Speech & Communication Delays
Many children with autism are late to talk or use few words. Behind many tantrums is a child who cannot yet tell us what they want. ABA teaches functional communication first, so a child has a reliable way to ask, refuse and share.
Therapy at our San Jose & Oakland centers
What you might notice
- Pulls or leads an adult by the hand instead of asking
- Cries or has meltdowns when wants are not understood
- Repeats words or phrases without using them to communicate
- Rarely points, waves or shows things to others
- Understands more than they can say
Many children show some of these signs without having a condition. A licensed clinician makes any diagnosis; our autism diagnosis & evaluation service is one way to get answers.
How ABA helps
Your BCBA picks a communication mode that fits your child (spoken words, gestures, picture exchange or a device) and teaches requesting, labeling and answering through repeated, rewarding practice. Speech-language pathologists remain the experts on speech itself; ABA works alongside them.
Questions parents ask
Can’t find your answer? Talk to our team.
Is ABA a replacement for speech therapy?
No. They work well together. Speech therapists treat speech and language mechanics; ABA focuses on using communication functionally and consistently across daily situations.
Will my child learn to talk?
We cannot promise a result for any child. We can promise a measured plan: we set communication goals, track them with data and adjust until your child has a dependable way to communicate.
What families say about Rori
5.0★★★★★8 Google reviews
“We tried another ABA provider before finding Rori, and the difference has been night and day. Since my son started the program, I've seen significant improvements in him — the kind that remind me why we kept searching for the righ…”
“At the start of this year, my husband and I were completely lost about what the next steps in our son's behavior plan should be. We found Rori and sat down with Kristine Shannon, and from that very first meeting, everything began…”
“We have been so impressed with Rori from the start. Our child has made so much progress in the last 3months. Kristine and Arta came home to make their first observation/assessment. Their presence made us feel so comfortable and un…”
“Very caring and excellent at what they do. Definitely recommend.”
“Absolutely the best ABA provider I have experienced. My son actually made a huge progress in a short amount of time. Any concern I have with him, the BCBA, Kristine, evaluated in person, both my son and I. By observing in person…”