Requirements for the RBT involve only a high school diploma, a background check and 40 hours of training, which can be done online. The RBT must also pass an exam and an evaluation of her mastery of the relevant skills, based on observation of her working with a child.
She added that while there is evidence that more education and training in ABA practitioners improves the response rate of the children, there is no evidence that one particular form of training produces better treatment results than another. Complicating things for parents is the fact that different states and insurance companies have different requirements.
To be licensed, a given state might merely require training in a behavioral approach to learning, while an insurance company might narrow reimbursement only to a BCBA or PhD provider.
One issue parents must consider is whether to have ABA treatment at home or in a clinical setting. While home-based treatment may be more convenient, Dr. Lord notes, in a clinic a child will be on the radar screen of more practitioners with various kinds of expertise. At home, there are fewer minds working on things.
Stephanie Kenniburg has been extremely happy with the treatment her son Holden, now 6, has received. He does best in that type of situation. And she says Holden has come out of his shell socially. Before he just did his own thing. His teachers and classroom aide have noticed the shift as well. And the ABA worked quickly for Holden. His vocabulary was getting better; he was starting to talk with us and socialize with us more.
Get this as a PDF. Enter email to download and get news and resources in your inbox. Share this on social. This person directly oversees the creation and customization of an ABA program for your child. This professional is the person whom your child will meet with regularly for ABA sessions. The goals are broken down into smaller steps with concrete, assessable outcomes. The technician will break each step down.
For example, to verbally form a word, the technician will start by breaking down each sound. Measurements of progress are recorded by collecting data in each therapy session, so progress in the treatment plan can be understood. If the child does not show progress or shows sporadic progress, the ABA therapist can reevaluate how to approach the goals.
ABA practitioners also help parents and teachers understand children with autism, so they can create a better environment, interact more effectively, and support growth throughout the treatment plan. Even in this setting, ABA therapy requires consistent monitoring and continuous evaluation.
A technician that does not keep meticulous, evidence-based notes and report measurable progress may not be an effective ABA professional. The first, and most important, way to assess an ABA therapist or technician is to look at their credentials. These credentials will vary according to the level of specialty. Besides certifications and credentials, there are other qualifications that matter when choosing an ABA therapist. Ask potential therapists about:.
There are some potential red flags that parents, teachers, and caregivers can look for in ABA programs or any treatment program. Steer clear of programs that:. But you are still the most important team member. A good ABA therapist knows that parental involvement is essential to success. Make a list of skills you want your child to learn.
The ABA therapist should listen while creating the treatment plan and take your input into account. They may have noticed many of the same behavioral struggles that you have, so you can discuss approaches to these further. A qualified ABA therapist will value your feedback. There should be an end goal of moving the learner out of therapy and into more direct use of the skills, such as in school. Your child may return for sessions consistently for years, but sessions should decrease in frequency and intensity as your child is able to manage certain areas of life with their new skillsets.
As with any therapist, a lot comes down to how well you and your child click with a potential behavior technician. You should be able to observe at least a few sessions with your child and their ABA technician. If you notice anything that makes you uncomfortable, or if any of the responses to your child do not seem helpful, ask about it.
I do and I understand. ABA therapy is a balance between motivation and tolerance. Look at the older books on ABA for autism and the emphasis is on compliance — attending to a task, complying to a request — but look further and motivation is mentioned, too.
The best behavior analysts find the right balance at the right time for the right child. Young children are active. We should be taking advantage of that. Therapists should be looking every day for a new reinforcer because the options are limitless! ABA is about interacting with wonderfully diverse human beings in a meaningful way. What happens during breaks is just as important as what happens during structured time.
Best-outcome results are both possible and frequent in ABA therapy. One-to-one ABA therapy from therapists is only one part of a comprehensive early intervention program.
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