ABA therapy is an evidence-based treatment that can help children with autism improve critical developmental skills like communication, socialization, and more. It’s important to understand that each patient’s treatment needs are unique. Inevitably, the length of time it takes ABA therapy to work can vary by individual. In this article, you’ll learn more about the question how long does ABA therapy take to work below.
ABA Revolution provides premier ABA therapy in Illinois that helps children develop key developmental skills to grow and thrive. Using a tailored approach, our expert therapists offer a comprehensive ABA therapy so each child can overcome challenges and establish key developmental skills they can use in the real world and beyond. Contact us today to learn more about how we can best support your child.
ABA Therapy Duration Can Vary By Person
If your child is on the autism spectrum, ABA (applied behavior analysis) therapy is a leading treatment option. ABA therapy can help children with autism develop and progress key developmental skills, as well as help change challenging behaviors into positive ones. This can greatly increase a child’s quality of life, relationships with others, and personal development.
Because each child with autism is unique, inevitably, each individual who seeks ABA therapy will have varying sets of needs. Some children may need help with communicating effectively with others, while other children may have specific challenging behaviors. Therefore, varying needs can cause varying timelines of effectiveness for ABA therapy.
That being said, most children start experiencing improvements within a few months of receiving ABA therapy. Depending on your child’s unique needs, long-term, consistent ABA therapy sessions may be recommended. It’s important to talk with your child’s ABA therapist about their progress to better understand how they are progressing with treatment.
3 Factors That Can Impact How Long Does ABA Therapy Take to Work
While every child’s needs and support plans are different, research suggests that 12 to 24 months of ABA or more are recommended to produce significant improvements.
As mentioned above, the question “how long does ABA therapy take to work” can vary widely. Noticeable improvements can oftentimes be seen within a few months of your child receiving ABA therapy. While improvements are a great step in the right direction, some children may be recommended long-term ABA therapy to best help them grow, develop, and improve their quality of life.
- Each Patient Is Different
Inevitably, each child will have a unique set of needs. Because each patient is different, there is no one set timeline for the question how long does ABA therapy take to work. However, you can expect to see improvements within a few months of your child initially receiving treatment. While some children may only need less than 6 months of ABA therapy, other children on the autism spectrum may benefit from long-term treatment.
- Parents Can Play a Role in Progress
Another factor that can impact the timeline of ABA therapy is parental involvement. A child’s parents can play a role in their overall progress because a parent can (or cannot) help reinforce what the child has learned in the ABA therapy sessions at home. The aim of ABA therapy is to create positive behavioral changes that will then translate into the child’s daily life.
- Frequency and Intensity of ABA Therapy
Finally, the number of ABA therapy sessions and the intensity of those sessions can also impact the timeline of a patient’s progress. Typically, the more sessions a patient has consistently, they can see progress more quickly vs patients who do not seek ABA therapy on a routine basis.
Help Is Available
Now you know more about how long ABA therapy takes to work. While this does depend on the patient and their unique needs, typically, most patients can start seeing improvements within a few months. Although improvements can be observed within months, consistent, long-term treatment may be recommended to continue to see results that help improve your child’s overall well-being and personal development.
Our compassionate team of ABA specialists at ABA Revolution is here to help your child on the autism spectrum grow. We provide personalized care so your child can overcome struggles and challenges and develop key skills that can help them thrive and reach their fullest potential. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your child grow and thrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to see results from ABA therapy?
Similar to the question how long does ABA therapy take to work, results vary by patient. However, you can typically expect to see improvements in your child within a few months of receiving ABA therapy. It’s important to understand that these results are behavioral changes and skills that require consistent implementation and practice to help improve a child’s overall quality of life.
How do I know if ABA therapy is working?
Each child has varying needs. As your child receives ABA therapy, you can tell the treatment is working by noticing specific improvements to certain skills and behaviors. For example, if your child struggles with effectively communicating with others, during ABA therapy they can work on specific target goals like maintaining eye contact, communicating their needs with others, as well as listening skills.
What to do when ABA does not work?
It’s important to discuss with your child’s ABA therapist about your child’s progress. If you find your child is not improving after months of treatment, it’s important to discuss this with your child’s therapist. This can be a good time to clearly define goals for your child’s progress and collaborate with your child’s therapist about any potential obstacles that may be negatively impacting their progress.
If you’ve talked with your child’s therapist and still no progress or improvements are being noticed, some alternatives can include seeing another ABA therapist or considering other interventions to help support your child’s development and well-being.
What is the best therapy for autism?
It’s important to understand that each child’s needs are unique. Some children with autism may struggle with their social skills, while other children may have certain challenging behaviors that could be interfering with their quality of life and relationships.
Therefore, there is no one best therapy for autism. That being said, there are a variety of commonly used therapies and treatments. For example, ABA therapy, as discussed, is an effective, evidence-based treatment approach that has helped many children on the autism spectrum. Depending on your unique child’s needs, you may also consider complementary therapies like speech therapy or occupational therapy.
If your child is struggling specifically with communication skills, speech therapy can help improve your child’s verbal and non-verbal communication skills. Occupational therapy can also help improve a child’s overall life so they can gain a sense of independence and improve their quality of life.
