What to Expect at Your First ABA Session

Starting something new, especially when it involves your child, can feel exciting and a little nerve-wracking. You might be wondering: What’s this going to look like? How will my child respond? What’s expected of me as a parent?

We want you to know you are not alone. At R&R Collaborative Therapy Services, we’re here to make your first ABA session a smooth, positive experience for the whole family. The following serves as a quick guide so you know what to expect at your first ABA session.

---

Meet Your Team what to expect at your first ABA session

You’ll meet two key people who will walk alongside you in this journey. You can think of them as your teammates, who are there to support not just your child, but your whole family.

• Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) – They’ll spend time directly with your child, guiding them on goal-driven activities and keeping track of progress.

• Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) – They design the treatment plan, check in regularly, and provide parent coaching so you feel confident carrying strategies into everyday life.

Building Strong, Professional Relationships

Our RBTs and BCBAs are passionate individuals who care deeply about your child’s progress and are committed to keeping your relationship professional and supportive. That way, therapy stays focused on what matters most, your child’s growth.

A few things that help:

• Keeping connections professional (so, no outside friendships, social media adds, or extra roles like tutor or babysitter).

• If you’d like to show appreciation to your care team, small thoughtful gestures go a long way, for example, a thank-you note, kind words, or sharing specific feedback with our lead team at R&R. We love to know and deeply believe in recognizing and reinforcing providers who go above and beyond!

What a Session Looks Like

Here’s a peek into what your child’s session might include:

• One-on-one learning time with the RBT, focused on your child’s personalized goals.

• Fun, structured activities that encourage growth (sometimes at home, sometimes in the community).

• Real-time data collection to measure progress.

• A wrap-up at the end, where your RBT takes notes and shares highlights.

These sessions are always designed with your child’s therapy plan in mind. Thus it is important to keep these activities goal orientated. For example, practicing sharing at the playground may be therapeutic, while a casual trip to the movies without a learning goal wouldn’t be.

If therapy takes place in the community, families may be asked to provide tickets or passes (like to a pool or museum). However, at R&R we have fostered some connections in the local business community which make provisions for free/ discounted rates on tickets. Please reach out to us for more information.  

Staying on Track

ABA therapy works best when it’s consistent, so sticking to a regular schedule is key. Here are a few ways you can help keep things running smoothly:

• Let us know right away if your child is sick or if weather prevents a session.

• Try to limit cancellations whenever possible.

• Communicate with your RBT or BCBA during reasonable hours (before 6 pm on weekdays).

Life happens and we understand! Open, timely communication is key to helping us stay flexible while keeping your child’s progress on track.

Your Role as a Parent or Caregiver

You’re one of the most important pieces of this process. Your partnership makes all the difference! We ask that you:

• Stay nearby during sessions (our team can’t be left alone in the home or community with your child).

  • Observe sessions when you can to pick up techniques, and feel free to ask as many questions as you’d like to support your learning.

• Provide a safe, clean & comfortable space for therapy.

• Participate in parent training with your BCBA or taking a session with one of our designated Family guidance trainers in addition. We’ll share tools, answer questions, and coach you along the way.

• Encourage and celebrate your child’s efforts outside of therapy too!

Siblings and friends can sometimes join in if it helps your child, but we encourage sessions to stay focused on learning.

Safety First

A few quick but important reminders:

• RBTs don’t transport clients unless special written permission is given and approved by R&R.

• Medication can’t be administered by staff unless we have written consent.

These boundaries keep everyone safe and make sure therapy time is always about progress.

---

Your first ABA session is the start of an exciting journey. It’s normal to feel a little nervous, but remember you have a whole team behind you.  By staying involved, keeping communication open, and supporting professional boundaries, you are setting your child up for success.

We’re honored to be on this journey with your family! Together, we’ll celebrate progress, overcome challenges, and cheer your child on as they build new skills and confidence.