Starting ABA therapy is an exciting step for your child and family. The first month can feel like a big transition, but knowing what to expect helps you feel prepared and confident.
ABA therapy is personalized, so every child’s journey looks a little different—but there are common steps most families will experience in those first few weeks.
Getting to Know Your Child
During the first sessions, your child’s BCBA and therapy team spend time building rapport. This means getting your child comfortable and creating a positive environment for learning.
Assessment and Goal Setting
Your BCBA will complete an assessment to better understand your child’s strengths and areas for growth. From this, they create a treatment plan with clear, individualized ABA goals.
Therapy Sessions Begin
In the first month, sessions may focus on foundational skills like communication, following directions, or daily routines. Therapists use strategies such as Discrete Trial Training (DTT) and Natural Environment Teaching (NET) to introduce new skills.
Parent Involvement
You’ll be included from the very beginning. With ABA parent training, you’ll learn how to use strategies at home to support your child’s progress and build consistency.
Tracking Progress
Even in the first month, data is collected every session. While growth may seem small at first, your BCBA uses this data to adjust strategies and ensure your child is on the right path.
At Connect N Care, we make sure families feel supported every step of the way. From the first session to long-term progress, we’re here to guide you with in-home ABA therapy, school-based ABA therapy, center-based ABA therapy, and ABA parent training.
Families across North Carolina and Virginia trust us to provide compassionate and effective ABA services. Contact us today to get started.
FAQs
How long before I see progress in ABA therapy?
Every child is different, but many families notice small improvements in the first month. Progress builds with consistency over time.
What if my child struggles at first?
That’s normal. The first month is about building comfort and trust. Your BCBA will adjust strategies to meet your child’s needs.
Do parents need to attend every session?
Not always, but parent involvement is encouraged. Through training and coaching, you’ll learn how to reinforce skills at home.
Sources:
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/25197-applied-behavior-analysis
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8702444/
- https://www.nature.com/articles/tp2017207
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0891422217302317
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10047423/
