Parent training sessions and what 97156 is

If you've seen a Parent Training Session on your child's schedule, or noticed the code 97156, this article explains what it is, why it's a normal and expected part of ABA therapy, and what to expect when you attend one.

What parent training is in ABA

Parent training (sometimes called caregiver training) is time your child's clinician spends working with you rather than directly with your child. The goal is to help you understand your child's treatment goals and learn the same strategies the therapy team uses, so you can support your child's progress at home and in everyday routines.

This matters because children spend far more time with their families than in therapy sessions. When caregivers use consistent approaches, skills tend to carry over and stick, and progress often comes faster. Parent training is a recognized, standard part of high-quality ABA care.

What the code 97156 means

In plain language, 97156 is the billing code for a parent (caregiver) training session in ABA therapy. Just as your child's direct therapy sessions have their own codes, parent training has its own code so it can be documented and billed correctly to insurance.

You may see it labeled as Parent Training Session in your parent portal, for example, as the session type on your child's schedule. Seeing 97156 on a schedule or invoice simply means a parent training session was planned or delivered.

What to expect from a parent-training session

Every family's plan is different, but a parent training session generally focuses on you and your clinician working together. That can include:

• Reviewing your child's goals and how their program is going.

• Learning and practicing specific strategies you can use at home.

• Talking through real situations, such as routines, transitions, or behaviors you want support with.

• Answering your questions and planning next steps.

Your child may or may not be present, depending on what you're working on. These sessions can happen in person or, in many cases, online, and they may be shorter or longer depending on your child's plan.

A normal, billable part of the plan

Parent training is not an extra or optional add-on; it's a planned, billable part of your child's treatment plan, and it's covered under the therapy your insurance has authorized. If a parent training session appears on your invoice, it's handled the same way as other covered services: your insurance pays its portion, and your family's share (if any) is calculated the same way as for other sessions.

If your child's coverage is through Colorado Medicaid, this works a little differently. Colorado Medicaid does not reimburse the 97156 code, so caregiver training isn't billed as a separate parent-training session. Instead, it's built into your child's treatment sessions with a supervisor (BCBA) while your child is present, so you'll typically see this coaching happen during your child's regular session rather than as its own scheduled item.

If you have questions about how often parent training is scheduled for your child, or you'd like to make the most of these sessions, talk with your child's clinician. They can tailor the training to what would help your family most.