Your child’s first ABA therapy session will begin with meeting their assigned therapist and BCBA, who’ll conduct initial assessments through play-based activities and observation. You’ll need to bring medical records, comfort items, and favorite toys while helping create a quiet, distraction-free environment. The therapist will evaluate your child’s current skills, behaviors, and communication patterns to develop a personalized treatment plan. Understanding these first-session basics will help you prepare for your child’s therapy journey.

Before the First Day: Essential Preparations

Before your child begins ABA therapy, taking time to prepare both yourself and your child can make the first session smoother and more productive.

Gather any relevant medical records, behavioral assessments, and IEP documents to share with your child’s therapist. Create a list of your child’s current behaviors, strengths, challenges, and specific goals you’d like to address.

Set up a quiet, designated space in your home for therapy sessions, removing potential distractions. Stock this area with your child’s favorite toys, snacks, and comfort items.

Explain to your child that a new friend will come to play and learn with them, using simple, positive language. Get your child on a good sleep schedule the week before, and plan to have their regular meals and bathroom breaks completed before the session starts.

The Initial Consultation and Assessment

During your child’s first ABA session, you’ll meet with a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who’ll conduct a thorough evaluation. The BCBA will observe your child’s current skills, behaviors, and communication patterns while taking detailed notes.

They’ll ask you questions about your child’s developmental history, daily routines, and specific challenges.

The assessment typically includes structured activities to gauge your child’s responses to different situations, instructions, and social interactions. Your BCBA will evaluate areas such as language use, social skills, self-help abilities, and learning readiness.

This information helps create a baseline for measuring future progress and developing an individualized treatment plan.

You’ll also have the opportunity to discuss your goals and concerns for your child’s development, ensuring the therapy aligns with your family’s needs.

Meeting Your Child’s ABA Therapist

After the initial assessment, you’ll be introduced to your child’s primary ABA therapist, who’ll become a regular part of your family’s routine. This meeting is essential for establishing rapport and ensuring a good fit between your child and their therapist.

The therapist will explain their approach, discuss your goals, and answer any questions you have about the therapy process.

• Observe how the therapist interacts with your child and builds initial connection
• Share important information about your child’s preferences, triggers, and communication style
• Discuss your family’s schedule and establish consistent therapy times
• Learn about the therapist’s background, experience, and specialized training
• Review the therapy location setup, whether at home or in a clinic

Setting Up the Therapy Environment

Creating the right environment for ABA therapy plays a crucial role in your child’s success. Choose a quiet, well-lit room with minimal distractions where your child can focus on learning. Remove noisy toys, turn off screens, and keep pets in another area during the session.

Set up a child-sized table and chairs in the designated space, and verify there’s enough room for movement activities. You’ll want to have your child’s favorite toys and rewards readily available but out of direct reach.

Keep learning materials organized in clear containers that you can easily access when needed. Consider temperature and comfort too – maintain a pleasant room temperature and have water available.

Your therapist might also suggest specific modifications to the space based on your child’s unique needs and therapy goals.

What to Bring to Your First Session

For your child’s first ABA session, you’ll want to pack their favorite comfort items like a special blanket or stuffed animal to help them feel secure in the new environment.

Be sure to bring all relevant medical records, diagnostic reports, and any previous therapy evaluations your provider has requested.

Pack a small selection of your child’s preferred toys or activities, which can help the therapist understand their interests and create engaging learning opportunities.

Essential Comfort Items

When packing for your child’s first ABA session, bringing familiar comfort items can help ease anxiety and create a more positive experience.

These items can serve as security anchors and potential reinforcers during therapy, making the shift smoother for your child in this new environment.

• Your child’s favorite stuffed animal or security blanket that provides emotional comfort
• A preferred toy that encourages engagement and can be used as a motivational tool
• A beloved book that your child enjoys reading or looking through
• A familiar sensory item like a stress ball or fidget toy that helps with self-regulation
• A cherished personal item, such as a special hat or bracelet, that makes your child feel safe

Consider rotating these items throughout future sessions to maintain interest while still providing comfort and familiarity.

Medical Documents Ready

Proper documentation guarantees a smooth start to your child’s ABA therapy journey.

You’ll need to bring your child’s medical diagnosis, insurance information, and any previous behavioral or developmental assessments. Include reports from other healthcare providers, such as speech therapists, occupational therapists, or psychologists.

Make sure you have a list of your child’s current medications, allergies, and any dietary restrictions.

It’s also helpful to bring documentation of your child’s IEP (Individualized Education Program) if they’ve one, along with any relevant school records.

Keep these documents organized in a folder for easy access during the session. Your ABA therapist will review this information to develop a thorough treatment plan tailored to your child’s specific needs.

Favorite Toys Selection

Bringing your child’s favorite toys and activities to the first ABA session helps create a comfortable, engaging environment for assessment and rapport-building.

Select items that your child consistently enjoys and that encourage interaction. These familiar objects will help your child feel more at ease while the therapist observes their interests and skills.

• Choose 2-3 toys that capture your child’s attention for extended periods
• Include items that promote different types of play (imaginative, constructive, physical)
• Pack comfort items like a favorite blanket or stuffed animal
• Select activities that encourage communication or social interaction
• Bring any educational materials or games your child particularly enjoys

Consider items that are easy to transport and won’t be disruptive to the session.

Let the therapist know which items tend to be most motivating for your child.

Common Activities and Exercises

During your child’s first ABA session, you’ll notice a combination of play-based learning activities designed to engage your child while measuring their responses and abilities.

The therapist will use various skills assessment games to evaluate your child’s current developmental level, communication patterns, and social interactions.

Throughout the session, they’ll track your child’s behavioral responses to different environmental stimuli, helping create a baseline for future therapy sessions.

Play-Based Learning Activities

ABA therapy sessions incorporate play-based activities to keep your child engaged while learning essential skills. Your child’s therapist will select age-appropriate toys and games that target specific developmental goals while making the learning process fun and natural.

Through structured play, your child will develop vital skills in a relaxed environment.

• Building blocks and puzzles to enhance problem-solving and fine motor skills
• Pretend play with dolls or action figures to develop social skills and imagination
• Board games to practice turn-taking and following rules
• Art activities to improve creativity and self-expression
• Interactive songs and movement games to build language and gross motor skills

You’ll notice your therapist taking notes during these activities to track your child’s progress and adjust the teaching strategies accordingly.

The play-based approach helps maintain your child’s interest while working toward therapeutic goals.

Skills Assessment Games

When your child begins their first session, the therapist will conduct several engaging assessment activities to evaluate current skill levels and set appropriate learning goals. These activities often include matching games with colors and shapes, simple puzzles, and following basic instructions through playful interactions.

Your child’s therapist might use picture cards to assess language comprehension, ask your child to stack blocks to evaluate motor skills, or play simple turn-taking games to observe social interaction abilities.

They’ll also incorporate your child’s favorite toys and interests to keep them engaged throughout the assessment process.

During these activities, the therapist will carefully note how your child responds, communicates their needs, follows directions, and handles shifts between different tasks. This information helps create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your child’s unique needs.

Environmental Behavior Tracking

Throughout the session, your child’s therapist will carefully observe and document how they interact with different elements of the environment. This tracking helps identify triggers, patterns, and responses that influence your child’s behavior.

The therapist will note both challenging behaviors and positive interactions, creating a thorough picture of your child’s natural tendencies.

• How your child responds to different lighting conditions and noise levels
• Their reactions to various textures, materials, and sensory inputs
• Preferred play spaces and areas they tend to avoid
• Interactions with different types of toys and learning materials
• Response patterns to shifts between activities and spaces

This environmental data helps the therapist develop strategies that will make therapy sessions more effective and create a supportive learning environment tailored to your child’s specific needs.

Parent’s Role During the Session

During your child’s first ABA session, you’ll play an essential supporting role while maintaining a balanced distance. Your presence helps your child feel secure while allowing the therapist to establish their own connection.

Stay within eyesight but avoid intervening unless the therapist requests your assistance.

Take notes on the therapist’s techniques and ask questions during designated breaks. You’ll need to learn these strategies to reinforce positive behaviors at home.

Watch how the therapist responds to challenging behaviors and implements reward systems. Share relevant information about your child’s preferences, triggers, and communication style when appropriate.

Next Steps and Goal Setting

After observing your child’s first session, you’ll meet with the therapist to map out a treatment plan. The therapist will explain their assessment findings and work with you to develop specific, measurable goals tailored to your child’s needs. These goals will form the foundation of your child’s ABA therapy program.

• Setting both short-term and long-term behavioral objectives based on your child’s current skills
• Identifying priority areas that need immediate attention, such as communication or self-care skills
• Creating a consistent schedule for therapy sessions that works for your family
• Establishing data collection methods to track your child’s progress
• Developing strategies for implementing ABA techniques at home

Your therapist will provide you with a written copy of the treatment plan and schedule follow-up meetings to review progress and adjust goals as needed.

Conclusion

Studies show that children who begin ABA therapy before age 4 demonstrate up to 47% more improvement in cognitive function compared to those who start later. You’re taking an important step by starting ABA therapy, and now you’re equipped with the knowledge to make your child’s first session successful. Remember, you’re an essential part of this journey, and your preparation will help create a positive therapeutic experience.