Call now 877-643-8738
That first phone call brings a strange mix of feelings. Relief, because your child is finally getting support. And nerves, because you have no idea what happens next once a therapist starts showing up at your house every week.
This guide walks through what to expect when starting ABA therapy in Baltimore, and gives you a simple way to prepare.
How This Usually Starts
No two families’ first few weeks look exactly alike, since sessions get built around your child. But the general path looks pretty similar.
It starts with an intake call, where our team learns about your child and your schedule. Then a BCBA comes to complete an assessment, looking at your child’s current skills and goals. Once the plan takes shape, a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) starts delivering sessions, working under BCBA supervision the whole way through.
Parents ask us all the time how fast this moves. Honestly, it depends on insurance authorization and scheduling. Our team keeps you posted at every step so you’re never left wondering.
Why the First Few In-Home Sessions Feel Strange
Having a therapist inside your home takes some getting used to. Your child’s toys, siblings, and daily chaos all become part of the session now.
There’s a real upside here. Skills get practiced in the exact place your child needs them, like asking for a snack in the kitchen or handling the transition into bedtime. You get to see the strategies firsthand too, which makes it easier to carry them into moments outside of sessions.
Some families feel unsure at first about a new person coming into their home regularly. That feeling tends to fade once a rhythm builds between your family and the RBT.
6 Ways to Get Ready for In-Home Sessions
A little prep goes a long way toward a smoother start.
- Pick a consistent spot: A playroom or a corner of the living room works fine. Familiarity helps your child settle in faster.
- Cut the distractions: TV off, household noise down during session times.
- Give siblings a heads-up: Let them know someone new will be visiting regularly, and explain it in simple terms.
- Keep a few favorites nearby: Toys or snacks your child loves help the RBT build rapport early on.
- Write questions down as they come up: That way nothing gets lost between visits.
- Give yourself grace: The first few weeks come with a learning curve for everyone, and progress builds slowly, not overnight.
A Story We’d Like to Share
One family we worked with had a toddler who needed real time to warm up to a new therapist visiting each week.
By the third week, he was greeting his RBT at the door and grabbing his favorite toy to show her. His parents noticed him trying out new words at mealtime, words he’d been practicing during sessions.
This kind of slow, steady progress is what a lot of families see once the routine settles in. Every child’s timeline looks different, and this is just one example.
Learn More About What to Expect
Who’s on Your Child’s Team With You?
Parents often want to know who’s qualified to work with their child. An RBT completes specific training and works directly under a BCBA, who oversees the treatment plan and tracks progress over time.
Communication matters here. Our BCBAs check in regularly, adjust goals as needed, and stay reachable when you have a question.
What Sessions Work On
Sessions target the skills your child needs for daily life, not isolated drills. A therapist might work on:
- Asking for something with words or gestures
- Following simple instructions during routines
- Handling transitions without a meltdown
- Playing alongside a sibling or caregiver
- Practicing self-care tasks like handwashing or getting dressed
These are common focus areas. Your child’s actual plan depends on their evaluation and specific needs.
Your Involvement Matters Too
ABA works best when parents stay in it. Coaching often happens right during sessions, giving you strategies for the hours outside of them. Some families also lean on our parent and teacher training to keep things consistent at school too.
At Get Set ABA, your involvement isn’t an extra. It’s part of the plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How soon can therapy start after evaluation?
It depends on insurance authorization and scheduling, but our team moves as quickly as possible once a plan is ready.
2. Do I need to be home during sessions?
Parent involvement helps progress, and specifics depend on your child’s plan.
3. What happens in the first few sessions?
Mostly rapport-building between your child and the RBT, alongside continued assessment.
4. Will my child see the same therapist every time?
Usually, yes. Consistency matters, though scheduling can occasionally require adjustments.
5. How does insurance get handled?
Our team verifies your benefits early and walks you through what’s covered before sessions start.
6. Can therapy shift from in-home to school-based later?
Yes, some families move between settings as their child’s needs change.
When You’re Ready, We’ll Bring ABA Into Your Home
Starting ABA therapy is a big step, and you don’t have to sort it out alone. Our team wants to answer your questions and help your family feel ready before that first session.
Call us at 877-643-8738, email info@getsetaba.com, or fill out our contact form, and we’ll call you back.
