A Parent’s Guide to RFT in ABA Therapy

What is RFT?

Relational Frame Theory (RFT) is a way of teaching children how to connect ideas, so they can understand things they were never directly taught. At Apollo Behavior, RFT is built into every child’s ABA program.

An everyday example

Say we teach a child that a dime is worth more than a nickel, and a quarter is worth more than a dime. A child who has learned to make connections can work out on their own that a quarter is worth more than a nickel. Nobody had to teach that last step.

RFT-based teaching builds that skill. Children practice ideas such as same and different, more and less, before and after, and “I” and “you.” Those connections are the building blocks of language, problem solving, and understanding how other people think and feel.

How it fits with ABA

ABA therapy teaches specific skills, such as asking for help, following a routine or playing with a friend. RFT adds teaching that helps a child apply what they learn to new situations. Your child’s program uses both.

How we measure it

Our BCBAs use the PEAK assessment (Promoting Emergent Advanced Knowledge) to see which of these connection-making skills your child already has and which to teach next. PEAK covers language, thinking and social skills at every level, from first words to complex conversation. Your child is assessed when they start and again every six months, so you can see their progress.

What it looks like in a session

RFT teaching usually looks like play. A therapist might ask a child to sort toys that are “the same” and “different,” pick the “bigger” of two pictures, or tell a short story about what happened “first” and “next.” Over time the questions get harder and more like real conversation.

Who it helps

RFT teaching is part of the program for every child at Apollo Behavior. Your child’s BCBA decides which skills to work on based on their assessment and your family’s goals.

For more detail, read our article Relational Frame Theory and its Applications in Autism Treatment Plans.

Questions

Ask about RFT on your first call or at your center tour. Call us at 404-410-7600 or start enrollment.

Reviewed by Kristen Vaughn, BCBA, VP of Clinical Operations. Last reviewed November 2026.