Supporting Children with Autism: Two Evidence-Based Approaches 

Supporting Children with Autism: Two Evidence-Based Approaches 

At St. David’s Center, we believe that every child is unique—and so is the path that best supports their growth. Families navigating autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have access to a range of research-backed interventions. Two widely used, proven approaches are Greenspan Floortime, which is practiced at St. David’s, and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Each has distinct strengths, and some families even find that elements of both can complement their child’s development. Below is a side-by-side look at the key features and strengths of each approach: 

Greenspan Floortime  

• Rooted in relationship: Growth, especially for those with an ASD diagnosis, emerges through emotionally attuned interactions and secure connections.  Successful interactions intrinsically create motivation on the child’s part. As a result, they engage with increased frequency and complexity, demonstrate rapid expansion of cognitive, communicative, and social-emotional development, shifting their fundamental approach to learning.  

• Child-led and play-based: Follows the child’s interests to spark joy, curiosity, and engagement. This promotes a desire to acquire new skills, to master complex developmental milestones, and to apply this growth in new and different environments.   

• Whole-child approach: Supports not just behavioral outcomes, but emotional development, communication, and a deepening sense of self. 

• Strengths-focused: Honors each child’s unique way of relating to the world, inviting growth from within, further supporting the child’s intrinsic motivation.  

• Integrated with caregivers: Empowers parents to be central partners in their child’s developmental journey, leading to lasting results and supporting family wellbeing 

• Individualized: Therapists provide attuned and intensive coaching to meet parents and children where they are, and to help them build to the next level of functioning based on mutually agreed upon goals and expectations for improved outcomes. 

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) 

• Highly structured: Breaks down skills into concrete steps, using repetition and reinforcement. 

• Behavior-focused: Aims to reduce challenging behaviors while teaching adaptive, functional skills. 

• Data-driven: Tracks progress in measurable ways to guide treatment plans. 

• Widely available: Often covered by insurance and implemented across a range of settings. 

• Goal-oriented: Especially effective for teaching specific, observable behaviors and routines. 

Looking Forward, Together 

Both Greenspan Floortime and ABA have helped countless children develop essential skills and thrive in the world around them. At St. David’s Center, we are proud to offer Greenspan Floortime as part of our commitment to whole-child, relationship-based care and to supporting each child’s unique developmental journey, starting from where they are. We also respect and recognize the value that ABA offers many families and providers. Ultimately, we believe families deserve choices rooted in evidence and compassion—and that when professionals work together across approaches, children benefit most.