The number of ABA therapy hours your child needs will vary depending on their age and needs. This is not a negative reflection of your child. Rather, it’s what an ABA therapist considers necessary to help your child reach their developmental goals.
Learn more about how many hours of ABA therapy is needed and why below.
How Many Hours of ABA Therapy Is Typical?
The number of ABA therapy hours a child would have is anywhere between 10 and 40 hours each week. The exact number will depend on the client’s age and the severity of their needs.
It sounds like a lot, but there’s a purpose to these hours. ABA therapy requires not only learning new skills and behaviors, but removing maladaptive patterns, repeating skills/behaviors to firm them within the client’s mind, and teaching the family at the same time.
All of these elements take a long time, and it’s important to have consistent learning for ABA therapy to have a long-lasting impact.
A study on “age and treatment intensity” found that the amount of intervention hours and their intensity (meaning hours per week) was the “most critical factor” to mastering learning objectives. This is especially true for language and academic objectives.
How Age Can Affect ABA Therapy Recommendations
ABA therapy can look very different depending on the age of the client. How many hours of ABA therapy are recommended for a 3-year-old? A 16-year-old?
For younger clients, they have the benefit of neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to develop new patterns and skills. This can mean that younger clients don’t need as many hours per week (depending on their needs) and are more likely to catch up with their peers.
As a person gets older, the brain “stiffens,” and these patterns are ingrained into their brain.
So, for older patients, they must unlearn maladaptive habits before they can begin learning positive ones. For this reason, an ABA therapist may recommend more hours per week to focus on unlearning, so the client can quickly shift to positively growing.
However, older clients may need fewer hours if they have already mastered some skills and only need help in specific areas.
Spectrum Behavioral Therapies’ ABA Therapy Services Based on Age
How the Severity of Symptoms Impacts ABA Therapy Hours
Like the client’s age, the severity of their needs can impact the number of recommended ABA therapy hours. In ABA therapy, severity is the level of skill deficit and the behavioral excesses that need to be addressed.
Severity can come in many forms depending on the type of symptom the client is experiencing.
For example, a severe communication symptom would be the client not speaking out loud. Maybe the client resorts to screaming or other maladaptive behaviors to grab someone’s attention.
However, less severe symptoms could be calling things by the wrong name, picking and choosing who they communicate with, or struggling to talk with peers.
The ABA therapist will determine how severe the client’s symptoms are and what will be needed to help them.
ABA Therapy Hour Determination Examples
Client Age | Client Needs | Severity | ABA Hour Recommendation |
6 years old | Communication, focus, motor, and social skills to prepare for school | Low | 10–20 hours |
15 years old | Social and communications | Moderate | 15–25 hours |
21 years old | Daily living skills and communication | Moderate to severe | 20–30 hours |
3 years old | Social, motor, communication, self-regulation, and daily living skills | Severe | 30–40 hours |
How Are ABA Therapy Hours Determined
ABA therapy hours are determined by a functional behavioral assessment (FBA), which is performed before ABA therapy starts. During an FBA, an ABA therapist evaluates a client to determine their needs and create a customized intervention plan.
The evaluation uses information from
- Interviewing parents/caregivers
- Reviewing the client’s developmental history
- Reviewing the client’s medical history
- Interviewing the client
- Observing the client in their natural environment
- Assessing the client’s current skills
Using all this information, the ABA therapist will present an intervention plan that includes how many hours a week ABA therapy should occur. This is the time to discuss adjusting the hours if you feel it’s too much or too little.
Signs a Child May Need More or Fewer ABA Therapy Hours
As a client progresses with ABA therapy, their intervention plan may need to change. This may mean more or fewer hours of ABA therapy weekly.
Recommended Article: How Long Does ABA Therapy Last?
Signs Your Child May Need More ABA Therapy Hours | Signs Your Child May Need Fewer ABA Therapy Hours |
They are nonverbal or have limited language. | They are independently regulating themselves and not using maladaptive behaviors. |
Their maladaptive behaviors are distracting from their education or disrupting daily life. | They don’t need help with daily living skills. |
They need extra assistance with daily living skills. | They’ve met their ABA therapy goals. |
They need to build a variety of foundational skills. | They can attend and enjoy school. |
They struggle with socializing with anyone other than family. | They are feeling more confident and independent. |
What’s the Right Number of ABA Therapy Hours for Your Child?
The right number of ABA therapy hours for your child all depends on their needs. To get an accurate assessment, it’s best to work with an ABA provider. If you are in California and looking for compassionate ABA therapy, reach out to Spectrum Behavioral Therapies.
We can schedule your ABA assessment within a week of getting insurance confirmation.
ABA Recommendation FAQs
Can ABA therapy hours change over time?
Yes, ABA therapy hours can change as your child progresses through the process. A qualified ABA provider creates an adaptable plan, which means adjusting weekly hours.
ABA therapy hours may change based on progress or setbacks. Always keep a line of communication open between your child’s care team and yourself.
How do I know if my child is getting enough ABA therapy?
You’ll know if your child is getting enough ABA therapy through two ways: Communication with your ABA provider and seeing progress. It’s important to note, though, that ABA therapy is a long-term investment, so even if it’s going well, it may take time to notice improvements.
What happens during an ABA therapy assessment?
Data gathering happens during an ABA therapy assessment. It’s important to gain a clear picture of the client and their needs to provide a proper assessment and intervention recommendation.
Can ABA therapy be part-time instead of full-time?
Yes, ABA therapy can be part-time instead of full-time. This can happen when the client doesn’t need as many hours due to positive progress or personal schedules.
Is 10 hours of ABA enough for my child?
Yes, 10 hours of ABA is enough for your child if that’s what your provider suggests.
What happens if my child gets fewer ABA hours than recommended?
If your child gets fewer ABA hours than recommended, the process may take longer, but there’s nothing to worry about.
