Understanding Regression vs. Plateau in Autistic Toddlers

Applied behavior analysis, or ABA therapy, is the gold standard of treatment options for children who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD). As a science-based approach to learning, ABA therapy helps children gain the social, communication and daily life skills with which they often struggle, while also helping them with negative and/or harmful behaviors.

Using targeted strategies that are customized to each individual child, ABA therapists help their patients build these skills and grow over time. They have targeted goals to accomplish, and use whatever methods, tools and strategies that work best for each child.

Sometimes, children may regress or plateau in their progress in ABA therapy, especially when they become toddlers.

In this article, we’ll detail understanding regression vs. plateau in autistic toddlers.

Key Takeaways

• Regression is the loss of previously mastered skills, often observed between 15–30 months of age.
• Plateau is when a child stops progressing but does not lose existing skills.
• ABA therapy addresses regression by returning to basics and managing anxiety triggers.
• ABA therapy addresses plateaus by modifying the treatment plan, goals, and strategies to re-engage the child.
• Data analysis and individualized approaches are key in both scenarios.

Table Of Contents

What Does Regression Look Like?

Regression involves an autistic toddler experiencing a noticeable loss or decline of certain skills that they’ve already mastered. It could be that the child was speaking in full sentences or phrases and then suddenly losing the ability to speak at all.

It could also manifest itself in other ways, such as the child no longer having an interest in playing interactive games, not engaging with others or not making good eye contact any longer. They may stop doing self-care activities such as toilet training or washing their hands.

As this happens, you might also notice that the child has more issues self-regulating and that they are engaging in repetitive and/or self-stimulatory behaviors more often.

Most of the time, regression in autistic toddlers happens between 15 and 30 months of age.

How Does ABA Therapy Address Regression?

To address regression, ABA therapy teams will revert “back to the basics” to try to strengthen the child’s skills. They may use task analysis and break skills down into simpler steps again to help the child rebuild the skills they lost gradually.

They’ll ensure that the reinforcers they are using are still appropriate for the child, and also evaluate the reinforcement schedule to ensure not only the types of reinforcement are appropriate but the timing and frequency of them are appropriate, too.

In many ways, ABA therapy will address regression in autistic toddlers by re-teaching the skills. By integrating things such as a structured routine and visual schedules, therapists can also work to reduce any anxiety the child may be facing that could be causing the regression.

What Does Plateau Look Like?

Plateau, on the other hand, involves the child not making progress in skill acquisition or development at the same rate as they once were. They don’t lose skills that they’ve already acquired, but they seemingly no longer have the ability to acquire new skills.

The progress that they were once making may slow down significantly or it may stop altogether. This could involve them not learning any new words or making progress playing social games, even though they were making good development before.

The biggest difference that you’ll notice between regression is that the autistic toddler doesn’t lose the ability to do anything they’ve already learned when they plateau. They simply don’t gain any new skills.

How Does ABA Therapy Address Plateau?

ABA therapy typically addresses plateaus in autistic toddlers in different ways than regression.

Therapists often start by diving deep into data analysis to identify any areas of the treatment plan that may need to be adjusted. This could include modifying the child’s goals so they are more appropriate and realistic.

It could also involve other changes to the treatment plan such as the reinforcers, the activities, and how skills are being explained and taught. Sometimes, the child plateaus in their development because they are no longer engaged in the therapy or because the goals they are being asked to accomplish are too challenging for them.

It’s incumbent on the therapy team to get to the bottom of the reasons for the plateau so they can serve autistic toddlers as best as possible and help them reach their goals.

Blue Gems ABA Addresses Both Regression and Plateau in Autistic Toddlers

Autistic toddlers may experience regression and plateaus at times in their development. Through a revaluation of the treatment plan and the underlying causes, ABA therapy can help the child get back on track to building their skills once again.

At Blue Gems ABA, our therapy teams rely heavily on data collection and analysis to make evidence-based and informed decisions on every child’s ABA therapy treatment plan. This allows us to uncover reasons for a child’s regression or plateau so we can devise strategies to help them overcome it.

To learn more, please contact us today.

FAQs

• Q: Can a child experience both regression and plateau?
  A: Yes. A child may regress at one stage and plateau at another. ABA therapy adapts accordingly.
• Q: Is regression permanent?
  A: Not necessarily. With early intervention and consistent ABA strategies, skills can often be regained.
• Q: What causes plateaus in autistic toddlers?
  A: Common causes include lack of engagement, unrealistic goals, or insufficient motivation strategies.
• Q: How often should ABA therapy plans be reviewed?
  A: Regularly—frequent data reviews help ensure the plan remains effective and aligned with the child’s needs.
• Q: Are reinforcers important in both cases?
  A: Absolutely. The right reinforcers, timing, and frequency are crucial for continued progress in ABA therapy.