ABA Therapy vs Other Therapies: What’s Right for Your Child?

If you are a parent in Abu Dhabi or anywhere in the UAE, you might have searched online for “ABA clinic near me” or “speech therapy for autism.” It’s common to feel confused about which therapy is right for your child.

The reality is that autism therapy is not a “one-size-fits-all” solution. Different therapies target different areas of development. The good news is, these therapies can work together. Think of your child’s growth like building a house:

• ABA therapy is the foundation, helping with learning and behavior.
• Speech therapy adds the windows, allowing communication to flow.
• Occupational therapy adds the doors, giving independence in daily living.
• Play therapy paints the walls with creativity and emotions.

When these pieces come together, the house becomes strong and welcoming.

Why Parents Get Confused About Therapies

In the UAE, awareness of autism is growing. According to the CDC (Maenner et al., 2023), about 1 in 36 children is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). With so many therapy options—ABA, speech, OT, play therapy—parents often wonder: “Which one should I choose first?”

The confusion happens because:

• Each therapy sounds important but focuses on different skills.
• Clinics may emphasize one therapy more than others.
• Progress is different for every child, which makes decisions harder.

Understanding the role of each therapy can help you make confident, informed choices.

What Is ABA Therapy?

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a structured, evidence-based therapy that teaches children by breaking skills into smaller steps and reinforcing success.

• Goal: Improve behavior, communication, learning, and social skills.
• Example: If your child cries when asked to brush their teeth, ABA teaches the routine step by step—picking up the toothbrush, adding toothpaste, brushing, and rewarding cooperation.
• Research: Studies show that intensive ABA programs (20–40 hours per week) lead to significant improvements in communication, learning, and adaptive behaviors (Eldevik et al., 2009; Peters-Scheffer et al., 2011).

ABA is often described as the “backbone” of autism intervention because it addresses behaviors that might otherwise block progress in other therapies.

How Speech Therapy Helps Children

Speech therapy focuses on communication—both verbal and non-verbal.

• What it does: Improves speaking, understanding, and social interaction.
• Example: If a child points to the fridge instead of saying “water,” speech therapy teaches them to use words, gestures, or communication boards.
• Research: Children with autism often struggle with language development. Research confirms that speech therapy significantly improves expressive and receptive language (Law et al., 2017).

In the UAE, speech therapy is often combined with ABA therapy so that children not only learn what to say but also when and why to say it.

How Occupational Therapy Works

Occupational therapy (OT) supports independence in daily living.

• What it does: Builds fine motor skills, sensory processing, and daily routines.
• Example: If a child struggles to button a shirt, OT uses hand-strengthening exercises and visual aids to build that skill.
• Research: According to Tomchek & Koenig (2016), OT helps children with autism improve participation in everyday activities, particularly when sensory challenges are present.

OT complements ABA by addressing physical readiness for learning tasks.

The Role of Play Therapy

Play therapy focuses on emotions, imagination, and social relationships.

• What it does: Uses toys, games, and role-play to help children express feelings and build social skills.
• Example: If a child avoids playing with peers, play therapy can encourage turn-taking games in a safe environment.
• Research: Ray et al. (2015) found that play therapy helps reduce anxiety and improve social interactions in children with developmental differences.

In Abu Dhabi, many families choose play therapy as a gentle introduction before structured therapies, but it works best when combined with ABA.

How ABA Complements Other Therapies

Think of ABA as the coach that guides all other therapies.

• ABA motivates the child to sit, listen, and respond.
• Speech therapy fine-tunes how the child communicates.
• OT strengthens motor and sensory readiness for tasks.
• Play therapy encourages social-emotional growth.

Without ABA, progress in other therapies may be slower because core behaviors are not addressed.

Why ABA Is Often Recommended First

Many clinics recommend ABA first because it prepares children for other therapies.

• If a child cannot sit for 10 minutes, speech therapy is harder to deliver.
• If tantrums are frequent, OT exercises are interrupted.
• If a child avoids interaction, play therapy is limited.

ABA reduces these barriers, creating a smoother pathway for complementary therapies. Research by Lovaas (1987) showed that children who received intensive ABA made greater progress compared to those in non-ABA programs.

How Long Does It Take to See Results?

Therapies take time, and results vary by child.

• ABA Therapy: Many children show progress in 3–6 months with consistent sessions (Eldevik et al., 2009).
• Speech Therapy: Language improvements may take 6–12 months depending on severity.
• OT: Fine motor and sensory improvements often appear after several months.
• Play Therapy: Emotional and social changes may be gradual but meaningful.

The key is consistency. When therapies are combined and reinforced at home, progress is faster.

How Parents and Teachers Fit Into the Picture

Therapists alone cannot create lasting change. Parents and teachers are vital partners.

• Parent training in ABA helps families reinforce positive behaviors at home (Bearss et al., 2015).
• Teachers who understand ABA strategies can manage classrooms better and support inclusion.
• Consistency across home, school, and therapy accelerates success.

This is why many families in Abu Dhabi search for “ABA training for parents” along with clinics—because empowerment starts at home.

Finding an ABA Therapy Center Near You in Abu Dhabi

If you are searching for an “ABA therapy center near me” or specifically “ABA therapy in Abu Dhabi,” consider these factors:

• Does the clinic provide individualized plans?
• Are sessions delivered by certified therapists?
• Is parent training part of the program?
• Does the clinic coordinate with speech, OT, and play therapists?

At Engage, we believe in a holistic approach. We specialize in ABA while working with other therapy professionals so your child’s development is supported from every angle.

Conclusion

Choosing the right therapy for your child can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be a battle of ABA vs speech vs OT vs play therapy. These therapies are not competitors—they are teammates.

• ABA provides the structure.
• Speech therapy opens communication.
• OT builds independence.
• Play therapy develops emotional expression.

Together, they create a stronger future for your child. And with the right ABA therapy in Abu Dhabi, supported by parent and teacher training, children can thrive not only today but as adults in the future.

References

• Bearss, K., Johnson, C., Smith, T., Lecavalier, L., Swiezy, N., Aman, M., … & Scahill, L. (2015). Effect of parent training vs parent education on behavioral problems in children with autism spectrum disorder: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA, 313(15), 1524-1533.
• Eldevik, S., Hastings, R. P., Hughes, J. C., Jahr, E., Eikeseth, S., & Cross, S. (2009). Meta-analysis of early intensive behavioral intervention for children with autism. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 38(3), 439-450.
• Law, J., Charlton, J., Dockrell, J., Gascoigne, M., McKean, C., & Theakston, A. (2017). Early language development: Needs, provision, and intervention for preschool children from disadvantaged backgrounds. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 52(4), 489–500.
• Lovaas, O. I. (1987). Behavioral treatment and normal educational and intellectual functioning in young autistic children. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55(1), 3–9.
• Maenner, M. J., Shaw, K. A., Bakian, A. V., et al. (2023). Prevalence and characteristics of autism spectrum disorder among children aged 8 years — Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 sites, United States, 2020. MMWR Surveillance Summaries, 72(2), 1–14.
• Peters-Scheffer, N., Didden, R., Korzilius, H., & Sturmey, P. (2011). A meta-analytic study on the effectiveness of comprehensive ABA-based early intervention programs for children with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 5(1), 60-69.
• Ray, D. C., Armstrong, S. A., Balkin, R. S., & Jayne, K. (2015). Child-centered play therapy in the schools: Review and meta-analysis. Psychology in the Schools, 52(2), 107-123.
• Tomchek, S. D., & Koenig, K. P. (2016). Occupational therapy practice guidelines for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 70(5), 7005397010p1–7005397010p48.