What does an ABA therapist do?
- Interview and Assessment
The first step in the process of ABA therapy is interviewing the patient to identify deficits and managing treatment strategies. This is an essential part of a behavior analyst’s job; as it not only establishes trust and familiarity between therapist and client, but also is the stage where possible diagnoses stem from. An ABA professional should be able to accurately assess a patient in this stage, which is why some interviews can take a long time to complete, what with detailed questions and written assessments. Because Autism Spectrum Disorder can manifest in different individuals in a variety of ways, an ABA therapist will be able to weed out significant information from this step to be able to plan out the best treatment method going ahead. - Setting Goals
Now that an assessment has been made, the professional will move on to setting goals, both long-term and short-term, that they would achieve by the end of the treatment. ABA places a significant focus on measurable variables and quantifiable progress, unlike many other disciplines in the field of psychology. A behavior analyst will involve the patient and their caregivers to work out desired objectives and outcomes that the therapy will be aiming towards. This includes what problem behaviors are to be dealt with as top priority. According to the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD), typically social shortcomings that are particularly disruptive are emphasized. - Treatment
Once a thorough plan is deliberated upon, with discussions between the therapist and the caregivers, it is put into action through therapy sessions. Individual sessions with clients are more common, and can vary in length and form. - Engaging Patients and Family
An important part of an ABA’s job is to include the patient’s family in the entire treatment process. ABA therapy requires consistency for successful results. That is why a behavior analyst will try to engage families in autism and ABA know-how, having them be an active part of the treatment process. - Tracking Progress
The therapist would keep detailed records of the status of the patient, so as to track any growth they may have undergone. This helps in ensuring the method of treatment, gauging whether or not the chosen plan needs to be adjusted and updated. It can also serve as a motivational factor for patients and families, alike, being presented details of their progress. Moreover, while they will keep track of what improvements have been made, they will also observe any negative behaviors that need conditioning. This is where correction and positive reinforcement come into play. - Assisting with Home Life
An ABA therapist is responsible for helping their patient with home life, as well. For an autistic individual, each sphere of life should provide them with consistency. Therefore, therapists might help them develop goals for how to behave at home, from forming routines to controlling actions to interaction with fellow residents.
What skills should an ABA therapist have?
An ABA therapist is preferred to have excellent interpersonal skills and empathy, so as to provide a safe and generative space for the individual. They must have a deep understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder and the pursuit thereof. They should also be equipped with creative skills and adaptability, so as to provide the patient with an optimal environment for growth and productivity. Moreover, they must be compassionate, and have a keen sense of professional and human ethics. An ABA therapist should be a good listener and observer, so as to be able to identify any changes in the patient and gauge whether modifications need to be made to their approach. That is because, for an ABA therapist, the patient is their key priority. If they are not contributing to the individual’s betterment, then they are not performing their very responsibility or fulfilling the actual purpose of their position.
What does it take to become an ABA professional?
According to job requirements and employers’ reviews, an ABA therapist preferably has a Bachelor’s degree in psychology, special education, or any other relevant field. Coursework in these degrees may focus on abnormal and clinical psychology, human development and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Some programs can comprise of fieldwork hours, which are designed to provide students with practical experience to work with autistic children. Many employers opt for therapists who have received behavior analyst certification, like Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) or Registered Behavior Technician.
The former requires a master level degree, preferring those with specific training in the principles of applied behavior analysis. With various levels of the same branch, a doctorate is demanded to achieve a BCBA-D, and at least a Bachelor level degree for the BCaBA.
The latter requires the individual to be a high school graduate with a clean criminal record. They must undergo 40 hours of training under a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and complete the Registered Behavior Competency assessment.
This highlights that a behavior analyst undergoes thorough training that is relevant to their specific field of work, with special emphasis on their education and know-how. Such is encouraging in a time when mental health is seen by many as an inexistent problem.
An article by Eric Ciechanowski, giving a run-through of all one should look out for when opting for a job as a behavior analyst, quotes a professional ABA therapist as claiming that many therapists prefer to opt for additional degrees as well, while the typical route for most is opting for a BCBA.
The Responsibility of ABA Therapists
Not everyone can be a professional when it comes to ABA therapy. They are not only charged with the responsibility to help an individual (with enough burdens from the deficits they are predisposed to, let alone from the society at large), but have the obligation to assist them in every facet of life. Whatever they would interact with, an ABA therapist has to be prepared for. This complex yet very sensitive duty must thus be handled by specialists that are best suited for the job, which is why Small Steps Big Dreams in Dubai, UAE, ensures that they are staffed with only the most skilled professionals. Autism Spectrum Disorder is not something that can be taken very lightly, and an ABA therapist works to eradicate the very idea that it is such while attempting to provide autism treatment that is optimal and customized for each individual.