Finding a Good ABA Therapist:
A BcABA's Perspective
Not everyone agrees on whether Applied Behavior Analysis, a common therapy for people on the autism spectrum, is necessary or even a good idea. For that reason, I'm going to wait to evaluate it until we get to the Treatments page (which is coming, I promise, but since I have to get the Causes article done first, that might take a while). However, one thing absolutely everyone agrees on is that good ABA is infinitely better than bad ABA, the latter of which unfortunately many adult autistics were subjected to back before certification was as rigorous and there was the emphasis on positive reinforcement that there is today. The resulting trauma composes a lot of the concerns today in the autistic community about ABA.
Unfortunately, there are a concerning number of professionals who claim to practice ABA but aren't actually trained. As you might imagine, you're more likely to get good ABA from someone with certification and bad ABA from someone who isn't.
Luckily, Itzel Arteaga, a BCaBA, volunteered to step in and write up an article about how to determine whether your ABA, if you're seeking one, is certified. As a result, the remainder of this article is written by her. Hope it helps!
Unfortunately, there are a concerning number of professionals who claim to practice ABA but aren't actually trained. As you might imagine, you're more likely to get good ABA from someone with certification and bad ABA from someone who isn't.
Luckily, Itzel Arteaga, a BCaBA, volunteered to step in and write up an article about how to determine whether your ABA, if you're seeking one, is certified. As a result, the remainder of this article is written by her. Hope it helps!
Is your ABA provider a BCBA?
As a parent or caregiver of a child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder you have a right to know whether the people who claim to be qualified to provide ABA for your child is actually competent. It can be a scary and scarring experience for parent and child alike to have an incompetent therapist. You have the right to hold prospective providers accountable for delivering quality services.
Every child is unique and children diagnosed with autism have a variety of needs as well. You should look to match your needs with the specific competencies of a provider. Below are some different ways to determine the qualification of someone who claims to be qualified to direct ABA programs. These are the MINIMUM standards.
Every child is unique and children diagnosed with autism have a variety of needs as well. You should look to match your needs with the specific competencies of a provider. Below are some different ways to determine the qualification of someone who claims to be qualified to direct ABA programs. These are the MINIMUM standards.
1. Formal Credentials
The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) can provide you with a safeguard. It helps by screening potential providers as well as resources for you to report practices that violate the BACB Profession.
Ask for documentation of a current:
Please take into consideration that a certification is necessary but not sufficient qualification to direct your child’s programs.
Ask for documentation of a current:
- BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) or
- BCABA (Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst). Note that the latter requires SUPERVISION from a current BCBA.
Please take into consideration that a certification is necessary but not sufficient qualification to direct your child’s programs.
2. Training
Behavior analysis as a discipline is broad and varied. Some BCBAs have little or no experience in directing or delivering ABA programming to individuals with autism. The following training and experience, with a certification, are necessary to be considered competent:
1000 clock hours (25 hrs/wk for 40 weeks) of HANDS-ON training in providing ABA services directly to children and/or adults with autism UNDER SUPERVISION of a BCBA with at least 5 years of experience.
Ongoing training should also be evident through formal training, self-study, and participation in continuing education to keep up to date with the best available research in the discipline.
1000 clock hours (25 hrs/wk for 40 weeks) of HANDS-ON training in providing ABA services directly to children and/or adults with autism UNDER SUPERVISION of a BCBA with at least 5 years of experience.
Ongoing training should also be evident through formal training, self-study, and participation in continuing education to keep up to date with the best available research in the discipline.
3. Evidence of Qualifications
Feel encouraged and empowered to ask prospective providers/directors of the ABA services (even those using the title ‘consultant’) to show you evidence of their qualification in the form of any of the following (the more the better):
- Certification as a BCBA
- Certification as a BCABA with adequate supervision by a BCBA
- Information about the amount & type of supervision they deliver
- Membership in the Association for Behavior Analysis (ABA)
- Membership in an Affiliated Chapter of ABA (e.g., California’s chapter is called CalABA, New York’s chapter is called NYABA, etc.)
- Undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate training in behavior analysis, SPECIFICALLY different from psychology, special education, education or other disciplines
- Letters of reference from employment supervisors or families for whom they have directed ABA programming
4. Additional Considerations
Attending/ delivering some workshops, taking some classes, or getting brief hands-on experience does NOT qualify anyone to practice ABA effectively and adequately. Sadly, there are some who misrepresent their training, skills and experiences or inappropriately guarantee certain outcomes.
Have questions about ABA that you want to contact Itzel about? Email her at [email protected].
