Rapport Building

Strategies for Creating and Maintaining Positive Learner Relationships

Building strong rapport with students is a cornerstone of effective ABA and classroom management. By intentionally connecting over a learner’s changing interests and motivations, teachers, BCBAs, and parents lay the groundwork for trust, engagement, and smoother instruction—key for reducing challenging behavior and boosting academic success.

Why use rapport-building strategies?

• Higher engagement and task compliance. Research shows learners are 2–3× more likely to follow directions and stay on task when they have a positive relationship with the adult giving instructions.
• Reduced challenging behaviors. Trusting relationships correlate with significant drops in aggression, refusal, and escape-maintained behaviors across school and clinic settings.
• Enhanced social-emotional well-being. Consistent, genuine connection improves self-esteem and resilience, supporting neurodiversity-affirming, trauma-informed care.