ABA TherapyBlog
ABA therapy can make a huge difference in a child’s growth, but stopping too early can interrupt progress. Every child’s journey is unique, yet ending therapy before essential skills are fully developed may create challenges at home, school, and in daily routines.
Here’s what parents often notice when ABA ends too soon.
Why Timing in ABA Therapy Is Important
ABA helps children build communication, independence, emotional regulation, and social skills. These skills layer over time, and stopping therapy before they’re solid can slow growth or create setbacks.
Skills May Not Fully Develop
Children need repetition and consistent practice for new skills to become natural. Without enough time in therapy, those emerging skills may plateau or remain inconsistent.
Regression Can Occur
Some behaviors may return when ABA is stopped early, especially if therapy was still helping with communication challenges, transitions, or emotional regulation. This doesn’t mean progress is lost — it simply means the child still needed support.
Routines May Become More Difficult
Parents sometimes notice more frustration, meltdowns, or trouble following directions. ABA teaches children how to navigate everyday tasks, so ending therapy too soon can leave gaps they weren’t ready for.
Social and Communication Growth Slows Down
Skills like sharing, taking turns, or expressing needs often require continued guidance. Stopping early can make these areas harder for children to manage independently.
Parents Lose Consistent Support
ABA also helps parents learn strategies that make daily life smoother. When therapy ends too early, families may feel unsure how to continue that progress at home.
Signs Your Child May Still Need ABA
You may want to consider continuing ABA if:
- Skills are not yet generalized to home or school
- You notice early signs of regression
- Transitions or routines are still very challenging
- Communication remains limited or inconsistent
- Your child depends heavily on prompts
- You’re unsure how to support them without guidance
It’s completely okay to pause therapy when your child is ready — but when ABA ends early, challenges may reappear that could have been prevented with more time.
Final Thoughts
We’ve worked with many families through these decisions, and we understand how overwhelming the timing can feel. What matters most is ensuring your child has the opportunity to master skills that support long-term confidence and independence.
At Epic Minds Therapy, we’re here to help you navigate every step. Our in-home ABA and school-based ABA programs are tailored to each child’s pace and needs.
You can explore our North Carolina locations here.
If you’re unsure whether it’s the right time to stop or continue therapy, we’d love to support you. Reach out to us today!
FAQs
Will stopping ABA therapy too early cause permanent setbacks?
Not usually, but children may lose momentum or struggle with skills that weren’t fully solid yet.
How long does a child typically stay in ABA therapy?
It varies based on age, needs, and goals. Many children benefit from long-term, steady support.
Is taking a short break from ABA okay?
Yes, in some cases — especially if your child already has strong, consistent skills and a plan to resume therapy later.
Sources:
- https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/behaviour/meltdowns/all-audiences
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8702444/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1750946718300485
- https://www.autismspeaks.org/applied-behavior-analysis
- https://www.richtmann.org/journal/index.php/jesr/article/view/12943
