What to Expect in Your Child's First Month of ABA

Starting ABA therapy is a big step, and it's normal to feel hopeful and a little nervous at the same time. The first month is mostly about getting to know your child, building trust, and setting goals that fit your family. Real skill-building starts here, but the biggest wins usually come later.

At Avant-Garde Behavioral Therapy in Davie, FL, we build a personalized ABA therapy plan for every child, from toddlers to teens. Here's a week-by-week look at what a typical first month looks like, so you know what's coming and how to get the most out of it.

Week 1: Assessment and getting to know your child

Week one is about learning who your child is: their strengths, their challenges, and what motivates them. Nothing is expected of your child yet except to show up and be themselves.

The intake and assessment. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) leads a behavioral assessment. This usually includes observing your child, working through play-based skill activities, and a detailed conversation with you. The BCBA may also ask to hear from other adults in your child's life, such as teachers or grandparents, to see how behaviors show up in different settings.

Meeting your team. Most families work with two key people:

  • Your BCBA designs the treatment plan, supervises sessions, reviews data, and leads parent training.
  • Your Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) works one-on-one with your child during sessions and follows the plan the BCBA builds.

Pairing: making therapy fun. Early sessions focus on "pairing." This means the therapist spends time doing things your child already loves, like favorite toys, songs, or games, so your child starts to link the therapist and the therapy space with good things. It can look like "just playing," but it's the foundation everything else is built on. A child who trusts their therapist learns faster.

Week 2: Your child's treatment plan and goals

By week two, your BCBA turns the assessment into a written treatment plan with specific, measurable goals. You'll review it together, and your input matters: you know your child best.

Goals are personal to each child, but they often fall into a few areas:

  • Communication: asking for things, answering questions, or using words, signs, or a device to express needs.
  • Social skills: taking turns, joining play, and responding to others. Our social skills development services build on these.
  • Daily living and self-care: routines like washing hands, getting dressed, or following a bedtime routine.
  • Reducing challenging behaviors: understanding why a behavior happens and teaching a safer, more effective way to meet the same need.

That last point is at the heart of ABA. Your BCBA looks at what happens before a behavior, the behavior itself, and what happens after it (often called the ABCs: antecedent, behavior, consequence). Once the team understands the "why," they can teach replacement skills instead of just trying to stop the behavior.

A note on insurance. Many insurance plans require the assessment and treatment plan before they approve ongoing ABA hours. Our team can walk you through what your plan needs. If you have questions about coverage, contact our office.

Weeks 3–4: Sessions settle into a routine

By the second half of the month, sessions start to feel predictable, for your child and for you. Your child knows their therapist, knows the routine, and begins practicing the goals in the plan.

What sessions look like. Learning is woven into play and everyday activities. A therapist might practice requesting during snack time or turn-taking during a favorite game. Skills are broken into small steps, and each success is rewarded with praise or something your child enjoys.

Data behind every session. Your RBT records how your child responds throughout each session. Your BCBA reviews that data regularly and adjusts the plan when something isn't working or when your child is ready for the next step. You'll hear phrases like "mastered" or "moving to the next target" as goals progress.

Parent training begins. Parents and caregivers are part of the team. Through parent training, your BCBA shows you the same strategies your child's therapist uses, so skills carry over to home, school, and the community. Expect to practice a strategy or two, ask questions, and share what you're seeing at home.

What's normal in the first month

Every child adjusts differently, and a bumpy start doesn't mean therapy isn't working. Here's what many families notice:

  • A short-term rise in challenging behavior. When a behavior stops getting the result it used to, some children try it harder for a while before it fades. This is often called an "extinction burst," and your BCBA plans for it.
  • Tiredness after sessions. New routines and new learning take energy. Extra downtime, snacks, or an earlier bedtime can help.
  • Progress that feels slow. Month one lays groundwork. Small signs, like your child greeting their therapist or tolerating a new activity, are real wins worth celebrating.
  • Big feelings for parents, too. It's common to feel overwhelmed, hopeful, or unsure. Share those feelings with your BCBA. Supporting parents is part of our work.

If something worries you, don't wait for a scheduled check-in. Tell your BCBA right away.

How you can help at home

The more consistent things are between therapy and home, the faster skills stick. A few simple habits make a big difference in month one:

  1. Keep a steady schedule. Try to hold sessions at the same times each week and prepare your child with a simple "first therapy, then park" routine.
  2. Share what you see. Jot down new words, tough moments, sleep changes, or anything that feels different. These notes help your BCBA fine-tune the plan.
  3. Practice one strategy at a time. Pick the strategy from parent training that feels most doable and use it daily before adding another.
  4. Notice and praise the good moments. Specific praise, like "Great job asking for help!", reinforces the same skills your child practices in therapy.
  5. Take care of yourself. A calmer, supported parent helps a child feel safe. Lean on your team, family, and friends.

Questions to ask your team in month one

Good questions help you feel confident and involved. Consider bringing these to your early sessions:

  • What are my child's top three goals right now, and why were they chosen?
  • How will I know my child is making progress?
  • How often will we review data and update the plan together?
  • What is one strategy I can start using at home this week?
  • How should I handle challenging behavior when it happens at home?
  • Who do I contact between sessions if I have a concern?

Ready to take the first step?

The first month of ABA is about trust, understanding, and building a plan around your child. With a caring team and a consistent routine, those early weeks set the stage for real, lasting growth.

Avant-Garde Behavioral Therapy offers ABA therapy for children, adolescents, and teens in and around Davie, FL, with in-person and virtual sessions. Our office is at 12555 Orange Drive, Unit #234, Davie, FL 33330.

Call us at (954) 708-1661 or request an appointment to schedule your child's assessment.