Starting ABA Therapy: What to Expect from Your First ABA Session

Key Points:

• The First ABA Session Focuses on Comfort and Rapport.
• Parental Involvement is Crucial.
• Structured, Data-Driven Therapy Supports Long-Term Growth.

Your First Week of ABA Therapy 

New to ABA therapy? Welcome.

Starting ABA therapy can feel overwhelming, but understanding what happens in the first week helps parents prepare and set realistic expectations.

The first week of ABA therapy focuses on building rapport between your child and the therapist (RBT/BCBA) rather than intensive skill work.

Therapists observe, play, and assess to identify motivations, communication styles, and baseline skills. Parents often participate or observe, intending to ensure comfort, engagement, and a positive start.

What to Expect: 

• Building Rapport (Pairing): Therapists work to become a "fun" person your child enjoys being around, helping them feel safe, comfortable, and excited to engage.
• Observation & Assessment: The BCBA conducts assessments like the VB-MAPP or ABLLS-R to understand your child’s abilities, strengths, and areas for growth.
• Information Gathering: Parents share routines, triggers, and goals with the BCBA to help personalize the therapy plan.
• Adjustment Period: It’s normal for children to show hesitancy or temporary behavioral changes as they adapt to a new routine, according to providers such as Compleat Kidz and United Care ABA.
• Data Collection: Therapists begin recording data to refine the individualized treatment plan, as done by Inclusive ABA and Bluebell ABA.

Preparing for ABA Therapy: Tips for Parents

Creating a predictable, positive environment helps reduce anxiety and sets your child up for success on ABA therapy day one.

• Establish Routines: Consistent schedules for sleep, meals, and therapy help your child feel safe and in control.
• Simple Explanations: Describe therapy in positive, simple terms, focusing on it being a fun opportunity to play and learn.
• Meet the Therapist: Schedule a virtual or in-person "meet and greet" with the RBT or BCBA before the first ABA session.
• Bring Comfort Items: Allow your child to bring familiar toys, blankets, or snacks.
• Prepare the Environment: For in-home sessions, designate a quiet, distraction-free space.
• Use Visuals: Social stories or picture schedules help children understand what happens in the first ABA session.
• Pack Necessities: If you’re opting for center-based ABA therapy, bring extra clothes, snacks, and drinks, especially for younger children.
• Share Insights: Inform the therapy team about your child’s interests, strengths, and unique needs.
• Stay Calm & Positive: Children pick up on parental emotions. Remaining calm helps them feel secure.

First ABA Session: What Happens?

A typical first ABA appointment lasts 1–3 hours and blends structured learning with play-based activities to teach communication, social interaction, and daily living skills.

Techniques like Discrete Trial Training (DTT) and Functional Communication Training (FCT) are used, always reinforced with immediate, enjoyable rewards.

Example 1-Hour ABA Session Structure:

1. Transition & Pairing (10 min): Therapist builds rapport using preferred play activities like bubbles or blocks.
2. Skill Acquisition – DTT (20 min): Structured tasks such as color recognition, with prompting and immediate reinforcement.
3. Functional Communication Training (10 min): Using words or picture cards to request items, reducing frustration.
4. Natural Environment Training (10 min): Practicing social skills and turn-taking through play.
5. Data Collection & Closing (10 min): Therapist records progress, followed by positive reinforcement like free play.

A Week in the Life of ABA Therapy: In Practice

A typical ABA therapy schedule in NC blends structured learning, play, and real-world practice to teach communication, social skills, and independence. Here’s what a week might look like for a child new to ABA therapy:

Monday – Establishing Rapport & Baseline

• Focus: Pairing (building trust) and initial assessments.
• Activities:
  
  
  • Free play with preferred toys to see what motivates your child.
  • The therapist observes attention span, interests, and social engagement.
  • Preference assessment: The child chooses favorite toys, snacks, or activities to use as reinforcement.
  • Parents participate, learning how to interact positively and reinforce behaviors.
    
    
• Goal: Ensure your child feels safe, comfortable, and excited for therapy.

Tuesday – Discrete Trial Training (DTT) & Skill Acquisition

• Focus: Structured teaching of specific skills.
• Activities:
  
  
  • Table-based learning: Matching colors, shapes, or objects.
  • Early language skills: Teaching simple words like “ball,” “eat,” or “more.”
  • Repetition with prompting and immediate reinforcement (praise, bubbles, or stickers).
  • Tracking correct responses and prompts needed for each task.
    
    
• Example: Child practices identifying colors—therapist says, “Touch red,” and rewards immediately when correct.
• Goal: Establish learning routines and begin measurable skill acquisition.

Wednesday – Natural Environment Training (NET)

• Focus: Learning skills through play and real-world scenarios.
• Activities:
  
  
  • Play-based lessons: Building with blocks, board games, or outdoor activities.
  • Social skills practice: Taking turns, sharing, initiating greetings or comments.
  • Observing spontaneous communication attempts, e.g., asking for a snack or toy.
    
    
• Example: During a game, the child waits their turn and says, “My turn,” or uses a gesture/picture card to indicate it.
• Goal: Help your child generalize skills learned in structured sessions to natural settings.

Thursday – Functional Communication & Daily Living Skills

• Focus: Teaching independence and reducing frustration.
• Activities:
  
  
  • Functional communication: Using words, gestures, or picture cards to request items or express emotions.
  • Self-help skills: Washing hands, brushing teeth, opening lunch containers, or putting on shoes.
  • Routine practice: Snack preparation or clean-up after play.
    
    
• Example: Child uses a picture card to request juice instead of crying, then practices pouring juice independently with guidance.
• Goal: Build practical communication and daily living skills to increase independence.

Friday – Social Skills & Weekly Review

• Focus: Generalization, social interaction, and progress evaluation.
• Activities:
  
  
  • Social skills group or structured role-playing (e.g., greeting peers, sharing toys, responding to questions).
  • Practicing turn-taking, eye contact, and conversational skills.
  • BCBA reviews collected data from the week to adjust goals for next week.
  • Parents discuss progress, challenges, and next steps with the therapy team.
    
    
• Example: Child participates in a short group activity where they greet peers and wait for their turn to roll a ball or answer a question.
• Goal: Strengthen social and communication skills, and ensure parents understand next steps for reinforcement at home.

Additional Weekly Highlights:

• Transition Time: Short breaks between activities to maintain attention and reduce frustration.
• Motivational Reinforcement: Using favorite toys, snacks, or praise immediately after successful tasks.
• Parent Training Opportunities: Parents observe and practice ABA techniques for consistent reinforcement at home.
• Data-Driven Adjustments: Each week, therapists review performance to refine individualized goals and session focus.

Parental Role in Beginning ABA Therapy

Parents are active partners in starting ABA therapy:

Before the Session:

• Share observations about sleep, routines, and behaviors.
• Prepare materials, reinforcers, and visual aids.
• Collaborate with the BCBA to set daily goals.

During & After the Session:

• Participate in Behavioral Skills Training (BST) to learn techniques.
• Reinforce skills consistently at home to support generalization.
• Review session data with the therapist.
• Document progress and adjust strategies for continued success.

Beyond the First ABA Session: How Parents Can Support ABA Therapy

Supporting a child in ABA therapy goes beyond the session itself. Consistency, collaboration with therapists, and reinforcing skills at home are essential for meaningful progress. By actively participating, parents help turn therapy techniques into daily habits, promoting independence and lasting growth.

9 Parent Strategies to Support ABA Therapy

1. Be Consistent Across Environments: Apply the same techniques and strategies at home, school, and in the community to prevent confusion and strengthen learning.

2. Use Positive Reinforcement: Immediately reward desired behaviors with praise, tokens, or favorite items to increase the likelihood they will happen again.

3. Communicate Regularly with the Therapy Team: Stay in touch with your child’s BCBA and therapists to discuss progress, challenges, and adjust goals as needed.

4. Attend Parent Training Sessions: Learn how to implement ABA strategies effectively, manage behaviors, and generalize skills across daily life.

5. Give Clear, Simple Instructions: Use direct, easy-to-understand language to set expectations and reduce confusion.

6. Create Structured Routines: Establish predictable daily routines and use visual supports like picture schedules or checklists to help your child understand what comes next.

7. Minimize Sensory Overload: Adjust the environment by managing lighting, noise, and clutter to create a calm, supportive space.

8. Follow Your Child’s Interests: Incorporate play-based approaches by joining in on their favorite activities to increase engagement.

9. Teach Replacement Behaviors: Focus on teaching positive alternatives to challenging behaviors rather than simply discouraging them.

Preparation & Skill Generalization

Practice Skills Outside Therapy: Use real-world scenarios to help your child apply skills across different environments.

Prepare for Transitions: Use visual cues or warnings before changes in routine to help your child adjust smoothly.

Roleplay New Skills: Practice challenging or new skills ahead of time through roleplaying before applying them in real situations.

By actively applying these strategies, parents strengthen their child’s learning, helping therapy gain transfer to everyday life and supporting long-term independence.

With proper preparation, understanding what to expect in ABA therapy, and active parental involvement, the first ABA session can be a positive, engaging experience that lays the foundation for long-term skill development.

Beginning ABA therapy in North Carolina is easy when you have the right support and professional therapists to guide you. Contact us for ABA support.

FAQs

1. What happens in the first ABA session?

The first ABA session focuses on building rapport between your child and the therapist (RBT/BCBA), observing behaviors, and assessing skills. Parents may participate or observe, and the session blends play-based activities with light skill assessment to ensure your child feels safe and engaged.

2. How long is a typical ABA therapy session?

ABA sessions usually last 1–3 hours, depending on your child’s age and needs. A typical session includes time for pairing/rapport building, structured skill practice (DTT), functional communication training, natural environment teaching (NET), and data collection.

3. How should I prepare my child for ABA therapy?

Prepare your child by establishing routines, explaining therapy in simple, positive terms, introducing the therapist beforehand, bringing comfort items, and setting up a distraction-free environment for in-home sessions. Visual schedules or social stories can also help reduce anxiety.

4. What is the role of parents in ABA therapy?

Parents are active partners. You share observations, reinforce skills at home, attend parent training sessions, collaborate with the BCBA to set goals, and practice techniques learned during therapy to ensure skills generalize across environments.

5. How will ABA therapy progress be tracked?

Therapists collect data during each session to monitor skill acquisition, behavior changes, and therapy effectiveness. Weekly reviews with the BCBA help adjust goals and strategies to match your child’s growth.

6. How do ABA therapy techniques help my child at home and in school?

By using consistent strategies, positive reinforcement, clear instructions, and structured routines, your child can generalize learned skills from therapy sessions to everyday life, improving communication, social interaction, independence, and adaptive behaviors across settings.