(And What No One Else Tells You About It)
Does this sound familiar?👇🏼
You have just received an autism diagnosis. It was either expected or came out of nowhere. Either way, you are in a dizzying situation. You are trying to remain calm, stay focused, and advocate for yourself, but suddenly hear the mention of these phrases:
“Your child should get 10 hours a week.”
“No, they need 40 hours.”
“More is better.”
“Less is more.”
“Center-based ABA is best.”
“Home-based ABA is better.”
And somewhere between the acronyms, waitlists, and long intake forms, you’ve Googled:
How many hours of ABA therapy is needed? Just to get a straight answer. But here’s the truth no one tells you:
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all number. And that’s actually… a good thing.
The Question Behind the Question
When a parent asks, “How many hours of ABA does my child need?” — what they’re really asking is:
What’s going to help my child make progress?
How much ABA is enough?
How do I balance therapy with my child just being a kid?
Will I miss a window if I don’t act fast enough?
Am I doing the right thing?
We see you.
We’ve sat across from parents with tears in their eyes asking those exact same questions.
✨This post is for you.
So… How Many Hours of ABA Therapy Is Needed? Let’s break it down clearly, honestly, and with your family in mind.
1. The Range: What Research and Guidelines Say
The official recommendations often fall into two categories:
Focused ABA
10–25 hours per week
Targets a few specific goals, like communication, potty training, or reducing one challenging behavior.
Good for kids with fewer needs or families balancing multiple supports.
Comprehensive ABA
30–40 hours per week
Covers many areas of development, including language, social skills, play, self-care, behavior, and more.
Typically recommended for younger children or those with more significant support needs.
These numbers come from research-backed models, such as the Lovaas study and guidelines from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) and the National Autism Center. They’re based on decades of evidence showing that children can make meaningful, life-changing progress with consistent, high-quality support.
But here’s what they don’t always tell you…
2. Every Child Is Different (No, Really)
The number of hours your child needs isn’t just about age or diagnosis. It depends on things like:
Where your child is now (their current communication, play, behavior, and independence skills)
What goals you want to prioritize (potty training? social interaction? behavior support?)
How your child responds to learning (some kids thrive in 15 hours, others need more)
Family life and availability (you have a life too — and therapy should support it, not take it over)
Some children begin with 30 hours but slowly reduce it over time, while others maintain a steady 10 hours. The best providers of ABA will not rigidly push your child through a “program template.” They create one for your child and your family.
3. There Is Such a Thing as Too Many Hours
Yes, we said it.
You'll hear something along the lines of "the more the better" in ABA... and that can be correct sometimes. With more hours, you won't always get better results — especially if:
Your child is burnt out or resisting sessions
They’re missing out on things they love (playdates, hobbies, downtime)
You feel like you’re losing your connection with them under all the schedules
The quality of therapy isn’t great (40 hours of okay therapy ≠ 15 hours of excellent therapy)
ABA is not meant to replace playtime, rather assist it. We’ve witnessed children excel in less than parental program hours because it was done in a purposeful way, was customized, and had deep connections with the BCBA and the family.
4. Quality Over Quantity
Here’s a little secret from inside the field:
A skilled BCBA who personally interacts with your child, collaborates with you, and crafts a meaningful plan designed to suit your family will triumph over a 40-hour generic plan without fail.
We have a one tier system at our practice, which means BCBAs (not only RBTs) directly interact with your child and also provide you guidance. That is certainly uncommon. This is the reason why we achieve greater results in less time. It is not only about the number of hours your child spends in ABA, it is about the activities being conducted during those hours and who is conducting them that counts the most.
Imagine…
You feel confident in your decision about your ABA provider.
You know your child’s needs are being met — without sacrificing your family’s rhythm and joy.
Therapy fits into your life, not the other way around.
And your child is growing, laughing, learning…
Not just surviving, but thriving.
That’s what the right number of hours in the right format can give you.
A Peek Behind the Process: How Are ABA Hours Recommended?
When you start with a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst), here’s how they typically figure out how many hours are right for your child:
1. Assessment
They’ll do a thorough assessment of your child’s skills, needs, and behaviors. This might include:
Interviews with you
Direct play-based observation
Standardized assessments (like VB-MAPP or ABLLS)
Behavior rating scales
2. Goal Setting
They’ll talk with you about your priorities:
Is communication the most important?
Are you hoping to reduce aggressive or self-injurious behaviors?
Are school readiness skills a priority?
What’s happening at home that you want support with?
3. Treatment Plan
The BCBA will propose a therapy plan with specific goals, how they’ll be measured, and a suggested number of weekly hours. This will be:
Reviewed with you
Adjusted based on your feedback
Shared with your funding source (insurance, regional center, etc.)
4. Reevaluation
As therapy goes on, your team will constantly:
Review progress data
Modify the plan as needed
Reduce or increase hours based on your child’s response
Nothing is “set in stone.” It’s a living plan.
What About School-Aged Kids?
If your child is already in school full-time, you might not be able — or want — to do 30+ hours a week of ABA. That’s okay. For older kids, ABA is often:
After school and weekends
Shorter, focused sessions (e.g., 8–15 hours/week)
Targeted toward independence, coping, social skills, and emotional regulation
Coordinated with school teams and IEP goals
We’re here to help therapy work with your school routine — not compete with it.
What If You Can’t Commit to the Recommended Hours?
Life is messy. Work schedules are real. Siblings exist. Insurance doesn’t always approve what’s recommended. Take a deep breath. You’re not alone. If your BCBA recommends 25 hours and you can only manage 15, the key is communication and prioritization. We’ve supported families through:
Flexible scheduling (weekends, evenings, alternating days)
Parent-led sessions when direct therapy isn’t possible
Intensive bursts (e.g., short-term 1:1 weeks over breaks)
Telehealth coaching if in-person is tricky
Progress doesn’t vanish if you can’t hit the “ideal number.” It just means we get creative — together.
What the Research Actually Says
If you like data (we do!), here are a few helpful points:
Studies show that intensive, early intervention (20–40 hours) can significantly improve language, cognitive, and adaptive functioning.
BUT — research also emphasizes that individualized, family-centered, and high-quality therapy is just as important as the number of hours.
In short: ABA isn’t just about more. It’s about better.
Key Takeaways: What to Remember
There is no magic number. Your child’s needs, your family’s goals, and your schedule matter.
More isn’t always better. High-quality therapy beats high-quantity therapy.
You can always adjust. Hours aren’t permanent — they evolve with your child.
You have a say. You’re the expert on your child. A good ABA team listens.
The goal is progress — not perfection. Small steps forward add up.
Final Thoughts: You’re Doing Great
If you’ve made it this far in your research, you care deeply about your child. That matters. And it shows.
ABA can be a powerful, supportive tool — but it should never feel like your family is being squeezed into a formula. The best programs grow with you. They offer guidance, not guilt. And the right number of hours? That’s the number that works — for your child, in your life, right now.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re navigating all this and need a team who will meet you where you are — not where a manual says you should be — we’re here for you.
Start our Next Steps Plan and connect with a BCBA today!
Watch your child smile as he or she works with a talented BCBA in your home, even if you’ve been receiving frustrating waitlist emails for months.
Don’t lose sleep over 90% of parents who make this life-altering mistake at the beginning of ABA therapy – have personalized tips sent directly to your inbox from our experienced BCBAs.
Rest assured you made the best decision for your family by receiving individualized support from a BCBA. It’s time to unlock the help you need in order to make the progress and change desired for your child.
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