Guidelines for Choosing an ABA Provider

Parents of children with autism often face a  momentous decision: do I initiate a home-based ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis sometimes referred to as Lovass) program, or do I enroll my child in the school's program or continue with the existing program. However,  of even greater moment if the answer is in favor of a home-based ABA program, who do I hire to run this program. The stakes are enormously high from an educational, financial and legal perspective.   Fortunately there is a "consumer's guide" to assist in making this latter decision.

In brief the consumer guidance is a follows:

• The "acid test" is formal credentials from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board ("BACB");
• Alternatively, extensive and documented hands-on experience in designing and applying ABA programs with children and adults;
• Master's degree in behavior analysis;
• 225 hours of graduate level coursework grounded in behavior analytic content;
• 18 months of mentored experience of working directly with children or adults applying the principles of ABA, or 9 months of supervisory work designing and applying ABA programs;
• There is a shortage of BACB trained personnel so there is a designation for individuals with a Bachelor's degree (an Associate's certification) and a set of additional experiences that should be present to run an ABA program.

The guidance cautions that attendance at professional conferences, presenting at conferences and attendance at workshops is simply not a substitute for direct classroom training and course work and experience under the tutelage of qualified personnel.

From a legal standpoint the certification may be an important factor in a hearing officer or judge ruling that the home program ought to be reimbursed.  However, a well qualified person who produces dismal results will mean very little in terms of receiving reimbursement. Credentials do not guarantee success but they can be a decisive factor in wining a case, and as importantly in providing a child with the quality programming needed.

Comments

[Heather]

Can you recommend ABA providers in Chicago area (north side)? thank you.