Starting in-home ABA therapy can come with a lot of questions—especially if it’s your first experience with it. You might be wondering: What exactly happens during a session? What will the therapist do with my child? Do I need to do anything?
Childwise ABA believes in making this process as smooth and transparent as possible. That’s why we’ve put together this simple guide to walk you through what a typical in-home ABA session looks like for families across Michigan.
Here’s what you can generally expect:
A Warm Welcome and Quick Setup
Each session starts with your child’s Behavior Technician (BT) arriving at your home and greeting your child with a smile. They’ll take a moment to set up any materials they’ve brought—this could be toys, games, visuals, or a data tablet—and get ready to begin in a familiar area like your living room, playroom, or kitchen.
Pairing and Rapport Building
Especially in the early days of therapy, the ABA therapist will spend time playing and bonding with your child. This process is called pairing, and it helps create a positive relationship so your child feels safe, comfortable, and excited to learn. Even once a bond is formed, a little time for connection is usually part of every session.
Working on Individualized Goals
Each child’s therapy plan is created by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and personalized to their unique needs. During sessions, your BT will work on specific goals such as:
- Communication (verbal or nonverbal)
- Daily routines (like brushing teeth or getting dressed)
- Social and play skills
- Reducing challenging behaviors
These goals are taught through structured activities and play, often using the child’s favorite toys, games, or songs.
Natural Environment Teaching
One of the biggest benefits of in-home ABA is the ability to practice skills in real-life situations. For example, your child might practice asking for a snack in the kitchen or cleaning up toys in their room. This kind of learning helps them use their new skills outside of therapy, too.
Positive Reinforcement
To keep things fun and motivating, therapists use positive reinforcement—offering something your child enjoys (like praise, a toy, or a snack) when they use a skill or try something new. It’s all about making learning a positive experience.
Taking Data
Behind the scenes, your therapist is collecting data during every session. They’re tracking your child’s progress on goals, noting what works, and adjusting strategies as needed. This information is shared with your BCBA and used to keep therapy moving forward.
Breaks and Movement
ABA therapy in Michigan is active and engaging, but breaks are important, too. Depending on your child’s age and needs, there may be downtime built into the session—like a few minutes of movement, music, or just relaxing together. This helps your child stay focused and happy throughout the session.
BCBA Check-Ins (Sometimes!)
While most sessions are run by the BT, your child’s BCBA will check in regularly—sometimes by visiting in person, other times virtually. These check-ins help ensure goals are being met and give families a chance to ask questions or share feedback.
End-of-Session Recap
At the end of the session, the therapist might give you a brief summary of how things went. This could include highlights, challenges, and tips for what you can do between sessions to reinforce learning.
Conclusion
In-home ABA therapy is about more than teaching skills—it’s about helping your child thrive in their everyday environment. Every child’s journey is different, but with a dedicated team and a consistent plan, progress is always possible.
At Childwise ABA, we’re proud to partner with families across Michigan to support meaningful growth at home. If you’re just getting started or have more questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to walk this journey with you.