Metro Behavior Consulting's WHAT IS? Series:
What is ABA?ABA stands for Applied Behavior Analysis. ABA is a well-developed scientific discipline among the helping professions that focuses on the analysis, design, implementation, and evaluation of social and other environmental modifications to produce meaningful changes in human behavior. ABA includes the use of direct observation, measurement, and functional analysis of the relations between environment and behavior. ABA uses changes in environmental events, including antecedent stimuli and consequences, to produce practical and significant changes in behavior. These relevant environmental events are usually identified through a variety of specialized assessment methods. ABA is based on the fact that an individual’s behavior is determined by past and current environmental events in conjunction with organic variables such as their genetic endowment and physiological variables. Thus, when applied to ASD, ABA focuses on treating the problems of the disorder by altering the individual’s social and learning environments. The current guidelines are specific to ABA as a behavioral health treatment of ASD. Nevertheless, ABA has also been demonstrated as effective for treating the symptoms of a variety of conditions, including severe destructive behavior, substance abuse, dementia, pediatric feeding disorders, traumatic brain injury, among others. The successful remediation of core deficits of ASD, and the development or restoration of abilities,
documented in hundreds of peer-reviewed studies published over the past 50 years, has made ABA
the standard of care for the treatment of ASD.
(Copyright © 2015 by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.®- Applied Behavior Analysis Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Practice Guidelines for Healthcare Funders and Managers Second Edition) |
What is a BCBA?BCBA stands for Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Individuals who have completed rigorous coursework and passed the exam set forth by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) are awarded with a license. Certification is maintained through continuing education requirements grounded in clinical and ethical practice. BCBAs carry at least a Masters Degree, have accomplished at least 225 hours of additional coursework, and must meet all other legal and professional guidelines in accordance with the BACB's national standards. BCBA's are highly skilled clinicians that are trained in the field of behavioral science as supported by over fifty years of empirical research.
The BCBA and BCBA-D are independent practitioners who also may work as employees or independent contractors for an organization. The BCBA conducts descriptive and systematic behavioral assessments, including functional analyses, and provides behavior analytic interpretations of the results. The BCBA designs and supervises behavior analytic interventions. The BCBA is able to effectively develop and implement appropriate assessment and intervention methods for use in unfamiliar situations and for a range of cases. The BCBA seeks the consultation of more experienced practitioners when necessary. The BCBA teaches others to carry out ethical and effective behavior analytic interventions based on published research and designs and delivers instruction in behavior analysis. BCBAs supervise the work of BCaBA and others (a behavior technician) who implement behavior analytic interventions. (Copyright © 2015 by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.®) |
What is a RBT®?
The Registered Behavior Technician (RBT®) is a paraprofessional who practices under the close, ongoing supervision of a BCaBA, BCBA, or BCBA-D. The RBT is primarily responsible for the direct implementation of behavior-analytic services. The RBT does not design intervention or assessment plans. It is the responsibility of the RBT Supervisor to determine which tasks an RBT may perform as a function of his or her training, experience, and competence. The BACB certificant supervising the RBT is responsible for the work performed by the RBT on the cases they are overseeing
(Copyright © 2019 by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.®)
*Here at Metro Behavior Consulting all of our paraprofessionals are Registered Behavior Technicians that provide service under the direct supervision of a BCBA.
(Copyright © 2019 by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.®)
*Here at Metro Behavior Consulting all of our paraprofessionals are Registered Behavior Technicians that provide service under the direct supervision of a BCBA.