Steps To Progress

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.

Progress in ABA therapy happens through partnership. Strong collaboration between parents and ABA therapists can make a ...
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. 💙

Starting ABA therapy is a big step, for both you and your child. 💙 If your child is getting ready for their first ABA se...
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. 💬

🧠 What Burnout Looks Like in Autistic ChildrenBurnout isn’t just an adult experience. Autistic children can experience b...
02/20/2026

🧠 What Burnout Looks Like in Autistic Children

Burnout isn’t just an adult experience. Autistic children can experience burnout too, especially when navigating constant sensory input, social demands, and structured expectations.

Burnout may look like:
• Increased irritability or emotional outbursts
• Regression in skills
• Withdrawal or shutdown behaviors
• Task avoidance
• Heightened sensory sensitivity

What may appear as “non-compliance” can often be exhaustion.

That’s why we prioritize balanced programming, regulation breaks, sensory-informed spaces, and individualized care. Progress should support a child’s well-being, not overwhelm it.

Choosing between ABA therapy and a Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities (PPCD) depends on your child’s uniqu...
02/18/2026

Choosing between ABA therapy and a Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities (PPCD) depends on your child’s unique needs.

✨ ABA focuses on 1:1 support to build communication, behavior, and daily living skills before transitioning into group settings.

📚 PPCD provides a classroom environment where children learn alongside peers with built-in educational support.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, only what works best for your child right now. 💙

Monitoring progress and staying flexible is incredibly helpful! Have questions? We’re here to help guide you through the decision.

Read more:

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) or Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities (PPCD)? The mandatory age to start school in Texas is six years, and children with autism may be eligible to start public school at age three in the Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities (PPCD). There may....

We believe holidays like Valentine's Day are a great opportunity to connect with our children in ways that feel natural ...
02/12/2026

We believe holidays like Valentine's Day are a great opportunity to connect with our children in ways that feel natural and wholesome. While these holidays can be exciting for some children, they can also feel overwhelming or unpredictable for children with autism. Valentine’s Day being one of those holidays, we wanted to share three simple activities parents can try at home with their children to commemorate the day and make it a little extra special:

1. Create Simple Valentine Cards Together
Making cards at home allows your child to practice fine motor skills, choice-making, and communication in a low-pressure setting. Offer visual choices (stickers, colors, short phrases) and model simple messages. If your child uses AAC, this is a great opportunity to practice selecting phrases for giving a card.

2. Practice a “Valentine Exchange” at Home
Role-play what giving and receiving a card might look like. Practice greetings, handing over the card, saying “thank you,” and putting the card away. Rehearsing in a calm environment can help reduce anxiety and build confidence before school or community events.

3. Plan a Favorite Activity Date
Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to revolve around large social gatherings. Choose a preferred activity like baking, a sensory craft, building, or a movie night, and focus on enjoying that with one another.

It doesn't have to be complicated, in fact, simple is often best. Happy Valentine's Day to all!

💕 Understanding Connection & RelationshipsWhile Valentine’s Day celebrates connection, we know that connection can look ...
02/10/2026

💕 Understanding Connection & Relationships

While Valentine’s Day celebrates connection, we know that connection can look different for each individual. ABA therapy helps children build social connections by teaching foundational skills such as shared attention, turn-taking, and responding to others. These skills support positive interactions, whether that’s playing alongside a peer, sharing a favorite activity, or engaging in simple back-and-forth communication.

During ABA therapy, we focus on creating positive, supportive learning experiences that can have meaningful impacts on social engagement over time. Building relationships is a process, and every moment of connection is worth celebrating. ❤️

Why does autism look different from child to child? Autism is a spectrum, meaning every child experiences it differently...
02/05/2026

Why does autism look different from child to child? Autism is a spectrum, meaning every child experiences it differently, with their own strengths, challenges, and abilities. Some children may need more support with communication or social skills, while others may excel in areas like problem-solving, memory, or creativity. Understanding autism as a spectrum helps families and caregivers focus on each child’s individual needs and celebrate progress in all its forms. This is why we strongly encourage individualized support that meets each child where they are and helps them grow at their own pace.

Q: What does ABA therapy focus on?ABA therapy focuses on teaching practical, meaningful skills that help individuals nav...
02/03/2026

Q: What does ABA therapy focus on?
ABA therapy focuses on teaching practical, meaningful skills that help individuals navigate everyday life with greater confidence. This includes building communication skills, social interaction, emotional regulation, and daily living abilities in ways that uniquely benefit each child's unique strengths and needs.

The goal of ABA therapy is to support long-term independence and success by breaking skills into manageable steps and using positive, evidence-based strategies. Progress may happen gradually, but each step helps create a stronger foundation for learning, growth, and everyday experiences!

How Long Will My Child Need ABA Therapy? It’s one of the most common questions parents ask, and the answer isn’t one-siz...
01/29/2026

How Long Will My Child Need ABA Therapy? It’s one of the most common questions parents ask, and the answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. There’s no standard timeline for ABA therapy because every child’s journey is unique. Factors like skill level, progress toward goals, and family decisions all play an important role.

If you’ve ever wondered what determines the length of ABA therapy, we break it down in this blog.

Read more here: https://www.stepstoprogress.com/blog/aba-therapy/how-long-will-my-child-need-aba-therapy/

When you think about Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for your child, you may wonder how long your child will need ABA therapy. Learn more from our team.

Bundling Up❄️Winter weather gives a great opportunity to practice important life skills! Things like zipping jackets, bu...
01/26/2026

Bundling Up❄️

Winter weather gives a great opportunity to practice important life skills! Things like zipping jackets, buttoning coats, putting on gloves or hats, and following simple dressing routines can all help build independence and confidence.

Daily moments can be moments for meaningful learning!

We’re proud to be members of the Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP), a nonprofit organization dedicated to advan...
01/22/2026

We’re proud to be members of the Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP), a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing best practices in autism services.

CASP membership reflects a commitment to quality, safety, and effectiveness in care. Member organizations are held to high standards and are expected to promote and implement evidence-based practices across their services.

For the families we serve, this means care that is informed, accountable, and rooted in proven approaches, always with your child’s best interests at the center.

Have you been learning more about ABA therapy and wondering what the next step looks like? We’d love to invite you to vi...
01/20/2026

Have you been learning more about ABA therapy and wondering what the next step looks like? We’d love to invite you to visit our Houston clinic at 3600 South Gessner and see our space in person. We have designed every space with our families in mind.

As observation is an important part of ABA therapy, you will see that our therapy rooms include viewing windows and cameras in order for sessions to be observed comfortably while maintaining a focused learning environment.

Are you interested in taking the next step? Contact us to schedule an in-person tour!

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

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Steps To Progress posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Steps To Progress:

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category

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.