The Truth About Ending ABA Therapy Early: What’s at Stake for Your Child’s Development

ABA therapy is a powerful tool for individuals with autism. It helps teach new skills, manage behaviors, and improve social interactions. But what happens if therapy is stopped too soon? 

The truth is, stopping early can lead to setbacks. Skills might regress, behaviors could return, and progress can fade away.

Why ABA Therapy Needs to Continue

ABA therapy isn’t a quick fix. It’s a process that takes time and consistency. Every session builds on the last one, moving toward long-term goals. When ABA therapy stops too early, that progress can come to a halt. Here’s why that matters:

Consistency is Key

ABA therapy works by using consistent reinforcement. Positive behaviors are encouraged. New skills are taught. This repetition is critical for success. Without it, progress can slip away.

Skills that were learned might start to fade. Without continued practice, it’s like forgetting how to tie your shoes after you’ve learned.

Preventing Setbacks

ABA therapy is also about maintaining progress. Early on, a lot of focus is on teaching basic skills. These include communication, daily living, and self-regulation. 

These skills can take time to master. If therapy ends too soon, the skills may not fully stick. The individual might start to struggle again, even with things they mastered before.

Reinforcing Long-Term Growth

ABA therapy isn’t just about teaching new skills. It’s about making sure those skills last. It’s about applying them in different settings. This could be at home, school, or in the community. 

When therapy continues, it reinforces those skills. This helps them become second nature. If therapy stops early, the person might not use those skills outside of therapy. For example, a child might learn to ask for help during sessions. But without continued practice, they may not feel confident asking for help in real-life situations.

Building Social and Emotional Skills

ABA therapy also supports social and emotional growth. These skills are crucial for success in life. ABA helps individuals navigate social situations and understand their emotions.

If therapy stops too soon, there might be gaps in this development. Social skills might not fully grow. Emotional regulation could also be affected. Without these skills, interacting with others can become challenging.

Adjusting to Life Changes

Life is full of changes. New challenges pop up all the time. This could include starting school or dealing with puberty. These transitions can be tough.

ABA therapy can help individuals prepare for these changes. It evolves as the person grows. Without continued therapy, there may not be enough support to handle life’s challenges.

This is why continuing ABA therapy is important. It’s like planting seeds that need time and care to grow. Stopping too soon doesn’t give those seeds enough time to sprout and thrive.

If you’re considering ABA therapy or wondering if it’s time to adjust the plan, Divine Steps Therapy can help. We provide ABA therapy in Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina. Our services include:

• In-home ABA Therapy
• School-based ABA Therapy

We also offer detailed autism evaluations to make sure we’re meeting your loved one’s needs. Get in touch with us today to discuss how ABA therapy can make a lasting difference.

FAQs

Sources:



• https://www.autism.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Emotional-Regulation-March-2022.pdf
• https://www.autismspeaks.org/blog/autism-emotional-regulation
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9458805/
• https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/25197-applied-behavior-analysis
• https://www.cdc.gov/autism/treatment/index.html