Progressive ABA: Practical instruction @ home & school

When people hear “compliance,” they often picture children being forced to obey adults without question. That’s not what we mean at all. At Practical Solutions for Behavior and Instruction LLC, we see following directions as a life skill that supports autonomy, and it is something all children learn at home and school-just as we did when we were growing up.

How all children learn through meaningful directions

From toddlerhood onward, every child learns to navigate expectations from the adults around them. At home, it might sound like:

“Come sit at the table; it’s time to eat.”
“Put your toys in the bin so nobody trips.”
“Hold my hand in the parking lot.”

At school, it might be:

“Line up so we can go to the playground.”
“Get out your pencil and write your name at the top.”
“Raise your hand before you speak.”

These are not random rules; they are meaningful directions that help children participate, stay safe, and be part of a group. We all learned to follow these kinds of instructions as kids, and that practice shaped how we function now as adults in families, workplaces, and communities.

Why following directions still matters

Every child, disabled or not, has to learn how to follow directions to participate in real‑world environments. As adults, we do this every day:

Showing up to work at the agreed‑upon time.
Following safety rules while driving.
Completing a task the way a supervisor or client needs it done.

When we never learn to follow reasonable expectations or rules, there are predictable consequences: difficulty keeping a job, frequent conflicts in relationships, or even legal trouble. Those outcomes don’t expand a person’s freedom; they shrink it. Unemployment, loss of housing, or involvement with the justice system all sharply limit choices and independence.

Meaningful versus arbitrary compliance

There is a big difference between teaching “follow any adult, no matter what” and teaching “follow reasonable, safe, and clearly explained directions.”

Unhealthy, arbitrary compliance training might look like:

Insisting on “yes” to every adult request, even when the child is uncomfortable or confused.
Punishing refusal instead of asking/understanding why the child is refusing.
Prioritizing adult convenience over the child’s dignity, safety, or sensory needs.

Healthy instruction around following directions looks different:

Directions have a clear purpose (safety, learning, social participation).
Adults explain expectations and, when appropriate, the “why” behind them.
Kids are allowed to ask questions, request help, or say “no” when something feels unsafe or overwhelming.

The goal is not “obey anyone who sounds confident.” The goal is “recognize when following a direction helps you stay safe, learn more, and reach your own goals.”

Following directions as a building‑block skill

Following directions is not an endpoint; it is a teaching tool for more advanced skills. Just like any other child, our learners practice this at home and school long before they encounter formal behavior programs. We build on that natural process by using meaningful directions to help learners:

Access learning opportunities (for example, “Get your materials so we can start this experiment”).
Join group activities and friendships (“Let’s line up so we can go outside together”).
Practice executive function (remembering, sequencing, and completing multi‑step tasks).

Just as we did as children, they learn that following certain directions opens doors: more access to activities, more trust from adults, and more chances to try new things. In this way, following directions is like using a tool in a toolbox: you learn when and how to use it to build the life you want.

How this supports, not replaces, autonomy

Some people worry that teaching compliance will erase a child’s voice. That concern is valid when adults use power in harmful ways. Our work takes the opposite approach: we pair following directions with self‑advocacy and critical thinking.

We intentionally teach:

When it is important to follow a direction quickly (for safety and emergencies).
When it is appropriate to ask for clarification (“Can you show me what you mean?”).
How to say “no” or suggest an alternative (“I need a break first,” “That feels too loud for me”).

We want learners to understand that rules and directions are part of every environment they will enter as adults. Learning how to navigate them-when to follow them, when to question them, and how to seek support-protects autonomy over a lifetime.

Real‑world implications in adulthood

In adulthood, disregarding all rules and directions does not create freedom. It often leads to:

Job loss and chronic unemployment, which shrink choices about housing, healthcare, and lifestyle.
Repeated conflicts in community or family settings, leading to isolation.
Legal consequences when laws are ignored, including fines or incarceration, which drastically limit autonomy.

By contrast, adults who can flexibly follow directions, understand expectations, and make reasoned choices about when to comply and when to advocate for themselves usually have more control over their lives, not less.

Our commitment at Practical Solutions

At Practical Solutions for Behavior and Instruction, LLC, we:

Teach following directions as a functional, context‑bound skill tied to safety, learning, and long‑term independence.
Reject arbitrary, power‑based compliance that ignores a child’s needs, voice, or safety.
Pair direction‑following with communication, problem‑solving, and self‑advocacy skills.

All children, in every home and classroom, grow and develop by learning to respond to meaningful instructions. Our goal is to make sure that process is respectful, purposeful, and clearly linked to a future where each learner can make informed decisions and lead a more independent life.

How Practical Solutions Can Help

Families, educators, and organizations do not have to navigate this balance between meaningful compliance and autonomy on their own. Practical Solutions for Behavior and Instruction, LLC partners with you to translate these ideas into everyday practice at home, in classrooms, and across programs.

We offer consultation, coaching, and professional development that help teams:

Redesign expectations and routines so directions are purposeful, teachable, and connected to real‑life outcomes.
Shift from power struggles and arbitrary “because I said so” demands to clear, collaborative, skill‑building interactions.
Integrate self‑advocacy, communication, and regulation strategies alongside direction‑following, so learners build true independence.

For families, we provide parent education and problem‑solving support to apply these concepts in real homes with real schedules and stressors. For schools and agencies, we deliver training and ongoing consultation to align policies, classroom practices, and staff responses with these values.

If you are ready to move beyond “just be compliant” and toward teaching directions that actually build skills, autonomy, and long‑term success, we would love to connect. You can reach Practical Solutions for Behavior and Instruction, LLC to schedule a consultation, inquire about training, or learn about upcoming workshops through our website or by contacting us directly. Together, we can create environments where following directions is not about control, but about giving every learner the tools to build the life they want.