Formal ABA sessions are only part of the picture — what happens in the hours and days between sessions matters just as much for whether skills actually stick. Here's how to reinforce progress without needing to become a clinician yourself.
You Don't Need to Run Formal Sessions
This is worth saying clearly upfront: reinforcing skills between sessions doesn't mean recreating structured ABA sessions at home. It means noticing natural opportunities throughout your regular day and responding in ways that support what your child is working on — which is a very different, much less demanding task than running therapy yourself.
Know What Your Child Is Currently Working On
Ask your BCBA or RBT directly what specific goals are active right now, and what that looks like in practice. Vague awareness ("something about communication") isn't as useful as knowing specifically, for example, that your child is working on requesting items using a two-word phrase instead of pointing or crying.
Look for Natural Opportunities
Once you know the specific goal, everyday moments become opportunities: if your child is working on requesting, pause briefly before automatically handing over a snack, giving them a chance to use the skill; if they're working on following two-step directions, build genuine two-step requests into normal routines ("put your shoes by the door, then come to the table"); if they're working on a specific social skill, look for a low-pressure moment to practice it during play.
Reinforce Consistently When You See It
Consistent with what we cover in Positive Reinforcement at Home, respond to instances of the target skill with genuine, specific reinforcement — this consistency between formal sessions and daily life is exactly what helps a skill generalize rather than staying limited to therapy time.
Keep a Simple Log If It Helps
Some parents find it useful to jot down brief notes about what they noticed between sessions — not formal data collection, just enough to share with your child's RBT or BCBA at the next session. This can genuinely add value to how the team adjusts your child's plan.
Don't Force It
It's important not to turn every moment of your day into a teaching opportunity — that's exhausting for you and can be aversive for your child. A handful of natural, low-pressure opportunities woven into your existing routine is more effective (and sustainable) than trying to maximize every interaction.
Communicate With Your Child's Team
If something isn't working, or your child seems to be struggling with a specific skill at home even though it's going well in sessions (or vice versa), tell your BCBA. This kind of real-world feedback is valuable clinical information, not a sign you're doing something wrong.
For Cascade-Area Families
Our BCBA, Kimberly Blazer, and your child's RBT will coach you specifically on what to reinforce and how, based on your child's actual current goals — not generic advice. If you're in the Cascade area, Our Parent & Caregiver Training service is designed around exactly this kind of goal. our in-home ABA therapy in Cascade page has more information, or Get Started Today to get started.
This article is part of our complete guide, Why Parent Training Is a Core Part of ABA Therapy. Clinically reviewed by Kimberly Blazer, BCBA.