ABA Q&A Topics

• What is an FBA? An FBA (Functional Behavior Assessment) is a way for therapists to figure out why a child is doing a certain behavior — especially one that might be challenging or hard to manage. An FBA is important because it helps us understand the reason behind a child’s behavior, not just the behavior itself.        
• What is an RBT? (Registered Behavior Technician) is a trained therapist who works one-on-one with your child during ABA therapy.

They:

• Teach new skills like communication and social interaction
• Help reduce challenging behaviors
• Follow the therapy plan created by the BCBA
• Track your child’s progress

The RBT is your child’s personal coach, helping them practice and succeed!

• What is a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)A BIP (Behavior Intervention Plan) is a personalized plan that helps guide your child’s therapy by addressing specific challenging behaviors.

It includes:

• Why the behavior is happening (the function)
• Strategies to prevent the behavior
• New skills to teach instead
• Ways to respond when the behavior happens

The BIP ensures that everyone — therapists, teachers, and parents — are using the same plan to help your child succeed.

• How many hours of therapy will my child receive?
• The number of ABA therapy hours a child receives depends on their individual needs and goals.
• Some children may need 10–15 hours per week for mild needs.
• Others with more significant needs might receive 20–40 hours per week.

The BCBA determines the number of hours after assessing your child’s skills, behaviors, and what they need to make meaningful progress.

• How often do goals change and how is progress monitored?

 Goals in ABA therapy are reviewed and updated regularly, usually every 3 to 6 months or sooner if needed.

Progress is monitored every session through data collection by the RBT. The BCBA reviews this data to:

• Track improvements
• Adjust teaching strategies
• Add new goals when your child masters skills

This keeps therapy personalized and effective as your child grows and learns.