| ABA (applied behavior analysis) therapists typically | | | | Behavior Analysis. Board Certified assistant Behavior |
| work with a child one on one that has a diagnosis of a | | | | Analysts (BCaBA) and Board Certified Behavior |
| pervasive developmental disorder or autism. The main | | | | Analysts (BCBA). |
| ABA interventions used are typically in the form of | | | | Currently, there are not any other official types of |
| discrete trial training. Families can hire a therapist to | | | | ABA certification. This has been confusing for some |
| come into the home and work with their child one on | | | | parents and families as individuals may claim to have |
| one or look for a private program, center or school | | | | ABA certification. They may have taken a class or |
| that employs ABA therapists to work with attending | | | | been trained in ABA and received some sort of paper |
| children. | | | | that so called "certifies" them in ABA, but this is not an |
| What should you look for in a therapist? | | | | official nationally recognized certification like the BCBA |
| When looking for an ABA therapist, look for someone | | | | or BCaBA. |
| that is upbeat, loving and affectionate. The more | | | | Where can you find an ABA therapist? |
| animated a therapist is the more likely the therapist will | | | | Usually there are local behavioral consulting firms or |
| have an impact on the child. If possible try to get a | | | | centers that will employ therapists to come into your |
| video of the therapist working with another child. | | | | home. Another method may be to put an ad on craig's |
| Watch to be sure that the therapist provides | | | | list or in the paper to find a local therapist. Just |
| reinforcement immediately (within 1/2 second) following | | | | remember to always check references if finding one |
| the desired behavior and make sure the therapist is | | | | this way. There is a list of centers and schools divided |
| good at recognizing all behavior that should be | | | | by country and state that claim to provide ABA |
| reinforced and not just those specifically outlined in the | | | | therapy at Some local schools will also have ABA |
| program currently being implemented. | | | | therapists that are interested in additional work in |
| For example, if a child doesn't do the outlined behavior, | | | | homes for private pay, so you can contact the |
| but does sit still with his/her hands in lap and says | | | | schools to see if there are any therapists available |
| words/sounds that he or she wouldn't normally say, | | | | near you. |
| some form of praise should be given to recognize | | | | ABA therapy can be expensive with pay ranging |
| these outstanding behaviors as well. | | | | anywhere from $10-$100/ per hour depending on the |
| It is also recommended that the ABA therapist have | | | | type of service provided, the area in which you live |
| supervision from a trained behavior analyst if possible. | | | | and the individual's credentials. Many states are pushing |
| This will ensure that maximum progress is made and | | | | for the approval of insurance companies to fund this |
| that programs are being followed as intended to avoid | | | | treatment at least partially due to it being an empirically |
| regression. There are two levels of certification for | | | | validated treatment for autism. |