ABA Preference Assessments: How Therapists Learn What a Child Enjoys

A child may reach for bubbles on Monday and spend more time with building blocks on Thursday. Both choices give the therapist information about what interests the child at that moment.



A preference assessment in ABA therapy turns those observations into information the team can compare. Families can help by sharing what they notice during everyday play, including activities their child has recently stopped enjoying.

What Is a Preference Assessment in ABA?

A preference assessment identifies items, activities, or interactions a child prefers. Applied behavior analysis, or ABA, uses those findings to identify possible reinforcers: things that may help a child practice a skill more often.

The assessment may explore interests such as:

• Toys: Cars, puzzles, or building blocks.
• Activities: Drawing, dancing, or listening to music.
• Interactions: Singing together or playing a familiar game with an adult.

Some methods produce a preference ranking, which puts the available options in order based on the child’s responses. That ranking compares only the choices included. A puzzle ranking above two other toys does not establish that puzzles are the child’s favorite activity everywhere.

What Happens During an ABA Preference Assessment?

The therapist gathers possible interests, observes the child’s responses, and records patterns. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst, or BCBA, selects an approach based on the child’s needs and how they make choices.

Parents may notice four parts of the process:

1. A conversation about interests. Caregivers describe familiar favorites, new activities, and recent changes.
2. Observation or planned choices. The child explores available activities or chooses among options, depending on the method.
3. Notes about responses. The therapist records selections, time spent playing, or other responses the assessment measures.
4. A review of the findings. The team considers which options to explore during teaching and what needs further checking.

Spoken answers are not the only way to show an interest. Depending on the assessment, a child may reach, point, look toward an option, or use a communication device.



Through our in-home ABA therapy, our BCBAs at Divine Steps Therapy visit families to assess their child’s needs. Our treatment plans consider the child’s interests, and parents contribute information about daily life. Families wondering how assessment relates to ongoing visits can also read about what happens during an in-home ABA session.

Five Common Types of Preference Assessments

The five common direct formats differ in how therapists present choices and record responses. In assessment names, “stimulus” means something presented to the child, such as a toy.

These formats describe different ways to observe preferences, rather than five steps every child must complete.



Caregiver interviews and surveys provide another source of information, called an indirect assessment. They gather reports from people who know the child instead of observing the child’s responses directly.

The assessment method depends on the child’s needs. The BCBA considers whether the child can look across several items, choose between options, and return toys comfortably. Distress calls for stopping and reviewing the approach. Parents can share sensory or movement needs before the assessment begins.

Preference Assessment vs. Reinforcer Assessment

A preference assessment identifies what a child appears to enjoy. A reinforcer assessment tests whether access to an option increases a particular behavior. Enjoyment alone does not establish that effect.

In a hypothetical example, a child repeatedly chooses a toy train. That finding suggests train play may be worth exploring during teaching.



The therapist then checks whether train play after a taught request helps that request happen more often over time. The behavior data establish whether the activity functions as a reinforcer in that situation. Research has used separate assessments to test reinforcer effects after identifying preferred items. A favorite toy does not guarantee learning.

Why Might a Child Lose Interest in a Former Favorite?

A child’s interests can change with recent access, available alternatives, and the situation. An activity that held attention yesterday may have less appeal today.

Possible reasons include:

• Recent play: A child may want something different after a long period with the same toy.
• New options: A newly discovered activity may attract more attention.
• Different circumstances: The same option may appeal more in one setting or moment.
• Changing interests: Children discover other activities as they grow.

Preference assessments in ABA may need repeating when the child stops engaging with a former favorite. The timing depends on the child and circumstances; one daily or weekly schedule will not suit everyone.

Parent Observations That Help the BCBA

Parents can share what their child chooses, moves away from, and enjoys differently across the week. Specific observations give the BCBA more context than a broad statement such as “he likes toys.”

ABA Preference Assessment Examples From Everyday Play

The preference assessment examples below show how everyday observations can lead to questions for the therapist.

These descriptions report what happened without assigning a reason. Moving away from music could prompt further discussion. The observation alone does not explain why the child left.



A short note can include the activity, when it happened, and what the child did. Parents don’t need to score trials or create a formal ranking to contribute. During the next conversation, families can ask which interests the therapist noticed and what changes to share between visits.

We include parents in care and provide updates and strategies for the week. In a published parent review, Tye J. described our team listening to concerns and following up. That exchange gives families room to share details from home.

FAQs About Preference Assessments in ABA

Explore a Therapy Plan Built Around Your Child’s Interests

A child’s interests give the therapy team starting points for learning activities. Observations and teaching data help the team decide which options support the child’s goals.



We support families in Maryland and Virginia through individualized home services. Our intake team can explain our assessment and planning process and answer questions about getting started.