Was your child with autism recently referred for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy? As their first session approaches, you may feel excited for them to begin receiving support while also wondering what the experience will be like.
Knowing what to expect can help you prepare your child for the experience and understand how you can support them as therapy begins.
Establishing Your Child’s ABA Treatment Goals
Before regular ABA therapy sessions begin, your child will typically have an evaluation to identify their strengths, current skills, and areas in which they may need support. As part of the intake process, the therapist may observe your child and ask you about their:
- Communication methods and abilities
- Social interactions and play skills
- Daily activities and routines
- Interests and preferred activities
- Responses to changes or challenging situations
You will also have an opportunity to discuss your concerns and the specific skills you would most like your child to develop. This information helps the ABA team establish individualized treatment goals.
Preparing for Your Child’s First ABA Session
Preparing ahead can help your child’s first ABA session go more smoothly. Here are a few simple steps you can take to ease the transition into a new clinic environment:
- Talk to your child about the visit in advance: Explain that they will be visiting a new place where they will meet their therapist, explore activities, and practice new skills. Avoid sharing more information than they can comfortably process.
- Bring requested items: Ask the ABA team whether you should bring completed paperwork, preferred snacks, communication devices, or comforting items from home.
- Share helpful information: Tell the therapist about your child’s preferred activities, communication methods, sensitivities, routines, and anything else that may help them feel comfortable.
- Allow enough time: Arriving without feeling rushed can make the transition into a new setting easier for you and your child.
Welcome to Your Child’s First ABA Session
No two first ABA sessions look exactly alike. Therapy is individualized to your child’s goals, abilities, and needs, and their therapist will consider their personality, communication abilities, and comfort level when choosing activities. Although the details will vary based on their plan of care, the following sections provide a general idea of what may happen during your child’s first treatment session.
Helping Your Child Become Comfortable With Their Therapist
Meeting a new person or visiting an unfamiliar place can take time. The therapist may begin by building rapport and creating positive interactions with your child. They may:
- Introduce themselves gradually
- Show your child different materials and activity areas
- Allow your child time to explore the environment
- Follow your child’s cues as they become more comfortable
If your child is initially hesitant to participate, it does not mean the session has been unsuccessful. Even with preparation, it is natural for your child to need time to become comfortable. Their therapist can adjust their approach and help your child become more familiar with the clinic over multiple visits.
Exploring Your Child’s Interests and Preferences
Your child’s interests can help their therapist make sessions more engaging and meaningful. To learn what captures your child’s attention, the therapist will observe what they gravitate toward and may offer:
- Favorite toys or games
- Books, puzzles, or creative activities
- Movement or sensory activities
- Choices between preferred options
These interests can then be incorporated into therapy. For example, a child who enjoys toy cars might practice requesting a car, taking turns during play, or completing a simple activity before returning to the toy.
Practicing Skills Through Supportive, Engaging Activities
Your child may begin practicing skills related to their individualized goals during the first session. Depending on their needs, activities may involve:
- Communicating their wants, needs, or ideas
- Sharing, taking turns, or developing play skills
- Following directions or completing routines
- Adapting to transitions or changes
- Building independence with everyday tasks
The therapist can break a new skill into manageable steps and adjust the amount of support based on how your child responds.
Using Positive Reinforcement to Encourage Progress
Positive reinforcement involves providing an encouraging response after your child practices a developing skill, making them more likely to use that skill again. Depending on what motivates your child, reinforcement may include:
- Verbal praise or encouragement
- Access to a preferred toy
- A movement break
- A choice of the next activity
- Another enjoyable experience
For example, if your child requests a toy using a word, gesture, or other communication method, the therapist may immediately provide it and respond enthusiastically. This helps your child connect the developing skill with a meaningful result.
What Is Your Role in Your Child’s ABA Therapy?
You are an important member of your child’s ABA therapy team. At Little Hands at Play Therapy, parents and caregivers are encouraged to take an active role in the process. Once regular treatment begins, you can support your child’s progress by doing the following:
- Discuss your child’s sessions: Ask how your child responded, which activities interested them, and what the team plans to address next.
- Practice strategies at home: Reinforce developing skills during familiar activities, such as getting dressed, eating meals, or preparing for bed.
- Provide ongoing updates: Let the therapist know about changes, challenges, or progress you observe outside of therapy.
As therapy continues, the ABA team can use this information to adjust activities and strategies based on your child’s progress and changing needs.
Begin ABA Therapy at Little Hands at Play
Little Hands at Play Therapy provides personalized, family-centered ABA therapy for children with autism ages 3 and older at our Fort Smith and Fayetteville clinics. If your child receives multiple services, their ABA, occupational, physical, speech, and feeding therapy can communicate and coordinate treatment goals when appropriate. We also welcome families enrolled in the PASSE program.
Call us today at (479) 226-3409 or complete our online contact form to learn more about our ABA program or schedule an initial evaluation for your child.
