ABA Initial Assessment: What to Expect?
What is an initial ABA assessment?
Why is it conducted?
What is the clinician looking for?
Read below to learn more details about what an ABA initial assessment entails.
What is it?
One of the first steps to obtaining ABA services
Assesses the child’s current skill level
Identifying information (background and history)
Identifies behavior and skill deficits
Comprised of continuing questionnaires, skill probes, observation, and specific assessment tools
Why is it conducted?
Evaluate behavior and skill deficits that impede the child’s independent functioning
Gather information on a wide scope of child’s current ability levels
Determine appropriate hypothesized intervention strategies
Identify long term and short term goals
Essential document required by insurance and clinicians upon the start of services
Additional Information
BCBA or BCABA will conduct initial assessment
Child will be required to attend and participate in initial assessment
Clinician will spend time observing and testing skills one-on-one with the child
Criterion-reference assessments are often used to measure current skill level
Must include observable and measurable long term and short goals
Can be a lengthy process, typically 2-4 hours
Used to determine recommended weekly hours for ABA services
Want to continue learning more? Check out these resources that provide more information about initial assessments. You can also contact nikki@collaborativecorner.org with any questions or concerns.
Resources:
What to Expect: ABA Assessment
What to Expect Before Starting ABA Services
Nikki Waitt, RBT
Registered Behavior Technician and Varied Exceptionalities Teacher
nikki@collaborativecorner.org