The Behavior Frontiers Blog

On Thursday, August 28th, Behavior Frontiers proudly celebrated the grand opening of our new autism center in Rancho Cucamonga, CA with a lively Back-to-School Carnival! This exciting community event brought together families, children, and team members to mark the start of our services in Rancho Cucamonga—our second autism treatment center in San Bernardino County. 

On Saturday, August 16th, our Behavior Frontiers Detroit Autism Care Center was buzzing with excitement as families gathered for our Sensory Friendly Back-to-School Carnival. From 11 AM to 2 PM, children and parents enjoyed a day filled with inclusive carnival games, refreshments, school supply giveaways, and community fun—all designed to make the transition into the new school year a little brighter. 

Starting school—or returning to it—can feel like entering a brand-new world. For children on the autism spectrum, the “newness” of school isn’t just about the first day. It’s about unfamiliar teachers, different routines, unexpected changes, and social situations that take time and practice to feel comfortable with. 

As the air gets crisp and school routines kick into gear, fall can bring both exciting moments and big transitions for families of children with autism. The change in weather, light, activities, and structure can feel overwhelming without the right tools—and that's where this guide comes in. 

Read on and you’ll find simple strategies to help your child feel supported, regulated, and ready to embrace all the wonder this season has to offer. 

At Behavior Frontiers, we provide personalized, science-backed ABA therapy to support children on the autism spectrum in reaching their fullest potential—in school and beyond. Below, you’ll find practical, autism-friendly tips to make the back-to-school transition smoother for your whole family. 

We’ve officially opened our doors in Corona—and what an incredible grand opening celebration it was! 

Families, community members, and local partners joined us to celebrate the grand opening of our newest Behavior Frontiers ABA therapy center. From sweet treats and face painting to obstacle courses, balloon animals, and a ribbon cutting, the event was packed with smiles, movement, and meaningful moments. 

Summer is a season full of potential - for play, for exploration, and for creating lifelong memories. For families with children on the autism spectrum, travel is entirely possible with a little extra planning and thoughtful accommodations tailored to your child’s unique needs. 

The Fourth of July is filled with excitement—colorful fireworks, festive gatherings, and family traditions. But for families of children with autism, the holiday may come with a unique sensory landscape that calls for thoughtful planning. 

At Behavior Frontiers, we believe every child deserves the chance to reach their full potential—no matter their race, ethnicity, income, or location. 

But we also know that for many families, the journey to an autism diagnosis and quality care hasn’t always been equal. 

As we observe Juneteenth, a meaningful day that honors the end of slavery and highlights the long journey toward justice and equality, we are reminded that many communities still face barriers to fair and timely autism diagnosis and care. 

Father’s Day is a time to honor the incredible dads, father figures, and caregivers who go above and beyond for their families every day. At Behavior Frontiers, we recognize the important role fathers play in supporting their child’s growth, development, and happiness—especially in families navigating autism. Whether it’s through shared routines, playful moments, or quiet encouragement, dads have a unique way of connecting that makes a lasting impact. 

At Behavior Frontiers, we believe the answer lies not just in what we say—but in what families experience. That’s why we’re proud to share that our Net Promoter Score (NPS) has reached 62 in 2025, placing us among the highest-rated ABA providers in the industry.  

For parents of toddlers with autism, preparing for that exciting first step into school comes with many important questions—especially when you're navigating developmental milestones unique to autism. At Behavior Frontiers, we specialize in helping young children diagnosed with autism build the everyday skills that make school more accessible, enjoyable, and successful.

Behavior Frontiers’ 8-week summer program is back—exclusively for children ages 2 to 6 who are enrolled in ABA therapy at one of our centers. Starting mid-June, this enriching, ABA-based summer program blends purposeful fun with personalized developmental support and skill-building activities to help children grow across all key developmental areas—while having a whole lot of fun with peers. 

Summer is a time of sunshine, exploration, and memory-making—but for families of children with autism, it can also bring new challenges. Whether your child is in school or still at home full-time, summer introduces a different rhythm—one filled with changes in routine, sensory environments, and social expectations. 

Summer brings a world of opportunities for children to enjoy the water—whether it’s splashing in the pool, playing at the beach, or running through the backyard sprinkler. For families of children with autism, these activities can be joyful and enriching, especially when water safety is planned ahead of time.

When your child begins ABA therapy, their care team creates a personalized plan designed to support meaningful growth across all areas of development. This plan is centered around your child’s unique goals, strengths, and interests—ensuring that care is both effective and engaging. 

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental difference that describes variations in how a person communicates, interacts with others, and processes the world around them. Because it exists on a spectrum, autism can look very different from one person to another. But what many may not realize is that mental health challenges—like anxiety, depression, and mood disorders—are significantly more common among individuals with autism. 

The recent tornado in St. Louis has brought sudden disruption, damage, and uncertainty to many families. For those raising a child with autism, these challenges can feel especially overwhelming. Changes in routine, loud noises, unfamiliar environments, and emotional stress can all make recovery even more difficult. 

If you're feeling stretched thin, please know: it’s okay to focus on the bare essentials. Your presence, your care, and your effort—no matter how imperfect—are enough. 

Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate love, care, and the incredible strength of those who show up—day in and day out—for their children. At Behavior Frontiers, we want to take a moment to honor the moms, the mother figures, and the caregivers who are helping the children of our world grow, connect, and thrive. 

Understanding how your child is developing is one of the most important parts of parenting. While every child grows at their own pace, some early differences in communication, behavior, and social interaction may suggest signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Recognizing these signs early can help families connect with helpful resources and support earlier in their child’s developmental course. 

New CDC data shows autism affects 1 in 31 children—up from 1 in 36. Learn how Behavior Frontiers is expanding access to ABA services to support families across the country.

For over 50 years, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy has been the gold standard in autism care. It is the most researched and scientifically proven approach, helping individuals with autism develop essential life skills, like improving communication and independence. ABA is the only autism therapy endorsed by the U.S. Surgeon General and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) due to its strong scientific foundation and long-term effectiveness. 

Exciting news for families and providers in Southeast Michigan — Behavior Frontiers is expanding again! Our fifth Michigan ABA therapy center is opening soon in Riverview, and we’re inviting the community to help us celebrate. 

Families in South Texas have a new reason to celebrate — Behavior Frontiers is opening its second San Antonio autism center, expanding our footprint across Texas to help more children access life-changing care. This will be our third location in the state, joining our existing centers in Plano and Northwest San Antonio. 

Autism is more common than many may realize. Today, 1 in 36 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with autism. Yet, despite growing recognition, many families still struggle to access the high-quality support their children need. Parents face long waitlists, uncertainty about therapy options, and the challenge of navigating a complex healthcare system. 

At Behavior Frontiers, we exist to change that. Our mission is to ensure that children with autism receive the expert care, guidance, and support they need to develop life-changing skills, build independence, and thrive in everyday life. 

The first day of spring brings new beginnings, warmer weather, and exciting opportunities for outdoor fun. However, seasonal changes can also bring sensory challenges, schedule changes, and new experiences that may require preparation for children with autism. With a little planning, families can help their children enjoy the season comfortably and confidently.  

Whether your child loves crafting, exploring textures, or engaging in movement activities, we’ve compiled simple sensory-friendly St. Patrick’s Day crafts and activities to celebrate the holiday in a way that works best for them. 

As a leader in personalized and compassionate ABA therapy, Behavior Frontiers is committed to supporting children with autism and their families by providing tailored, evidence-based therapy in a structured, play-based environment. With two state-of-the-art centers in Riverside and a third location opening this summer, we are here to help families access early intervention, school readiness, and social skills development through high-quality ABA therapy. 

While autism can present similarly in both boys and girls, there may be subtle differences in how traits appear. Because traditional diagnostic models were developed based on male traits, some of the ways autism manifests in girls may be overlooked or recognized later. 

It’s important to note that boys and girls can exhibit the same behaviors, but certain tendencies may be more common in girls. These differences don’t mean that all girls experience autism this way, nor that boys don’t exhibit these traits—just that patterns may vary across individuals. 

At Behavior Frontiers, we understand that early diagnosis leads to better outcomes. That’s why we’ve partnered with highly qualified licensed psychologists across select regions to provide faster access to autism evaluations. In many cases, families can receive their results in as little as three weeks!