Understanding the ABA Therapy Journey

Starting ABA therapy can feel overwhelming, but understanding the process helps families know what to expect. Here's a detailed walkthrough of the ABA therapy process from start to ongoing treatment.

Phase 1: Getting Started

Initial Contact

Your journey begins with contacting an ABA provider. During this first call, you'll:

Discuss your child's diagnosis and current challenges
Learn about the provider's services and approach
Provide insurance information for verification
Schedule an initial consultation or assessment

Insurance Verification

The provider's team will verify your insurance benefits to determine:

Whether ABA therapy is covered under your plan
Any applicable deductibles or copays
Authorization requirements
Estimated out-of-pocket costs

Phase 2: Assessment

The Comprehensive Assessment

A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) will conduct a thorough assessment of your child. This evaluation typically includes:

Parent interview: Gathering developmental history and current concerns
Standardized assessments: Tools like VB-MAPP, ABLLS-R, or AFLS to evaluate skill levels
Direct observation: Watching your child in various situations
Functional behavior assessment: If challenging behaviors are present

The assessment typically takes 4-8 hours spread across multiple sessions.

Phase 3: Treatment Planning

Developing the Treatment Plan

Based on the assessment, the BCBA creates an individualized treatment plan that includes:

Specific, measurable goals in priority areas
Recommended treatment hours per week
Therapeutic techniques and strategies
Parent training components
Timeline for goal achievement

Insurance Authorization

The treatment plan is submitted to your insurance company for prior authorization. This process:

Typically takes 2-4 weeks
May require additional documentation
Authorizes a specific number of therapy hours
Usually covers 3-12 months before reauthorization

Phase 4: Beginning Therapy

Meeting Your Therapy Team

Once authorized, you'll be introduced to your therapy team:

BCBA: Oversees the treatment program and provides supervision
RBT: The therapist who works directly with your child

The provider will try to match your child with a therapist whose personality and experience fit your child's needs.

First Therapy Sessions

Initial sessions focus on:

Building rapport between your child and therapist
Establishing routines and expectations
Identifying effective reinforcers
Baseline data collection

Phase 5: Ongoing Treatment

Regular Therapy Sessions

Once therapy is underway, sessions typically include:

Structured teaching activities targeting specific goals
Natural environment teaching opportunities
Play-based learning activities
Data collection on all targeted skills

BCBA Supervision

The BCBA provides ongoing oversight including:

Regular observation of therapy sessions
Data review and analysis
Treatment plan modifications as needed
RBT coaching and training

Parent Training

An essential component of ABA is parent involvement. Expect:

Regular parent training sessions
Strategies to implement at home
Communication about your child's progress
Opportunities to observe and practice techniques

Progress Monitoring

Your child's progress is continuously tracked through:

Daily data collection during sessions
Regular progress reports (monthly or quarterly)
Graph showing skill acquisition
Parent meetings to discuss progress and adjust goals

Phase 6: Ongoing Evaluation

Periodic Reassessment

Formal reassessments occur periodically (typically every 6-12 months) to:

Measure overall progress
Update treatment goals
Adjust therapy intensity if needed
Support insurance reauthorization

Transitioning and Discharge

As your child progresses, treatment may evolve to include:

Reduced therapy hours as independence increases
Focus on generalization across settings
Transition planning for school or other environments
Eventual graduation from ABA services when goals are met

The ABA Therapy Process: What to Expect Step by Step