What to Do with Your Child While You Wait for ABA Services
Waiting for ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) services to begin can feel like a long and uncertain time for parents and caregivers. You’ve taken an important step in scheduling an evaluation and starting services for your child, but what can you do in the meantime to support their growth and development? While the wait can be challenging, there are many proactive ways to help your child build essential skills and prepare for a smooth transition into therapy. Here are some helpful strategies:
1. Establish a Routine
ABA therapy often emphasizes consistency and structure, so creating a predictable daily routine at home can help set the stage for success. Try to:
Maintain consistent wake-up, mealtime, and bedtime schedules
Use visual schedules or timers to help your child anticipate activities
Build in opportunities for structured play and learning throughout the day
2. Work on Communication Skills
Even before ABA services start, you can help your child strengthen their communication skills. Depending on their current abilities, consider:
Encouraging basic sign language or picture exchange systems for non-verbal children
Using simple, clear language to label objects and actions
Providing choices (e.g., "Do you want an apple or a banana?") to promote decision-making
3. Encourage Social Interactions
Social skills are a big part of ABA therapy. You can introduce small interactions that help your child become more comfortable in social settings:
Schedule playdates with peers or siblings
Practice greetings and eye contact in everyday interactions
Use turn-taking games to teach patience and cooperation
4. Implement Positive Reinforcement
ABA therapy is built on the principle of positive reinforcement—rewarding desired behaviors to encourage them. At home, you can:
Praise and reward good behavior with verbal affirmations, stickers, or small treats
Create a simple token system where your child earns rewards for completing tasks
Stay consistent in reinforcing good behavior to help build lasting habits
5. Practice Self-Help Skills
Teaching independence in daily activities can make a big difference before therapy begins. Focus on:
Simple tasks like washing hands, dressing, and brushing teeth
Encouraging your child to help with small chores, like putting toys away
Breaking down steps into smaller, manageable parts to make learning easier
6. Read and Engage in Educational Activities
Reading books with your child can help improve language and cognitive skills. Choose books with:
Repetitive phrases to encourage participation
Engaging pictures to keep their attention
Simple stories that promote social and emotional learning
You can also introduce educational apps and activities that focus on:
Matching and sorting
Identifying colors, shapes, and letters
Simple problem-solving games
7. Seek Parent Training and Support
Many ABA providers offer parent training or resources to help you get started at home. While waiting for services, consider:
Attending webinars or workshops on ABA strategies
Joining support groups or online communities for parents of children with autism
Reading reputable books and articles on ABA principles
8. Track Your Child’s Progress
Before services begin, keeping a simple log of your child’s behaviors, skills, and challenges can be helpful. Document:
New skills they learn at home
Any behaviors that seem to improve or worsen
What strategies work best for calming or motivating them
This information can be valuable when services begin, giving your ABA team insight into where to start and what approaches may be most effective.
Final Thoughts
While waiting for ABA services to begin, you are not powerless—there are many ways to support your child’s development at home. By establishing routines, encouraging communication, and using positive reinforcement, you can help lay a strong foundation for their therapy journey. Every small effort counts, and by staying proactive, you’re helping your child build essential skills for success!