Demystifying ABA Therapy for Parents: What to Expect in the First 90 Days

ABA LABS
Oct 2
3 min read

Starting Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) therapy can feel like stepping into a whole new world, full of unfamiliar terms, tight schedules, and big emotions. Whether your child is experiencing developmental delay, speech delay, or is part of an early intervention programme in Singapore, these first few months can be both hopeful and overwhelming.

This guide walks you through what the initial 90 days might look like, offering clarity, compassion, and confidence

Phase 1: The Intake & Assessment Period

The journey begins with a developmental assessment, where certified professionals—often educational therapists in Singapore or BCBAs, observe your child’s strengths and challenges.

You’ll experience:

Initial interviews to understand your child’s history, needs, and behaviours
Observations in home, clinic, or school settings
Goal-setting that could include improving speech development, reducing challenging behaviours, or fostering language development in early childhood

These insights help shape a personalized therapy plan that may include home-based ABA therapy, school shadowing, or integration into broader early intervention Singapore initiatives.

Phase 2: Starting Sessions and Building Rapport

ABA therapy sessions begin, often looking more like play-based learning than clinical drills. In many cases, these sessions are paired with speech therapy for autism in Singapore, helping children strengthen both verbal and social communication skills.

What sessions may include:

Structured tasks and play to teach communication, attention, and social skills
Frequent use of positive reinforcement and prompting
Customized routines to increase school readiness and reduce behaviour-related disruptions

If your child struggles with transitions or attention, behaviour therapy in Singapore may include ABA techniques that are gently integrated, ensuring they feel safe, supported, and engaged.

Whether through home-based ABA, school shadowing, or affordable speech therapy in Singapore, every effort contributes to a more confident foundation for your child.

Phase 3: Monitoring Progress & Adjusting the Plan

One of the hallmarks of ABA therapy Singapore is its data-driven methodology. Therapists gather behavioural insights through charts and checklists, while parents are trained to understand and reinforce skills outside of sessions.

You’ll learn to interpret:

Frequency counts of specific behaviours
Milestones related to social skills training, cooperation, and communication—especially in children receiving speech therapy for autism in Singapore, become clearer as the therapy plan evolves.
Adjustments made to suit age, environment, or emotional needs

It’s okay to ask questions, raise concerns, or suggest adjustments, you’re part of the team!

Parenting Through the Process

It’s common to feel a whirlwind of emotions during these early days: hope, doubt, relief, guilt, exhaustion. Name them. Honor them. Know that you’re not alone.

You might find yourself wondering:

“Am I doing enough?”
“Will this really help?”
“Why does progress feel so slow?”

All valid. Progress isn’t linear, and neither is parenting.

🤝 Your Role: Coaching, Reinforcement & Consistency

One of the most empowering parts of ABA is the emphasis on parent involvement.

You’ll learn techniques like:

Prompting without overcorrecting
Using reinforcement at home (hugs, praise, stickers—your choice!)
Redirecting challenging behaviors before they escalate

The more consistent the environment, the faster the skills stick, and you’re the glue that holds it all together.

In the First 90 Days, Look for These Wins

They may be subtle, but they’re signs of growth:

Fewer tantrums, or faster recovery after one
More eye contact or willingness to engage
Asking for help instead of acting out
New words, gestures, or routines forming

Far from a quick fix, ABA is a structured, nurturing framework built on patience, insight, and teamwork. And the first 90 days? They lay the foundation for everything that comes next.

Breathe. Learn. Advocate. And above all, trust that progress, no matter how small, is always worth noticing.

➡️ At ABA Labs, we support families in making informed decisions tailored to every child’s unique needs. Book a consultation with us today to discuss your child’s future.