What Happens If ABA Therapy Is Stopped Too Early?

Learn what happens if ABA therapy is stopped too early: skill loss, behavior setbacks, and recovery tips for Georgia families.

By Milestone Achievements Staff
November 28, 2025

Stopping ABA therapy prematurely leads to skill regression, unfinished progress, and increased behavior challenges. Children lose gains in communication, social skills, and daily living without ongoing reinforcement.

Risks of Early Termination

Skills fade without practice. Learned behaviors like verbal requests or self-care routines may disappear. Generalization across settings fails, limiting real-world application.

Behavior challenges return. Target issues such as tantrums or avoidance resurface due to lack of coping strategies. Families face more stress without therapist guidance.

Long-term development slows. Missed opportunities hinder advanced skill-building, affecting independence.

What Happens If ABA Therapy Is Stopped Too Early? Real Insights

At Milestone Achievements, one family stopped sessions after initial gains; their child regressed in social play within weeks. Restarting with our at-home ABA restored skills, but took extra months. Studies note up to 20% dropout rates correlate with poorer outcomes, emphasizing consistent therapy.

Conclusion

Understanding what happens if ABA therapy is stopped too early protects your child's gains. Milestone Achievements offers Georgia-wide at-home therapy, parent training, and insurance-friendly plans. Start your consultation to build lasting progress today.

Sources:

  1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9856216/

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Milestone Achievements offers evidence-based ABA therapy to help children with autism reach their full potential. Together we’ll set meaningful goals and celebrate progress every step of the way.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can skills return after restarting?

Yes, but rebuilding requires additional time and effort.

How to avoid early stopping?

Monitor progress with BCBA data and taper gradually.