Taking the first step into Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is a significant milestone for every family. It is entirely natural to feel a mixture of emotions when beginning this journey; hopefulness for your child’s progress, anxiety about the unknown, and perhaps a bit of overwhelm from navigating new schedules and therapy systems.
If your child is starting ABA therapy, you are entering an environment specifically designed to support their growth, learning, and independence. To help you feel confident as you begin, let’s walk you through what to expect and how to navigate the intake process, initial assessment, and that pivotal first session.
The Intake Phase
Your journey begins with intake which is the bridge where your family first connects with the ABA organization. This initial phase is all about learning what services are offered, completing preliminary paperwork, and touring the center to see if the environment feels right for your child’s and family needs.
The initial components of the intake phase include several logistical steps; here are some tips to navigating those to make it a seamless process.
Navigating the Details
- Gather Administrative & Medical Info: Have your child’s most recent diagnostic report (sometimes referred to as a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation), insurance cards, and pediatrician contact details ready. Having these on hand may speed up initial insurance verifications and preliminary onboarding steps. This step may also include filling out some initial paperwork for the ABA company; this paperwork gives them basic information about your child to learn more about them as the process begins.
- Schedule and Take a Center Tour: Schedule time to tour the location you are interested in attending. Use this opportunity to look at the learning rooms, play spaces, sensory equipment, and safety measures (like secure entry points). Ask the center leadership your questions about how therapy is structured, learn more about how client therapy teams are set up, and discover what your child will do during their therapy sessions.
- Ask Core Service Questions: Write down any questions you may have in advance. No question is too silly, small, or inconvenient! The team you want your child with will patiently answer any and all questions you have to give you confidence in your decision to work with them. Here are some example questions that may be helpful to ask: What are your hours of operation? How are client hours determined? What is your guidance on parent training? What will you work on during their sessions?
It can feel intimidating to reach out to a new provider and share personal details about your family's daily life. Remember that this initial contact is a two-way evaluation: while the ABA provider is learning about your child, you are determining whether their culture, communication style, and environment match your family's values. You are your child’s primary advocate, and asking detailed questions is an empowering first step.
The Clinical Assessment
Once intake paperwork is finalized and you have toured the center and know you want to move forward, you transition into the assessment phase. During the initial assessment, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) will evaluate your child's current strengths, communication style, play skills, and areas where they need extra support to build an individualized treatment plan.
This treatment plan is tailored to your child and focuses on the specific skills they need to develop, not a generic plan for any child their age. The initial assessment process is thorough and knowing what to expect can help ease any worries as you begin this more individualized assessment process.
Setting Up for Success
- Compile Historical Records: Gather recent IEPs, speech therapy evaluations, or other therapy documents (e.g., previous ABA treatment plans, occupational therapy reports). Sharing these gives the BCBA a complete picture of past interventions and current milestones. This helps them establish a history of what your child has worked on previously and the progress they’ve made with other therapies and services.
- Interview Preparation: The BCBA will ask you a lot of questions during the assessment which is a common and critical part of the assessment. Your honesty in answering these questions is important to give the team a thorough understanding of your child’s strengths and where support may be needed which, in turn, helps shape the goals that are selected. A practical way to help prepare for the questions is to jot down specific real-world examples of communication challenges, favorite activities, or routines where your child thrives or struggles.
- Skills Discovery: Part of the assessment process also includes a qualified team member spending time with your child to directly see their strengths in action. Your report of their abilities and needs is one piece of the assessment, but seeing your child directly engaging is the best way for our team to determine what to focus on in therapy. Depending on your child’s comfort level, this part may occur in the same room as your interview or throughout the center space, which allows them to explore their future therapy space.
- Child Preparation: Assessment sessions involve novel tasks and unfamiliar adults, which may be new for some children. To help support your child, it may be helpful to bring a favorite toy, comfort blanket, or familiar snacks so your child feels safe and relaxed during the assessment process.
- Final Preparation: Following the in-person initial assessment, the BCBA will reach out to review the initial treatment plan and obtain your signature. Take time to review what is recommended, the goals that are selected, and ask any follow-up questions. Doing this in a timely manner helps the team submit the documents and get approval to start services. Once that is done, it’s the final countdown to starting services!
It is completely natural to feel vulnerable during an assessment, especially when answering questions about difficult behaviors or skill gaps. Keep in mind that the BCBA’s goal is not to judge your parenting, but to map out areas of need so they can design effective support. Approach the assessment as a collaborative partnership where your lived experience as a parent is a critical part to guide the clinical team’s decision making.
The First ABA Session
Now that the assessment process is finished, the excitement of the first ABA session can really settle in! For some, this may feel like a familiar transition while, for others, this may be the first time your child has been away from home; so the range of emotions can be wide! Remember that your ABA therapy team is there to help transition smoothly into the center, with the hopes that everyone leaves feeling happy and confident about the decision to join ABA.
The first few sessions will focus on your child and their therapist getting to know each other; this is part of a process we call “pairing” which is where a therapist builds rapport, trust, and a positive relationship with your child through play and shared interests without placing high demands or expectations on them.
First Day Game Plan
- Dress for Movement: ABA therapy is active and engaging! Dress your child in comfortable clothing and easy-to-manage shoes that allow for running, climbing, and floor play. Keep in mind any sensory need your child may have when it comes to their clothing selection and prioritize their comfort!
- Pack Extra Supplies: Include extra clothes, preferred non-perishable snacks, a lunch (if their therapy time overlaps lunch hour), any specialized sensory items, and necessary personal hygiene supplies labeled clearly with your child's name. Your child’s ABA team will let you know if there is anything else needed and then will take care of the rest!
- Keep Drop-Off Short and Sweet: Although this may be a difficult transition, prolonged goodbyes can escalate anxiety for both a parent and their child. A warm, predictable goodbye routine ("I love you, you're going to have fun, and I'll pick you up after lunch time") signals safety and confidence. If your child struggles with the transition, just know their therapy team is fully prepared to support them with help and empathy while they settle into their new schedule.
Even when you know this is the right decision and your child seems happy with their new therapy, it’s important to still expect a transitional period. Your child might be exhausted after the first few sessions since processing a new environment requires significant effort. Regression in minor skills or temporary mood swings at home are common during the first couple of weeks as your child adapts to their new routine. Be patient with your child, and equally importantly, be gentle with yourself. If you notice any more notable changes in your child, let the ABA team know so additional support can be provided as necessary!
Partnering for the Long Haul
Starting your ABA therapy is not just about bringing your child to a building, it is the start of a collaborative partnership between your family and a team of dedicated clinicians who are prepared to help make life-changing gains for your family. Open communication, mutual trust, and consistency across both center and home environments lay the groundwork for meaningful, lasting progress.
Take it one step at a time, celebrate the small wins along the way, and know that you are laying a strong foundation for your child's future growth.
Mindcolor Autism is currently accepting new clients for ABA therapy and diagnostic evaluations across Texas, Wisconsin, Colorado, Nebraska, and Nevada. If you'd like to learn how our programs work and what to expect, we'd love to talk it through with you.
Learn more and get started at mindcolorautism.com/locations, or call us at 1-833-646-3222.