When I meet with families starting ABA therapy, a common question comes up:
"Can my child get ABA support at school too?"

The short answer is yes—and sometimes school-based ABA therapy can be one of the most powerful parts of a child’s support system.

Today, I want to walk you through what school-based ABA really looks like, how it works day-to-day, and what it can mean for your child’s growth and success in the classroom.

What is School-Based ABA Therapy?

ABA Therapy Adapted to the School Environment

School-based ABA therapy brings the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis into the classroom, hallways, lunchrooms, and playgrounds—where kids spend so much of their day.

It’s not about taking away from academic learning. It’s about making sure every child has the behavioral, social, and communication support they need to fully access their education.

In practice, school-based ABA therapy can look like:

• Helping a child stay focused during group lessons

• Supporting transitions between activities

• Teaching social skills during recess

• Coaching through emotional regulation challenges

• Encouraging independence in daily school routines

How School-Based ABA Differs from Clinic-Based ABA

While clinic-based ABA usually happens in a therapy center or home, school-based ABA focuses on:

• Naturalistic learning: Using real-life school moments to build skills

• Team collaboration: Working closely with teachers, aides, and school staff

• Functional goals: Helping the child succeed academically, socially, and emotionally in school settings

The biggest difference? School-based ABA is woven into your child's school day, right alongside their peers.

How School-Based ABA Therapy Works

Step 1: Assessment and Goal Setting

Before anything else, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) will meet with you, your child, and often school staff to understand your child's strengths and needs.
They’ll look at:

• Academic challenges

• Social interactions

• Behavioral patterns

• Independence in routines like lining up, lunch, or bathroom breaks

From there, individualized goals are created—always based on what will help your child thrive at school.

Step 2: Implementing Support

Depending on your child's needs, school-based ABA therapy might involve:

• One-on-one support during parts of the day

• Small group sessions focused on skills like turn-taking or conversation

• Behavior intervention plans (BIPs) for addressing specific behaviors

• Teacher training so all staff know how to support your child consistently

Behavior technicians (often called RBTs) may work directly with your child under the supervision of the BCBA.

Step 3: Ongoing Collaboration and Adjustment

School-based ABA is not set-it-and-forget-it. I regularly meet with teachers, special education staff, and parents to adjust strategies as needed. As your child grows, their goals and supports grow with them.

Progress is carefully tracked—often through simple, everyday data collection—so we can celebrate successes and tweak anything that needs fine-tuning.

Real-Life Examples of School-Based ABA in Action

Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand how transformative school-based ABA therapy can be. Here are just a few examples:

• Helping a non-verbal kindergarten student use a communication device to participate in morning circle time.

• Supporting a second grader in learning how to ask for help instead of melting down during tough math problems.

• Coaching a middle school student through group projects by breaking tasks into manageable steps and practicing teamwork skills.

These victories are about more than academics—they’re about building confidence, independence, and joy.

Why School-Based ABA Therapy Matters

It Builds Skills Where They Matter Most

Practicing a skill at home is wonderful, but transferring it into the hustle and bustle of a busy classroom takes practice and support.

School-based ABA ensures that social skills, self-regulation, and independence become part of your child's real-world experience.

It Strengthens Communication Between Home and School

When ABA providers, parents, and teachers work together, children benefit from a team that’s fully aligned around their success.

Frequent communication keeps everyone focused on shared goals.

It Gives Children a Stronger Foundation for the Future

By helping children master skills early—like coping with change, asking for help, and making friends—school-based ABA lays a powerful foundation for later school years, higher education, and adult life.

Choosing school-based ABA therapy isn't about fixing your child—it’s about giving them the support they need to be their best, brightest selves in the classroom and beyond.
Every child deserves a school experience filled with connection, achievement, and belonging.

At Blossom ABA Therapy, we partner with families and schools to make that vision a reality.
Our team brings expert, compassionate support right into your child's everyday world—helping them grow, learn, and shine.

If you’re ready to explore how school-based ABA therapy could support your child, reach out to Blossom ABA Therapy today.

We’d be honored to be part of your family's journey.

FAQs 

Does my child need a diagnosis to get school-based ABA therapy?

Typically, yes. Most schools and ABA agencies require a formal autism diagnosis or related developmental diagnosis to qualify for ABA support at school.

How is school-based ABA therapy funded?

It can vary. Some services are provided through the school district's special education program (as part of an IEP), while others are funded through private insurance or a partnership with an outside ABA agency like Blossom ABA Therapy.

Will my child still be included in regular classroom activities?

Absolutely. In fact, one of the main goals of school-based ABA therapy is to help children participate more fully with their peers—whether that’s in academics, social activities, or school routines.

Sources:

• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B978012420249800006X

• https://asatonline.org/research-treatment/clinical-corner/a-comparative-look-at-school-based-and-center-based-aba-programs/

• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11487924/

• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6411562/

• https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-022-04412-1

• https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/10983007231200528