When people first told me about ABA therapy (Applied Behavior Analysis), I thought it was going to be all smiles, games, and instant progress. I mean, that’s what the brochures look like, right? Happy kids stacking blocks and smiling at their therapist.
But here’s the truth from my own experience.
When my daughter first started ABA, it wasn’t smiles. It was tears. She cried — and not just a little. She cried because it was new, because a stranger was in our space, and because suddenly her routine was turned upside down. The therapist told me they had to “pair” with her — which basically means they were trying to build trust and connection before starting any real work. And during that time, I had to step back and let them handle it. That was hard.
In our case, we started in-home ABA. That meant the therapist came to our house, sat on the floor with toys, and slowly learned what my daughter liked and didn’t like. The first few days, I stayed nearby but didn’t get involved — even though my mama heart wanted to scoop her up every time she cried. Over time, the crying got less and the therapist became someone she trusted.
ABA can also be in-clinic, where your child goes to a center instead of doing it at home. Each setup has its own benefits, but the goal is the same — to help your child build skills, reduce challenging behaviors, and become more independent.
Here’s what I want you to know:
- ABA isn’t always easy in the beginning.
- Progress is gradual, but you will see it.
- You are part of the team, even if at first it feels like you’re just watching.
This is just my general experience — in future posts, I’ll break down the differences between in-home and in-clinic ABA and what to expect from each.
If you’re starting this journey, know you’re not alone. I’ve been there. And I’ll keep sharing my story so you can feel more prepared than I did.
If you found this helpful, please subscribe so you don’t miss the next part of my ABA journey.
If you’re starting this journey, know you’re not alone. I’ve been there. And I’ll keep sharing my story so you can feel more prepared than I did.
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