ABA for Self-Care: Dressing, Eating, Toileting, Grooming & G
What you'll learn
- How to apply Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) techniques to teach self-care skills to individuals with autism
- Step-by-step strategies for teaching dressing, including backward chaining and material selection
- Practical methods to promote independent eating, manage picky eating, and introduce utensils effectively
- Evidence-based approaches for toilet training, including fluid loading, scheduled sittings, and reinforcement systems
- How to teach essential grooming skills such as handwashing, brushing teeth, and tying shoes using prompts, visuals, and video modeling
- How to create and update Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs) to support school readiness and progress tracking
- Techniques for preparing autistic learners to follow group instructions and participate in classroom routines
Requirements
- No prior experience with ABA is required—this course is beginner-friendly
- A basic understanding of autism and a willingness to learn behavior-based teaching methods
- Access to common household items (e.g., toothbrush, utensils, clothing, toilet training supplies) for practicing techniques
- Ideal for parents, caregivers, educators, and early intervention professionals supporting autistic individuals
- Optional: Familiarity with your learner’s current skill level to help apply the strategies more effectively
Description
Teaching self-care skills is not only essential for fostering independence in autistic individuals—it’s also a powerful way to improve their quality of life, confidence, and participation in everyday routines. This comprehensive course is designed to help parents, caregivers, educators, and behavior professionals use Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to systematically teach self-care and daily living skills to autistic learners.
Throughout the course, you’ll explore five core areas of self-care: dressing, eating, toileting, grooming, and group instruction/classroom routines. Each module offers step-by-step guidance on how to teach these skills using evidence-based strategies such as backward chaining, scheduled practice, reinforcement, visual supports, and video modeling.
You’ll also learn how to:
Break down complex skills into smaller, teachable steps
Use prompting systems effectively while reducing prompt dependency
Reinforce correct responses and manage problem behaviors
Address common barriers such as sensory sensitivities, fine motor challenges, and behavioral resistance
Track progress using simple, reliable data collection methods
Prepare autistic learners for classroom routines, group activities, and school readiness
Develop individualized teaching plans that meet the unique needs of your learner
This course is grounded in real-world practice and includes practical tips for setting up your learning environment, choosing the right materials, and maintaining consistency across home and school settings. Whether you’re teaching a child to put on their own clothes, eat with utensils, use the toilet independently, brush their teeth, or participate in group lessons, you’ll find helpful tools and real strategies that work.
No prior ABA experience is needed—this course is designed to be accessible, supportive, and hands-on, with content that is easy to follow whether you're a parent working at home or a professional supporting learners in educational or therapeutic settings.
By the end of the course, you’ll have the skills and confidence to create structured, individualized learning experiences that build autonomy and empower autistic individuals to succeed in daily life.
Who this course is for:
- Parents and caregivers of autistic children who want to teach self-care skills at home
- Support workers and respite staff who assist individuals with daily living tasks
Instructor
- 4.6 Instructor Rating
- 5 Reviews
- 35 Students
- 5 Courses
With over 20 years of experience supporting children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Sally Yim is deeply committed to empowering children and their families to thrive. Her mission is to provide evidence-based strategies and compassionate support, fostering growth, independence, and meaningful connections. Sally’s passion for early behavior intervention remains as strong today as it was when she began her career.
Sally is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) with a Master of Education in Special Education. She earned her Psychology degree and completed her BCBA coursework at the University of British Columbia (UBC), along with a postgraduate diploma in Infant Development and Supported Child Care. She further advanced her education with a Master’s degree from The Education University of Hong Kong, where she co-authored the book Our Journey in 2012.
As the founder of Bridge Kids BC, established in 2015, Sally created a space where children with ASD and their families receive personalized support. Her center offers programs such as one-on-one intervention, social groups, and playdates, guiding children from individualized sessions to group settings where they can develop essential social skills. Under her leadership, Bridge Kids BC has evolved from a small shared space in Richmond to a thriving behavior intervention center, serving families with care and expertise.
Sally’s mission continues to grow as she works to make her knowledge and strategies more accessible to families worldwide. By sharing her expertise through an online ABA course, she hopes to empower parents with practical tools and insights to help their children with ASD thrive. Through education and collaboration, Sally remains dedicated to building brighter futures and stronger connections for children and their families.