Ten Tools Every ABA Therapist Has - And You Should, Too!
- BloomBHC
- Nov 16, 2025
- 4 min read
ABA Therapy revolves around structure, routine, consistency and individualized goals. While these things can be accomplished many ways, we definitely find that it helps to have certain tools in our metaphorical toolkit to help make things run more smoothly. On that note, the team at Bloom Behavioral Healthcare LLC would like to share the top ten items anyone practicing ABA strategies should have.
Reward charts - or token boards - are a great tool for anyone practicing ABA therapy. They provide a visual for children to see their progress in a clear, motivational way. You can create your own or purchase one to customize.
ABA Therapy encourages positive reinforcement while working toward goals. These keep things fun and rewarding, while syncing good feelings with effort and progress. We suggest having a variety of different items to keep things interesting, focusing on things you know your child is into. Some ideas may include stickers, small toys, or their favorite snacks.
Visual schedules are another great tool for your child. Consistency and predictability are incredibly important to children with autism, allowing them to know what is happening next. Knowing what tasks are expected at a certain time or what activities are coming up help reduce anxiety and lessen the stress of transitions. You can purchase a visual schedule or create your own that fits your own needs and style.
Sometimes something that seems simple to you feels overwhelming to an autistic child. It’s important to provide clarification to your child so they understand what needs to be done before the next thing can be done. A first/then board can provide a visual reference point to show them what needs done now, next and later.
A timer is a helpful tool for a variety of reasons. They can provide a visual passing of time to ease into a transition while teaching patience, providing motivation and encouraging independence. Using a timer can also help grow their understanding in general of time. There are plenty of fun timers available, but you can also just use your phone or microwave!
A large part of ABA therapy involves learning emotional regulation. We suggest having a safe area your child can go to when they are feeling overwhelmed and need to calm down. Make sure it’s stocked with their favorite sensory items that help them relax and work through their feelings. This could be a weighted blanket, chew jewelry, fidget toys, sensory bottles and more.
A dry erase board is a multi-use tool that is great to have on hand! It can be used for writing out daily goals, progress tracking, communicating, drawing their current emotions, etc. It can also be used to practice writing, drawing or playing games together.
Flash cards can be used not just for learning new things, but to help reinforce language and communication skills, express needs, show emotions and implement routine. They are a simple and convenient way to work on skills both at home and on-the-go.
Sensory items are great for more than just calming down in times of stress - they can help keep your child regulated in general. Having these on hand can make a huge difference in your child’s comfort level and ability to focus. Every child is different so be sure to find what works best for yours, but some ideas include fidget spinners, weighted lap pads and hand putty.
While these are physical items to toss in your bag of tricks, it may be some of the most important. Leading with patience and keeping a positive attitude will help both you and the child stay motivated. Don’t forget that every small milestone that is reached is important, a success that leads to the next. Keep a calm demeanor, provide praise and encouragement and don’t forget to celebrate effort, not just the outcome.
Incorporate ABA Therapy Into Your Life with Bloom Behavioral Healthcare
While these items are all helpful to have, the truth is you don’t really need to have fancy materials to see a lasting impact. The most important thing is commitment and consistency - and not just from the child. Families are a huge part of continued progress through ABA therapy. At Bloom Behavioral Healthcare, we work closely with parents and caregivers to make sure ABA strategies can be implemented in a simple, practical way at home to keep things streamlined. We’re happy to help every step of the way to make sure your child’s goals are supported through every area of their life. Contact us today to learn more about how Bloom can help your family!
Note: If you shop through a link provided in this guide, we might earn a small commission. Please shop for items wherever you find the best deal or product for your child/family. These are all highly recommended toys that provide both fun and value to your autistic child, and many are items we utilize within our ABA Therapy plans as well. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
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