You’ve finally made the call. Maybe your hands shook a little. Maybe you exhaled for the first time in weeks. But the appointment is booked: your child’s first ABA therapy session is just around the corner.
Now what?
If you’re anything like the parents we meet every day at Let’s Play N’ Grow, you might be feeling a cocktail of things right now, like relief, worry, hope, guilt, excitement, and confusion. Maybe all at once.
We want you to know: That’s okay.
We’ve walked this path with hundreds of families, and we’ve been there ourselves. First-time ABA therapy is an exciting time. Let’s walk you through how to get your child ready for their first ABA session in a way that helps you approach the therapy process with comfort and confidence.
Set the Scene, Not the Stage
You don’t need to make this a Broadway production.
Your child doesn’t need a grand explanation of what ABA is. In fact, most kids don’t need much more than this: “You’re going to meet a new friend. You ‘ll get to play together and learn some cool things!”
That’s the best introduction to ABA for your child. Simple, warm, and safe.
Kids don’t need jargon, they need safety. They need your calm voice and a sense that you’re not handing them off to strangers. So the best prep? Be calm yourself. If you’re anxious, they’ll pick it up like a sponge.
And if your child is non-verbal or has trouble with transitions, you can lean on tools like visual schedules, first/then cards, or a simple storybook that walks through what the day will look like. If you don’t have one? Ask us, we’ll make one for you.
Keep Comfort Close
This is not the day to leave the blankie at home.
Let your child bring a comfort item; this is whatever that thing is that grounds them. A stuffed animal, a chewy necklace, a specific snack. Anything that gives them that internal sigh of relief when the world feels new and big.
We’ve had kids arrive gripping a truck, a banana, a laminated picture of a slide. We say bring whatever works as their bridge from familiar to unfamiliar.
Sometimes, parents worry that bringing toys will distract their child. In reality, they often anchor the child, and a good therapist will know how to work with, not around, that object.
Start a Gentle Routine (No Whistles or Charts Required)
If your child thrives on routines, begin introducing the idea that “after breakfast, we go to play school” (or whatever gentle label feels right to you). Repeat the pattern for a few days: same shoes, same bag, same snack. Predictability can be a soft landing.
But don’t go overboard. You’re not building a military drill. A small, repeatable pattern can do wonders: wake up, eat, brush teeth, grab toy, go.
If your child resists leaving the house or new environments are hard, you can even do “practice trips” where you drive by the center, let them see the building, say hello to the front desk, and then go home for ice cream. No pressure, just exposure.
Use Story, Not Strategy
Instead of launching into advanced ABA 101, try telling a story.
You can make one up:
“Once there was a little boy who loved puzzles. One day, he went to a new place where someone helped him find even more fun ways to play. They laughed, they learned, and every time he came back, he found something new.”
This might sound silly. But kids learn through narrative. If you have photos of the therapy room or therapist, even better. Show them. Create familiarity through story, not speeches.
Practice Being Apart (If Needed)
For some children, being apart from you is no big deal. For others, it’s Mount Everest. If your child is very attached or hasn’t spent time alone with new adults, try little separations beforehand.
Leave the room while they play. Ask a grandparent or sitter to play with them while you do laundry nearby. Praise them when you come back.
Let them build the confidence of “I can do this without Mom watching every second.”
And know this: our team is trained to spot the moment a child needs a familiar face or a fresh distraction. You’re not leaving them in a cold clinic. You’re placing them with people who know what this moment means.
Don’t Oversell, But Do Stay Positive
This part matters: avoid big promises (“It’s going to be amazing!”), But don’t project worry either.
Be honest, calm, and encouraging.
If your child is nervous, that’s okay. Let them feel nervous. You don’t need to erase the emotion—you need to stand beside them in it. That’s what real reassurance looks like.
After the session, don’t quiz them. Just be present. Let them decompress.
Follow that up with connection. A walk. A cuddle. Watching their favorite show. Therapy days don’t need to be therapy days at home, too.
What You Can Expect From Us
Let’s Play N’ Grow is not a place where kids are made to sit still and behave. It’s a place where children are met where they are, through play, through joy, through gentle guidance.
We don’t expect your child to “perform” on day one. We don’t expect them to smile, engage, or even talk. What we do expect? That they show up just as they are. That’s who we’re here to meet.
And you? You’re not expected to be the expert, the encyclopedia, or the therapist. You’re the parent. You’re already doing the hardest job in the world, and doing it well.
Settle into ABA Therapy Easier With Let’s Play N’ Grow!
Whether your child was diagnosed yesterday or five months ago; whether you’ve tried other therapies or this is your first step, you are right on time.
Starting therapy doesn’t mean something is wrong. It means something is beginning.
And just like your child, you’ll learn, adjust, and grow too.
At Let’s Play N’ Grow, we’re here for all of it with open doors, warm coffee, and a team that sees the heart behind every hard question.
Contact us today to learn more about our ABA and Autism center.
Got more questions about the first session? Want to stop by before starting? Just give us a call. We’re real people—ready when you are.