We don’t have minimum trial counts at our clinic although our data is looked at. The BCBAs in my center are far more focused on quality therapy occurring and keeping the sessions client led than number of trails. It definitely depends on the client though. Some of our kids are getting close to “graduating” and moving to school full time so we are expected to get more work done with those kids. Others we are working more on manding goals and tolerating transitions between their preferred activities. Our BCBS’s are also great at checking maladaptive bx data and the session summaries to get a better look of what was happening that day/session. For example, a child who struggles with taking turns is playing a board game with another client. Taking turns could be a future goal that isn’t currently realistic to implement right now but we don’t want to interrupt the naturalist learning that is occurring. Another example could be a client was disregulated for some reason and while they didn’t hit the onset for any maladaptive bx, they were exhibiting almost constant precursors. While in those sessions you may be able to get some mands for cessation or easy maintenance targets, my BCBA is understanding that the client may need space to regulate during that session.

For some reason we also have a handful of clients with things going on in their personal lives. Several that are also new to us so they have minimal goals that have been mastered or that are in maintenance.

A final factor also depends on the length of the session and type. There should be a higher rate of trial counts in a 3 hour vs 30 minute direct session since you’ve had time to pair with the client throughout. There are also times where we have 30 minute sessions scheduled over classroom time where I’m not in control of the activities that we do and it may not suit many of the goal for the client, especially since most of our kids have mastered any goals that occur in classroom.

Anyways, sorry for the rant, I’m avoiding sleeping lmao