on shaping compliance and extinguishing behaviors the therapist deems undesirable. The environment might look nurturing, but the goal remains behavioral control.
In “play-based” sessions, toys are often not used for genuine exploration or creativity. They’re used as reinforcers, a behavioral currency. Play isn’t child-led; it’s adult-orchestrated. If a child lines up cars instead of driving them, a perfectly valid and often calming autistic way of engaging, the therapist redirects them back to the “target” behavior. If the child gets absorbed in sensory play like spinning wheels or squishing Play-Doh, the therapist interrupts, folding the moment back into the structured lesson.

This isn’t play. It’s performance; a simulation of play designed to maintain the adult’s control.”

🔗 in comments

11/01/2025

Happy Halloween!

10/30/2025

Couldn't be more proud of this monster if I had made it myself!

When you've been working on the idea of drawing pictures and you suggest a monster, and they come up with this all on their own...I love it SO MUCH!

10/30/2025

When you've been working on the idea of drawing pictures and you suggest a monster, and they come up with this all on their own...I love it SO MUCH!

10/28/2025

Your Kid's Table

10/23/2025

If your child is struggling with school performance or refusal, dig deeper and get curious.

10/23/2025

An important, unbiased look at this recent talking point.

In our latest Substack, we examined the leucovorin-autism connection that's all the BUZZ in parent Facebook groups right now. The reality is that it's complicated. Leucovorin MIGHT help some autistic children who also have cerebral folate deficiency (a rare condition where folate can't get into the brain properly). But most autistic children don't have CFD. And those folate receptor antibodies are found in 55% of neurotypical kids, too.

Most research to date comes from one small group of investigators, studies rarely last more than 12 weeks, and the FDA is bypassing its own normal approval process—and we are worried that hope is outpacing evidence. We are closely monitoring and will share updates as we have them!

Read it here:
🔗https://theunbiasedscipod.substack.com/p/leucovorin-autism-and-the-fda-separating

10/03/2025

I've been working with kids of all abilities for almost 20 years - I completely agree! There is no such thing as behavior like we have been raised to think it is.