What I Tell Parents During Their Child’s First Week of ABA Therapy

Last week, I was sitting across from a parent. We had just spent the last hour talking about their child’s strengths, challenges, goals, insurance approvals, and schedules. Then they gave me a look I’ve seen hundreds of times before and asked, “So what happens now?”

If your child is about to start ABA therapy, it’s completely normal to have questions. You may be wondering what therapy will look like, how your child will respond, and whether you’re making the right decision. The good news is that the first few weeks of ABA therapy are usually much less intimidating than you’d expect.

The First Week of ABA Therapy Is About Getting to Know Your Child

During the first few sessions, I always tell therapists to focus on building a relationship before worrying about teaching new skills.

Think about it from your child’s perspective. A new person is entering their home or another familiar environment and asking them to spend time together. Before you can expect learning to happen, you need trust.

During the first week, your child’s therapist will spend a lot of time:

• Playing with favorite toys
• Reading books together
• Joining activities your child already enjoys
• Learning what motivates your child
• Observing how your child communicates
• Creating positive experiences

As a parent, it can sometimes look like “they’re just playing.”

In reality, we’re learning valuable information that helps us teach more effectively later.

Don’t Be Surprised If Your Child Tests the Waters

This is something I see all the time.

Some children immediately connect with their therapist and are ready to jump into activities. Others are much more cautious. Your child may ignore the therapist. They may leave the room. They may watch from a distance before deciding to participate. All of those reactions are completely normal.

A common mistake families make is worrying that therapy isn’t working if their child doesn’t immediately engage. Building trust takes time, and the goal during the first week isn’t perfection. The goal is helping your child feel safe, comfortable, and successful.

What Parents Should Be Doing

Your role is to communicate openly with the therapy team and share what you’re seeing at home.

Communicate with your child’s BCBA about:

• What’s working
• What’s not working
• New concerns
• New successes
• Changes in routines
• School updates

You don’t need to become an ABA expert. Your job is simply to share what you’re seeing and work collaboratively with the therapy team.

Some of the most important information I receive comes from conversations with parents. You know your child better than anyone else, and that perspective matters.

Questions Every Parent Should Ask Their ABA Provider

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. A quality ABA provider should welcome them.

Some good questions include:

• How are goals selected?
• How will progress be measured?
• How often will I meet with the BCBA?
• What will parent training look like?
• How will we know if a goal is working?
• What happens if my child isn’t making progress?

The more you understand the process, the more confident you’ll feel moving forward.

Remember That the First Week Is Just the Beginning

Don’t judge the entire process based on the first few sessions! The first week is about building relationships, gathering information, and creating a foundation for learning.

Some children adjust quickly. Others need a little more time. Both are completely normal.

The goal of those first few weeks isn’t perfection. It’s building trust, gathering information, and creating a strong foundation for learning.