What to Expect at Your First ABA Session

If your child's first ABA therapy session is coming up, you are probably feeling a mix of hope and nerves, and that is completely normal.

The good news is that a first ABA therapy session is far gentler than most parents expect. There are no tests to pass, no right answers your child has to give, and nothing your family needs to get perfect. This guide walks you through exactly what happens before, during, and after that first visit, who you'll meet, and a few simple things you can do to help your child feel safe, so you can walk in knowing what to expect.

Before the First ABA Therapy Session: Intake and Paperwork

Your child's first ABA therapy session rarely happens cold. Most families go through an intake step first, usually a phone call with a coordinator who gathers basics like your child's age, diagnosis, current concerns, and what you hope therapy will help with. This is also when insurance details get sorted out.

Before the first visit, you'll typically be asked to complete some paperwork. Having these ready makes the first day smoother:

Your child's autism diagnosis report or evaluation
Insurance card and any authorization letters
A list of current medications, allergies, and other therapies (speech, OT, early intervention)
Consent and release-of-information forms the provider sends ahead of time
Notes on your child's favorite toys, foods, characters, and activities

That last item matters more than you might think. Knowing what your child loves helps the team make the very first session feel like play, not work. If you haven't started the process yet, our get started page walks you through it, and you can call us anytime at 732-664-0038.

Who You'll Meet at Your First ABA Therapy Session

At your first ABA therapy session, the person leading things is usually a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, or BCBA. The BCBA is the clinician who designs and oversees your child's program. In many cases a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) is also involved, the team member who delivers day-to-day therapy under the BCBA's supervision.

It helps to know who does what going in:

BCBA: Leads the assessment, writes goals, supervises the plan, and trains the family. Learn more in What Is a BCBA?
RBT: Works directly with your child on the goals the BCBA sets. See BCBA vs. RBT: Who Does What for the full picture.

Because Autumn ABA provides in-home therapy across all 21 New Jersey counties, that first session often takes place right in your living room. For many children, being in a familiar space makes meeting a new person far less stressful.

What Actually Happens During the First Session

The first ABA therapy session is mostly about building rapport and gathering information, not jumping straight into structured drills. A big part of early sessions is what therapists call "pairing", letting your child learn that this new person is fun and safe to be around. Expect to see a lot of play.

A typical first visit may include:

A caregiver interview. The BCBA asks about your child's history, strengths, challenges, communication style, daily routines, and the goals that matter most to your family.
Gentle observation. The clinician watches how your child plays, communicates, and responds, often while simply getting down on the floor and joining in.
Light, play-based interaction. Bubbles, toys, snacks, and favorite activities are used to connect, not to test.

The CDC notes that behavioral approaches like ABA work by understanding what happens before and after a behavior, which is exactly why that first session focuses on watching and learning rather than correcting. Your child does not have to perform. There is no pass or fail.

The Assessment: Building Your Child's Plan

The first ABA therapy session is usually part of a larger assessment that may stretch across a few visits. During this phase, the BCBA evaluates your child's current skills across areas like communication, play, social interaction, and daily living, and identifies any behaviors that get in the way of learning or safety.

If challenging behaviors are a concern, the BCBA may begin a Functional Behavior Assessment to understand the "why" behind them. You can read more in What Is a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA). The full sequence, from intake through the finished plan, is covered in our ABA intake and assessment guide.

The result of this work is an individualized treatment plan: specific, meaningful goals tailored to your child, plus a recommendation for how many therapy hours are appropriate. As Autism New Jersey explains, good ABA breaks skills into small steps, keeps activities motivating, and focuses on goals that genuinely improve quality of life, not a one-size-fits-all script.

Your Role as a Parent During and After the Session

You are not a bystander at your child's first ABA therapy session. Especially with in-home ABA, you are a key part of the team. The BCBA will want your input, your observations, and your priorities, because no one knows your child better than you do.

Here is how you can help on day one and beyond:

Share what calms your child and what tends to upset them
Be honest about your family's goals, whether that's first words, fewer meltdowns, or independent sleep
Ask questions, plenty of them, about anything you don't understand
Stay nearby so your child feels secure, but let the clinician begin building their own connection

Over time, parent training becomes a built-in part of therapy so the strategies carry over when the therapist isn't there. Our guide on your role as a parent in ABA goes deeper, and if you want to set up your space, see how to prepare your home for in-home ABA.

How to Prepare Your Child (and Yourself)

You don't need to coach your child or warn them that something big is happening. In fact, keeping things low-key usually works best. A few gentle steps can ease everyone's nerves:

Keep the day normal. Stick to regular meals and nap times so your child isn't tired or hungry during the session.
Have favorites handy. Set out a few beloved toys or snacks the therapist can use to connect.
Lower your own expectations. The first session is about comfort and information, not visible progress.
Plan for transitions. If your child struggles with new people, a short visual schedule can help. See how to use visual schedules.

It is also completely okay if your child cries, hides, or needs a break. A skilled team expects that and will follow your child's pace. The goal of the first ABA therapy session is simply to start a relationship built on trust.

What Comes Next for New Jersey Families

After the assessment, the BCBA reviews the findings with you, explains the recommended goals and hours, and submits the plan to your insurance or NJ FamilyCare for authorization. In New Jersey, the state's autism insurance mandate requires many plans to cover medically necessary ABA, and New Jersey Medicaid covers medically necessary services for eligible children under 21.

Once approved, regular sessions begin, often several days a week, building on the relationship that started on day one. A few helpful next reads for NJ parents:

You can explore everything we offer on our services page, see where we work on our locations page, and find more parent guides in our resource library. When you're ready, reach out at 732-664-0038, we serve families in all 21 NJ counties from our office at 5 Professional Cir, Colts Neck, NJ 07722.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the first ABA therapy session last?

It varies, but initial assessment sessions often run anywhere from one to a few hours and may be spread across more than one visit. Your provider will tell you what to plan for. The first session is paced around your child's comfort, so breaks are built in.

Will my child have to do hard work in the first session?

No. The first ABA therapy session focuses on building rapport, observing how your child plays and communicates, and gathering information from you. There is no test to pass and nothing your child can get wrong.

Do I need to stay in the room during the session?

Usually yes, especially early on and with in-home ABA. Your presence helps your child feel safe, and the team relies on your input. As trust builds, the clinician will guide you on when to step back so your child can connect directly with their therapist.

What should I bring or prepare for the first session?

Have your child's diagnosis report, insurance information, and a list of medications and other therapies ready. It also helps to note your child's favorite toys, snacks, and activities so the team can use them to connect.

Is ABA therapy covered by insurance in New Jersey?

Often, yes. New Jersey's autism insurance mandate requires many plans to cover medically necessary ABA, and NJ Medicaid covers medically necessary services for eligible children under 21. Your provider typically submits the assessment and plan for authorization before regular sessions begin.

Helpful resources & references

Talk to a BCBA-led team in New Jersey

Free consultation, free insurance verification, and a plan built around your child — in all 21 NJ counties.

Schedule a free consultation

← Back to all resources

What to Expect at Your Child's First ABA Therapy Session