“By Small and Simple Things”: Everyday Miracles in Autism Therapy

In the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, great change often begins quietly through small, consistent acts of faith. The scripture “by small and simple things are great things brought to pass” (Alma 37:6) reminds families that progress doesn’t always arrive in dramatic ways. More often, it’s found in the everyday moments of effort, patience, and love.

For families raising children with autism, that truth feels especially real. Growth may come slowly, sometimes measured in a single new word, a calm response, or a shared smile. But those small steps, nurtured through structure, faith, and care, can lead to lasting transformation. Total Care ABA embraces this principle by helping families in Utah discover the extraordinary impact of small, steady progress through Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy.

The Power of Small Steps

ABA therapy is built on the idea that meaningful change happens incrementally. Each session focuses on one skill, one behavior, one goal at a time because lasting growth doesn’t come from shortcuts. For Mormon families, this mirrors a familiar rhythm: daily devotion, continual improvement, and quiet perseverance guided by faith.

When a child learns to communicate a need instead of crying, follows a simple direction, or joins a sibling in play, those moments are victories worth celebrating. They represent not just clinical milestones, but deep evidence of potential unfolding in real time.

Rooted in Faith and Family Life

In LDS culture, progress is often tied to consistency and purpose. Families pray together, study together, and serve together. ABA therapy supports that same spirit of unity by helping children practice skills that carry through every part of life at home, in church, and in the community.

A session might include practicing how to greet someone at sacrament meeting, following directions during family home evening, or managing emotions during shared activities. Each goal builds not only ability but confidence, allowing children to participate more fully in the experiences that shape their spiritual and social growth.

Parents as Builders of Daily Miracles

Parents are central to every child’s progress. In the gospel, they are teachers, nurturers, and guides, and in ABA, they are partners in change. Therapists collaborate closely with families, modeling strategies and celebrating each small success together.

That collaboration transforms ordinary routines into learning opportunities. A morning routine becomes a chance to teach independence; a family meal becomes a time to practice conversation; bedtime prayers become moments of calm and connection. Each repetition builds confidence and strengthens the bond between faith and function.

Finding Meaning in Measured Progress

In a world that often values quick results, families of children with autism learn to see progress differently. ABA therapy teaches that even gradual change matters because behind every mastered skill is persistence, love, and hope.

For LDS parents, that perspective aligns with their belief in eternal progression: that growth is ongoing and that every effort, however small, contributes to a greater purpose. The lessons learned in therapy, patience, consistency, compassion, become part of the family’s spiritual foundation.

Strengthening the Community Around the Child

Progress doesn’t stop at the home. In Utah’s faith-centered communities, inclusion is an extension of love and service. When children with autism gain confidence in communication, social interaction, and self-regulation, they’re better equipped to engage in ward life, participating in Primary, youth groups, or family service projects.

ABA therapy gives families tools to prepare their children for these experiences, helping them feel comfortable and capable in community settings. It’s a shared effort that reflects the broader principle of “bearing one another’s burdens” with understanding and grace.

Great Things Brought to Pass

For many families, ABA therapy becomes more than a clinical process, it’s a journey of faith in action. Each new word, gesture, or skill reinforces the truth that small, consistent efforts bring real change.

Just as early pioneers built Utah through patient determination, today’s families build brighter futures for their children through steady, loving persistence.

Total Care ABA is honored to walk beside those families, providing care that unites evidence-based practice with enduring gospel values. Because in every child’s progress, no matter how small, there is something sacred, a reminder that miracles often begin with the simplest acts of faith and care.

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