Yes, you can pause ABA therapy, but it’s important to understand the potential impact. ABA therapy is most effective when it’s consistent and ongoing, as it builds skills gradually through repetition and reinforcement. Taking a break may lead to regression in learned behaviors or slow down progress, especially for children who are still developing critical communication and social skills.

That said, there are times when a pause may be necessary, such as family emergencies, illness, or scheduling conflicts. If you need to pause therapy, it’s best to do so with guidance from your child’s BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst). They can help create a maintenance plan to minimize skill loss during the break.

When therapy resumes, therapists may need to review and rebuild certain skills before moving forward. For this reason, it’s always recommended to keep breaks as short and structured as possible.

Need flexible ABA therapy options?

At Blossom ABA Therapy, we work with families to create schedules for ABA therapy in Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia that fit their needs while keeping progress on track.

Contact us today to learn how we can support your child even during life’s interruptions!

SOURCES:

https://raisingchildren.net.au/autism/therapies-guide/applied-behaviour-analysis-aba

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9458805/

https://www.autismspeaks.org/applied-behavior-analysis

https://gsep.pepperdine.edu/blog/posts/what-is-aba-therapy.htm

https://www.reddit.com/r/Autism_Parenting/comments/10g6n0c/quitting_aba_therapy/