What to Expect in Your First ABA Session: A Guide to Home-Based Services
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is a highly adaptable and individualized approach to supporting children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). There are many different ways aba therapy can be implemented, from school-based services to clinic-based programs. However, at Victory Lap ABA, we specialize in home-based aba therapy, where services are provided in the comfort of your own home environment.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through what to expect during your child’s first home-based ABA therapy session.
Why Home-Based ABA Therapy? —
Home-based ABA therapy allows children to receive treatment in an environment where they feel most comfortable — their own home. For many children, this familiar environment allows for smoother transitions, less anxiety, and more opportunities to work on skills that are directly relevant to their daily life. Home-based ABA services also allow parents to participate in an active role during therapy, promoting a consistency of expectations and support between sessions.
The Initial Assessment and Consultation —
Before the first official therapy session, your Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) will meet with you and your child for an initial consultation. This consultation is important for gathering preliminary information about your child’s strengths, challenges, and needs. During this meeting, the BCBA will discuss:
Your child’s developmental history and milestones.
Any previous experiences with services received.
Observations of your child’s behavior in the home environment.
Your family’s routines, preferences, and any concerns you may have.
This consultation is an opportunity for you to ask questions and get comfortable with the process. In turn, the BCBA will use this information to develop an individualized treatment plan tailored to your child’s needs. The BCBA may also take this time to explain some introductory goals and how they will be implemented within your home.
The First Therapy Session: Building Trust —
The first official session will focus primarily on building a relationship between the staffed technician and your child (you will commonly hear this process of building rapport as “pairing”). Establishing trust is essential for making future sessions more productive. During this time, expect the technician to engage in activities that your child enjoys — whether it’s playing with toys, reading a book, or drawing. This helps the therapist get to know your child, what activities they find rewarding, and creates a positive, supportive atmosphere.
In addition to pairing, the technician will observe your child’s natural behaviors, communication methods, and interactions with you and other family members. These observations allows the clinical team (therapist + supervising BCBA) to gather important data to fine-tune the treatment plan.
What ABA Therapy Looks Like in Your Home —
Once the technician has established a positive connection with your child, they will begin introducing ABA strategies. Here’s some elements you might begin to see during oncoming sessions:
Positive Reinforcement: ABA therapy relies on rewarding desirable behaviors. When your child successfully completes a task or demonstrates a positive behavior, they’ll be rewarded with praise, a favorite toy, or another reinforcer. This encourages your child to repeat these desired behaviors.
Task Breakdown: Complex tasks are broken down into smaller, manageable steps. For instance, if your child is learning to dress themselves, the therapist might start by teaching them to pick out their clothes, and gradually move toward putting them on independently.
Play-Based Learning: ABA therapy often integrates play into learning. The therapist may use your child’s favorite games, toys, or activities to teach social skills, communication, or other behaviors.
Modeling and Prompting: The technician may model behaviors for your child to imitate or provide prompts (such as verbal cues or physical assistance)to help them perform a task. As your child becomes more independent, these prompts will be gradually faded.
Behavioral Observations and Data Collection: Data is a critical part of ABA therapy. The technician will track your child’s progress, allowing the supervising BCBA to interpret which strategies work best and where adjustments might be needed.
Parental Involvement —
In home-based services, parents play a significant role. During the session, the technician will likely spend some time explaining the goals behind each activity, answering any questions you may have, or even having you participate in reinforcing positive behaviors.
As therapy progresses, you’ll be given guidance on how to continue reinforcing positive behaviors between sessions. This consistency between therapy sessions and daily life is key to helping your child make meaningful progress.
* For more information about parental involvement, see our dedicated blog post here.Data Collection —
ABA is data-driven, which means the technician will be collecting data on your child’s progress during every session. This data includes things like how often a desired behavior occurs, how quickly your child responds to a particular prompt, and any changes in behavior over time. This information is crucial for making informed decisions about your child’s therapy plan and adjusting it as needed.
In home-based services, the technician may use tools such as clipboards, tablets, or charts to track data, but they’ll do so in a way that doesn’t interrupt the flow of the session.
What Happens After the Session? —
At the end of each session, the technician will provide you with feedback, including:
A summary of what was accomplished during the session.
Any new behaviors observed.
Progress toward short and long-term goals.
Any strategies or reinforcements you can implement between sessions.
This review helps you stay informed and engaged in your child’s therapy, allowing you to continue supporting their development between sessions.
Setting Realistic Expectations —
It’s important to approach ABA therapy as a long-term process. While you may not see significant changes after just one session, the consistency and individualization of home-based ABA therapy lead to meaningful progress over time. Your child’s supervising BCBA will provide updates and make adjustments as needed, ensuring that therapy evolves with your child’s needs.
Conclusion —
At Victory Lap ABA, our goal is to make every session a positive and productive experience for your child. The first session is just the beginning of a journey focused on helping your child to build valuable skills and reach their fullest potential. By choosing home-based services, you’re giving your child the opportunity to learn and grow in a familiar setting where they feel safe and supported.
If you have any questions or concerns leading up to your child’s first session, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to ensure that your child’s therapy experience is both rewarding and empowering.
