Your child’s first ABA therapy session is not a treatment session. It is an
assessment. The BCBA observes your child, gathers information, and begins
building the individualized program. There are no pass or fail moments. The
goal is to understand your child as fully as possible before writing a single
therapy goal.

What Happens at the First ABA Therapy Session?

The first session is typically called an intake assessment or initial
evaluation. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) leads it. Depending on
your child’s age and profile, it may last 2-3 hours, sometimes split across
two visits.

The BCBA will conduct structured observations, skill assessments using
standardized tools (like the VB-MAPP or ABLLS-R), and an interview with you
about your child’s history, daily routine, and family priorities. They are
building a complete picture, not just a clinical checklist.

According to the BACB, every ABA program must be based on an individualized
assessment. No two programs should look alike because no two children are
alike.

How Should You Prepare Your Child?

Keep it simple and honest. Tell your child they are going to meet some new
people who are going to play and work with them. If your child responds well
to visual schedules or social stories, prepare one in advance using the
center’s photos if available.

Bring items that comfort or motivate your child: a favorite toy, snack, or
fidget. These become useful assessment data too. The BCBA will want to know
what your child finds reinforcing, so anything you bring gives them a head
start.

Do not over-prepare or coach your child on how to behave. The BCBA needs to
see your child as they naturally are, not a rehearsed version. Authentic
behavior during the assessment leads to a more accurate program.

For more on what to expect throughout the process, visit our
What to Expect page.

What Does the BCBA Assessment Look Like?

The BCBA assessment typically includes several components. Each one tells a
different part of the story.

Skill assessments: The BCBA presents tasks across language,
social, motor, and self-care domains to identify what your child can do
independently, what they can do with help, and what they cannot yet do.

Preference assessment: The therapist identifies what your
child finds rewarding. Effective reinforcement is one of the most important
variables in ABA therapy. Without knowing what motivates your child, the
therapy cannot work.

Behavior observation: If your child has challenging
behaviors, the BCBA observes them closely. They look for patterns, triggers,
and what happens after the behavior. This forms the basis of the functional
behavior assessment (FBA).

Parent interview: Your input is clinical data. The BCBA will
ask about your child’s medical history, sleep, eating, daily routines, school
experiences, previous therapies, and what you most want to change or build. Be
as specific as possible.

Research from the NIH confirms that parent-reported data significantly
improves the accuracy of autism assessments. You are not just a bystander in
this process.

What Will the Therapist Do During the First Visit?

Depending on the setting, your child may also meet their Registered Behavior
Technician (RBT) during the first visit. The RBT is the person who will
deliver most of your child’s direct therapy hours. Building rapport early
matters.

Experienced RBTs know how to follow a child’s lead at first. They may get on
the floor, join your child’s preferred activity, and simply spend time being a
positive presence. This is not downtime; it is relationship-building, and it
is essential for therapy to work.

Some children take to new people quickly. Others need more time. The BCBA
accounts for this. If your child is shut down or dysregulated during the first
session, that is useful clinical information too.

How Long Does the First Session Last?

Plan for 2-3 hours for the full intake assessment. Some programs complete it
in a single visit; others split it across two shorter visits if a child has
limited tolerance for new environments.

After the assessment, the BCBA typically takes 1-2 weeks to write the
treatment plan. The plan includes long-term goals, short-term objectives,
behavior intervention plans, and a recommended session intensity (hours per
week).

The AAP recommends early and intensive ABA for young children with autism,
often 20-40 hours per week for children under 5 with significant needs. The
treatment plan will specify what is clinically appropriate for your child.

What Happens After the First Session?

After the assessment, expect a meeting with the BCBA to review the treatment
plan before therapy officially begins. This is your chance to ask questions,
push back on goals that do not align with your priorities, and understand the
plan before you sign off on it.

You should walk out of that meeting knowing: what the short-term and long-term
goals are, why each goal was chosen, how progress will be measured, and what
role you will play at home. If any of that is unclear, ask until it is.

Most Treetop families start regular therapy sessions within 2 weeks of
completing the assessment. Insurance authorization is often the longest part
of the process; Treetop’s team handles that on your behalf.

Learn about the cost of ABA therapy and
how insurance works at Treetop.

How Treetop Makes the Transition Smooth

Starting a new therapy can feel overwhelming. Treetop’s intake team walks with
you from the first call through the first day of regular services. Every
family gets a dedicated care coordinator who tracks authorizations, answers
questions, and connects you to your BCBA.

79% of Treetop families pay $0 out-of-pocket. We accept most major insurance
plans and Medicaid across all states we serve. If you have coverage questions
before booking, our team can verify your benefits before the assessment even
happens.

We offer both
center-based ABA therapy and
in-home ABA therapy. Your BCBA
will recommend the setting that fits your child’s clinical profile and your
family’s schedule.

Ready to get started? Contact Treetop or find a
center near you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I stay during my child’s first ABA session?

Most programs encourage parents to stay for at least part of the first
session. Your presence helps your child feel safe and gives the BCBA a chance
to observe parent-child interaction. As therapy progresses, some children do
better when parents wait nearby rather than in the room; the BCBA will guide
you on this.

What if my child refuses to cooperate during the first session?

That is useful clinical information, not a failed assessment. BCBAs are
trained to work with children who are resistant, dysregulated, or overwhelmed
by new environments. The assessment may take longer, but it will still produce
a valid picture of your child’s skills and needs.

Can siblings come to the first session?

It depends on the center. Call ahead and ask. Some centers have waiting areas
where siblings can be supervised; others prefer you come without additional
children so the BCBA can focus fully on your child’s assessment.

Will my child get a diagnosis at the first ABA session?

No. ABA providers assess skills and design treatment plans; they do not
diagnose. An autism diagnosis must come from a licensed psychologist,
developmental pediatrician, or psychiatrist. If your child does not yet have a
diagnosis, visit our
autism screening page for next steps.

How is the first ABA session different from an autism evaluation?

An autism evaluation determines whether your child meets diagnostic criteria
for ASD. The first ABA session assumes a diagnosis exists and focuses on
understanding your child’s specific skill profile to build a personalized
therapy program. They are separate processes with different purposes.

What should I bring to my child’s first ABA session?

Bring any previous evaluations, IEP documents, or medical records relevant to
your child’s development. Also bring comfort items or preferred toys. Arrive a
few minutes early to give your child time to transition into the new
environment before the session starts.

How often will we meet with the BCBA after therapy starts?

Typically monthly at minimum, more often at first. The BCBA reviews data,
adjusts goals, and checks in with parents regularly. Parent training sessions
are usually built into the schedule so you learn to carry strategies into
daily life at home.

What if I disagree with the treatment goals the BCBA sets?

Speak up before signing the treatment plan. Your priorities as a parent are
clinically relevant. A good BCBA will incorporate family goals into the
program. If a goal does not make sense to you, ask for the clinical rationale.
You have the right to understand and agree with every target before therapy
begins.