As the year comes to a close, it’s the perfect time for families and ABA providers to pause, reflect, and assess a child’s progress. For children receiving Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, reviewing the past year’s goals and setting new ones is more than just a routine—it’s a meaningful opportunity to celebrate growth and prepare for continued success.
At VBA California, we believe in collaborative goal-setting that empowers families and creates clear, achievable outcomes for every child we support. Whether your child is in early intervention, attending in-home sessions, or participating in community-based ABA, taking time at the end of the year to evaluate progress ensures therapy remains effective and individualized.
Why Year-End Goal Reviews Matter
ABA therapy is data-driven, which means every goal, behavior, and intervention is measured and tracked over time. Reviewing progress at the end of the year gives insight into what strategies worked well, which skills have been mastered, and where new challenges or opportunities have emerged.
Benefits of year-end reviews include:
- Celebrating meaningful milestones
- Identifying patterns in behavior or skill development
- Adjusting programs to reflect developmental changes
- Planning realistic, measurable goals for the coming year
Reflection also gives families a sense of ownership and clarity, reinforcing the partnership between providers and caregivers.
1. Celebrate Progress and Skill Mastery
Progress doesn’t always come in big leaps—sometimes it shows up in the little wins that add up over time. Reviewing mastered goals allows families and therapists to highlight how far a child has come and reinforce the value of consistent effort.
Some areas to celebrate might include:
- Improved communication (verbal or non-verbal)
- Increased independence with daily routines
- Better tolerance for transitions or new environments
- Reduction in challenging behaviors
When children see their own progress acknowledged, they often become more motivated and engaged in learning new skills.
2. Analyze Data to Inform Next Steps
During the review process, ABA teams rely on detailed session data to assess how well goals were met. Behavior graphs, frequency counts, and skill acquisition charts all provide objective insight into progress over time.
Data helps answer important questions such as:
- Was the goal appropriate and achievable?
- Did the child respond consistently to intervention strategies?
- Are there new skills that should be introduced next?
Analyzing this information ensures that future goals are both meaningful and developmentally appropriate.
3. Engage Families in the Goal-Setting Process
Parents and caregivers play a critical role in goal development. They know their child best and provide essential insight into strengths, preferences, and needs. At VBA California, we encourage families to actively participate in every step of the goal review and setting process.
Questions we often explore with families include:
- What progress are you most proud of this year?
- What new challenges or concerns have come up?
- What are your hopes or priorities for the next few months?
Collaborative planning ensures goals reflect the child’s real-life environment and support meaningful, functional change.
4. Set SMART Goals for the New Year
Effective ABA goals are always SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. When setting goals for the new year, it’s important to balance challenge with achievability and to ensure goals align with your child’s unique needs and learning style.
Examples of SMART ABA goals:
- Communication: “Will independently request preferred items using a speech-generating device in 4 out of 5 opportunities across 3 sessions.”
- Daily Living: “Will brush teeth with verbal prompts no more than 2 times per session across 5 days.”
- Behavior: “Will tolerate transitions with no more than 1 verbal protest in 80% of daily opportunities.”
SMART goals provide a clear roadmap for therapy and help track progress in a way that is both consistent and motivating.
5. Plan for Generalization and Maintenance
As new goals are introduced, it’s also important to plan how mastered skills will be maintained and used in everyday settings. Generalization—using skills in new environments with different people—is a core part of effective ABA therapy.
Examples of generalization strategies include:
- Practicing communication at home, in stores, or on outings
- Reinforcing routines during weekends and school breaks
- Involving siblings or peers in skill-building activities
Our team at VBA California builds generalization strategies into each child’s treatment plan to ensure long-term success beyond the therapy setting.
6. Reflect on What’s Working—And What’s Not
ABA therapy is individualized, and not every strategy works for every child. That’s why the end of the year is a great time to reflect on what’s been effective and make changes if needed.
Things to consider include:
- Is the reinforcement system motivating and age-appropriate?
- Are there skills that haven’t progressed as expected?
- Are there environmental or family changes to factor in?
Open communication between families and therapists helps ensure therapy remains flexible, realistic, and effective.
Final Thoughts: Build Momentum Into the New Year
The end of the year is not just a time to reflect—it’s a time to build momentum. By reviewing goals, celebrating progress, and setting meaningful objectives for the year ahead, families and ABA teams can work together to create consistent growth and real-world success.
At VBA California, we’re committed to providing personalized, compassionate ABA services that empower children and support families every step of the way. Contact us today to schedule a year-end review or to learn more about goal-setting for your child’s unique needs and strengths.