Daycare or ABA Therapy? Choosing the Right Support for Your Child

Daycare or ABA Therapy? Choosing the Right Support for Your Child with Autism

Choosing the right environment is a big decision. While daycare may be in a familiar setting, they are not therapeutic or equipped to focus on the developmental needs of an autistic child. ABA therapy (Applied Behavior Analysis) is a science backed, individualized, treatment that is prescribed by a doctor. ABA helps children build lasting skills in communication and adaptive living. ABA offers more than care; it is medically necessary treatment that provides a foundation for lifelong growth.

What Sets ABA Therapy Apart

Daycare programs are built to care for groups of children. Often one staff watches 6 or more children and is paid for privately (i.e., out of pocket). ABA is a medically necessary treatment that is individualized and often paid for by medical insurance. ABA breaks down complex skills into manageable steps and teaches those skills in ways that fit a child’s unique learning style.

At Little Leaves, our center-based ABA therapy for toddlers and preschool-aged children is delivered in a structured, preschool-like environment, but with a key difference. Every child receives one-on-one support from a trained Behavior Technician, helping them engage in learning, play, and social experiences with the guidance and attention they need to thrive.

Individualized Therapy, Not One-Size-Fits-All

Unlike daycare programs, ABA therapy is fully personalized. At Little Leaves, we work closely with families to understand their child’s strengths, challenges, and developmental goals. From there, our Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) create a tailored therapy plan that evolves as the child grows.

This individualized approach allows us to target meaningful goals—such as language development and peer interaction—at the right pace and intensity for each child.

“Through ABA, 1000’s of structured, learning opportunities are offered each day to teach language and other skills in the way your child learns. Information is collected on each learning opportunity and reviewed to ensure that progress is being made and goals are met.” Dr. Ivy Chong, Chief Clinical Officer of Little Leaves Behavioral Services.

More Than Learning: Building Independence and Life Skills

ABA therapy goes beyond academic readiness. It helps children build essential life skills, such as toileting, feeding, transitioning between activities, and following group instructions. These are foundational skills that prepare children to succeed in school and everyday life.

At Little Leaves, we embed 100’s of learning opportunities into the daily routine. This not only supports functional independence but also boosts confidence and reduces stress for families during transitions.

Through parent engagement and collaborative goal setting, ABA can foster family relationships and minimize challenging behaviors through teaching important communication skills to the child.

Supporting Families Every Step of the Way

Another large difference between ABA therapy and daycare is the level of caregiver involvement. At Little Leaves, we provide regular caregiver support and coaching that equips you with tools to use at home and in the community. This creates consistency between therapy and real-life situations, helping your child generalize new skills in meaningful ways.

Little Leaves Behavioral Services provides high-quality, center-based ABA therapy for children ages 1 to 6 with autism. Our programs are individualized, evidence-based, and delivered in a supportive, preschool-like setting. With a 1:1 therapist-to-child ratio and a team of credentialed clinicians, we help children build meaningful skills in communication, social interaction, and independence. We proudly serve families in Maryland, Virginia, and Florida. We recently opened our doors in Middle River and Owings Mills, MD to support more communities in need.