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Steps To Progress

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Houston, TX
Steps To Progress

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Therapy for Children with Autism in Houston, Texas

Steps to Progress LLC provides center-based and in-home services using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). We go beyond what's expected from ABA Therapy by treating each child as an individual as we work to improve their learning skills, social interactions, and awareness while reducing behavioral issues. Steps to Progress has been providing exceptional ABA therapy to children with autism in the Greater Houston area for over ten years. Our BCBAs have extensive experience providing ABA therapy, both as therapists and as BCBAs. Our Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) have college degrees, even though it's not a requirement for their certification. Our goal is to provide the best ABA therapy for each child, helping them to acquire skills and achieve their potential.

04/02/2026

ABA therapy is often associated with behavior, but its impact goes much further, especially when it comes to communication. Many children struggle to express their needs or be understood.

🗣️ Expressing Wants & Needs
From words to signs or devices, kids learn how to clearly communicate what they need.

🤝 Reducing Frustration
When a child can be understood, many challenging behaviors naturally decrease.

👂 Building Understanding
ABA also strengthens listening skills—like following directions and recognizing cues.

💬 Encouraging Social Connection
Simple interactions like requesting, responding, or starting a conversation begin to grow.

Every child communicates differently and ABA works to meet them where they are to help them find their voice!

03/31/2026

We often focus on big changes (like leaving the house or starting school), but in ABA, we see it all the time, micro-transitions can be just as challenging.

👉 Switching from one toy to another
👉 Pausing a favorite activity
👉 Being asked to shift attention suddenly

These moments may seem minor to us, but they can feel like a loss of control or predictability for a child.

The good news? Small supports can make a BIG difference:
• Give a quick heads-up (“2 more minutes, then we clean up”)
• Use simple visual cues or timers
• Offer choices (“Do you want to clean up blocks or cars first?”)
• Keep transitions predictable when possible

When we support micro-transitions, we’re teaching flexibility and building trust!

03/26/2026

There’s a lot of misinformation out there about ABA therapy, so lets go over a few of the most common things people usually get wrong about ABA therapy.

🚫 “ABA is about forcing kids to comply.”
✅ Good ABA focuses on teaching communication, independence, and choice, not blind compliance.

🚫 “ABA ignores emotions.”
✅ Emotions are at the center of what we do. We teach kids how to express their needs instead of becoming overwhelmed.

🚫 “ABA is robotic or one-size-fits-all.”
✅ Every program is individualized. What works for one child may not work for another, and that’s okay.

🚫 “ABA only happens at a table.”
✅ The best ABA happens in real life during play, routines, and everyday moments.

At its core, ABA is about helping each individual build meaningful skills that improve their quality of life. Have you heard any of these before?

03/24/2026

Public tantrums can feel overwhelming, but there are ways to handle them calmly and effectively using ABA strategies. 💙

First, take a breath. Your calm response sets the tone.

🔍 1. Identify the “why”
Is your child trying to escape something, get attention, or access a preferred item? Understanding the function helps guide your response.

🧩 2. Stay consistent
If the tantrum is to gain something (like a toy or candy), avoid giving it during the behavior. This prevents reinforcing the tantrum.

👏 3. Reinforce calm behavior
The moment your child begins to calm down, even slightly, offer praise or a preferred item. Catch the good behavior early!

🗣️ 4. Teach replacement skills
Practice simple alternatives like:

“Help please”
“All done”
Pointing or using visuals

🚶‍♀️ 5. Plan ahead
Bring reinforcers, set expectations before entering the store, and keep outings short while building tolerance.

Remember: progress takes time, and every small win matters. You’re not alone in this. 💙

03/19/2026

Struggling with bedtime routines? You’re not alone.

For many children, transitions like bedtime can feel overwhelming, especially when it means stopping preferred activities.

Using simple ABA strategies can make bedtime smoother:

✔ Create a consistent routine (same steps every night)
✔ Use visual schedules so your child knows what’s coming next
✔ Give countdowns (ex: “5 more minutes, then bedtime”)
✔ Reinforce positive behavior with praise or small rewards

Consistency is important because over time, these small changes should lead to calmer, more predictable nights.

A structured routine can help your child and the whole family!

03/16/2026

ABA Therapy vs. Speech Therapy: What’s the Difference? Parents often ask: “Does my child need ABA… or speech therapy?”

The answer is sometimes both, but they serve different purposes.

🧩 ABA Therapy focuses on:
• Behavior and skill-building
• Improving communication through structured teaching
• Social skills and daily living skills
• Reducing challenging behaviors by teaching replacement skills

🗣 Speech Therapy focuses on:
• Articulation and pronunciation
• Language development
• Feeding/oral motor skills
• Expressive and receptive language

We often collaborate with speech therapists so children feel supported. The goal isn’t one vs. the other, it’s giving your child the right tools to communicate and grow.

Have questions about what might be appropriate for your child? Send us a message!

03/13/2026

🌴✈️ Activity Idea: What to Pack for a Trip!

Spring Break is the perfect time to talk about travel and routines in ABA sessions. One fun activity we suggest is “What to Pack for a Trip.”

🧳 Start by showing a suitcase and asking:
“We’re going on a trip! What should we pack?”

Children choose items and place them in the suitcase while practicing communication and decision-making skills.

Items might include:
👕 Clothes
🪥 Toothbrush
🧦 Socks
🎮 Toy
🍎 Snack

Consider adding a few silly items (like a remote or pillow!) so learners can practice identifying what belongs and what doesn’t.

🎯 Skills targeted:
• Categorization
• "WH" questions
• Functional communication
• Following directions
• Expanding sentences

Fun, interactive activities like this help learners practice real-life skills while building communication and independence. 🌟

03/11/2026

Emotional regulation is an important skill that helps children understand and manage their feelings in different situations. For many children receiving ABA therapy, learning how to recognize emotions and respond to them in positive ways is an integral part of their development.

Through structured support and individualized strategies, ABA therapy can help children:

• Identify and label their emotions
• Practice calming strategies
• Develop coping skills during challenging moments
• Improve communication about how they feel

Over time, these skills can help children navigate daily routines, social situations, and new environments with greater confidence.

03/06/2026

🌴✈️ Spring Break travel tips for families in ABA therapy.

Spring break trips can be exciting, but changes in routine can sometimes be challenging for children receiving ABA therapy. A little preparation can help make travel smoother and more enjoyable for the whole family!

Here are a few helpful tips:

✅ Prepare Ahead – Talk about the trip in advance. Show pictures of where you’re going and explain what to expect.

🗓️ Use Visual Schedules – Create a simple schedule of the day’s activities to help your child understand what’s coming next.

🎒 Pack Comfort Items – Bring favorite toys, sensory tools, snacks, or familiar items that help your child stay regulated.

⏱️ Practice Waiting & Transitions – Airports, car rides, and attractions often involve waiting. Practicing these skills ahead of time can help reduce stress.

👏 Celebrate Small Moments– Traveling is a big experience! Praise and reinforce positive behaviors throughout the trip.

What are your favorite sensory-friendly travel tips? Share in the comments!

03/04/2026

Spring Break is coming up! While school schedules may change, it’s still a great time to continue supporting your child’s daily structure.

School breaks can interrupt routines, but maintaining consistency at home can help children continue building the skills they’ve been working on in ABA therapy. Simple things like keeping a daily routine, practicing communication skills, encouraging independence, and reinforcing positive behaviors can be incredibly helpful.

Spring Break is also a great opportunity to turn everyday activities like trips to the park, family outings, or playtime at home into learning moments for support social, communication, and life skills.

02/27/2026

Progress in ABA therapy happens through partnership. Strong collaboration between parents and ABA therapists can make a powerful difference in a child’s learning. When families and therapists communicate openly, align on goals, and consistently reinforce strategies at home, children are more likely to acclimate to and form new skills.

Ways to strengthen collaboration:
🤝 Keep strategies consistent between home and therapy
📈 Support skill-building daily to encourage steady progress
🧠 Share insights about your child’s strengths and challenges
🎯 Work together to set clear goals and track progress

Parent involvement isn’t just encouraged in ABA therapy, it’s deeply valued. Through regular updates, parent training, and teamwork, we work together to create an environment that extends beyond sessions and into everyday life.

Have questions about how we partner with families? We’d love to connect and share more about our approach. 💙

02/25/2026

Starting ABA therapy is a big step, for both you and your child. 💙 If your child is getting ready for their first ABA session, it’s completely normal to feel a mix of emotions. The good news? A little preparation can make the transition smoother and more comfortable.

Here are a few simple ways to prepare:

✨ Talk about it positively – Keep explanations simple and reassuring.
✨ Keep routines consistent – Familiar routines help reduce anxiety.
✨ Bring comfort items – A favorite toy or snack can help your child feel secure.
✨ Stay calm and confident – Children often mirror your emotions.
✨ Ask questions – Your ABA team is there to support you every step of the way.

Remember, the first session is often focused on building trust, connection, and understanding your child’s unique strengths and needs. If you have questions about starting ABA therapy, we’re here to help. 💬

Address

3500 S Gessner, Suite 300
Houston, TX
77063

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 6pm
Tuesday	8am - 6pm
Wednesday	8am - 6pm
Thursday	8am - 6pm
Friday	8am - 6pm

Website

http://www.stepstoprogress.com/

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Our Story

Steps to Progress LLC provides center-based and in-home services using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Our goal is to treat each child as an individual as we work to improve their learning skills, social interaction, and awareness while reducing behavioral issues.

As parents of a child with autism, Ruth and Dennis Pierce founded Steps to Progress LLC because they wanted their son and other children with autism to receive the best ABA therapy available in Houston.

The Pierces also wanted to be a resource to other parents who were facing the many challenges that come with autism. Finding providers for other services, working with insurance companies, managing scheduling challenges at work, therapy, and sibling commitments, sorting through conflicting advice on other treatments and therapies, and navigating through the process of school placement and academics are all difficulties that parents of autistic children share. Ruth and Dennis wanted to create a company that would help to address these challenges.

Prior to Steps to Progress, Ruth managed the business side of an in-home ABA provider for which Claudio Rodriguez supervised therapy. In 2009, when Ruth and Dennis formed Steps to Progress, Claudio Rodriguez, M.S., BCBA, agreed to be the Program Director for the company. They decided to provide both clinic-based and in-home ABA therapy for families who needed help, and the rest is history.