What an ABA session note is
An ABA session note documents a single direct service session: which skill acquisition and behavior reduction targets were addressed, which procedures were used, what the data showed, and what happens next. For RBTs it is usually written for each 97153 session; BCBAs write similar notes for protocol modification and caregiver training.
There is no single mandated ABA format. Many providers use a goal-first structure like GIRP because ABA programming is already organized around measurable targets from the treatment plan. That is the structure this generator uses.
What separates a strong ABA note from a weak one is data. Reviewers expect trial counts, percent correct, prompt levels, and frequency or duration of target behaviors, plus enough description of the procedures to show the service required a trained provider.
When to use this ABA note structure
- RBT direct service sessions (97153) where you ran skill acquisition programs and tracked target behaviors.
- BCBA sessions where you modified protocols or modeled procedures (97155).
- Caregiver training sessions (97156), with the caregiver's demonstrated skills in the Response section.
- Any session note your supervisor reviews against the treatment plan targets.
ABA session note field by field
What to include so the note supports supervision and reauthorization.
Goal (targets)
The skill acquisition targets and behavior reduction targets addressed this session, as named in the treatment plan.
Tip: Use program names from the plan ("Mand for help", "Tact 10 community helpers") rather than descriptions.
Intervention (procedures)
Teaching procedures and behavior plan strategies used: DTT, NET, prompting hierarchy, error correction, reinforcement schedule, antecedent strategies.
Tip: Name the prompt level and reinforcement schedule. Those details show skilled service.
Response (data)
The data: trials and percent correct per target, independent versus prompted responses, frequency or duration of target behaviors, and the learner's overall engagement.
Tip: Report numbers exactly as recorded. Never estimate data for a note.
Plan
Next steps: continue or modify programs, mastery or fading decisions, items to flag for the supervising BCBA, caregiver follow-up.
Tip: If a target hit mastery criteria, say so and note that the BCBA was informed.
Worked example
Fictional case: a young learner receiving clinic-based ABA, 2 hour direct session with an RBT. No identifying details.
Session details entered
- Targets
- Mand for help (DTT), tact 10 animals (NET), reduce elopement (BIP).
- Procedures
- Most-to-least prompting, FR2 token board, error correction. BIP: visual schedule, first/then, block and redirect.
- Data
- Mand: 8/10 trials, 6 independent. Tact: 7/10 correct. Elopement: 2 attempts, both blocked, under 10 sec.
- Plan
- Continue programs, mand nearing mastery, flag for BCBA.
Resulting note
Goal:
Skill acquisition: mand for help and tact 10 animals. Behavior reduction: decrease elopement per the behavior intervention plan.
Intervention:
RBT ran mand for help using discrete trial training with a most-to-least prompting hierarchy and error correction, and taught animal tacts through natural environment teaching. Reinforcement was delivered on an FR2 token board. Behavior intervention plan strategies included a visual schedule, first/then statements, and block and redirect for elopement attempts.
Response:
Mand for help: 8 of 10 trials correct, 6 independent. Tact animals: 7 of 10 correct. Elopement: 2 attempts, both blocked within 10 seconds and redirected to the scheduled activity. Learner remained engaged with the token board throughout the session.
Plan:
1. Continue current programs and reinforcement schedule. 2. Mand for help is approaching mastery criteria; flagged for supervising BCBA review. 3. Continue BIP strategies for elopement and record frequency each session.
Common ABA session note mistakes
- Describing the session ("had a good day") without trial or behavior data.
- Omitting prompt levels, which hides whether responses were independent.
- Subjective labels ("tantrum", "being defiant") instead of the operational definition from the BIP.
- Notes that do not mention the treatment plan targets, which makes reauthorization harder.
Frequently asked questions
What should an ABA session note include?
At minimum: the targets addressed, the procedures used, the data collected (trials, percent correct, prompt levels, behavior frequency or duration), the learner's response, and the plan. Your payer and agency may require more, such as session times, location and people present.
Is there an ABA session note template I can copy?
Yes. The example on this page shows a complete Goal, Intervention, Response, Plan note you can use as a template, and the GIRP template page has a fuller blank structure.
Can RBTs use this generator?
Yes. It is built for the direct service notes RBTs write. Your supervising BCBA should still review notes according to your agency's supervision process.
Will it make up data?
It is instructed to use only the data you enter and not to invent numbers. Always check that every figure in the note matches your data sheet before using it.
How many ABA notes can I generate for free?
One per day without an account. It resets 24 hours after your last note.
Can I include the learner's name?
No. Use "learner" or "client" and leave out names, dates of birth, school or clinic names and any other identifying detail.