You got the diagnosis. You did the research. You called around, sat on
waitlists, fought with insurance. And now someone is telling you your child’s
first ABA session is scheduled for next Tuesday.

So what actually happens?

If you’re feeling nervous, that’s normal. Most parents walk into the first
session with a mix of hope and dread. You want this to help. You also have no
idea what “this” looks like in practice.

Here’s the honest version of what to expect.

Before the Session Even Starts

Before your child’s first session, there’s usually an intake process. This
varies by provider, but at Treetop, it typically includes a phone call or
meeting with a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (a BCBA, the person who
designs your child’s therapy plan).

They’ll ask about your child’s daily routines, what they love, what’s hard,
how they communicate, and what goals matter to you. This isn’t a test. There
are no wrong answers. They’re trying to understand your kid as a whole person,
not just a set of behaviors.

You’ll also handle the insurance and paperwork side. If you’re unsure whether
your plan covers ABA, check our
accepted insurance plans or
get in touch and we’ll help you figure it out.

What the First Session Actually Looks Like

Here’s what surprises most parents: the first session looks a lot like play.

Your child’s therapist (called a Registered Behavior Technician, or RBT) will
spend most of the first session just getting to know your kid. They’ll follow
your child’s lead. If your kid loves trains, they’ll play trains. If your kid
wants to run around outside, they might do that too.

The goal of session one isn’t to start drilling skills or correcting behavior.
It’s to build a relationship. Your child needs to feel safe with this person
before any real work can happen.

You might see the therapist sitting on the floor, being silly, offering toys,
and just hanging out. It can feel surprisingly low-key.

What the Therapist Is Doing (Even When It Looks Like Nothing)

Behind the scenes, the therapist is doing a lot. They’re observing how your
child plays, communicates, responds to new people, handles transitions, and
engages with different activities.

They’re taking mental notes on what motivates your child. Does your kid light
up when they see bubbles? Do they love being chased? Are they drawn to
specific textures or sounds?

These observations feed directly into your child’s treatment plan. The BCBA
uses this information to design goals and choose teaching strategies that fit
your child specifically. Not a generic program, but one built around who your
kid is.

What Your Child Might Do

Every kid is different. Some children warm up quickly and start playing with
the therapist within minutes. Others take longer. Both are completely fine.

Your child might:

• Play happily and barely notice anything is different
• Be shy or hesitant at first, then gradually engage
• Test boundaries to see what this new person is about
• Have a tough time and cry or refuse to participate
• Surprise you by doing things they don’t usually do at home

None of these responses mean the session went well or poorly. The therapist
has seen it all before. They’re trained to meet your child exactly where they
are.

If your child has a hard first session, that doesn’t mean ABA isn’t going to
work. It means your kid is adjusting to something new, which is hard for most
children, not just yours.

What You Might Feel (and Why That’s OK)

Let’s talk about you for a second.

Watching someone else work with your child can bring up a lot of feelings.
Relief that help is finally here. Guilt that your child needs help at all.
Anxiety about whether you’re making the right choice. Sadness, hope,
exhaustion, all at once.

Some parents feel uncomfortable watching from the other room. Others feel
emotional seeing their child connect with the therapist. A few feel frustrated
that the first session seems “too easy” or wonder when the real therapy
starts.

All of that is valid. You’re not being dramatic. You’ve been carrying a lot to
get to this point.

If you have questions during or after the session, ask them. A good provider
wants you involved. At Treetop, parent communication is a core part of how we
work. You’re not a bystander in your child’s therapy; you’re a partner.

What Happens After the First Session

After the initial sessions (usually the first few weeks), the BCBA will
finalize your child’s treatment plan. This includes specific goals based on
the assessment and observations.

You’ll typically have a meeting to review the plan together. This is your
chance to ask questions, push back on anything that doesn’t feel right, and
make sure the goals align with what matters to your family.

From there, sessions become more structured. But even then, ABA should still
look engaging and fun for your child. If it doesn’t, say something. The plan
should always evolve based on how your child is responding.

Over time, you’ll start noticing small changes. Maybe your child starts using
a new word. Maybe morning routines get a little smoother. Maybe tantrums
become shorter or less intense. Progress in ABA is often gradual, but it
builds.

Ready to Get Started?

If you’ve been going back and forth about starting ABA therapy, the hardest
part is usually just booking that first session. Once you’re in the room, it
feels a lot less scary than you imagined.

Take a look at our services to learn more about how
Treetop’s approach works. Or if you’re ready to skip ahead,
get in touch and we’ll walk you through everything,
from insurance to scheduling to what your child’s first week will look like.

You don’t have to have it all figured out. That’s what we’re here for.