Getting started with ABA therapy can feel overwhelming, especially when you are not sure what the first steps look like. For families in Colorado whose children have recently received a diagnosis, or who are noticing signs that suggest one, the ABA assessment is the starting point. It is the process that reveals where your child is right now and maps out where therapy can take them.

This guide walks you through each step so you know exactly what to expect before, during, and after your child’s first ABA assessment in Colorado.

What Is an ABA Assessment?

An ABA assessment is a structured evaluation completed by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). The BCBA observes your child, gathers information from you as a parent, and uses standardized tools to understand your child’s current skills, behaviors, and needs.

The assessment covers areas like communication, social interaction, daily living skills, attention, and behaviors that may be getting in the way of your child’s learning or independence. It is not a test your child can pass or fail. It is a detailed picture of where they are today.

Step 1: Reach Out to a Colorado ABA Provider

The first step is contacting an ABA provider in Colorado. When you reach out to Happy Strides ABA, a team member will speak with you about your child’s needs, your goals, and your insurance coverage. Most families are surprised by how quickly this first conversation happens.

Before your call, it helps to have a few things ready: your child’s diagnosis paperwork, your insurance card, and a general sense of the behaviors or challenges you most want to address. Visit our contact page to get in touch with our team today.

Step 2: Insurance Verification and Authorization

Before the assessment begins, the ABA provider will verify your insurance benefits and handle prior authorization if required. In Colorado, most major insurance plans, including Health First Colorado (Medicaid), cover ABA therapy for children with an autism or similar diagnosis.

At Happy Strides ABA, the team manages this process on your behalf. You will not need to navigate insurance paperwork alone. Once authorization is confirmed, your child’s assessment can be scheduled.

Step 3: Preparing for the Assessment

You do not need to prepare your child in any specific way. The BCBA conducting the assessment is trained to meet your child exactly where they are, whether your child is verbal or nonverbal, cooperative or resistant to new settings.

What you can do is bring your child’s favorite comfort item, snack, or toy. Familiar objects help children feel at ease in new situations. Plan for the assessment to take between two and four hours, though this varies based on your child’s age and needs.

Step 4: The Assessment Itself

During the assessment, the BCBA will observe your child directly and interact with them through structured activities and natural play. The BCBA is watching for specific skills and behaviors, but the session is designed to feel comfortable rather than clinical.

You will also be asked questions about your child’s history, daily routine, strengths, and the challenges that brought you to ABA therapy. Your input matters enormously here. Parents know their children better than anyone, and the BCBA relies on your perspective to build an accurate picture.

Step 5: Receiving the Results and Treatment Plan

After the assessment, the BCBA compiles the findings into a written report and develops a personalized treatment plan for your child. This plan identifies specific therapy goals, the recommended number of hours per week, and the strategies that will be used to help your child reach those goals.

The BCBA will walk you through the plan and answer your questions. This is also the time to share any concerns or priorities that were not fully covered during the assessment. The plan belongs to your family, and your input shapes it.

Step 6: Starting In-Home ABA Sessions

Once the treatment plan is approved, ABA therapy begins. Happy Strides ABA provides in-home ABA sessions across Colorado, which means a trained therapist comes to your child’s natural environment. You can learn more about what our therapy process looks like by visiting our services page.

Home-based sessions allow your child to practice skills in the setting where they live and learn every day. Skills learned at home generalize more quickly because the environment where they are taught is the same environment where they need to be used.

Early Intervention ABA Makes the Biggest Difference

Research consistently shows that early intervention ABA produces the strongest outcomes for children. The younger a child begins receiving therapy, the more time they have to build foundational skills in communication, social connection, and independence before the demands of school increase.

That said, ABA therapy is not only for toddlers. Children of all ages benefit, and it is never too late to start. If your child is school-aged or entering their teen years, the child development evaluation will identify goals that are meaningful and appropriate for where they are right now.

Take the First Step Today

Booking your child’s first ABA assessment in Colorado does not have to be complicated. Happy Strides ABA makes the process straightforward so your family can focus on what matters most: your child’s growth.

Reach out to our team today. Call us at 720-702-0272, email info@happystridesaba.com, or visit our contact page to schedule your child’s first assessment. We serve families across Colorado and are ready to take that first step with you.