Preparing for Your Child's Initial ABA Assessment

What the assessment is for

During the assessment, the BCBA is trying to understand:

• Your child’s strengths and interests
• The skills your child already has
• The skills that could come next
• Any behaviors that are causing harm or making daily life hard, and why they might be happening
• Your family’s goals, routines, culture, and priorities

The assessment is not a test your child can pass or fail. There are no wrong answers.

What usually happens

Every provider is a little different, but you can often expect:

• An interview with you. This may happen in person, by phone, or by video. It might take an hour or more.
• Time with your child. The BCBA will play with, watch, and interact with your child. Some activities may look like games. This may happen at home, at a clinic, or both.
• Questionnaires. You may be asked to fill out forms about daily living skills, communication, or behavior.
• More than one visit. A full assessment often takes more than one session.

After the assessment, the BCBA writes a report and a treatment plan and reviews them with you.

What you might be asked

It helps to think about these ahead of time. You do not need perfect answers.

About your child

• What does your child love? What makes them laugh?
• How does your child communicate? (words, sounds, gestures, pictures, a device)
• What is your child really good at?
• What is hard for your child right now?

About daily life

• What does a typical day look like?
• How do mornings, meals, bath time, and bedtime go?
• How does your child sleep and eat?
• How does your child handle changes in routine?

About behavior

• Are there behaviors you are worried about?
• When and where do they happen most? When do they happen least?
• What usually happens right before? What happens right after?
• Has anyone been hurt, or is anyone at risk of getting hurt?

About health and history

• Your child’s diagnosis and who made it
• Other therapies your child receives now or has received (speech, occupational therapy, and so on)
• Medical conditions, allergies, or medications (share these, but decisions about them belong with your child’s doctor)
• School or daycare information

About your family

• Who lives in the home?
• What languages are spoken at home?
• What are your hopes for your child?
• Are there cultural, religious, or family values the team should know about?
• What times work best for sessions?

What to bring

Bring what you have. If you do not have something, that is okay. Just let the provider know.

• Diagnosis report
• Recent reports from other providers (speech, occupational therapy, psychology)
• School plans, such as an IEP or 504 plan, if your child has one
• Insurance card and information, if insurance is involved
• A list of current medications and allergies
• A few of your child’s favorite toys or snacks
• Notes or short videos of behaviors you are concerned about (ask the provider how they would like to receive videos)
• Your list of questions

Helping your child feel comfortable

• Keep it low-key. You might say, “Someone is coming to play with you today.”
• Plan around good times. If you can, schedule the visit when your child is usually rested and fed.
• Bring comfort items. A favorite toy, blanket, or snack can help.
• Let your child be themselves. It is okay if your child is shy, upset, or not their usual self. Tell the BCBA if today looks different from a typical day.

Tips for the interview

• Be honest. The more accurate the information, the better the plan.
• Share the good and the hard. Strengths matter just as much as challenges.
• Ask for plain words. If you hear a term you do not know, ask what it means.
• Take notes. Or ask if the BCBA can send a summary.
• Speak up about what matters most. You know your child and your family best.

Printable checklist

Before the assessment

• Assessment date, time, and location confirmed
• Know who will be there and how long it will take
• Intake paperwork completed
• Diagnosis report ready
• Other therapy and school reports gathered
• Insurance information ready (if applicable)
• Medication and allergy list written down
• Notes on behaviors of concern (when, where, what happens before and after)
• List of my child’s favorite things
• My top 3 goals for my child written down
• My questions written down

On the day

• Favorite toys, snacks, or comfort items ready
• Told the BCBA if today is not a typical day
• Asked about anything I did not understand

After the assessment

• Know when I will get the report and treatment plan
• Know who to contact with questions
• Know the next step

The bottom line

You do not need to prepare perfectly. The most helpful thing you can bring is an honest picture of your child and your family. The BCBA will guide you through the rest.