How to Teach Daily Living Skills Through ABA

Daily living skills — like brushing teeth, getting dressed, or using the bathroom — are essential for independence. But for many children with autism, these skills don’t develop naturally. ABA therapy helps break them down into achievable steps using evidence-based strategies.

What Are Daily Living Skills?

Daily living skills (also called adaptive skills) include:

• Personal hygiene (toothbrushing, bathing, grooming)

• Dressing and undressing

• Toileting

• Meal preparation and feeding

• Household chores

• Safety awareness (crossing streets, using appliances)

Why These Skills Matter

Beyond meeting basic needs, these skills:

• Increase independence

• Reduce caregiver stress

• Improve confidence and self-esteem

• Support transitions to school or adulthood

How ABA Teaches These Skills

1. Task Analysis
   Break the skill into small, teachable steps. For example:

• Brushing teeth: turn on water → pick up toothbrush → apply toothpaste → brush top teeth → rinse, etc.

1. Prompting
   Use verbal, gestural, or physical prompts to guide each step, then gradually fade them.

2. Modeling
   Demonstrate the task, then let your child imitate.

3. Chaining
   Teach steps in sequence, either starting from the beginning (forward chaining) or end (backward chaining).

4. Reinforcement
   Celebrate each success — whether it's completing the whole task or trying one step. Stickers, high-fives, or tokens work well.

When to Start

Start now. You don’t need to wait until a “certain age.” Begin with small routines — even toddlers can help put away toys or wash hands with assistance.

Parent Tips

• Use visuals (like picture schedules in the bathroom)

• Stick to a consistent routine

• Give choices to build autonomy (“Do you want the red or blue shirt?”)

• Stay patient — progress may take time