What Does ABA Therapy Look Like?

Understanding ABA therapy for autism:

A helpful guide for families near MacDill Air Force Base

Brave Steps ABA Blog

When you’re just starting ABA services, it’s natural to wonder:
What exactly happens during therapy?

At Brave Steps ABA, we know how important it is for families - especially military families managing busy schedules, relocations, and transitions - to understand what to expect when their child begins Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy.

Here, we offer a detailed look into what ABA therapy actually looks like in real life, so you can feel confident and informed every step of the way.

ABA Is Personalized & Starts with a Plan

Before sessions even begin, you & your child will participate in an initial assessment with a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). This process includes observations, family interviews, and structured assessments to identify current skills, interests, history, and areas of strength and growth.

Together, the behavior analyst and your family will create a personalized treatment plan focused on goals that matter to you. This can include working towards goals like building communication, improving transitions, increasing independence, or decreasing behaviors that interfere with daily life.

ABA isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s collaborative, family-centered, and rooted in science. The goal is to put the professional recommendations in action in a compassionate and realistic manner.

Who You'll See in ABA Sessions

Once therapy starts, your child will work 1:1 with a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) - a trained and certified therapist who follows the treatment plan created by the BCaBA/BCBA.

This therapist works directly with your child during sessions while the supervising behavior analyst monitors progress, adjusts goals, and supports the team to ensure that therapy is both effective and individualized.

Where ABA Sessions are Provided

At Brave Steps, ABA therapy is primarily delivered in your home, where your child feels most comfortable and learning can happen naturally in their day-to-day environment. As a TRICARE-approved provider, we specialize in working with military families and tailor our services to fit their unique needs and schedules. 

In addition to in-home sessions, your Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) may also provide school-based support when appropriate - collaborating with teachers and school staff to promote consistency across environments. 

When needed and approved by TRICARE, we can also advocate for or support services in other settings, helping ensure your child receives care that’s effective, individualized, and coordinated.

What Happens During ABA Sessions?

ABA therapy may look a lot like play - but there’s a purpose behind every moment. Therapy sessions are designed to be engaging, motivating, and aligned with your child’s developmental level and interests.



Depending on your child’s goals, a session may include:

• Play-based learning tailored to your child’s interests and strengths
  
  
• Natural environment teaching in your home or community to build real-world skills
  
  
• Structured teaching moments to help your child practice specific behaviors (e.g., taking turns, asking for help, following routines)
  
  
• Behavior support strategies to reduce behaviors that make daily life more difficult
  
  

Reinforcement and positive feedback to help your child stay motivated and build confidence

You might also see therapists using visual supports, picture exchange systems (PECS), choice boards, or token systems - tools that help children understand expectations and communicate more effectively.

These sessions are dynamic and adaptive, designed to meet your child where they’re at while moving steadily toward their goals.

Behind the Scenes: Goal Tracking & Progress Monitoring

One of the key features of ABA is its data-driven approach. During every session, therapists collect data on your child’s progress. This helps the supervising BCaBA/BCBA:

• Monitor what’s working (and what’s not)
  
  
• Make informed adjustments to your child’s plan
  
  
• Celebrate small wins along the way
  
  
• Ensure meaningful, measurable growth over time

All goals are individualized and based on what was identified during the assessment process, with family input at the core. Your voice matters, and your child’s plan is a fluid document - updated as your child grows, learns, and develops new needs.

Parent Involvement: A Crucial Piece of the Puzzle

ABA therapy isn’t just about what happens during a session - it’s about creating positive change that carries over into your everyday routines.

That’s why parent involvement isn’t just encouraged, it’s required, especially by insurance providers like TRICARE. More importantly, it’s a vital part of your child’s long-term success.

At Brave Steps ABA, we support parent involvement through:

• Parent training sessions to help you understand and apply strategies
  
  
• Collaborative goal setting that reflects your family’s priorities
  
  
• Ongoing communication and progress reviews with your child’s BCBA

Whether you're helping with daily routines, navigating a PCS move, or supporting your child through big transitions, we want you to feel confident and equipped.

We're Here to Help

If you’re a military family navigating autism support in the Greater Tampa Bay Area, Brave Steps ABA is here to help. We know your family is balancing a lot and we’re honored to be a steady presence during uncertain seasons.

Reach out to us here to learn more about how ABA services work and get started!