As a new week begins, remember this gentle truth: “When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.” Your child is not broken. Your child is learning, growing, and responding to the world around them in the best way they can right now. In ABA, we focus on changing supports, teaching new skills, and creating environments where communication, confidence, and independence can grow. Every small step matters. Every effort you make at home matters. This week, give yourself permission to notice progress, celebrate the tiny wins, and trust that with the right supports, your child can shine in their own way. You are not alone in this journey.

If you’re a parent trying to understand ABA and how to better support your child, I’ve created free courses just for you. These courses break down ABA in simple, practical terms without jargon or pressure to “do things perfectly.” They’re designed to help you understand what ABA really is, what your role as a parent can look like, and how to feel more confident advocating for your child during services. Whether you’re new to ABA therapy or have been in the system for a while, my hope is that these courses give you clarity, reassurance, and tools you can actually use in everyday life. They’re completely free and available for you to explore at your own pace in the classroom section. If you’ve taken one already, I’d love to hear what stood out for you. If you haven’t, feel free to check them out and share with another parent who might find them helpful. New courses will be added weekly!

If you’re raising a child with autism or developmental disabilities, there may be days you feel tired, uncertain, or like you’re carrying more than people can see. I want to say this clearly: you are not alone, and you are not failing. It’s easy to get pulled into comparison, timelines, and what society says a child “should” look like. But your child is not a problem to solve. Your child is a person to understand, support, and love. Progress can be quiet. Growth can be slow. And sometimes the biggest changes happen in the smallest moments at home. Your child has strengths, even if they are still emerging. Your child has gifts, even if the world hasn’t noticed them yet. Every child has a light the world needs. Sometimes our role as parents is not to force that light to shine in a certain way, but to protect it, nurture it, and create the conditions for it to grow. Support doesn’t only happen in therapy hours. It happens when you speak gently during a hard moment. It happens when you keep routines steady. It happens when you notice what your child is trying to communicate and respond with patience. It happens when you celebrate small wins that others might overlook. If you needed permission to breathe today, this is it. If you needed permission to stop comparing, this is it. If you needed a reminder that your love and consistency matter more than perfection, this is it. Reflection: What is one strength in my child that I want to notice and name more often? You’re welcome to share your reflections below. If you’d rather read quietly, that’s okay too. You belong here.

Welcome!🙂This is a free, supportive space for parents new to or using Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) therapy. Here, you’ll find free courses, practical tips, live Q&As, and guidance to help your child with autism or developmental disabilities build communication, independence, social, and life skills, as well as emotional regulation, by a Registered Behaviour Analyst (RBA, Ont.)/Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA). Kindly introduce yourself below: Your name One thing you hope to learn in this Hub 💛 We are so glad you’re here - let’s help every star shine brighter together! www.novaabaservices.org Disclaimer This community provides general education and support only. It is not a substitute for individualized ABA services or therapy. If you're a family seeking clinical support, individualized ABA services, assessments, or programming, you can connect with www.novaabaservices.org outside this community. This group will always remain free and educational.

What do you wish professionals asked you more about when supporting your family? There’s no right or wrong answer here. Share your thoughts.