What Happens During an ABA Assessment? A Parent's Guide to Getting Started

If your child has recently been diagnosed with autism, or your healthcare provider has recommended Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, you may be wondering what happens next.

One of the first steps in beginning ABA therapy is completing an ABA assessment. While the process may sound intimidating, it's simply an opportunity for a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) to learn about your child's strengths, challenges, and developmental needs so they can create a personalized treatment plan.

At Maryland Behavior, we believe families should feel informed and confident throughout the assessment process. This guide explains what an ABA assessment involves, why it's important, and what you can expect every step of the way.

What is an ABA Assessment?

An ABA assessment is a comprehensive evaluation conducted by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). The assessment helps identify your child's current abilities, developmental skills, areas of need, and family priorities.

Rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach, the information gathered during the assessment is used to develop an individualized ABA therapy program designed specifically for your child.

Every child is unique, and the assessment is designed to understand what support will be most meaningful for their growth and development.

Why is an ABA Assessment Important?

An assessment provides the foundation for effective ABA therapy.

It helps the BCBA understand:

• Your child's communication skills
• Social interaction abilities
• Daily living and self-care skills
• Learning strengths
• Behaviors that may interfere with learning or safety
• Family routines and priorities
• Individual treatment goals

By understanding your child's current abilities, the BCBA can develop a therapy plan that focuses on meaningful, achievable goals.

What Happens During an ABA Assessment?

Although every child is different, most ABA assessments include several key steps.

1. Family Interview

The assessment begins with a conversation between you and the BCBA.

During this discussion, you may be asked about:

• Your child's developmental history
• Medical and educational background
• Current communication abilities
• Daily routines
• Strengths and interests
• Behaviors that concern you
• Your family's goals for therapy

This conversation helps ensure that therapy recommendations reflect what matters most to your family.

2. Direct Observation

The BCBA will spend time observing your child in a comfortable setting.

Depending on your child's age and needs, they may observe:

• Play skills
• Communication
• Social interaction
• Attention
• Responses to instructions
• Daily routines
• Preferred activities

Children are not expected to "perform" during the assessment. The goal is simply to understand how they interact with their environment.

3. Skills Assessment

The BCBA evaluates a variety of developmental and adaptive skills to understand your child's current level of functioning.

Areas commonly assessed include:

Communication

• Requesting wants and needs
• Understanding language
• Following directions
• Expressive language

Social Skills

• Eye contact
• Joint attention
• Turn-taking
• Peer interaction

Daily Living Skills

• Dressing
• Feeding
• Hygiene routines
• Independence with everyday tasks

Play Skills

• Functional play
• Pretend play
• Sharing and cooperative play

Learning Skills

• Attention
• Following instructions
• Imitation
• Problem-solving

• When behaviors occur
• What may trigger them
• How the child communicates through behavior
• What strategies may help support learning

• Assessment findings
• Developmental level
• Family priorities
• Everyday routines
• Long-term independence

• Increasing communication
• Developing social skills
• Improving daily living skills
• Building play skills
• Supporting emotional regulation
• Encouraging greater independence

How Long Does an ABA Assessment Take?

The length of an assessment varies depending on your child's age, needs, and the information required for treatment planning.

Some assessments may be completed during one visit, while others may involve additional observation or information gathering.

Your BCBA will explain the process and answer any questions before the assessment begins.

What Happens After the Assessment?

After reviewing the assessment results, the BCBA prepares an individualized treatment plan.

This plan may include:

• Recommended therapy hours
• Individualized treatment goals
• Parent and caregiver training recommendations
• Progress monitoring methods
• BCBA supervision schedule

Once the treatment plan is approved and any insurance requirements are completed, therapy services can begin.

How Parents Participate in the Assessment Process

Parents and caregivers are an important part of the assessment process.

Your insights help the BCBA understand:

• Your child's personality
• Daily routines
• Family priorities
• Challenges at home
• Skills you'd like your child to develop

Open communication helps create a treatment plan that reflects your family's goals and supports your child's success across different environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my child need to prepare for the assessment? No. There is no special preparation required. It's helpful for your child to attend as they normally would so the BCBA can observe their natural skills and interactions.

Can parents stay during the assessment? Yes. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to participate, answer questions, and share information throughout the assessment process.

Will I receive the assessment results? Yes. The BCBA will review the assessment findings with you and explain the recommended treatment plan, including goals and next steps. Following review, our team will provide the individualized treatment plan for your signature. Once signed, our team will submit the necessary documentation to your insurance provider.

Is the assessment used to diagnose autism? No. An ABA assessment is not used to diagnose autism. It is completed after a child has been referred for ABA services or has already received an autism diagnosis. The assessment is used to determine therapy goals and develop an individualized treatment plan.

Beginning Your Child's ABA Journey

An ABA assessment is more than an evaluation, it's the first step in creating a personalized plan that supports your child's unique strengths, needs, and goals.

By taking the time to understand your child as an individual, a BCBA can develop a therapy program focused on meaningful progress in communication, social interaction, daily living skills, and independence.

At Maryland Behavior, we partner with families throughout Maryland to provide individualized ABA therapy guided by evidence-based practices and supervised by Board Certified Behavior Analysts.

Ready to Get Started?

If your child has been diagnosed with autism and you're exploring ABA therapy, we're here to help.

Our team can guide you through the assessment process, answer your questions about insurance and services, and help you understand the next steps.

Schedule an ABA Assessment Today

Take the first step toward personalized support for your child.

Contact Maryland Behavior to speak with a member of our team and learn how we can support your family. Begin Your ABA Journey Today