The Future of ABA: Where the Field Is Headed in 2026

The field of ABA has been going through some changes over the last few decades as we continue to research and assess what is best practice for our clients. This has led us to some exciting discoveries of what is beneficial for each individual with whom we work. As in any growing field, and we are relatively new in the study of psychology, we have faced some challenges with less effective practices and outdated approaches in our history, and there is conflicting information on what ABA is and how it works. Currently, we are taking the criticisms of ABA and learning from them to make ABA more beneficial for the learner.

Single Parenthood and Mental Health: A Research-Informed Reflection 

By Rachel Schatzberg, M.S., Ph.D. Candidate, Therapist As a single mother of a child who is turning 18 this year, I’ve been reflecting on what the past years have required, both logistically and emotionally. Single parents are often described as strong or resilient. While well-intended, those words rarely capture the whole experience. Loving your child deeply and struggling with your mental health are not opposing realities. Research shows that single parents experience higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression than parents in two-parent households. This difference is not about effort, motivation, or parenting ability. It reflects the reality of carrying full responsibility over long periods of time.  Being the only adult in a household means there is no shared mental load. Every decision, both large and small, rests on one person. From finances and housing to school decisions, emotional support, and long-term planning, there is no backup decision-maker. Over time, this constant responsibility creates ongoing stress, even during periods when life appears stable from the outside. Many single parents remain focused on functioning and meeting their child’s needs, often setting their own emotional needs aside.  Support plays a significant role in mental health outcomes for single parents. Research shows that single parents who feel supported by friends, family, or community experience better mental well-being than those who feel isolated. Yet many single parents describe a gap between being praised for being “strong” and receiving actual, consistent help. Strength can unintentionally become a label that discourages others from stepping in. When support is limited or unreliable, feelings of loneliness and overwhelm increase. Support is not a luxury or a bonus. It is a protective factor.  Financial stress is another key contributor. Research consistently shows that income strain, housing concerns, and limited access to childcare and other resources explain much of the mental health burden experienced by single parents. Financial pressure rarely appears as a single crisis. Instead, it becomes part of daily life, shaping decisions, limiting rest, and creating constant uncertainty. Over time, this pressure affects mood, sleep, and emotional availability. Many single parents manage these demands quietly, but the impact accumulates.  As my daughter approaches adulthood, I’m beginning to see my own experience with more clarity. For many years, the focus was on meeting her needs, staying functional, and keeping life moving forward. There was little space to reflect on what that required emotionally. Reading the research helped me understand that struggling did not mean I was failing. It meant I was responding in a predictable way to a demanding role with limited support. That understanding brought relief, not because it erased the difficulty, but because it replaced self-judgment with compassion.  Mental health challenges among single parents are common and well documented. They are not personal shortcomings or signs of weakness. They reflect the reality of a role that requires constant responsibility, adaptability, and emotional presence. Many single parents carry this responsibility for years without acknowledgment of the toll it can take. If you are a single parent who recognizes yourself in these experiences, you are not broken. You adapted to circumstances that required a great deal of you. You showed up consistently, often without support, and that matters.  As conversations about mental health continue to grow, single parents must be included honestly and without judgment. Meaningful support, access to resources, and realistic expectations make a difference. If you are a single parent reading this, it is worth pausing to recognize what you have carried. This role deserves recognition, even if that recognition comes from yourself.  References 

Play is a central part of childhood

Play is a central part of childhood. Play is how children learn, grow, and experience the world. Through play, we learn empathy, creativity, problem solving, flexibility, and effective communication. Through play, we also build and strengthen relationships and bonds between caregivers and child. While play is fun, how is it functional? How does building blocks, feeding dolls, or roaring dinosaurs benefit children’s addition of skills? In play, we learn communication skills. We learn how to ask others for a turn. We learn how to ask for what we want and make requests of others. We learn words to express how our dolls or trucks are feeling, moving, and acting. We learn flexibility. We learn that although things might not always be the same, we can be creative and still have so much fun. Maybe we’re out of our favorite blue blocks, but we learn through flexibility that having a blue house with a green roof is WAY cooler than having an all-blue house. We learn turn taking. Sharing is a hugely important skill to master as we grow into adults, partners, and members of society. In play, we learn that sometimes sharing our favorite play dough and watching dad make a snowman can be just as fun and rewarding as making what we want to make. We learn empathy—the doll is crying, the dog is sad because his friends left. Letting creativity flow in play is an absolutely wonderful way to learn about perspectives, empathy, emotions, and event-reaction sequences. We learn problem solving—even if we don’t have a strawberry milkshake, we will find a way to make one. Even if we don’t have a Barbie house, a blanket and a couch will do. Through play, we learn that we DO have the power to create and solve problems all by ourselves! We increase vocabulary—in play, we learn new words to describe colors, places, actions, or events. Play is one of the most valuable tools we have to build relationships and build skills. But… how? How does my child playing with blocks build skills? While play itself is valuable, the most valuable part is getting involved! Listed below are tips and tricks to increasing independence, relationships, and skills through play. Maintain a non-judgmental role. There are no “right” and “wrong” ways to play, as long as play is safe and maintains family and individual values. Model—we can teach through “modeling” actions, without expectation of repetition or response. If your child is struggling to build their domino house, instead of telling them how, sit next to them and build your own house. Use your words to describe what’s happening—the doll is crying because she’s hungry. All the dark blue blocks fell down! Let them observe, analyze, question, and imitate at their own pace. Reflect—reflect on what they’re doing. Reflections let children know that you’re there, watching, and present with them. “You’re building a really tall tower!” or “I see how you’re picking all the purple beads” is a wonderful way to let them know that you are present in the moment and right there with them. Praise—praise the good you see in play. Praise when you see creativity, flexibility, problem solving, empathy, or communication. Praise validates that what they just did is something they should do again in the future. Imitate—imitating their play lets them know that you’re active, engaged, and involved in what they’re doing. This builds confidence in themselves and shows that you’re attending to what’s going on in their world. While we’re having fun getting involved in learning through skill-infused play, below are a few things that we should avoid for the most productive play environment: Negative statements: saying “no” or “don’t” in play should be reserved for things that are dangerous, harmful, or do not align with core family values. For the majority of other situations, play is a time for children to learn what will and won’t work. Even though we, as adults, may understand that stacking the blocks that way will cause them to fall, unless the child’s safety is at risk, instead of saying “don’t”—let them learn, grow, and experience lessons for themselves! A few things to be wary of: questions, jokes, and altering their play schemes. These depend on your child’s age and activity—your 9-year-old may love jokes and sarcasm, and they can be a wonderful way to bond. However, for a 5-year-old who’s still grasping the concept, a joke may seem like you’re disapproving or not enjoying play. Questions are a great way to gain additional insight and be involved in the play scheme; however, we must be aware of the unintentional social demands that questions place. Learning through play is an integral part of childhood—building life experiences one block at a time. Happy playing!

Toilet Training Challenges: You’re Not Alone

Toileting can be one of the most frustrating milestones for families—especially when progress doesn’t look the way you expected it to. While some children seem to move through toilet training quickly, others can get “stuck” along the way. This might show up as difficulty holding for longer periods of time, challenges with nighttime toileting, or ongoing struggles with bowel movements. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. These are some of the most common concerns parents face during the toilet training journey, and they don’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. Every child develops at their own pace, and for many, toileting requires extra time, patience, and support. This is where toilet training consulting can be especially helpful. Having an outside perspective can provide clarity when progress feels stalled and emotions are running high. A toilet training consultant can help identify what might be getting in the way, offer individualized strategies, and guide families toward realistic next steps. Sometimes, the biggest benefit of working with a consultant isn’t just new tools—it’s validation. Knowing that your concerns are valid and that your child’s challenges are common can be incredibly reassuring. With the right support and strategies in place, progress is possible, even when the journey feels slow.

Holiday Routines for Kids: Free Visual Supports and Token Boards to Support Behavior

Receiving an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis can feel like stepping onto a roller coaster—equal parts relief, overwhelm, and uncertainty. On one hand, you finally have answers. On the other, you’ve just entered a new world of therapies, resources, and opinions that most families will never have to navigate.

It’s completely normal to wonder: Am I really doing what’s best for my child?

Is It Time for a Relationship Check-Up?

Life is so busy!

Couples often move through each day crossing things off lists, completing tasks, and moving from one thing to another. We might briefly check in with our partners or spouses in the morning or at dinnertime, but it’s important to take time for meaningful checkups. These aren’t just opportunities to manage conflict, they’re also chances to acknowledge successes and thank each other for things that often go overlooked.

The Science of Habit Formation: How to Make or Break Habits (Without Losing Your Mind)

There’s a moment that happens in every person’s life—usually somewhere between finding a rogue sock in the refrigerator and realizing you’ve been reheating the same cup of coffee for the last three hours—when you think: something’s gotta give.

Mindfulness Matters: Three Easy Ways for You and Your Family to Maintain Mindfulness This Summer

The schedules that kept us on track throughout the school year are now taking a break and we are often flying by the seat of our pants! While enjoying all that summer has to offer, it’s also important to incorporate ease, space, and mindfulness so we can actually enjoy the fun things we plan. Mindfulness is simply the practice of paying attention, without judgement. It’s taking a moment to notice feelings, thoughts, behaviors, and bodily sensations, and it can often leave us feeling rejuvenated and calm. Here are three easy ways to increase mindfulness for you and your family this summer:

How to Keep Your Kids’ Routine Going (Even on Vacation!)

But if you’re a parent, you know that travel can bring a little more chaos than calm—especially when your child thrives on structure. The good news? You can keep a sense of routine while still enjoying a change of scenery.

Try to hold on to the “big” routines, like the morning and bedtime flow. Even if the day’s activities are totally different, starting and ending the day in a familiar way helps your child feel more secure. With that being said, keep brushing teeth, getting dressed, reading that same bedtime book—whatever your child is used to. These little anchors make a big difference.

Mistakes We Make During Conflict

How many times have you and your partner had the same argument over and over again? For so many of us, we relive disagreements countless times, often amping up the intensity each time we engage. According to psychologists and researchers John and Julie Gottman, this repetition and lack of progress causes relationship gridlock and may symbolize a profound difference between you and your partner’s personality and lifestyle preferences.