💬 Your Role as a Parent in ABA Therapy
When your child begins ABA therapy, it’s natural to wonder what your role should be. You might think, “The therapist handles the sessions — what can I do?”
The truth is, you play one of the most important roles in your child’s progress.
ABA works best when parents and therapists work together — creating consistency, communication, and support across all parts of your child’s day.
Why Parent Involvement Matters
Children learn through repetition and consistency. When the strategies used in therapy are also practiced at home, at school, and in the community, skills strengthen faster and become more meaningful.
A therapist might see your child for a few hours each week — but you are with them through hundreds of teachable moments every single day. That means you have the power to help every skill come to life in real-world settings.
Parent involvement doesn’t mean becoming a therapist. It means being a partner — learning what works, applying it naturally, and communicating openly with your child’s therapy team.
What Parent Collaboration Looks Like
At Play to Learn Behavior Therapy, parent collaboration is woven into every step of treatment. Here’s how we typically work together:
1. Parent Training
We take time to teach you the same principles and strategies we use in sessions — how to prompt, reinforce, and encourage new skills in a way that feels natural at home.
You’ll learn how to:
Encourage communication using your child’s preferred methods
Reduce frustration by identifying triggers and providing structure
Support independence with daily routines
Respond calmly and consistently to challenging behaviors
The goal isn’t perfection — it’s progress, partnership, and confidence.
2. Generalizing Skills Beyond the Therapy Room
A skill that’s learned in a structured environment is only truly mastered when it shows up naturally in daily life.
For example:
If your child learns to ask for “help” during therapy, we’ll show you how to reinforce that same request at home or school.
If they learn to take turns during a game, you’ll see how to bring that same skill into playtime with siblings or peers.
This is called generalization, and it’s one of the most important parts of ABA therapy. Your participation makes that possible.
3. Open Communication with Your Team
Your feedback matters. You know your child better than anyone else — their preferences, fears, routines, and personality.
We encourage parents to share updates, questions, and observations regularly. When we understand what’s happening outside of sessions, we can adjust treatment plans to fit your child’s evolving needs.
ABA is most effective when it’s a true collaboration — therapist and parent working side-by-side, not in isolation.
Common Concerns (and Reassurances)
“I don’t have time to do therapy at home.”
You don’t need to set aside hours each day. Even brief, intentional moments — like prompting communication during snack time or praising calm transitions — make a real impact.
“What if I make a mistake?”
That’s okay. ABA is a learning process for everyone, including parents. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel.
“I’m overwhelmed.”
That’s completely normal. Start small. Focus on one strategy at a time. Progress grows from consistency, not perfection.
What Success Looks Like
Parent involvement doesn’t just accelerate learning — it changes family dynamics.
You’ll notice:
Fewer power struggles and more understanding.
Smoother routines and calmer transitions.
More moments of genuine connection with your child.
And, perhaps most importantly, you’ll start to see how capable you are in helping your child grow.
🌿 From the Desk of Anita Tomic, M.S., BCBA
When I meet new families, one of the first things I share is that therapy is a team effort. The strategies we use in sessions are powerful — but it’s the love, consistency, and patience you bring at home that truly make the difference.
Parents often underestimate their impact, but you are the bridge between therapy and real life. You’re the one who helps your child apply what they’ve learned when it matters most — in everyday routines, in moments of frustration, and in the joys of connection.
At Play to Learn Behavior Therapy, we don’t just work with children; we work with families. Because your child’s growth is our shared success — and together, we can create lasting change.
— Anita Tomic, M.S., BCBA
CEO & Behavior Analyst
Play to Learn Behavior Therapy