You’ve made the decision to start ABA therapy for your child. The paperwork is done, insurance is approved, and your first session is scheduled.
Now comes the waiting and wondering: What will actually happen? Will your child cooperate? How long until you see progress? What’s your role in all of this?
Let’s walk through what the first month of ABA therapy typically looks like so you know exactly what to expect at each stage.
Before the First Session
Your Board Certified Behavior Analyst will reach out to schedule an initial assessment, usually at your home. This first meeting is about gathering information, not jumping straight into therapy.
The BCBA will spend time talking with you about your concerns, your child’s strengths, and what you hope to accomplish. They’ll ask detailed questions about your child’s communication, behavior, daily routines, and social interactions.
They’ll also observe your child in natural situations. How do they play? How do they communicate when they want something? What happens when they’re frustrated? This observation helps the BCBA understand your child’s current skills and challenges.
Based on this assessment, your BCBA creates a personalized treatment plan with specific, measurable goals. These aren’t generic objectives pulled from a template. They’re based on what your child needs and what matters most to your family.
You’ll review this plan together before therapy starts. If something doesn’t feel right or doesn’t match your priorities, speak up. This is a collaborative process.
Week One: Building Trust and Routine
The first week is all about relationship building. Your child’s therapist will focus on becoming a trusted, fun presence in your child’s life before asking them to do any real work.
What therapy looks like: Expect lots of play, following your child’s lead, and simply having fun together. The therapist is observing what motivates your child, what they enjoy, and how they respond to different approaches.
Your child might not even realize they’re “in therapy.” From their perspective, a friendly person is coming over to play with their favorite toys.
Your role: You can be as involved or hands-off as feels comfortable. Some parents like to stay in the room and watch. Others prefer to use this time to catch up on other things. Both approaches are fine.
What you might notice: Your child may be excited, cautious, or completely indifferent about this new person in their space. All of these reactions are normal. The therapist is trained to work with whatever your child brings.
Week Two: Introducing Structure
By the second week, your therapist will start introducing more structure while still keeping things playful and positive.
What therapy looks like: The therapist begins working on simple skills in a natural way. This might include asking your child to make eye contact before getting a toy, using words to request items, or taking turns during play.
Everything is still built around what your child enjoys. If they love bubbles, the therapist uses bubbles to practice communication. If they’re into trains, trains become the teaching tool.
Your role: The therapist may start asking you questions about what works and what doesn’t. Your input matters. You know your child better than anyone.
What you might notice: Your child is getting more comfortable with the routine. They might start anticipating the therapist’s arrival or seeking them out when they arrive.
Week Three: Working on Goals
By week three, therapy sessions have a clearer focus. Your therapist is actively working on the goals outlined in your child’s treatment plan.
What therapy looks like: Sessions have more intention behind them. If communication is a goal, the therapist creates multiple opportunities throughout the session for your child to practice requesting, labeling, or responding.
If behavior management is a focus, the therapist works on teaching replacement behaviors. Instead of grabbing, your child learns to ask. Instead of screaming, they learn to use words or pictures to express frustration.
Skills are taught in small, manageable steps. Your child isn’t expected to master anything overnight. Progress happens through consistent practice and positive reinforcement.
Your role: The therapist may start showing you strategies you can use between sessions. These aren’t complicated techniques. They’re simple, practical approaches that fit naturally into your daily routine.
What you might notice: You may start seeing small changes. Maybe your child uses a new word. Maybe transitions are slightly easier. Maybe they’re more willing to try new things. These small wins add up.
Week Four: Establishing Momentum
By the end of the first month, therapy has become part of your family’s routine. Your child knows what to expect, and the therapist has a solid understanding of how your child learns best.
What therapy looks like: Sessions are more productive because your child is comfortable and engaged. The therapist can work on multiple goals within a single session, moving fluidly between activities based on your child’s interest and energy level.
Data collection is happening throughout, though you might not notice it. Your therapist is tracking progress on each goal so the BCBA can adjust the plan as needed.
Your role: You’re becoming more confident using the strategies your therapist has shown you. You’re starting to see how small changes in your approach can make a big difference in your child’s behavior and communication.
What you might notice: Progress is becoming more visible. Skills that seemed impossible a few weeks ago are starting to emerge. Your child may be calmer, more communicative, or more willing to engage with others.
What Progress Actually Looks Like
Here’s something important to understand: progress in ABA therapy isn’t always dramatic or immediate. You’re not going to wake up one day and find that all your child’s challenges have disappeared.
Instead, progress looks like:
- Your child using one word where they used to scream
- A meltdown lasting 10 minutes instead of 30
- Your child trying a new food after weeks of gentle exposure
- Following a simple direction without prompting
- Playing next to another child instead of always playing alone
These may seem like small things, but they’re building blocks. Each skill creates a foundation for the next one. Over time, these incremental changes add up to significant progress.
Common First Month Challenges
Not everything will be smooth sailing, and that’s completely normal. Here are some common challenges families face in the first month:
Your child resists at first. Some kids take longer to warm up to new people and new routines. If your child is resistant, the therapist will slow down, spend more time building rapport, and adjust their approach. Resistance usually fades within a few weeks.
You feel like nothing is happening. Early progress can be subtle. You’re living with your child every day, so changes are harder for you to notice. Trust the process and trust the data your therapist is collecting.
Schedules are hard to coordinate. Life happens. Your child gets sick, your therapist has an emergency, or your family has a busy week. Good ABA programs are flexible and work with you to maintain consistency as much as possible.
You’re not sure if you’re doing it right. If your therapist gives you strategies to practice at home, you might worry you’re not implementing them correctly. Ask questions. Request clarification. Your therapist wants you to feel confident, not confused.
How to Support Your Child’s Progress
While the therapist does the heavy lifting during sessions, there are things you can do to support your child’s progress:
Be consistent. If your therapist teaches your child to ask for snacks using words, try to reinforce that at home too. Consistency across settings helps skills stick.
Celebrate small wins. Notice and acknowledge the little improvements. Your child is working hard, and your recognition matters.
Communicate with your team. If something is working well or not working at all, tell your therapist or BCBA. They can adjust the approach based on your feedback.
Be patient with yourself. You’re learning too. It’s okay if you don’t get everything right immediately. Your willingness to try is what counts.
Take care of yourself. Supporting a child through therapy can be emotionally draining. Make sure you’re getting rest, asking for help when you need it, and finding moments to recharge.
What Happens After the First Month
At the end of the first month, your BCBA will typically meet with you to review progress and adjust goals as needed. Some goals might be mastered and ready to be replaced with new ones. Others might need more time or a different approach.
This ongoing assessment and adjustment is a core part of ABA therapy. Your child’s program is never static. It evolves as they grow and as their needs change.
Therapy intensity might also be adjusted. Some children need more hours initially and can gradually reduce over time. Others maintain a consistent schedule for a longer period. Your BCBA will make recommendations based on your child’s progress and your family’s needs.
Moving Forward with Confidence
The first month of ABA therapy is about laying groundwork. Your child is building a relationship with their therapist. You’re learning what therapy looks like and how to support it. Your therapist is figuring out how your child learns best.
It’s a process of discovery, adjustment, and gradual progress. Some days will feel productive. Others will feel frustrating. Both are part of the journey.
What matters most is that you’re showing up, staying engaged, and giving your child the support they need to develop new skills and overcome challenges.
Questions About Getting Started?
If you’re about to begin ABA therapy or considering it for your child, we’re here to answer your questions and help you understand what the process will look like for your specific family.
Contact Durham ABA today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we support families through every step of the therapy journey.
