If you’re asking how many hours of ABA therapy are needed for your child, you’re not alone. One of the most common questions families have after receiving an autism diagnosis is how much therapy is enough. The answer?
It depends.
ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) is a very individualized form of therapy. The number of hours needed varies based on your child’s age, developmental needs, goals, and the intensity of support required.
Some children benefit from intensive therapy (up to 40 hours per week), while others may need a part-time model that fits alongside school or other programs. At ABA Revolution, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all care. Our team of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) works with each family to create a personalized therapy plan that fits your child, not just a number on a schedule.
What Determines the Right Number of ABA Hours?
There is no universal answer to the number of hours of ABA therapy needed, because every child is different.
The ideal number of therapy hours depends on a combination of clinical need, family goals, and what’s realistic for your child’s daily routine. At ABA Revolution, we consider all of these factors when building a customized care plan.
Child’s Age and Developmental Stage
Age plays a major role in determining the recommended number of ABA hours.
- Early Intervention (Ages 2–6): For younger children, especially those in early intervention, the standard recommendation is 20 to 40 hours per week. These higher hours help maximize neuroplasticity during early brain development, when children are most responsive to learning new skills.
- School-Age Children: As children grow and begin attending school or structured programs, ABA hours are often adjusted to fit around academic schedules. In these cases, 10 to 25 hours per week may be appropriate, depending on the child’s needs and progress.
Level of Support Needed
Another factor is how much support a child needs across different developmental areas.
- Mild Challenges: Children with mild social or communication delays may thrive with 10–15 hours per week focused on specific skill-building.
- Moderate Challenges: Children who need more consistent support may benefit from 20–30 hours per week of ABA.
- Intensive Needs: For children with significant behavioral or communication delays, 30–40 hours per week of structured therapy may be necessary.
Therapy intensity is always tailored to the child, not just their diagnosis, but also their individual goals and learning style.
Family Schedule and Flexibility
Even when clinical recommendations suggest a certain number of hours, real life matters; families juggle work, school, religious obligations, and other responsibilities. That’s why we work in partnership with you to create a plan that feels manageable and sustainable. At ABA Revolution, we understand that the best outcomes happen when families feel supported, not pressured. Therapy hours can be adjusted to fit your weekly rhythm while still focusing on meaningful, measurable progress.
Clinical Recommendations
Ultimately, therapy hours are set based on the professional judgment of our Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs). After completing a full assessment of your child’s communication, behavior, daily living skills, and social interaction, the BCBA will recommend a treatment plan that includes an ideal number of hours.[1] This recommendation isn’t set in stone. As your child grows and makes progress, their therapy plan—and the number of weekly hours—will evolve, too. At ABA Revolution, our goal is always to provide the right amount of support, not just the maximum number of hours.
Common Guidelines for ABA Therapy Hours
So, how many hours of ABA therapy is needed each week? While the answer depends on your child’s individual needs, clinicians often follow a few general guidelines as a starting point:
Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI): 30–40 hours/week
For young children, especially those under age six, a full-time model of 30 to 40 hours per week is often recommended. These programs focus on building foundational skills like communication, play, attention, and daily routines during a critical window of early brain development.
Moderate or Targeted Intervention: 10–25 hours/week
A part-time ABA program may be more appropriate for children with fewer challenges or who are balancing school or daycare schedules. These hours allow for focused support on specific goals, such as reducing problem behaviors, improving language, or developing peer interaction. [2]
School Consultation or Maintenance Programs: 5–10 hours/week
Older children who have met most of their early goals may continue with fewer hours to maintain progress and work on advanced social or academic skills. These hours are often spread out across fewer sessions or used to support transitions to school-based services.
At ABA Revolution, we don’t lock families into a set schedule. Therapy hours are flexible, adjusted over time, and based on ongoing progress. For example, a child who begins with 30 hours per week might increase therapy time during a speech-focused phase, then taper to 15–20 hours once verbal communication becomes more consistent. Our clinical team regularly reviews goals, data, and family feedback to make sure each child is getting the right amount of support, not just more hours for the sake of it.
Quality Care, Not Just Hours on a Schedule
When it comes to autism treatment, success isn’t about hitting a magic number of hours—it’s about finding the right support for your child’s unique needs. The truth is, how many hours of ABA therapy are needed will vary from one child to the next, and that’s exactly why personalized care matters.
At ABA Revolution, we take time to understand your child, your goals, and your schedule before recommending any therapy plan. Whether your child needs intensive early intervention or a part-time approach that fits around school, we’ll help you make a plan that feels manageable, effective, and empowering. If you’re ready to learn more, we invite you to contact us for a consultation or personalized assessment. We’re here to help your child grow on a timeline that works for your family.
FAQs About How Many Hours of ABA Therapy Is Needed
Is more therapy always better?
Not necessarily. While intensive therapy can be highly effective, more hours aren’t automatically better for every child. What matters most is that the therapy your child receives is consistent, high-quality, and tailored to their specific goals. [3] Some children thrive with 15–20 hours per week; others may need 30+, depending on their level of need. At ABA Revolution, we make sure that each hour counts, focusing on meaningful outcomes rather than just filling a schedule.
Can my child still attend school or daycare while receiving ABA?
Yes. Many families combine ABA therapy with school, daycare, or other educational programs. If your child attends a full-day school, we may recommend after-school sessions or a reduced-hour ABA plan. If they’re in half-day preschool, ABA sessions can happen in the remaining hours of the day. We also collaborate with schools when appropriate to support consistency between environments. Balancing therapy with school is absolutely possible—and often encouraged.
What happens if we can’t do the recommended hours?
We understand that 30–40 hours of therapy per week isn’t feasible for every family. Whether due to work schedules, transportation, other siblings, or financial constraints, there are times when families simply can’t commit to the full clinical recommendation. That’s okay. At ABA Revolution, we’ll work with you to create a realistic plan that still moves your child forward. Even if you can only commit to 10–15 hours per week, we’ll make sure those hours are focused and effective.
Do ABA hours decrease over time as my child improves?
Yes, therapy hours often decrease as children meet their goals. In early intervention, your child may begin with 30 or more hours per week. But as their skills improve—especially in areas like language, behavior, and independence—we gradually reduce therapy time. The goal is always to promote long-term success and independence, not to keep your child in therapy longer than needed. Progress is measured regularly through formal assessments and parent feedback, and plans are updated accordingly.
How do you decide how many hours of ABA therapy is needed for each child?
This is one of the most important questions a family can ask. At ABA Revolution, the number of recommended therapy hours is determined through a comprehensive assessment conducted by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). This assessment examines your child’s communication skills, behavior, attention span, self-care abilities, and more. It also considers your family’s goals, availability, and preferences.
Using this information, we build a customized treatment plan that outlines how many hours of ABA therapy are needed and why. Our goal is never to apply a “standard” model to every child but to create a care plan that makes sense for your child, your family, and your life.
Understanding how many hours of ABA therapy is needed can feel like a big question, but the answer should always start with your child. At ABA Revolution, we’re here to walk you through every step and help you make informed, confident decisions about your child’s care.
Sources
[1] https://www.cdc.gov/autism/treatment/index.html
[2] https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/autism/conditioninfo/treatments/behavioral-management
[3] https://childmind.org/article/what-is-applied-behavior-analysis/
