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A Day in the Life of an ABA Therapist

Encore leads the industry in delivering compassionate ABA therapy, providing a personalized experience to enhance our patients' quality of life. Our team partners with families to determine meaningful goals, incorporating each patient's strengths, preferences, and unique abilities to create a valuable therapeutic experience.

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Answered by

Encore Support Staff

Ever wonder what a day in the life of an ABA therapist is like? No two sessions are alike and it starts with the fact that there are no two “same” clients. Additionally, there are many variables like if you’re completing sessions in clinic or in home. Or if you’re doing an individual one-on-one session versus a group social skills session. Not to mention when you’re doing a session with a supervisor versus on your own. So, although we can’t give you an exact outline of what might happen in a session, we’re going to walk through a day in the life of an ABA therapist in the most common setting, which is in home with just your client.

Depending how comfortable and familiar you are with your client, your interactions will vary. For example, if you’re in your first week of sessions with a client versus 4 months in, you’re likely engaging your client differently. What’s constant is that the priority whether you’re starting a brand-new case or supporting an ongoing case is building and maintaining the relationship you have with your client and their family.

There are various strategies scattered in the beginning and throughout the session to ensure you’re building the relationship with your client– from including your client in creating a schedule of activities of each session to incorporating already known preferences and strengths into the session to increase likelihood of engagement.

You’ll typically enter the client’s home and start preparing your session schedule. This may start with identifying which goals are programmed for support and decide how to organize sufficient learning opportunities through the session, then layer on activities and breaks to help keep your learner engaged throughout the session.

As a rule of thumb, each hour of session can break down into smaller increments of time with different goals and activities rotated to keep your client engaged with the learning material. This might include 4 increments with a sequence of preferred activities, breaks, and a challenging task. The strategies behind how you sequence your activities and goals are dependent on your client. However, your BCBA is a source of guidance in determining the best approach to organizing the day-to-day activities.

Before you proceed to implement your schedule, you’ll arrange the environment to remove distractions and arrange necessary materials for session activities. Preparation is key! You might identify a few back-up activities just in case your client loses interest or completes other tasks earlier than anticipated.

When you’re ready to begin your session, you’ll likely inform your client of the upcoming transition to a session related activity and give them time to wrap up and clean before beginning your session schedule of activities.

Throughout the session, your goal is to create a fun and engaging learning experience for your client all while teaching meaningful skills and possibly supporting maladaptive behaviors. It’s a delicate balance of following structure while responding to your client’s needs and creating naturally occurring opportunities to shape new behaviors. This requires flexibility on your part to adapt when unexpected changes occur, and your schedule doesn’t go as planned. Know that this is all part of therapy, and it’s completely normal. At any point in time, reaching out to your supervisor for support is always an option.

At the end of your session, you’ll submit your data, complete your appointment notes, clean up your working area and debrief your caregivers before concluding your session.

Below is a sample schedule for a 2.5 hour session:

Every day as an ABA therapist presents a new opportunity to make a meaningful change in another person’s life. This unique privilege allows you to positively impact your clients on a daily basis. While some days may be challenging, the moments when you achieve significant milestones with your clients are incredibly rewarding.

These breakthroughs and the sense of fulfillment they bring are what keep you motivated and passionate about your work. The journey of an ABA therapist is filled with both challenges and triumphs, but it’s this combination of daily dedication and long-term impact that makes the profession so fulfilling. Remember, your efforts, even on the toughest days, are making a difference, and that’s what keeps you coming back for more!

How Do We Stand out?

At Encore, we’re dedicated to creating a supportive and enriching environment for ABA therapists. Our expert team provides comprehensive guidance and resources, ensuring you have everything you need to deliver effective and engaging therapy sessions. We combine evidence-based practices with a compassionate approach, empowering you to achieve measurable, positive outcomes for your clients.

By working closely with you, we create a collaborative partnership that enhances your professional growth and effectiveness. At Encore, you’ll have the opportunity to apply your skills in a dynamic setting, tailoring your approach to meet the unique needs of each client. Our supportive structure allows you to focus on what matters most – making a meaningful difference in your clients’ lives.

Interested in joining our team or want to learn more about how Encore can support your professional development? Apply now to explore the opportunities we offer and discover how you can thrive in your career with us.