Guidelines for Consumers

Contents:
General Considerations in Choosing a Director of ABA Services
Section I - Qualifications to Direct Behavior Analytic Programs
Section II - Training Necessary to Direct ABA Programs for Individuals with Autism
Section III - Evidence of Qualifications to Direct ABA Programs for Individuals with Autism
Section IV - Additional Considerations

 

Section I Qualifications to Direct Behavior Analytic Programs

A. Certification by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board®(BACB®) as a Board Certified Behavior AnalystTM (BCBA®) is recommended. Standards for certification as a BCBA®, which can be found in the Consumer Information section of www.BACB.com, include: a Master’s degree; 225 hours of graduate-level coursework in specific behavior analytic content areas (typically five 3-credit-hour classes); supervised experience in designing and implementing applied behavior analysis interventions; and a passing score on the professionally-developed BCBA examination. Consumers are urged to check the BACB website as these requirements are continuously evolving (e.g., coursework and supervision requirements for new applicants have become more stringent). A complete task list of content covered on the Behavior Analyst Certification Board examinations and a registry of BACB certificants are available at www.BACB.com. An individual’s BACB certification status may be verified by emailing info@BACB.com with the request.

Note that there is also a lower level of BACB certification, the Board Certified Assistant Behavior AnalystTM (BCaBA®), for individuals who have fewer qualifications: a bachelor’s degree; 135 hours of undergraduate classroom instruction in behavior analysis; supervised experience in implementing applied behavior analysis interventions; and a passing score on the professionally-developed BCaBA examination. BCaBAs should be supervised by BCBAs. A description of recommended work activities for both BCBAs and BCaBAs may be found on the “About BACB Certificants� page in the Consumer Information section of www.BACB.com. The Autism SIG strongly recommends that BCaBAs deliver behavior analytic intervention and assist with program design in familiar cases only if they are adequately supervised by BCBAs who are appropriately qualified. The Autism SIG encourages consumers who are considering BCaBAs as providers to request the name and contact information of the BCBA supervisor, check to see that the supervisor is a BCBA, and seek information about the amount and type of supervision provided.

Both BCBAs and BCaBAs must renew their BACB certification annually, participate in continuing education activities that meet BACB standards, and recertify every three years. They should adhere to the BACB Guidelines for Responsible Conduct for Behavior Analysts©, and must adhere to the BACB Professional Disciplinary Standards© (also available at www.BACB.com).

B. Given the fairly recent establishment of the BACB, the Autism SIG recognizes that consumers may encounter service providers who are not certified.

There is a small group of professionals who have been in practice for a number of years, but are not currently certified by the BACB. Some completed their training well before the BACB certification program was initiated, and are now in the later stages of their careers. Some are excellent clinicians who have served hundreds of consumers with autism.

It is important for consumers to ask such professionals to provide documentation of their qualifications in the behavior analytic treatment of autism. The Autism SIG strongly recommends that consumers examine the resumes of non-certified individuals for evidence of the following:

  1. Completion of at least a master's degree in behavior analysis or a closely related field
  2. Current "Full" membership in the Association for Behavior Analysis and possibly one of its regional chapters
  3. At least ten years of professional experience post-master's or doctoral degree in implementing, designing, and overseeing behavior analysis services for individuals with autism
  4. Publications of research on the behavior analytic treatment of autism in peer-reviewed professional journals (as opposed to self-published books and journals, websites, and the like)
  5. Presentations on the behavior analytic treatment of autism at behavior analysis conferences (but note that conference presentations are not equivalent to peer-reviewed research)

The Autism SIG recognizes the complexity of determining whether a non-BACB certified professional is truly competent. The SIG strongly advises consumers to be aware that other credentials, degrees, and titles are not to be considered equivalent to the BACB credential in determining a professional’s expertise to practice behavior analysis. Only a professional certified by the BACB has demonstrated minimum competence through graduate coursework, supervised experience, and a standardized national examination as administered by the BACB. The BACB offers the only credential specific to the practice of behavior analysis.

Some professionals maybe pursuing a BACB credential, but have not yet completed the necessary degree, coursework, and/or supervised practical experience requirements. When such individuals provide ABA services to individuals with autism, they should be supervised directly and closely by a qualified BCBA who maintains primary responsibility for all aspects of the intervention. Supervision by the BCBA should include directly observing the client and the supervisee, meeting frequently with the supervisee, and taking the lead in all clinical decision- making. Consumers should ask the supervising BCBA for specific information on the supervisee’s progress towards certification in the form of copies of course transcripts and proportion of supervised experience hours completed.