A Caregiver’s Perspective: What to Expect from ABA Therapy

Hopebridge Highlights How Family Expectations for Applied Behavior Analysis Play into Clinical Outcomes

“So, my child has an autism diagnosis … now what?”

This is a natural thought for caregivers of children who have just been . The load may feel heavy at first, but we’re here to tell you that it’s also a hopeful starting point that can lead your family to a brighter future.

Your child’s diagnostician or pediatrician may have recommended applied behavior analysis (ABA therapy) as part of their plan for treatment. If you’re new to the autism world, you may be wondering, “what is ABA therapy?” and more importantly, “what does ABA therapy mean for my family?”

Every child has their own unique autism journey, and what autism and ABA look like for one family will not be the same experience as it is for another—and that’s the beauty of it. ABA is personalized for each individual, but there are some helpful things for everyone to know before going into it.

Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers aims to support our children and families along every step of the way, so our team put together a quick guide to educate and help you navigate these initial post-diagnosis steps.

Why Early Intervention is Crucial

While the identification of ASD is important (give yourself thanks for taking that first step!), evidence shows comprehensive treatment models (CTM), including ABA therapy approaches, are most effective for children. The diagnosis opens doors for the most effective therapies, and it is recommended to begin treatment as soon as possible because outcomes are better when interventions are started early.

Organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) encourage early intervention – starting as young as 18 months – to provide children with support while they’re in their prime developmental stages. During these key developmental years, kids’ brains are like sponges, absorbing information, allowing therapists to help them while they begin developing skills, rather than waiting until they miss opportunities or develop maladaptive behaviors. You can make a better long-term impact on your child when you enroll them in therapy at a young age.

Why ABA Therapy Matters

There is a good reason why many physicians and psychologists recommend ABA therapy as the primary intervention for children with autism. The AAP, U.S. Surgeon General, the National Institutes of Health and the American Psychological Association all agree that ABA is an evidence-based best-practice treatment for autism.

ABA is a science-based approach intended to build and strengthen essential communication, social and life skills. It helps shape behavior and is not only powerful in managing challenging behaviors, but also in empowering children to communicate, socialize and gain independence.

Each child receives individualized treatment. At Hopebridge, a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) works with the caregivers to build a personalized treatment plan. The plan covers goals that are specific and meaningful to the child and their family.

To build out the clinical team, the BCBA will also work with a registered behavior technician (RBT) to deliver one-on-one therapy. Each day, they will follow the child’s lead to rotate through a variety of teaching activities to work toward their goals. For example, they may work on sitting at a table to eat near others, taking turns while playing a game, practicing with a communication device, preparing to go to the dentist, and/or toilet training. There are a range of goals ABA can target, from functional tasks to school preparation.

The data-driven science is effective, too. Behavioral Health Index (BHI) scores show that 71% of Hopebridge patients show improvement within just six months.[1] As scores increase, the individuals’ ability to be independent increases as well. Therapy also affects the entire family’s quality of life, as patients made a five-point gain over 12 months, according to another assessment, the Child and Family Quality of Life – Second Edition (CFQL-2).[2]

To learn more about ABA and Hopebridge’s approach, here are a handful of blog posts to get you started:

1. What is Applied Behavior Analysis or ABA Therapy?
2. What to Expect During an ABA Evaluation?
3. 10 Common Questions About ABA Therapy
4. What is HRE Within Applied Behavior Analysis? Hopebridge Explains How ‘Happy, Relaxed, Engaged’ Drives Autism Therapy
5. Best Practices for Setting Realistic Goals in ABA Therapy and at Home

A Caregiver’s Commitment to ABA Therapy Enhances Outcomes

We strive for every family to find success in ABA therapy, but it’s a group effort. It is the collaboration with families like yours that make the clinical outcomes for our patients possible.

ABA is a commitment for families, but it’s one they tell us is life changing. Afterall, our caregivers scored us a 92% in satisfaction,[3] which exceeds the national healthcare average by 18%.[4]

When considering ABA for your child, there are a few key expectations to keep in mind:

• Therapy schedule
  ABA is offered in full-day and half-day programs that are typically 20 to 40 hours per week, depending upon the recommended treatment. It is an intensive therapy – not just one or two days a week – that requires time and consistency to build pivotal skills. The exact schedule is based on numerous factors, such as the child’s prescribed number of hours, recommendations for in-center or in-home therapy, family needs and goals. It is important to note that consistency is key, not only to achieve goals, Below is an example of what your child’s schedule could look like, but keep in mind that the actual schedule will be determined upon confirming their start date:

Sample Therapy Schedule

Full-Time:      Monday-Friday, 9am-4:30pm

Part-Time:     Monday-Friday, 8:30pm-1pm

• Caregiver guidance
  Involvement from parents or guardians is crucial to a child’s progress. Caregivers should expect ongoing training sessions throughout their child’s time in ABA. Weekly caregiver guidance is preferred, but monthly sessions work for some patients. During this time, the BCBA will discuss goals and share updates around the child’s progress, as well as information and strategies for transitioning success into the home and community. For more information on how we approach caregiver guidance at Hopebridge, visit our blog posts on “Why Parent Involvement is Crucial to Autism Therapy.”
• Duration of services
  Each child experiences different challenges and strengths, and therefore the duration of ABA varies between individuals. How long a child will be in ABA therapy depends on their unique progress and needs. Together, our clinical team works with families to set meaningful, achievable goals. For more detail on how we determine a child’s duration of services, check out our blog post, “Will My Child be in ABA Forever?” (Spoiler: We can assure you, they will not!)

Let Hopebridge Serve as Your Partner in Personalized Autism Therapy

If you are considering ABA therapy for your child, remember you’re not alone—Hopebridge is here to guide you and support your family’s journey. We recognize that each child’s path is unique and our goal is to provide the compassionate, expert care your child deserves.

Our team consists of highly skilled clinicians who work together to create individualized, evidence-based plans focused on real progress for your child. We embrace a whole-family approach, involving you in every step and collaborating with other providers to make sure your child’s needs are fully met. This team-based approach allows us to continuously assess and adjust goals to support your family’s priorities and aspirations.

If you want to feel confident knowing your child is in a nurturing environment where they’re encouraged to reach their fullest potential, we’re here for you. Fill out the form on our website to get your child started in ABA and complementary services like speech therapy and occupational therapy.

 

1. Sample of 512 current Hopebridge patients using Behavioral Health Index (BHI) scores from 2023-2024.
2. Sample of 473 current Hopebridge patients using the Child and Family Quality of Life, Second Edition (CFQL-2) scores from 2023-2024
3. Hopebridge’s 6-month post-transition survey
4. Retently CSAT Benchmark

*Informed consent was obtained from the participants in this article. This information should not be captured and reused without express permission from Hopebridge, LLC.