What to Do While Waiting for ABA Therapy

Why ABA Therapy Waitlists Happen

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is one of the most widely recommended and evidence-based treatments for autistic children. However, demand far outstrips supply in many regions. A shortage of Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), limited clinic space, and a growing number of families seeking services all contribute to waitlists that can stretch from weeks to over a year. Understanding this reality helps you plan proactively rather than feel helpless.

Waitlists are especially common for children under five, the age group most frequently referred for early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI). Providers often prioritize younger children because of the potential for greater developmental gains, but even then, space is limited. The good news is that your wait time doesn't have to be lost time-you can take meaningful steps to support your child and prepare for a smooth start when therapy begins.

🔗 Related reading: ABA Therapy in Texas: What to Expect & How to Start · Local ABA Therapy

Skill-Building Activities You Can Start at Home

Focus on Communication and Requesting

ABA targets functional communication as a core area. While waiting, you can encourage your child to make requests in simple ways. If your child is nonverbal or has limited speech, try teaching them to reach for a desired item, point, or use a picture card. Every attempt to communicate-whether a sound, a gesture, or a sign-can be reinforced by immediately giving them what they asked for. This builds the association between communication and getting their needs met.

• Model simple phrases: Say "cookie" clearly when offering a cookie, and wait a few seconds for your child to imitate or attempt the word.
• Use a choice board: Place two photos or objects in front of your child and let them point or tap the one they want.
• Praise every attempt: Even a grunt or eye gaze is a step forward-respond enthusiastically.

Build Play and Social Routines

Turn-taking games like rolling a ball back and forth, peek-a-boo, or simple puzzles teach cause-and-effect and social reciprocity. ABA therapists often work on joint attention-the ability to share focus on an object or activity with another person. You can practice this by holding a toy and looking at your child, then at the toy, and back, saying, "Look, a car!"

• Imitate your child's sounds and actions: If they bang on a table, do the same. This can encourage them to engage.
• Set up structured play: Spend 5-10 minutes in a distraction-free zone doing only one activity, like stacking blocks or doing a simple puzzle together.
• Use visual schedules: A simple picture sequence of "first puzzle, then bubbles" can help your child understand routines and transitions.

Introduce Self-Help and Daily Living Skills

ABA often includes teaching independence in areas like dressing, feeding, and hygiene. You can break these skills into tiny steps. For example, putting on a sock can be taught as 1) pick up sock, 2) open sock, 3) place foot inside, 4) pull up. Use hand-over-hand guidance and lots of praise for each small success.

• Practice at mealtime: Encourage your child to hold a spoon, scoop food, and bring it to their mouth. Use a favorite food as a reward.
• Make hand-washing a routine: Sing a short song while they rub soap, then rinse.
• Celebrate effort over perfection: Don't wait until they get it right-every approximation is progress.

Navigating Insurance and Funding While You Wait

Check Your ABA Coverage Now

Don't wait until a provider is ready to start. Contact your insurance company and ask for your ABA benefits in writing. Many plans cover ABA under the mental health or autism mandate. Ask specifically about deductibles, copays, visit limits, and whether in-network or out-of-network coverage applies.

• Request a summary of benefits for applied behavior analysis.
• Ask about pre-authorization requirements: Some plans need a formal assessment and treatment plan before they approve sessions.
• Find out if Medicaid covers ABA: In most states, Medicaid (including managed care plans) covers ABA for children under 21 if deemed medically necessary. Early Intervention programs may also offer funding for ABA-like behavioral supports.

Being proactive about insurance paperwork means that once a provider slot opens, you're ready to schedule the initial assessment immediately.

Start the Assessment Process Early

Many ABA providers require a formal diagnosis and a functional behavioral assessment (FBA) before starting. If your child already has an autism diagnosis from a developmental pediatrician, psychologist, or neurologist, keep a copy handy. If you're still waiting for an evaluation, ask your pediatrician or state early intervention system to help move the process along.

• Gather records: School IEPs, speech therapy reports, and any prior behavior notes.
• Ask the waitlist provider: "Can we begin the intake paperwork or preliminary assessment while on the waitlist?" Some clinics will do a brief telehealth interview to start the paperwork and prioritize your child sooner.

🔗 Related reading: Moving to NC with an Autistic Child: Relocation Guide · Nearby ABA Therapy

Parent Training and Free Resources to Use Now

Learn the Basics of ABA

Understanding the core principles of ABA-reinforcement, prompting, shaping, and data collection-can help you run simple intervention strategies at home. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) offers free ethics and practice resources. Many state autism societies also host free webinars.

• Read parent-friendly books: "The Verbal Behavior Approach" by Mary Barbera and "An Early Start for Your Child with Autism" by Rogers and Dawson.
• Watch video models: Websites like Autism Internet Modules (AIM) have free videos on discrete trial teaching and naturalistic teaching.
• Join parent-led support groups: Facebook groups and local autism parent networks often share tips and provider recommendations.

Apply "Incidental Teaching" Throughout the Day

Incidental teaching means using naturally occurring moments-like a child wanting a drink-to prompt communication. If your child reaches for juice, hold the cup and wait expectantly. Say "juice" and pause. If they say "juh," immediately hand over the cup and say "Yes! Juice!" This models language in a real context and is a core ABA technique.

What Not to Do While Waiting

Avoid "Wait-and-See" Passivity

One of the biggest mistakes families make is assuming nothing can be done until a therapist arrives. The early years are critical, and development doesn't pause. Every day without some form of structured interaction is a lost opportunity. Even 10 minutes of intentional teaching per day can add up over months.

Don't Overwhelm Your Child with Too Many Demands

While you should be active, don't turn your home into a boot camp. Children need downtime, sensory breaks, and freedom to play. Aim for short, 5- to 10-minute "teaching moments" spread throughout the day rather than long, formal sessions. Watch for signs of frustration or overstimulation and back off.

Don't Give Up on Finding an Earlier Opening

Waitlists are not always final. Providers sometimes have cancellations, schedule changes, or new staff joining. Stay in touch with the clinic every two to four weeks. Ask politely if any slots have opened up. Also consider expanding your search: in-home ABA providers, community-based agencies, or BCBAs offering telehealth parent coaching may have availability sooner.

A free matching service like Start with ABA can help you compare multiple BCBA-led providers in your area at once, including those with less visibility or shorter wait times. This can dramatically reduce the time between referral and start of therapy.

How Free Matching Services Like Start with ABA Can Help

Navigating waitlists alone can feel like a part-time job. Start with ABA works as a free concierge that connects you with vetted, BCBA-led providers who have current or upcoming openings. You provide your location, insurance details (including Medicaid), and preferred therapy type (clinic-based, in-home, or school-based). The service then matches you with providers that meet your criteria and can start sooner.

This approach frequently reveals hidden capacity-providers who accept your insurance but aren't actively marketing. Many families find their first option within days or weeks rather than months. You retain full choice; the matching service simply expands your options.

Summary of an Effective Wait-List Action Plan

While waiting for ABA therapy, commit to a three-part plan:

1. Build skills at home: Focus on communication, play, and daily living tasks using simple ABA techniques like prompting and reinforcement.
2. Tackle paperwork early: Verify insurance coverage, gather diagnostic records, and start pre-authorization.
3. Use a free matching service: Let Start with ABA search widely for a BCBA-led provider with current openings, saving you time and reducing stress.

Remember that you are not alone. Thousands of families travel this path, and the waiting period-though frustrating-can be a productive foundation for the therapy to come.