Yes, you can pause ABA therapy, but it’s important to plan carefully. Short breaks may be necessary due to illness, family travel, or burnout. However, frequent or extended pauses can disrupt progress, as consistency is key to ABA success.
Before pausing, speak with your child’s BCBA or therapy team. They can help create a transition plan and offer strategies to maintain learned skills at home. Keeping routines, even during breaks, can help prevent regression.
Pausing therapy doesn’t mean starting over, but re-establishing momentum may take time. It’s best to weigh the reasons, set a timeline, and maintain communication with your therapy provider.
Move Up ABA understands that life happens and works closely with families to support smooth transitions in and out of therapy as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Will my child lose progress during a break?
Some skills may regress, but maintaining routines at home can help.
2. Can we continue ABA strategies at home during the pause?
Yes, your BCBA can provide tools and tips to use at home.
3. How long can we pause without losing our spot?
This depends on your provider’s policy—check in advance.
Sources:
- https://www.bacb.com/bcba/
- https://www.autismspeaks.org/applied-behavior-analysis
