🧠 AI Summary:
Starting ABA therapy is an exciting milestone for families — but it can also bring questions. This guide helps parents understand what to expect during the first week of ABA therapy, including meeting your child’s team, early assessments, setting goals, and learning through play. With structure, communication, and care, the first week sets the tone for long-term success.
A New Chapter Begins
When families start their ABA journey, the first week of ABA therapy often feels like the beginning of something big — filled with both excitement and uncertainty. Parents wonder how their child will respond, what a typical session looks like, and how long it will take to see progress.
At On Target ABA, we understand those feelings. The first week is about helping your child feel safe, building trust, and showing parents exactly how therapy works. Think of it as a “getting-to-know-you” week — for your child, your therapists, and you as a parent.
Every great success story starts with that first step — and for families beginning ABA, that first week is where confidence takes root.
What Happens Before the First Day
Before your child walks into their first session, a lot of behind-the-scenes work has already been done. You’ve likely completed an intake process, provided an autism diagnosis report, and participated in an initial behavior assessment led by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
During this stage, your BCBA reviews your child’s:
- Communication skills
- Social interactions
- Behavioral challenges
- Daily routines and preferences
- Sensory sensitivities
This information helps the team design a personalized treatment plan tailored to your child’s needs — everything from reinforcement strategies to daily structure.
You’ll also receive your child’s therapy schedule and learn who their RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) and supervising BCBA will be.
At On Target ABA, every therapy plan is unique — because no two children learn or grow the same way.
Day 1: Meeting the Team
The first day of ABA therapy focuses on comfort and connection. Instead of jumping straight into formal teaching, your child spends time getting to know their therapist.
Expect to see:
- Play-based interactions
- Gentle introductions to toys and materials
- Positive reinforcement for exploring and engaging
- Lots of smiles and patience
The therapist observes your child’s reactions — what excites them, what causes frustration, and how they communicate. These observations guide future session planning.
Parents are often invited to observe parts of the session, especially during early rapport-building. You’ll quickly notice how much learning happens through play and how therapists celebrate even the smallest achievements.
According to Autism Speaks, “pairing” — or connecting with a child through play and positivity — is an essential foundation for effective ABA therapy.
Day 2: Establishing Comfort and Predictability
Children thrive on routine. During the first week of ABA therapy, your child’s therapist introduces a daily structure that becomes familiar over time.
A typical session may include:
1️⃣ Greeting and warm-up play
2️⃣ Visual schedule review
3️⃣ Table-time or floor activities
4️⃣ Snack or sensory breaks
5️⃣ Small group interaction (if applicable)
6️⃣ Parent communication at pickup
By day two, children begin recognizing these transitions, which helps reduce anxiety and promote focus.
If your child has sensory preferences — for example, needing deep pressure input or quiet moments — the therapist will begin integrating those supports into the routine.
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s predictability — so your child feels confident and ready to learn.
Day 3–4: Assessments in Action
While the first few days focus on comfort, midweek is when your BCBA begins gathering data. Assessments may look like:
- Following one-step directions (“Touch your nose”)
- Matching colors or pictures
- Simple imitation games
- Sharing or turn-taking tasks
Don’t worry — your child won’t even realize these are assessments. They’re woven into play to keep engagement high and stress low.
Parents often notice therapists taking notes or recording small data points. That’s because ABA relies on data-driven decision-making — ensuring every skill is tracked, measured, and adjusted as needed.
By the end of the week, your BCBA will have a clearer picture of your child’s baseline skills and areas for growth.
Day 5: Setting Initial Goals
At the end of the first week of ABA therapy, your BCBA reviews the initial observations and creates measurable goals. These may include:
- Increasing communication (e.g., saying “help” or “more”)
- Building social skills (e.g., playing with peers)
- Enhancing self-help abilities (e.g., washing hands)
- Reducing problem behaviors (e.g., tantrums, elopement)
You’ll receive an overview of these goals and how progress will be reported. Many BCBAs provide parent training early on, so you can start supporting your child’s success at home.
At On Target ABA, we believe parents are part of the therapy team — not bystanders. When families reinforce goals at home, children make faster and more consistent progress.
Communication With Parents
One of the most valuable parts of the first week of ABA therapy is learning how to communicate with your child’s team.
You can expect:
- Daily summaries from your child’s RBT
- Regular BCBA updates on progress
- An open invitation to ask questions
We encourage families to share observations, too. What’s working at home? What’s hard? This feedback helps your therapy team adjust goals and maintain consistency between home and center.
Remember, ABA is collaborative. The more your team and family communicate, the greater your child’s success.
What If My Child Cries or Resists?
It’s completely normal for children to feel unsure during their first week of ABA therapy. New environments, faces, and routines can feel overwhelming at first.
Our therapists use gentle transition techniques:
- Modeling calm behavior
- Gradually increasing demands
- Using preferred toys or snacks
- Offering frequent praise
Within a few sessions, most children begin looking forward to therapy time — because they realize it’s full of play, encouragement, and success.
Tips for Parents During the First Week
To help your child adjust smoothly:
✅ Talk about therapy in a positive, exciting way.
✅ Establish consistent drop-off and pick-up routines.
✅ Bring a comfort item (favorite stuffed toy or blanket).
✅ Celebrate small wins — even completing a full session!
Parents often find that being calm and confident themselves helps their child mirror those emotions.
The Role of the BCBA
Your BCBA is your partner in progress. During the first week, they observe your child in different settings, review data from the RBT, and make early recommendations.
You’ll soon learn about concepts like:
- Reinforcement: Rewarding positive behaviors.
- Prompting: Gently guiding your child toward success.
- Generalization: Helping your child use skills across settings.
If you’re new to ABA, these terms may sound clinical — but you’ll see how they translate into meaningful moments every day.
Common Questions Parents Ask
“When will I see progress?”
Some families notice improvements within a few weeks, while others take longer. The first week focuses on comfort and assessment — not immediate skill change.
“What if I can’t attend every session?”
Consistency is important, but occasional absences happen. Communicate with your BCBA, and they’ll adjust schedules to maintain progress.
“Will my child be tired after therapy?”
Yes — in a good way! ABA sessions involve active learning, and children often feel mentally fulfilled after a full day.
The Parent’s Role Beyond Week One
After the first week of ABA therapy, parents play an even greater role. You’ll receive strategies for reinforcing communication, routines, and coping skills at home.
Common examples include:
- Practicing requesting (“I want juice”) during meals
- Using visual schedules for bedtime routines
- Reinforcing patience and turn-taking during playtime
When parents participate, therapy becomes a partnership — and progress multiplies.
Learn more about how parents support therapy in our post: Parent Training in ABA Therapy: Building Success Beyond the Session.
The Heart of the First Week
By the end of week one, your child may already be smiling at their therapist, responding to simple instructions, or showing comfort in the therapy space. These are big steps — signs that trust and motivation are forming.
At On Target ABA, we see the first week as more than an introduction. It’s a foundation — where connection, structure, and joy come together to create lasting change.
Getting Started with On Target ABA
Our family-centered approach ensures every parent feels supported through the entire process. Whether you’re in:
you’ll find a compassionate team ready to guide you from day one.
If you’re preparing to start therapy soon, know this: your child’s first week is the start of something beautiful — one step, one smile, one skill at a time. 💙