If you’ve ever wondered why your child seems to thrive in one setting but struggle in another, you’re not alone. One of the biggest factors in how children take in information and respond to the world around them is the environment. In ABA therapy, we pay close attention to this. The way a space is set up, the timing of an activity, or even background noise can make a big difference in how easily a child can learn.

Why Some Things Catch Your Child’s Attention and Others Don’t

One of the first things we look at is how noticeable something is to your child. We call this stimulus salience. In simple terms, it means how much something stands out to them. Some children are more tuned into sounds, while others may respond better to visuals or movement. For example, a child who struggles with vision might not notice picture prompts as easily but may respond well to a gentle tap or a familiar sound.

Even when something is noticeable, children still need certain basic skills in place to respond. These are called pre-attending skills and include things like looking toward a speaker, sitting calmly, or listening long enough to hear what is being said. These skills take time to develop, and without them, a child may miss even the clearest instruction.

When the Environment Gets in the Way

Sometimes, other things in the environment are competing for your child’s attention. This can make it harder for them to notice or respond to what’s being asked. Two common issues we look for are:

• Masking: when background noise, movement, or clutter makes it harder to focus on the important cue

• Overshadowing: when one stimulus takes over completely, making it hard to notice anything else

For example, your child might follow directions easily at home when it’s quiet but have trouble in a busy room. Or they might stay focused in a calm setting but shut down when a space is loud or unpredictable. These patterns tell us something important: it’s not that your child can’t learn. It’s that the environment isn’t helping them learn in that moment.

What We Can Do About It

In ABA, one of the most effective tools we use is antecedent strategies. These are small changes we make before we give an instruction or introduce a new task. The goal is to set your child up for success by making sure the environment supports learning, not fights against it.

Here are a few examples that you can try at home or that we may use in therapy:

• Simplifying the space by removing distractions

• Choosing quiet, predictable locations for focused activities

• Using visual cues or reminders to show what’s expected

• Creating specific areas for different routines, like reading or calming down

• Scheduling activities during times of day when your child is rested and alert

These small adjustments often make a big difference. We might find that your child is more successful working at the kitchen table in the morning than in the playroom in the afternoon. Or that turning off music during transitions helps reduce frustration and improve follow-through.

Helping the Right Things Stand Out

It’s not just about removing distractions. It’s also about making the right things more visible, more motivating, and easier to respond to. That could mean clearer instructions, more meaningful rewards, or even brighter visuals to guide attention.

The more we learn about what helps your child focus and feel successful, the more we can build on it. Over time, that sense of success turns into confidence and independence.

You Don’t Need a Perfect Setup

Creating a supportive environment doesn’t have to mean changing everything at once. It’s about noticing what works for your child and making small, thoughtful adjustments. Whether you’re teaching a new skill, helping with a routine, or just trying to get through the morning, the environment matters.

If you’d like support figuring out how to make things feel a little easier or more effective at home, I’d love to help. We can walk through what your routines look like and find small shifts that make a big difference. Because when the environment works for your child, learning comes more naturally — and that’s something worth investing in.