A Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) or Board-Certified assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) is a professional who studies patterns of behavior and learning. At CAN, our BCBAs and BCaBAs oversee therapeutic treatment programs based upon the science of Applied Behavior Analysis to support children and young adults with Autism.
While a Behavior Analyst will not be the person to diagnose Autism, they will have a significant role in the path forward once a licensed medical professional has made the diagnosis. The Behavior Analyst is a highly qualified specialist equipped to design treatment plans which teach people with autism the skills they need to navigate life as independently as possible.
What is a Behavior Analyst?
A Behavior Analyst’s role is to assess the social and behavioral needs of their client, develop a plan to address those needs, and supervise the implementation of the plan. They use the framework known as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to support their clients; at CAN, those clients are children and young adults with autism. Autism is a spectrum disorder, which means it can present in a lot of different ways and to varying degrees of impact. There is no one-size-fits-all support plan to meet the needs of everyone with autism. A BCBA is a professional who is qualified to assess the individual needs of their client and design a behavior intervention plan using ABA structure as a guide.
What Is a Behavior Analyst’s Role in a Client’s Treatment?
Behavior Analysts are responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of ABA therapy for their clients. Autistic individuals may process information differently, have different modes of communication, engage in patterns of behavior that may appear rigid or repetitive to others, or prefer different types of social experiences. CAN’s approach to ABA uses positive reinforcement to support our clients to learn new skills that allow them to navigate the world as safely, independently, and happily as possible.
Behavior Analysts begin the therapy process with a comprehensive assessment to determine each client’s unique strengths and needs. Using a variety of assessment tools, the Behavior Analyst will determine which areas and levels of support are needed. These assessments include parent and teacher interviews, medical history, observation, and both standardized and skills-based assessment tools.
Once a thorough assessment is conducted, the BCBA writes a plan for behavior support and intervention. Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), paraprofessionals who have completed extensive training in ABA techniques and concepts and who have passed a certifying exam, provide direct client support under the supervision of the Behavior Analyst.
Applied Behavior Analysis incorporates positive reinforcement to drive learning. The Behavior Analyst will determine the most effective way to implement positive reinforcement by conducting a preference assessment with each client. This gives the child the opportunity for choices in their learning process, respecting their agency as an individual.
As the therapy plan progresses, the Behavior Analyst tracks behavioral data collected by the direct support team, writes analytic reports of the data, adjusts the plan as goals are met, and supervises the direct support providers.
Behavior Analyst Specialties
BCBAs can specialize in several areas related to behavior analysis ranging from forensics to developmental disorders. While they are not clinicians in the medical sense, ABA treatment is covered by insurance as the only evidence-based treatment for autism. There are multiple subspecialties for Behavior Analysts. Behavioral treatment of autism and other disabilities is the most common specialization for BCBAs. However, organizational behavior management, sports medicine, addiction and recovery services, special education, and geriatric services are also fields of practice for Behavior Analysts.
Our Behavior Analysts at Center for Autism Nurturing
Center for Autism Nurturing (CAN) has a team of professionals dedicated to your child’s success. We hire Behavior Analysts who focus on helping your child achieve their full potential with the best possible outcomes in their learning process. Our inclusive and innovative approach to ABA opens the door to opportunity for the children and families we serve. Behavior Analysts at CAN collaborate with community partners to facilitate full integration of multidisciplinary programming for every client. Teamwork is the root of quality care, and our Behavior Analysts lead these collaborative efforts with dedication to excellence.
Care at Center for Autism Nurturing
At Center for Autism Nurturing, we champion a culture of care. Our approach to autism therapy is multidisciplinary and child centered. We seek to help your child improve communication, learn life skills, build relationships, and navigate the world safely and independently as possible. Our team is devoted to nurturing the learning process through positive reinforcement, encouragement, and collaboration with community partners.
We provide services at our care centers, in-home, and at schools, and in other community locations to ensure our clients receive comprehensive care. CAN serves families in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Our programs are evidence-based, adhere to high fidelity, and aimed at outcomes that can be measured with transparency.
Treatment environments
The treatment environments at Center for Autism Nurturing are positive, empowering, and collaborative. Depending on the market, we provide in-community, in-center, and in-home ABA therapy for children in need of our services. Our foremost goal is to equip our clients with the life skills they need in the environment they need.
Our entire care team
The professionals at Center for Autism Nurturing champion teamwork and are committed to making an impact in the lives of every child and family we serve. We believe every family deserves to thrive no matter what challenges are presented to them. Our care team is a diverse group of dedicated psychologists, behavior analysts, registered behavior technicians and behavior technicians. Each of our team members is certified in CPR, first aid, and Safety-Care®. Everyone at CAN, from internal operations staff to direct support providers, are caring professionals who are committed to your child’s growth and progress.
How Do You Become a Behavior Analyst?
Behavior Analysts are certified in post graduate programs and complete vigorous training to achieve their credentials. While they are not clinicians who can administer a diagnosis or write prescriptions, they are the professionals who oversee the clinical implementation of Applied Behavior Analysis. Becoming a Behavior Analyst is a rewarding career that allows you to improve the lives of clients, their families and the entire community.
Schooling
BCBAs must hold a master’s degree in a related field, including coursework requirements specific to Applied Behavior Analysis, complete at least 2,000 supervised independent fieldwork, and successfully pass the Behavior Analyst Certification Board exam. Additional information related to the Certification process is available directly at the BACB’s website.
Job Market for Behavior Analysts
Within the field of ABA, there are multiple levels of certification. These include the Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), which is a paraprofessional certification, the Board-Certified assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) at the bachelor’s level, the BCBA, and the BCBA-D, which is the doctoral level credential. There is a significant demand for BCBAs in the US job market. As autism diagnoses increase, insurance providers cover services, and understanding of neurological divergence disorders expands across the clinical spectrum, demand for professional behavior analysts will continue to explode.