What to Do While Waiting for ABA Therapy to Start
Discover practical tips for parents while waiting for ABA therapy sessions to start, including routines, communication, and behaviour tracking to support your child’s growth. Contact Grateful Care ABA to get started today.
Key Points:
- Support can start immediately with Grateful Care ABA: simple routines, play, and communication help your child right away.
- Track what you see: small behaviour notes give valuable insight for future therapy.
- Use the waiting time well: build structure and early skills while services are being set up. We can help.
If you’re here, you’re probably in that in-between stage, your child has been diagnosed, you’re doing everything you can to get support in place, and yet you’re still waiting for services to begin. The paperwork is in, the calls have been made, and now you wait until the insurance is approved and your first session starts.
That waiting period can feel heavy. You want to help your child now, not later. The good news is that there are practical, meaningful things you can do at home while you wait that will genuinely support your child’s development.
1. Start Observing and Tracking Behaviors
One of the most helpful things you can do is begin noticing patterns in your child’s behavior.
What to track:
- What happens before a behavior (trigger)
- What the behavior looks like
- What happens after (response or outcome)
Example:
Instead of “meltdown,” write:
- “Screamed and dropped to the floor when the TV was turned off after 20 minutes.”
This is called the ABC model:
- Antecedent (what happened before)
- Behavior (what happened)
- Consequence (what happened after)
This information will be very useful when therapy begins.
2. Build Simple, Consistent Daily Routines
Children often feel more secure when they know what to expect.
Focus on daily structure:
- Morning routine
- Mealtimes
- Playtime
- Bedtime
Helpful strategies:
- Keep routines in the same order each day
- Use simple phrases like “first lunch, then play”
- Give transition warnings before changes
Visual supports can help:
- Picture schedules
- First/then boards
- Photos of daily steps
These tools are commonly used in ABA therapy, so early exposure helps.
3. Use Play to Build Connection
Play is one of the best ways to support development while waiting.
Try child-led play:
- Follow your child’s interests
- Join their activity without taking over
- Copy what they do
- Comment simply on what is happening
Good activities:
- Cause-and-effect toys
- Turn-taking games
- Books and shared reading
- Sensory play
The goal is connection, not instruction.
4. Encourage Communication Every Day
You can create simple opportunities for communication throughout the day.
Try these strategies:
- Pause before giving a snack or toy
- Offer two choices (“apple or banana?”)
- Wait for any response (sound, gesture, word, eye contact)
- Praise all communication attempts
Even small attempts matter and should be encouraged.
If needed, you can also explore:
- Simple signs
- Picture communication
- Support from a speech therapist
5. Explore Other Support Services While You Wait
ABA is not the only support available.
Helpful options include:
- Speech therapy (communication skills)
- Occupational therapy (sensory and daily skills)
- Early intervention programs (often for younger children)
- Parent-child playgroups
- Social skills groups
These services can support your child while you wait and often work well alongside ABA later.
6. Learn the Basics of ABA
You do not need to become an expert, but understanding a few basics can help.
Key idea:
Behavior often has a purpose.
Common functions of behavior:
- Attention
- Escape (avoiding something)
- Access to items or activities
- Sensory needs
Understanding this helps you respond more effectively to behavior at home.
Many providers also offer parent education before therapy begins.
7. Practice Short Separations and Focused Activities
This can help prepare your child for therapy sessions.
Try:
- Short separations with another trusted adult (5–10 minutes)
- Simple seated activities like puzzles or drawing
- Shared book reading
- Matching games
Keep sessions:
- Short
- Calm
- Positive
- Ended before frustration builds
8. Take Care of Yourself Too
Waiting for services can be emotionally exhausting.
Helpful supports:
- Parent support groups (online or local)
- Autism family communities
- Speaking with a counselor or therapist
- Asking for help when needed
Taking care of yourself helps you stay steady and supported for your child.
9. Notice and Celebrate Your Child’s Strengths
It is easy to focus on challenges during a waitlist period, but strengths matter too.
Try to:
- Record new skills
- Take short videos of progress
- Notice communication attempts
- Celebrate small wins
These insights also help your future therapy team understand your child better.
Moving Forward
Waiting for ABA therapy can feel difficult, but it does not mean progress has to pause.
Even small daily actions can help your child build skills and feel more secure.
Key things you can do now:
- Build routines
- Track behavior
- Support communication
- Engage in play
- Explore other services
- Take care of yourself
When ABA therapy begins, your child will already have a strong foundation, and you will feel more prepared for the journey ahead.
With Us, There’s No Waiting, Only Preparation: Start Your ABA Therapy Journey with Grateful Care
We offer:
- In-home ABA therapy
- Clinic-based sessions
- School collaboration support
- Community-based programs
- Parent training and support
- Benefit checks
- Consultations
- Initial Assessments
Learn more about these options and connect with our ABA therapists to discuss your child’s goals and individualized treatment plan.
We’re here to support your family every step of the way, before therapy starts, during treatment, and as your child continues to grow.
FAQs: Waiting for ABA Therapy to Start
1. What should I do while waiting for ABA therapy to begin?
You can support your child by building simple routines, observing behaviors, encouraging communication, and engaging in structured play. These everyday strategies help create a strong foundation before therapy starts.
2. Does waiting for ABA therapy delay my child’s progress?
No. Progress does not stop while you wait. Many children continue developing skills through home routines, school support, and other early interventions. The goal is to keep things consistent and supportive during this time.
3. How can I track my child’s behavior at home?
Use the ABC model:
- Antecedent: What happened before the behavior
- Behavior: What the behavior looked like
- Consequence: What happened after
Writing down patterns helps your future ABA team understand your child better and design effective support.
4. Should I start teaching my child new skills before therapy begins?
Yes, but keep it natural and low-pressure. Focus on everyday skills like communication, turn-taking, following simple routines, and play-based interaction rather than structured “teaching sessions.”
5. Are there other therapies I can start while waiting for ABA?
Yes. Many families also use this time to explore:
- Speech therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Early intervention services
- Social or playgroups
These can work alongside ABA once it begins.
6. How can I help my child with communication at home?
Encourage communication by offering choices, pausing before giving items, and rewarding any attempt to communicate, whether it’s a word, gesture, or eye contact. Small, consistent moments make a big difference.
7. How long does it usually take to start ABA therapy after diagnosis?
Timelines vary depending on insurance approval, assessments, and provider availability. While waiting can take time, using this period for preparation helps ensure a smoother start.
8. Where do I start if I want help getting ABA therapy in place?
The best place to start is with a consultation and benefit check so your child’s needs and insurance coverage can be reviewed. From there, an assessment and treatment plan can be created to begin services as soon as possible.
If you’re ready to move forward, we’re here to help you every step of the way, from waiting to starting therapy and beyond. Call us: (317) 572-5315.
Apply Now
At Grateful Care ABA, we are proud to offer the best ABA therapy services in Indiana. Armed with a team of skilled Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), we bring years of experience to the table, making us the preferred provider for ABA therapy in our community.
Understanding that every child with ASD is unique and has unique goals and objectives, our ABA therapists carefully craft personalized ABA therapy plans that are tailored to meet the specific needs of each child. Whether your child needs help with reducing maladaptive behaviors, your child needs IEP support at school, you want your child to be self-sufficient at home, or something else, we use ABA therapy to work diligently toward specific goals. Together we can make a difference in your child’s life!
Contact us today to connect with an ABA therapist and learn more about ABA therapy solutions for your child.
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