When your child with autism learns a new skill—like saying “hello,” brushing their teeth, or following directions—it can feel like a breakthrough. But what happens when that same skill doesn’t show up at grandma’s house, at school, or in a grocery store?
This challenge is called generalization—the ability to apply what has been learned in one setting to other environments, with different people or materials. In ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis), generalization is a critical component of skill development.
In this article, we’ll explore why generalization is often difficult for autistic children and how you can support it effectively at home and in the community.
What Is Generalization in ABA?
Generalization means that a child can use a skill:
In different settings (home, school, public places)
With different people (parents, teachers, peers)
Using different materials or under slightly different conditions
Example:
If your child learns to ask for a snack during therapy using picture cards, generalization means they can also:
Ask for a snack at home using words
Ask grandma for a snack using gestures
Ask for different snacks than the ones used in therapy
Without generalization, skills may remain limited to specific, structured contexts.
Why Generalization Can Be Difficult
Children with autism often thrive on structure, routine, and sameness. They may:
Rely on specific cues (e.g., a therapist’s tone, materials)
Learn a skill as “only for this person or place”
Struggle with flexible thinking
This isn’t a lack of intelligence—it’s a learning style that requires extra support to expand.
Types of Generalization to Consider
- Stimulus Generalization – Responding correctly to different cues
- E.g., asking for help whether prompted by Mom, Dad, or a teacher
- Response Generalization – Using different methods to achieve the same goal
- E.g., requesting help with words, signs, or icons
- Setting Generalization – Performing a skill in different environments
E.g., dressing independently at home and at daycare
Start Your Child’s ABA Therapy Journey Today
Our compassionate, collaborative ABA therapy empowers children and families to thrive. Together, we nurture connections, fuel progress, and embrace a brighter future through evidence-based care.
ABA Strategies for Promoting Generalization
- Teach Across People, Settings, and Materials – Don’t wait for a child to “master” a skill before practicing it in new ways. How:
- Practice greetings with multiple family members
- Use different toothbrushes during hygiene routines
- Request snacks in different rooms or places
- Use Natural Reinforcers – Reinforcement is more powerful when it’s built into real-life contexts. Example
- If your child says “water,” let them immediately access water—this strengthens the skill and makes it relevant beyond therapy.
- Learn more in the Naturalistic Intervention Brief Packet – ERIC (PDF).
- Vary Instructions and Prompts – If your child only responds to “say hi,” try using different language:
- “Greet him!”
- “What do we say to new friends?”
- “Use your words.”
- Fade Prompts Gradually – Avoid prompt dependency. Use prompt fading techniques to help your child become independent:
- Start with full physical or verbal prompts
- Shift to less intrusive prompts (gestures, visual cues)
- Eventually fade completely
- Practice During Real-Life Activities – Embed learning into daily routines:
- Have your child set the table with siblings
- Practice asking for help in stores
- Use turn-taking games with family and friends
- Create Visual Supports – Use visual cues or schedules to help your child follow routines in different places.
Use picture sequences for “going to school” or “visiting the park”
Add photos of different people or environments to their AAC device or choice board
Tips for Parents
Start with small variations: Practice the skill in another room before trying it in public.
Celebrate generalization: Reinforce the skill when it appears in new places.
Communicate with your team: Let your child’s teacher or therapist know what you’re working on.
Be patient: Generalization takes time, even for neurotypical learners.
Common Generalization Goals
Here are practical examples of generalization targets:
Using polite phrases (“please,” “thank you”) in public and at home
Following a bedtime routine with both parents
Asking for help at school and at home
Completing chores in multiple rooms
Greeting friends at school and neighbors in the community
Final Thoughts
A skill isn’t truly mastered until it can be used across settings, people, and situations. That’s why generalization is such a critical part of ABA.
By practicing skills in different environments, varying materials and prompts, and embedding learning into everyday life, you’ll help your child become more flexible, confident, and independent.