Many parents familiar with applied behavior analysis (ABA) are used to the tier model where they have a registered behavior technician (RBT) who works with their child on a regular basis and a Board Certified assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) or Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who supervises some of the sessions. Since at most ABA companies the majority of the time parent's interactions are spent with RBTs I wanted to explain what the BCBA or BCaBA does. The behavior analyst credential requires additional education and training. BCBAs have a master's degree in a field related to psychology or education as well as courses on ABA. Additional experience hours are also required with the amount varying depending on the intensity of the experience. For example I received independent field work experience and was required to have 1,500 hours in the field in order to be able to take the board exam. After obtaining the appropriate education and field experience analysts must take a board exam and obtain roughly an 80% score depending on the test form. The board exam is offered only four times a year and is given at select Pearson testing centers.
Now that we have covered how an individual becomes a BCBA let's talk about what a BCBA does.
A BCBA/BCaBA is in a supervising role of the technicians providing direct services, however an analyst can also provide direct service themselves. As an analyst I am responsible for the initial assessment. The initial assessment is what occurs before a client can begin receiving ABA services. During the assessment a client's behaviors will be discussed: both behaviors targeted for decrease as well as adaptive behaviors the client would benefit in learning. All parts of the behavior plan should be socially significant to the client. This means it should be a significant positive change in their lives on a regular basis to teach them this skill or decrease a behavior. During the assessment interviews may be conducted with caregivers, as well as others who know the client well. Whenever possible the client will be involved and invited to share their thoughts.Standardized assessment tools may be used as well as checklists and social probes to identify and skill deficits. Potential reinforcers will be discussed with the client and client's caregivers. It will be at this time when medical data will be reviewed and evaluated to determine the impact on behavior. Following the review of all the data collected, the analyst will then begin to write the behavior plan.
The behavior plan will include both the treatment goals and how the goals will be met. The parents/ caregivers will meet with the analyst after the plan is written and discuss the plan and implementation. Whenever possible I make certain to include the RBTs in this process so that the entire treatment team can meet. This keeps everyone on the same page in order to best implement the plan. At this point I usually discuss scheduling as well so that expectations can be made for availability and consistency.
After the assessment is complete and parents have agreed to the plan the RBT or in some cases the BCBA will begin working with the client on the goals. My parents are encouraged to observe sessions frequently so that they can utilize the same principles when the ABA team is not present unless individual specific circumstances do not warrant this model. Services can take place in multiple environments depending on the ABA provider's resources. I frequently work in community, center, and home based settings. Once services start data collection also begins. The RBT will collect data on sessions and regularly communicate with the BCBA. The BCBA will also give supervision to the RBT for at least 5% of their total monthly hours. During supervision the BCBA is looking for any variables causing the behavior plan no to work or not to work as well, determine if the RBT needs additional feedback on the plan and their implementation, and the BCBA is also taking data on behaviors. Following supervision the BCBA and RBT will discuss any concern with the treatment plan. Parents should also feel that they can contact the BCBA if they have any concerns. Besides the ongoing ABA sessions, BCBAs also provide parent training and help parents identify additional factors impacting behavior. Behind the scenes BCBAs also graph the data, research evidence based treatment options and provide ongoing training to RBTS. As a BCBA I also am monitoring adaptive skills and independent living skills so that my team and I are “working ourselves out of a job”. My ultimate goal is for my clients and their families to be able to succeed independently.
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