Getting Started with ABA
If ABA is new to your family, take a breath — you're in the right place. This guide walks you through what ABA is, how sessions usually work, and what your first few weeks with a therapy team might feel like.
What is ABA therapy?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is an approach to learning that helps children build meaningful skills — like communicating, playing, following routines, and managing big feelings — in ways that respect who they are.
In practice, that looks like caring adults noticing what your child already does well, breaking new skills into small steps, and celebrating progress along the way. It is not about making a child fit into a box; it's about giving them more tools to move through their world.
How sessions usually work
Most ABA Prep sessions happen in your home or in community places your family already visits. Sessions are one-on-one between a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) and your child, guided by a plan created by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
A typical session blends play, everyday practice, and short teaching moments. Your child learns while doing things they enjoy — not by sitting at a table for hours.
What the first few weeks feel like
The first weeks are mostly about building trust. Your child gets to know their team, and the team gets to know your child — their favorite toys, what makes them laugh, and what feels hard.
Progress in ABA is usually gradual. Small wins add up: a new word, a smoother morning, a calmer transition. Your BCBA will meet with you regularly to share what they're seeing and adjust the plan.
How we work together as a team
You are the expert on your child. Your BCBA is the expert on ABA. Together, you set the goals that matter most for your family and decide how strategies will fit into real routines like mealtime, bedtime, and outings.
Caregiver coaching is a regular part of care so the strategies your child is learning don't stay in the therapy room — they travel with your family.
Practical tips for parents
- Keep a small notebook of questions as they come up between sessions.
- Share what's going well at home, not only what's hard — both matter.
- Let your child's team know about big changes (new sibling, move, illness) that might affect behavior.
- Celebrate small wins out loud with your child.
Questions to ask
- How will you get to know my child before starting formal teaching?
- How often will we meet to review progress?
- How will you involve me in choosing goals?
- What does a typical session look like?
Related ABA Prep resources
We're here when you're ready
Every child and family is different. If you'd like to talk through what might be right for yours, our team is happy to listen and help you think it through.
This guide is for educational purposes only and is not individualized medical, legal, or insurance advice. It does not create a provider–patient relationship or promise any specific outcome, insurance approval, or service start date. For guidance about your child's situation, please contact a qualified professional or reach out to our team.