Can Play Therapy and ABA Therapy Be Combined for Better Outcomes?

Yes, play therapy and ABA therapy can be combined—and when done thoughtfully, they often complement each other very well.

As an ABA clinician, I see firsthand how blending structured behavior strategies with play-based approaches can support a child’s emotional, social, and developmental growth in meaningful ways.

How play therapy and ABA therapy work together

Play therapy and Applied Behavior Analysis have different foundations, but they share a common goal: helping children build skills and navigate the world more successfully. 

ABA therapy is data-driven and focuses on measurable outcomes, while play therapy emphasizes emotional expression, imagination, and relationship-building.

When combined, we’re able to:

• Teach functional skills through natural, engaging play
• Support emotional regulation while reinforcing positive behaviors
• Increase motivation and participation during therapy sessions
• Help children generalize skills across settings

This integrated approach is especially effective for children with autism who learn best through play.

Using play within ABA therapy

ABA therapy already includes many play-based techniques. We use toys, games, and child-led activities to teach communication, social skills, and daily living skills. This is often referred to as play-based ABA therapy or natural environment teaching.

For example, during play we might:

• Teach requesting and labeling during toy play
• Practice turn-taking and sharing in games
• Build joint attention through interactive activities
• Reinforce appropriate behaviors in real-time

Play keeps learning fun while still allowing us to track progress and adjust strategies as needed.

When separate play therapy may be helpful

Some children benefit from working with a licensed play therapist alongside ABA therapy. This is often the case when a child is working through:

• Anxiety or emotional regulation challenges
• Trauma or major life transitions
• Difficulty expressing feelings verbally

In these situations, collaboration between providers is key. When ABA therapists and play therapists communicate openly, treatment goals stay aligned and the child receives consistent support.

Benefits of combining play therapy and ABA therapy

When these approaches are coordinated, families often see:

• Improved engagement and motivation
• Stronger social and communication skills
• Better emotional awareness and coping strategies
• Reduced challenging behaviors

The combination allows us to meet children where they are while still helping them move forward with clear, measurable goals.

How we support this approach at All Star ABA

At All Star ABA, we believe therapy should feel supportive, flexible, and meaningful—not rigid. Our ABA programs are designed to be play-based and individualized, meeting children where they are while helping them build real-life skills.

We proudly serve families throughout Maryland and Virginia with care that fits naturally into a child’s daily routine.

We provide:

• In-home ABA therapy that integrates learning into everyday play and family routines
• Center-based ABA therapy in a structured yet engaging environment
• School-based ABA therapy to support learning and behavior in the classroom
• ABA parent training to help families confidently use play-based strategies at home

If you’re wondering whether combining play therapy and ABA therapy is the right fit for your child, we’re here to help.

Reach out to All Star ABA to talk through your child’s needs and explore a therapy plan that supports both skill development and emotional growth.

FAQs

Sources:



• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8812369/
• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/play-therapy
• https://online.regiscollege.edu/blog/aba-therapy-examples
• https://gsep.pepperdine.edu/blog/posts/aba-techniques-strategies-for-behavior-analysts.htm
• https://www.autismspeaks.org/applied-behavior-analysis