All behavior has a purpose. It may not look logical, but to your child — it makes sense. In ABA, we call this the function of behavior — the why behind every action.

There are four main functions of behavior:

1️⃣ Attention

2️⃣ Escape or Avoidance

3️⃣ Access to Tangibles

4️⃣ Sensory or Automatic

Once we understand the function, we can teach better behaviors that meet the same need.

How to praise and motivate your child

When to ignore vs. engage

Creating a reward system that works for your child

Helping nonverbal children express needs

Supporting emotional regulation

Teaching children how to ask, wait, and respond

Coping with stress, worry, or burnout

Breaking guilt and perfectionism

Faith-based encouragement and real talk

• Tools for coping with stress, worry, and frustration

• Creating calm-down strategies and self-regulation routines

• Building confidence and resilience

• Homework systems — setting up structure for assignments, projects, and study habits

• Organization tools — planners, checklists, and routines to keep kids on track

• Focus and attention strategies — practical tools for children who struggle to stay on task

• Classroom readiness — helping parents prepare their child for transitions, group work, and participation

• IEP & 504 guidance — understanding plans, preparing for meetings, and knowing what supports to ask for

• School communication — how to confidently collaborate with teachers and staff

• Transitions — moving from grade to grade, elementary to middle, high school to college/work

• Future prep — support for college applications, essays, scholarships, job applications, and workplace readiness