Inside the PEAK Assessment

The Spark Learning Blog • Posted by Spark Learning on December 8, 2025

Why BCBAs Use the PEAK: Understanding How We Support Your Child’s Learning

Last month, one of our Avery Ranch Clinical Supervisors, Mailande, led a training for our team of BCBAs about an assessment and curriculum tool we can use to support the children we work with: the PEAK. Read on to learn more about the PEAK and how it’s expanding our team’s knowledge of language and learning assessments.

PEAK: More Than Just an Assessment

The PEAK, or Promoting the Emergence of Advanced Knowledge, is a full curriculum and evaluation system designed to teach both basic and advanced language skills using contemporary behavior analytic strategies. While traditional Verbal Behavior models focus on foundational skills like requesting (mands), labeling (tacts), and responding to questions (intraverbals), they sometimes fall short in helping children develop flexible, abstract, and generative language that supports real-life conversations.

Learning to Connect the Dots

The PEAK system goes beyond the traditional Verbal Behavior model by teaching relational responding. Children learn how words and ideas relate to one another, helping them understand new situations and novel expressions without being explicitly taught every example. This process, called derived responding, is at the heart of human language, it allows children to make connections, understand abstract concepts, and communicate meaningfully.

The PEAK evaluates and teaches skills across four key areas:

Basic Learning Skills – Foundational abilities like matching, sorting, and identifying objects.
Language Skills – Includes both traditional verbal skills and relational language learning that supports flexible communication.
Cognition and Problem-Solving – Helps children develop thinking, reasoning, and decision-making skills.
Social Skills – Focuses on meaningful interactions, including turn-taking, imitation, and joint attention.

Extensively Researched, Clinically Trusted

One of the things that makes PEAK so valuable is that it is extensively researched. From day one, researchers across multiple universities have tested its reliability, validity, and effectiveness. While there is still more research to be done, PEAK is recognized as one of the most thoroughly studied ABA-based language training curricula available.

Why We Love It at Spark

By using PEAK, BCBAs can:

Tailor treatment to your child’s unique learning style – Identify strengths, challenges, and targeted goals.
Track progress over time – Measure growth in both basic and advanced language skills.
Support complex, meaningful communication – Teach skills that help children respond flexibly and understand the world around them.

At Spark, our goal is to make learning engaging, meaningful, and effective. Tools like PEAK allow us to create therapy programs that go beyond simple instruction, helping children build the language, thinking, and social skills they need to thrive.

Resource

Dixon, M. R. (2014). PEAK Relational Training System: Direct Training Module. Shawnee Scientific Press LLC.

Understanding the how and why behind therapy can make a big difference in seeing your child’s growth. If you’d like to learn more about derived relational responding or how the PEAK system supports your child’s program, please visit the PEAK Relational Training website.

Join the Spark Family

Little Sparks – Our early intervention preschool and kinder program designed to build foundational skills through play-based ABA therapy.
Speech Therapy – Helping children develop communication skills with personalized, engaging speech and language support.
Summer Camp – A fun, inclusive program where kids build social skills and confidence through structured activities and play.
Social Skills & Group – Small-group ABA sessions that teach children how to engage, communicate, and navigate social situations.
Parent Training – Equipping parents with effective ABA strategies to support each child’s growth at home and beyond.

At Spark, we believe that ABA therapy should be engaging, natural, and, most importantly… fun! Our goal is to empower children, support families, and build confidence in every child we work with.

Ready to learn more? Reach out today!