What to Expect at Your Child's First ABA Assessment
If your child has recently been diagnosed with autism and you are considering ABA therapy, the assessment process can feel daunting. What will happen? How long does it take? Will my child be stressed? These are questions every parent asks, and this guide will walk you through exactly what to expect so you can feel confident going in.
What Is an ABA Assessment?
The ABA assessment — formally known as a Behavior Identification Assessment (CPT code 97151) — is the first clinical step in your child's ABA journey. It is conducted by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and typically takes place before therapy begins.
The purpose of the assessment is to understand your child as a whole — their strengths, challenges, communication style, learning preferences, and behavioral patterns — so that a truly individualized treatment plan can be developed.
Who Conducts the Assessment?
At Astute Early ABA Services, all assessments are conducted by a BCBA. This is a master's or doctoral-level clinician who holds active certification through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). The BCBA will also involve you as the parent throughout the process because your observations and insights are essential to building an accurate picture of your child.
What Happens During the Assessment?
A comprehensive ABA assessment typically includes several components:
Parent interview. The BCBA will speak with you at length about your child's developmental history, current skills, daily routines, and family goals. This is your opportunity to share everything you've observed about your child — the more detail the better.
Direct observation. The BCBA will observe your child in structured and unstructured settings, watching how they communicate, play, respond to instructions, and interact with others and their environment.
Standardized assessments. The BCBA may use assessment tools such as the VB-MAPP, ABLLS-R, or AFLS to measure your child's skills across different developmental domains including language, social skills, daily living, and motor development.
Preference assessment. The BCBA will identify what your child finds motivating — toys, activities, foods, social praise — so that therapy sessions can be engaging and rewarding for your child.
How Long Does the Assessment Take?
Most assessments are completed over one to three sessions, each lasting one to two hours. The total time depends on your child's age, attention, and the complexity of their profile. Some assessments are spread across multiple days to avoid fatigue and get the most accurate picture of your child's abilities.
Will My Child Be Stressed?
BCBAs are trained to conduct assessments in a child-friendly, low-pressure way. At Astute, we prioritize your child's comfort throughout the process. If your child becomes distressed, the BCBA will adjust the approach. There is no pass or fail — the goal is simply to understand your child, not to test them.
What Happens After the Assessment?
Once the assessment is complete, the BCBA will:
- Analyze all collected data
- Develop an individualized treatment plan with specific, measurable goals
- Review the plan with you before it is submitted to insurance
- Obtain your approval before any therapy begins
Most families receive their completed treatment plan within one to two weeks of the final assessment session.
How Is the Assessment Covered?
ABA assessments are covered by most major insurance plans including NC Medicaid, TRICARE, BCBS, Aetna, UHC, and Cigna. At Astute Early ABA Services, we verify your insurance benefits before the assessment begins so there are no surprises.
Ready to Get Started?
If your child has an autism diagnosis and you're ready to take the next step, we're here to help. Call or text us at 910-400-6392, email intake@astuteabatherapy.com, or submit our online intake form. We serve families in Fayetteville, Spring Lake, Raeford, and surrounding areas and typically respond within 1–2 business days.
