The First 30 Days of ABA: What Parents Can Expect

Starting ABA therapy can feel like stepping into a new world. For many families, the

process begins after an autism assessment in San Francisco, or wherever they live, and the next steps bring a mix of hope, nerves, and questions. You want to know if your child will connect with their new therapist, how therapy will look in your home, and what kind of progress you should expect in those early weeks.

As a BCBA who has worked with many Bay Area families, I want to walk you through what to expect in ABA during those first 30 days. Think of this as a parent’s guide, which is real, practical, and grounded in both expertise and the lived experiences of families I’ve supported.

The First Step Into ABA Therapy

For most families, the ABA journey begins after an autism assessment in San Francisco confirms a diagnosis and a recommendation for therapy. That first step is both overwhelming and hopeful. Parents often tell me they feel like they’re standing at the edge of something huge and unsure of what daily life will look like, but relieved to finally have a clear direction.

From there, families usually connect with a BCBA company in San Francisco that provides in-home ABA therapy. Unlike larger agencies that send entry-level staff without oversight, our model is built differently: you meet your BCBA from the start. This matters because your BCBA is the person who will design, oversee, and adjust your child’s individualized plan.

Starting ABA isn’t about jumping straight into drills or programs. It begins with connection, collaboration, and a roadmap that centers your child’s strengths and needs.

Day 1–7: From Autism Assessment to Individualized Planning

So what happens in the first week after your autism assessment? This is where we lay

the foundation.

You’ll meet your BCBA, not just a name on paper, but a partner who will spend time learning about your child and your family. We don’t just look at checklists; we listen. What are your child’s favorite activities? What routines work (or don’t) at home? What goals matter most to you as parents?

From there, the BCBA creates an individualized treatment plan. This isn’t a generic set of programs; it’s tailored to your child’s developmental stage, interests, and priorities. If your child loves cars, we’ll use cars in teaching. If bedtime is a struggle, we’ll help build routines that support better sleep.

This first week is less about “therapy sessions” and more about relationship-building, information gathering, and ensuring you feel heard. What to expect in ABA during this stage is mostly preparation. It’s the kind of preparation that sets the stage for success.

Day 8–14: Getting to Know Your Team & Building Trust

By the second week, your child is starting to meet their therapy team. At Celeration ABA, that means continued time with your BCBA and the introduction of your in-home therapist. Building trust is the most important part of this stage.

Parents sometimes worry when sessions look “play-based” rather than structured in the early days. But this is exactly how good ABA starts. We can’t teach new skills until a child feels safe and comfortable with us. What to expect in ABA here is lots of smiles, games, favorite toys, and gentle encouragement.

Parent involvement in ABA also becomes important here. Sit in on a few sessions, not to take notes but to observe how your child interacts. Ask questions about what you’re seeing. Your comfort matters too because kids pick up on parent confidence.

This period may feel quiet, but don’t underestimate it. Trust and connection are the soil where growth will take root.

Day 15–21: Early Sessions & Skill-Building

By the third week, you’ll begin to see what in-home ABA therapy looks like on a daily basis. Sessions are structured but flexible. We typically work in your living room, kitchen, or play area, places that are already part of your child’s daily life.

The early focus areas are foundational: communication, routines, and daily living skills. You might see your child practicing asking for a toy, following a simple direction, or using visual supports for transitions. Progress may seem small like successfully requesting a snack but each step builds independence.

This is also where parent involvement in ABA becomes more active. Your BCBA may show you strategies to use at home, like prompting your child to use words during dinner or reinforcing positive behavior during bedtime. These aren’t “extra tasks” for you; they’re ways to weave therapy naturally into family life.

What to expect in ABA during this stage is a mix of trial and success, with some resistance sprinkled in. That’s normal. Change takes effort, and kids often test boundaries before settling into new routines.

Day 22–30: Tracking Progress & Adjusting the Plan

The final stretch of the first month is about progress monitoring. A hallmark of ABA is data collection, but I want to clarify what that looks like in your home. It’s not endless paperwork or cold charts. It’s therapists noting how often your child responds, how quickly they learn a new skill, or whether certain strategies reduce challenging behavior.

Your BCBA reviews this data weekly to make adjustments. If something isn’t working, we don’t force it, we pivot. If a strategy is showing progress, we expand on it. This is why working with a BCBA company in San Francisco makes a difference: oversight is constant, and your child’s plan evolves as they do.

Signs of progress in this stage may not look dramatic. You might notice smoother transitions, less frustration during routines, or more attempts to communicate. These “small wins” are actually the building blocks of bigger milestones down the road.

Parent’s Role in the First 30 Days

One of the biggest things I emphasize to families is that parent involvement in ABA is

essential. Your child spends more time with you than with us, and your participation is what makes therapy sustainable.

In the first 30 days, you can support therapy at home by practicing the same strategies your BCBA teaches. That might look like prompting your child to use their communication skills at dinner, reinforcing a morning routine with visual schedules, or practicing turn-taking during play.

It’s also okay and encouraged to ask for clarity. If a strategy doesn’t make sense, speak up. If a routine feels overwhelming, say so. Your partnership ensures therapy fits your family’s life, not the other way around.

Remember: what to expect in ABA isn’t perfection in a month. It’s progress, collaboration, and laying a strong foundation for the months ahead.

How Celeration ABA Shows Up Differently

There are many ABA providers in the Bay Area, but not all operate the same way. At Celeration ABA, we’re a BCBA company in San Francisco, which means your BCBA isn’t just behind the scenes, they’re right there with you from day one. We prioritize in-home ABA therapy because real change happens in the environments your child lives in every day.

We also understand that the Bay Area comes with unique challenges like long commutes, high costs, and busy family schedules. That’s why we design therapy plans that are sustainable, flexible, and centered on your family’s needs.

When parents ask me what to expect in ABA with us, my answer is simple: respect, transparency, and teamwork.

Final Thoughts

The first 30 days of ABA aren’t about an overnight transformation. They’re about laying the groundwork for growth, trust, and partnership. From the moment your journey begins with an autism assessment in San Francisco, to meeting your BCBA, to seeing those first small but meaningful changes in your child and this is where real progress starts.

At Celeration ABA, our mission is simple: to walk this path with you, as partners who understand both the science of ABA and the heart of parenting. If you’re ready to take the first step, we’re here to guide you through every day, every session, and every milestone ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions about the First 30 Days of ABA