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What to Expect: Your Guide to Starting ABA Therapy

You Have Questions. We Have Answers.

If your child has recently been diagnosed with autism, or if you’re considering an evaluation, you likely have dozens of questions. What happens next? What will therapy look like? How long will this take?

These questions are completely normal. At Already Autism Health, we’ve supported thousands of families through this exact moment. This guide answers the questions parents ask most often when beginning the autism journey.

Have specific questions? Call us at (800) 701-0498.

Getting Started

My child was just diagnosed. What do I do first?

We’re here to walk through this with you. Here’s what typically happens next:

Process the diagnosis: Give yourself time to absorb the information
Review your diagnostic report: Read through the recommendations carefully
Start the intake process: If ABA therapy was recommended, Intake will reach out to begin next steps to get started
Verify insurance coverage: Our Intake team will help you understand your benefits for ABA services
Inform your child’s school: Share the diagnosis to access educational supports (if applicable)

The first few weeks involve calls, paperwork, and waiting for authorizations. Our team helps you navigate each step.

How quickly can my child start ABA therapy?

Most families begin therapy within 2-4 weeks of initial contact, depending on insurance authorization:

Currently, we have immediate availability at most locations with no waitlist once authorization is received.

Does my child need an autism diagnosis before starting?

Yes. Most insurance plans require a formal autism diagnosis before ABA therapy can begin.

If your child has not yet been diagnosed, our team can help connect you with appropriate providers, including developmental pediatricians and clinical psychologists.

In some areas, Already Autism Health also offers diagnostic assessments and testing for autism.

We work closely with families to help move through this step as efficiently as possible so your child can get the answers needed to move forward in therapy or receive the support they need.

Understanding ABA Therapy

What happens during therapy sessions?

Sessions are structured one-on-one time between your child and a trained Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), supervised by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).

Typical Session Includes:

Greeting and transition time
Structured teaching on specific skills
Practice and repetition opportunities
Natural environment teaching through play
Continuous data collection
Positive reinforcement
Parent communication

Sessions are active and engaging, learning happens through play, movement, and activities your child enjoys, not just sitting at a table.

How many hours per week will my child need?

Recommendations vary based on individual needs:

Your BCBA recommends hours based on your child’s age, goals, and family schedule. Hours typically decrease as your child makes progress.

How long will my child need therapy?

Every child is different. Some make rapid progress within 1-2 years; others benefit from ongoing support over several years. Most children receive ABA therapy for 2-4 years on average.

Progress depends on:

Your BCBA regularly assesses progress and adjusts the plan. As skills develop, therapy hours typically decrease.

Will my child be at a table doing drills all day?

No. Modern ABA emphasizes natural environment teaching and play-based learning:

Play-based activities and games
Learning during routine activities (snack time, getting dressed)
Social play with peers
Movement breaks and active play
Some structured table-based instruction
Community outings for older children

Good ABA therapy doesn’t feel like “work”, it feels like playing with someone who understands your child.

How will we determine whether my child receives therapy at home or in the clinic?

Your Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) will conduct a thorough assessment of your child’s needs and recommend the most appropriate setting for therapy. This clinical recommendation considers:

Your child’s specific learning needs and behavioral goals
Which environment will best support skill acquisition
Your family’s circumstances and home environment
Your child’s response to different settings
Insurance coverage and availability

While we value your input and consider your family’s preferences, the final recommendation is made by your BCBA based on what will most effectively support your child’s progress.

Clinic-Based Services May Be Recommended If:

Your child benefits from structured, distraction-free environments
Peer interaction opportunities would support social skill development
The home environment has limited space or significant distractions
Skills being targeted are best learned in a controlled setting

In-Home Services May Be Recommended If:

Therapy goals focus on home-based routines and daily living skills
Your child demonstrates difficulty with transitions to new environments
Generalization of skills in the home is a primary treatment goal
The home environment is appropriate for effective therapy delivery

Hybrid Services (Both Settings) May Be Recommended If:

Your child would benefit from learning across different environments
Different skills are best addressed in specific settings
Transitioning between settings aligns with treatment goals
Your child’s needs change over the course of treatment

Your BCBA will continuously evaluate your child’s progress and may adjust recommendations as your child develops and circumstances change.

Can I observe my child's therapy sessions?

For Clinic-Based Therapy: We maintain therapeutic environments designed to minimize distractions and optimize learning for all children receiving services. Parents are not permitted in therapy areas during regular sessions, as this can be disruptive to your child’s focus and to other children receiving services.

However, you will have regular opportunities to observe and participate through:

Scheduled parent training sessions where you’ll learn techniques and observe your child’s progress
Regular meetings with your BCBA to review goals, data, and treatment plans
Parent participation activities specifically designed to involve you in the treatment process

What if my child won't cooperate or has challenging behaviors?

Our therapists are trained to:

Work with children who display challenging behaviors
Build rapport with reluctant children
Implement behavior reduction strategies safely
Adapt teaching methods to your child’s needs
Maintain safety while teaching appropriate alternatives

Progress may be gradual, but with consistency, you should expect to see improvement over time.

Insurance and Costs

How much will therapy cost us?

Most families pay little to nothing out-of-pocket thanks to insurance coverage.

Typical Coverage:

What You’ll Pay:

Without insurance, ABA costs $120-$180/hour.

What if insurance denies coverage?

Denials can often be overturned. If this happens:

Many appeals are successful with comprehensive documentation.

Your Child's Treatment Team

Who will work with my child?

Registered Behavior Technician (RBT):
Your child’s day-to-day therapist who implements the treatment plan. Many families work with the same RBT throughout treatment.

Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA):

The clinical supervisor who:

Conducts initial assessment
Designs individualized treatment plan
Supervises the RBT
Monitors progress
Adjusts treatment based on data
Provides parent training

Will we keep the same therapist?

We strive for consistency. Changes sometimes occur due to schedules, staffing, or strategic matching, but we ensure smooth transitions with overlap time. Your BCBA provides continuity throughout.

How much will I see the BCBA?

Your BCBA will:

Conduct initial comprehensive autism diagnostic assessment (several hours)
Observe 10-20% of direct session hours
Meet monthly for progress reviews
Be available by phone/email for questions
Conduct formal reassessments every 6 months
Provide parent training

Parent Involvement

1

What's expected of me during therapy?

During Home-Based Sessions:

Be available for brief check-ins
Provide necessary items (snacks, preferred toys)
Share relevant information about your child’s week

Between Sessions:

Practice skills your child is learning
Implement strategies suggested by your BCBA
Complete any requested homework or data collection
Complete routine parent training sessions with BCBA

Overall:

Attend scheduled progress meetings
Respond to team communications
Ask questions when unclear
Advocate for your child’s needs

You don’t need to become an expert, but your participation significantly impacts progress.

2

Will you teach me strategies for home?

Absolutely. Parent training is core to effective ABA. Your BCBA will:

Teach specific techniques
Demonstrate and coach you
Provide resources for home use
Help generalize skills to everyday situations

3

What if I work full-time?

We work with many dual-income families and single parents through:

Evening or weekend sessions
Virtual sessions
Video examples to review
Phone/email communication
Flexible parent training scheduling
Caregiver training for others at home

Progress and Goals

How will I know if therapy is working?

You’ll See:

Behavior reduction
Data graphs showing skill acquisition
Monthly progress reports from BCBA
Formal reassessments every 6 months
New skills demonstrated at home
Reduced challenging behaviors
Improved communication and interaction

Some families notice changes within weeks; others see significant progress after 2-3 months. You should see measurable improvement within 6 months.

What if my child isn't making progress?

If progress slows or stalls, your BCBA will review the data closely and work with you to identify what may be getting in the way. Together, we may adjust teaching strategies. refine goals, increase supervision, or modify the schedule or service settings.

Our goal is to continually adapt the treatment plan so your child can move forward and succeed.

What goals will my child work on?

Goals are individualized based on assessment and family priorities. Common areas include:

Communication: Requesting, labeling, following instructions, conversations
Social Skills: Eye contact, playing with peers, turn-taking, recognizing emotions
Daily Living: Dressing, toileting, brushing teeth, eating routines
Behavior: Decreasing tantrums, reducing aggression, managing frustration

You’ll collaborate with your BCBA to prioritize goals.

Scheduling and Logistics

What days/times is therapy available?

Clinic-Based:
Monday-Friday during business hours; some locations offer limited evenings/weekends

In-Home:
More flexible including evenings and weekends; can work around family schedules

What about cancellations, vacations, and sick days?

Cancellations:
Please provide 24+ hours notice when possible. Frequent late cancellations may result in schedule adjustments.

Vacations:
Just give advance notice. We’ll pause your schedule and adjust when you return.

Illness:
Please keep sick children home. We’ll reschedule without charge.

Why Choose Already Autism Health?

I've heard negative things about ABA. Should I be concerned?

Modern ABA has evolved significantly:

Emphasizes play-based, naturalistic teaching
Never uses punishment or aversive procedures
Respects dignity and autonomy
Focuses on meaningful family goals
Values neurodiversity

Discuss any concerns openly with your BCBA.

Will therapy take over my child's childhood?

No. We balance therapy with family life by:

Working around important events and traditions
Incorporating your child’s interests
Adjusting schedules to prevent burnout
Encouraging age-appropriate activities outside therapy

Therapy should enhance your child’s life, not dominate it.

I'm worried my child will become dependent on the therapist.

ABA therapy is designed to increase independence, not create dependence. We:

Systematically fade support as skills develop
Teach in natural contexts, not just therapy
Involve multiple people to prevent over-reliance
Work on generalization to real-world situations
Train parents to maintain skills without therapy

The goal is for your child to not need ABA anymore.

What if this doesn't work for my child?

ABA has decades of research supporting effectiveness. If your child isn’t responding:

We adjust our approach
We collaborate with other professionals
We explore if additional evaluations are needed
We problem-solve with your family

Most children show meaningful progress with appropriate ABA.

Getting Started with Already Autism Health

What's the first step?

Using developmentally appropriate tools

Step 1: Contact us at (800) 701-0498 or complete our online form
Step 2: We verify your insurance coverage
Step 3: We schedule the BCBA assessment
Step 4: We submit for authorization while developing the treatment plan
Step 5: Therapy begins once authorized

What should I prepare before calling?

Your child’s autism diagnostic report
Insurance card and member ID
List of challenges and priorities
Your availability for sessions
Any questions you have

Can I visit a clinic location first?

Absolutely. Call to schedule a tour and meet our team.

You're Not Alone

Starting ABA therapy is a significant step. At Already Autism Health, we’ve helped thousands of families navigate the autism journey. We understand your questions because we’ve heard them before, and we’re ready to provide answers, support, and expertise.

Your next step is simple: Call us at (800) 701-0498.

We’ll answer your questions, explain the process, and help you determine if Already Autism Health is right for your family.