What to Do While Waiting for ABA Therapy

Key Points:

• While waiting for ABA therapy in Ohio to start, build routines, practice communication, and track behaviors to support a smoother start.
• Collect baseline data, use visual schedules, and encourage play-based interaction to ease your child’s transition from home into therapy.

Making the Most While You Wait for ABA Therapy to Start 

So you’re in the middle of insurance approvals or scheduling ABA therapy in Ohio and waiting for services to begin? You’re not alone. Waiting can feel overwhelming for many parents. The good news is: don’t let this time go to waste, use it wisely.

This phase can become a powerful foundation-building period. While waiting for ABA therapy services, you can support your child at home, build structure, and help ease the transition into therapy.

At EverCare ABA, we work to get the ABA process moving quickly, from your first call and assessment through to scheduling your child’s first session. While we wait for insurance approvals, we help families stay proactive so this time can still be used productively and with purpose.

Families can: 

1. Collect Baseline Data on Behaviors

One of the most helpful things you can do while waiting for ABA therapy to start is tracking behaviors at home.

Instead of general notes like “tantrums” or “hitting,” try to be specific:

• “Uses closed fist to hit the side of the head when frustrated.”
• “Crying occurs when the tablet is removed after 10 minutes.”
• “Leaves the table during meals within two minutes.”

Include details such as:

• What happened before the behavior (trigger)
• What the behavior looked like
• What happened after (response or consequence)

This type of information is called baseline data collection, and it helps your ABA team understand your child’s starting point once therapy begins.

2. Establish Predictable Daily Routines

Children thrive on structure, especially when preparing for ABA therapy in Ohio. Creating consistent daily routines can significantly reduce anxiety and improve cooperation.

Focus on simple routines such as:

• Morning wake-up routine
• Mealtime structure
• Bedtime routine
• Transition routines (leaving the house, screen time ending)

Use supports like:

• Visual schedules (pictures or icons)
• Timers for transitions
• Simple verbal cues like “first breakfast, then play.”

Predictability helps children feel safe and prepares them for structured ABA sessions later on.

3. Use Child-Led, Play-Based Interaction

While waiting for ABA therapy, one of the most powerful tools you already have is play.

Child-led play means following your child’s interests rather than directing the activity. This helps build rapport, communication, and engagement.

Try:

• Rolling a ball back and forth for turn-taking
• Copying your child’s play actions
• Using short, simple language (“my turn,” “your turn”)
• Expanding their play ideas gently

These small interactions build the foundation for social and communication goals used in ABA therapy.

4. Introduce Simple Communication Strategies

Communication development is a major focus of ABA therapy services. You can begin encouraging communication even before therapy starts.

You can:

• Pause and wait for your child to request something
• Offer choices (“apple or banana?”)
• Encourage gestures, pointing, or simple words
• Reinforce all communication attempts positively

Avoid anticipating every need. Instead, give your child space to try communicating first.

5. Learn ABA Basics (Yes, Parents Can Do This Too)

Understanding the basics of ABA therapy in Ohio can help you feel more confident and involved.

Start learning about:

The Four Functions of Behavior

• Attention
• Escape
• Access to tangible items
• Sensory input

ABC Model

• A (Antecedent): What happens before the behavior
• B (Behavior): What the child does
• C (Consequence): What happens after

You don’t need to master everything; just having awareness helps you better understand your child and communicate with your ABA team.

6. Practice Short Separation and Transitions

Many children need support transitioning into ABA therapy, especially if it involves separation from caregivers.

While waiting for ABA therapy in Ohio, gently practice:

• Short separations (5–10 minutes at a time)
• Transitioning between activities
• Sitting for short, structured tasks (puzzles, books, drawing)

This helps children gradually build tolerance for therapy routines.

7. Use Visual Supports at Home

Visual supports can significantly reduce anxiety and improve understanding for children waiting for ABA therapy services.

Try using:

• “First/Then” boards (First clean up, then TV)
• Visual schedules
• “Wait” cards
• Picture choices for meals or activities

These tools help children understand expectations without relying only on verbal instructions.

8. Explore Other Support Services in Ohio

While waiting for ABA therapy in Ohio, you don’t have to pause all support.

Many families also explore:

• Speech therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Early intervention programs
• Social skills groups

These services can complement ABA therapy and support development during the waitlist period.

9. Engage in Parent Training or Education

Parent involvement is a key part of ABA therapy success. If available, consider:

• Online ABA parent courses
• Workshops from providers
• Introductory behavior training materials

Learning about reinforcement, behavior functions, and communication strategies will help you feel more prepared when therapy begins.

10. Focus on Strengths and Celebrate Progress

While waiting for ABA therapy in Ohio, it’s easy to focus on delays and challenges. Instead, make space to notice progress.

You can:

• Record small achievements on video
• Celebrate new words, gestures, or routines
• Involve siblings in structured play
• Acknowledge effort, not just outcomes

These positive moments help build motivation for both you and your child.

The goal is not to “replace therapy” at home but to create consistency and readiness so that when ABA therapy begins, your child can transition more smoothly and benefit more quickly.

Get Support at Every Step

At EverCare ABA in Columbus, Ohio, families receive guidance through every stage, from insurance approval, waiting during the process, to starting therapy and beyond.

Our team’s support doesn’t stop at office hours; it shows up when you need it most.

When you call, you speak to a real person who genuinely cares. When you text at 9 pm, we respond because your questions don’t follow a schedule. So, when your family needs support, we show up every time.

Have questions about ABA therapy and how we can help your child and family? Reach out today to learn more or get started.

FAQs

1. What should I do while waiting for ABA therapy in Ohio?

While waiting for ABA therapy, focus on building structure at home. This includes creating daily routines, tracking behaviors, encouraging communication, and using simple visual supports. These steps help prepare your child for a smoother transition into therapy.

2. How can I track my child’s behavior before ABA therapy starts?

Start baseline data collection by writing down specific behaviors, what happens before them, and what follows after. Be as detailed as possible (e.g., “cries when tablet is removed after 10 minutes”) rather than using general terms.

3. Can I start helping my child before ABA therapy begins?

Yes. You can begin using ABA-informed strategies at home, such as reinforcing communication, practicing turn-taking in play, using “first/then” visuals, and establishing consistent routines. These skills help prepare your child for therapy. 

4. What are simple ABA strategies I can use at home?

You can start with basics like:

• The ABC model (Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence)
• Identifying the four functions of behavior
• Using positive reinforcement for desired behaviors

Even small changes in consistency and structure can make a big difference. Reach out to our team at EverCare for help implementing support strategies.

5. How will waiting for ABA therapy benefit my child in the long run?

When used intentionally, a waiting period helps build routines, communication skills, and emotional readiness. This means your child may adjust more easily once ABA therapy begins, leading to more effective early progress.