Why Are We Giving Toddlers with ASD 35–40 Hour Jobs? Is This Really Needed?

Sep 29

8 min read

As the parent of a toddler diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), you may

have been told your child requires intensive ABA therapy - often 35-40 hours each week - as standard practice. Many families will follow that advice.

Let's be honest: 35-40 hours per week for toddlers can seem like an impossible burden. Working closely with families across the Bay Area, I understand their frustration with this figure - many report feeling as if their child is working instead of playing and resting as children should do!

As a BCBA myself in San Francisco and its environs, I understand the difficulties parents are encountering when working with this schedule for their toddler.

The Origin of the 35–40 Hour Recommendation

You’ve probably heard that 35–40 hours of ABA therapy is the “gold standard.” This comes from early research studies in the 1980s and 1990s showing that children who received more therapy often made greater progress in certain developmental areas.

Back then, “more is better” became a common mindset. And while intensive ABA therapy for toddlers can be powerful, research doesn’t say that 40 hours is always necessary, or even ideal, for every child.

Many of those original studies were with older preschool children, not 18-month-olds or two-year-olds. The needs, attention spans, and developmental stages are different.

Today, we know that quality, individualization, and family involvement matter just as much, if not more, than sheer hours.

Too Many Hours Can Lead to Burnout

Some families try the full 35–40 hours right away because they want to give their child every possible advantage. But I’ve seen situations where ABA therapy for too many hours causes stress for the child and the family.

Toddlers are still developing their sleep patterns, emotional regulation, and social skills.

Long therapy days, especially if they’re highly structured, can lead to toddler ABA therapy burnout. That can look like:

More tantrums or meltdowns
Resistance to sessions
Reduced interest in favorite play activities
Trouble adjusting to non-therapy settings

A burnt-out toddler isn’t learning at their best. And a burnt-out parent is less able to stay engaged in the process. That’s why pacing matters as much as intensity.

What’s the Recommended ABA Hours for Autism?

Most insurance companies base their approvals on the recommended ABA hours for autism, which are typically between 25 and 40 hours per week for young children. This is based on research showing that children who receive consistent, structured support can make measurable gains.

But “recommended” isn’t the same as “required.” I encourage families to see these numbers as a starting point for discussion, not a prescription to follow blindly.

Some toddlers thrive for 20–25 hours. Others may need a period of intensive support followed by a gradual reduction. The key is individualized planning, building a schedule around your child’s stamina, personality, and your family’s routines.

The Benefits of Early, Consistent Support

Early intervention autism pros and cons discussions often focus on the clear benefits:

Building communication skills early
Reducing frustration and related behaviors
Creating positive learning habits
Supporting school readiness

The earlier these skills develop, the more they can influence a child’s long-term growth.

The Risks of Over-Scheduling

But there are also cons to doing too much, too soon:

Less free time for unstructured play
Higher risk of toddler ABA therapy burnout
Strain on family routines and relationships
Missing opportunities for peer interaction outside therapy

A well-designed early intervention plan balances structure with freedom, therapy with play.

Autism Therapy Schedule for Toddlers

When creating an autism therapy schedule for toddlers, I recommend starting with your child’s natural rhythms. Think about:

Nap times
Meal times
When your child is most alert and focused
Daily opportunities for play, exploration, and rest

Some families start with half days and gradually increase. Others combine ABA sessions with other supports, like speech therapy or occupational therapy, spread throughout the week.

Remember, autism therapy and play balance are essential. Play is how toddlers learn best, and it should remain at the heart of their day.

Is 40 Hours of ABA Necessary for Every Toddler?

This is the question I hear most often: Is 40 hours of ABA necessary? My answer: not for

every child.

The number should come from an ongoing assessment, not a default assumption. For some toddlers, 40 hours could be helpful for accelerating skill growth. For others, that much therapy could feel overwhelming and counterproductive.

Instead of asking, “How many hours should we do?” I suggest asking:

“How many hours can my child actively engage in each week without signs of burnout?”
“How can we integrate learning into everyday routines, not just formal sessions?”

That’s where I’ve seen families get the best results, when therapy fits the child, not the other way around.

Toddler ABA Therapy Burnout: Signs and Solutions

Toddler ABA therapy burnout isn’t something anyone wants to see, but it’s real. Watch for:

Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
Avoidance of the therapist
Increased frustration during learning tasks
Emotional withdrawal

If you see these signs, don’t panic, but do talk to your BCBA. Often, the solution is adjusting the schedule, adding more play-based learning, or building in more breaks.

In my experience, toddlers who feel safe, respected, and rested make the fastest progress.

Autism Therapy and Play Balance

A healthy autism therapy and play balance means:

Therapy sessions that incorporate play
Daily time for unstructured, child-led play
Opportunities for peer play, whether at home, in the park, or at preschool

Here in the Bay Area, I often suggest families take therapy outdoors, to Crissy Field, Dolores Park, or a quiet local playground. We can practice social and communication skills in real-life settings, which makes learning more natural and enjoyable for the child.

This is also where parents can see that therapy doesn’t have to be confined to a table or flashcards. Real growth happens in the moments between structured teaching.

Parent Concerns About ABA Therapy Hours

You’re not alone if you have parent concerns about ABA therapy hours. Many families

worry their child is losing precious “just being a kid” time.

A good BCBA will take these concerns seriously and work with you to create a schedule that supports learning without pushing your child to exhaustion. That might mean:

Reducing hours for a season and increasing later if needed
Mixing in natural environment teaching instead of all table work
Integrating therapy into daily life so it feels less like a job

Your voice as a parent matters in shaping the plan. You know your child best, and your observations help guide the right balance.

Practical Steps for Families Considering Intensive ABA

If you’re deciding whether to start intensive ABA therapy for toddlers at 35–40 hours a week, here are some steps to help:

Start with a trial period: Try 20–25 hours and see how your child responds before committing to more.
Watch for engagement: Are they happy to see their therapist? Do they still want to play afterward?
Mix therapy types: Combine structured teaching with play-based and natural environment learning.
Prioritize quality: A skilled, engaging therapist for 20 hours is more valuable than a less engaging therapist for 40.
Reassess regularly: Needs change. What’s right now may not be right in six months.

The Celeration ABA Perspective

At Celeration ABA, we believe in sustainable schedules over bulk hours. While we understand the research behind high-intensity programs, we also see the human side, the smiles, the play, the family dinners, the nap times.

We design each autism therapy schedule for toddlers to fit the child’s needs, not just a number on a page. That often means blending therapy with play, using local parks and community spaces, and making sure both the child and family feel supported.

Final Thoughts

If there’s one takeaway, it’s this: You don’t have to choose between helping your child learn and letting them be a child. The right balance is possible.

So, is 40 hours of ABA necessary for your toddler? Maybe. But maybe not. What’s necessary is that your child has:

Support they can actively engage in
Time to rest and play
A therapy team that listens to you as a parent

Every child is different. Every family is different. And the best plan is the one that works for both.

If you’re in the Bay Area and considering ABA for your toddler, we’d love to talk. Our team can help you explore options, set realistic goals, and design a plan that balances learning with life.

Contact Celeration ABA today to schedule a free consultation and find the right path for your family.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why do some professionals recommend 35–40 hours of ABA for toddlers?

The 35–40 hour recommendation comes from early research showing that children who received high-intensity ABA often made faster gains in certain skill areas. However, those studies involved older preschoolers, not younger toddlers, and were conducted in structured clinic settings. While intensive ABA therapy for toddlers can be valuable for some, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution.

2. Is 40 hours of ABA therapy necessary for every child with autism?

Absolutely not. Many toddlers thrive with fewer hours, especially when therapy is high-quality and includes strong parent involvement. In fact, pushing a child into too many hours can lead to burnout, making them less engaged and less responsive to learning.

3. What are the recommended ABA hours for autism in toddlers?

The recommended ABA hours for autism often range from 25 to 40 per week for young children. This is a guideline, not a rule. For some toddlers, starting closer to 20–25 hours and gradually increasing is more sustainable. The decision should be based on your child’s ability to engage, family schedule, and how well the therapy fits into your daily routines.

4. Can ABA therapy be too many hours for a toddler?

Yes, ABA therapy for too many hours can be overwhelming for a toddler. Just like adults can feel exhausted after a long work week, young children can become fatigued with too much structured learning. Signs include increased meltdowns, refusal to participate, withdrawal from favorite activities, or reluctance to see their therapist.

5. How can I tell if my toddler has ABA therapy burnout?

Toddler ABA therapy burnout often shows up as behavioral and emotional changes. Your child may become less motivated, more irritable, or resistant to activities they previously enjoyed. They might also have trouble focusing or appear tired during sessions. In some cases, they may try to avoid therapy altogether.

6. What are the pros and cons of early intervention for autism?

When it comes to early intervention autism pros and cons, the biggest pro is that children can develop critical skills such as communication, social interaction, and daily living skills, during a window when the brain is especially adaptable. This can lead to long-term benefits in independence and quality of life. However, one potential con is overscheduling, which can reduce opportunities for natural play, exploration, and rest.

7. How do I create a healthy autism therapy schedule for toddlers?

An effective autism therapy schedule for toddlers takes into account your child’s natural rhythms, like their nap times, energy peaks, and times of day when they are most alert. Many families find success with shorter daily sessions spread throughout the week instead of marathon therapy days. The goal is to make therapy feel like a natural, enjoyable part of life.

8. How can we balance autism therapy and play?

Maintaining autism therapy and play balance means making sure your child has daily opportunities for unstructured, child-led activities. This could include outdoor play, pretend games, building with blocks, or simply exploring their environment. Here in the Bay Area, many families take sessions outside, like in local parks, playgrounds, or community centers, so children can learn skills in real-world environments.

9. What should I do if I have concerns about ABA therapy hours?

If you have parent concerns about ABA therapy hours, it’s important to speak up. Share your observations with your BCBA, whether it’s signs of fatigue, changes in mood, or difficulty keeping up with the schedule. A collaborative therapy team will work with you to adjust hours, change the format of sessions, or explore a more flexible approach.

10. How do I know if my toddler is benefiting from ABA therapy?

Signs that ABA is working include your toddler gaining new skills, using them in everyday life, and showing excitement to participate in sessions. You should also see progress in areas like communication, independence, and social interaction.