All About ABA Therapy: Empowering Every Child to Learn, Grow, and Thrive
October is a month of awareness, inclusion, and empowerment. This month we recognize Down Syndrome Awareness Month.
At Behavioral Consulting of Tampa Bay (BCOTB), our mission is to help children with autism and developmental differences reach their fullest potential through high-quality, compassionate Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy.
Recently, members of our clinical leadership team, Caitlin Lee, M.S., BCBA, and Heatherann Tenowich, M.A., BCBA, were honored to present “All About ABA Therapy” at GiGi’s Playhouse Tampa, where they discussed the foundations of ABA therapy, common myths, and the positive outcomes we see every day.
Heatherann Tenowich, M.A., BCBA (Left), Caitlin Lee, M.S., BCBA (Middle), and Nikki Bennett, MBA, SHRM-CP VP BCOTB (Right)
What Is GiGi’s Playhouse?
GiGi’s Playhouse is a network of non-profit Down Syndrome Achievement Centers with a mission to change the way the world views Down syndrome. Through community campaigns, educational programs, and empowerment initiatives, GiGi’s builds awareness and acceptance while providing meaningful support for individuals with Down syndrome and their families.
Founded in Illinois in 2002 by a mother who wanted more opportunities for her child, GiGi’s Playhouse has grown to more than 55 locations across the United States and Mexico, with another 10 planned in the coming year.
GiGi’s Playhouse Tampa, which opened in 2018, serves over 600 registered families from Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco Counties. The 3,700-square-foot center in the Greenhouse Shoppes on West Hillsborough Avenue provides free, year-round therapeutic, educational, and career-development programs specifically designed for how individuals with Down syndrome learn best.
Programs include one-on-one literacy and math tutoring, speech therapy, fitness and motor-skills activities, and career and life-skills training for teens and adults. A fully equipped culinary kitchen helps participants build independence and workplace readiness. Every program is staffed by trained volunteers, many experts in education and therapy, ensuring that families never face cost as a barrier to opportunity.
GiGi’s Playhouse Tampa offers families a welcoming community where individuals with Down syndrome can learn, grow, and celebrate their achievements. It truly fulfills the dream of having a place where every participant is supported and every family knows they belong.
What Is ABA Therapy?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a science-based approach to understanding and improving meaningful behavior. It focuses on teaching skills that enhance independence and quality of life while reducing behaviors that may interfere with learning.
ABA programs use principles such as positive reinforcement and data-driven decision-making to create individualized treatment plans. Each program is designed and supervised by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and implemented by a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT).
- To learn more about how reinforcement helps children thrive, visit our blog:
How Reinforcement Shapes Learning in ABA Therapy
How ABA Supports Children with Down Syndrome
Research shows that children with Down syndrome benefit greatly from structured, consistent instruction that targets communication, social engagement, and daily living skills. ABA therapy does exactly that by breaking skills into manageable steps, providing clear feedback, and celebrating progress along the way.
Our clinicians at BCOTB design ABA programs that emphasize:
- Building independence in daily routines
- Strengthening social interaction and play
- Improving communication and language skills
- Teaching tolerance and flexibility in new situations
These goals align beautifully with GiGi’s Playhouse’s mission to empower individuals with Down syndrome through education and opportunity. Together, community resources and evidence-based therapy create a strong foundation for lifelong success.
- For families seeking guidance on accessing services, explore our resource on funding options:
Funding and Resources for ABA Therapy in 2025
Understanding Behavior: The ABCs of ABA
ABA helps families understand why behavior occurs by analyzing the Antecedent, Behavior, and Consequence—the “ABC” model.
- Antecedent: What happens right before a behavior
- Behavior: The action or response
- Consequence: What happens immediately after
By identifying what motivates behavior, therapists can replace challenging actions with positive, functional skills that serve the same purpose—such as teaching a child to request help instead of avoiding a task.
Collaboration and Community
BCOTB’s collaboration with organizations like GiGi’s Playhouse Tampa reflects our shared commitment to inclusion, education, and family empowerment. Just as GiGi’s offers no-cost programs to families, BCOTB provides compassionate, individualized ABA therapy within a supportive, team-oriented environment.
Working together allows our community to offer children every possible opportunity to learn, participate, and thrive.
The BCOTB Difference
Since 2003, BCOTB has been Tampa Bay’s premier provider of evidence-based ABA therapy. Founded by Kelley Prince, M.A., BCBA, our five clinics, Brandon, Carrollwood, Lutz, Riverview, and Wesley Chapel, specialize in early intervention for children ages 1–10.
Our mission remains clear: to improve the lives of children with autism and related disorders through high-quality ABA therapy delivered in a collaborative environment.
As we celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month and reflect on our evening at GiGi’s Playhouse Tampa, we are reminded of the power of community partnerships and the importance of creating inclusive spaces where every child can shine.
