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Frequently Asked Questions

There are three widely recognized credentials: BcaBA, BCBA-D, and BCBA. You can receive these credentials if you hold either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a relevant field and are attending relevant classes.

Yes, there are different online courses or short programs one can take in order to train to be knowledgeable in the different techniques in applied behavior analysis. As with everything, prices vary depending on what type of program you are interested in. There are also materials such as DVD’s, eBooks and audiotapes in aiding you on how to use ABA techniques.

Yes, it is possible. A good example would be using video modeling to teach a child how to brush his or her teeth and using positive reinforcement to tell the child he or she imitated the video well.

Studies show that the fluency building techniques have worked for most children when parents and educators, consistently maintain the program.

Fluency building can take time as with any therapy. The sooner the child picks up on the steps to specific functions, the better the progress.

The Lovaas model has the most extensive research of all treatment methods used on children with autism. It\\\’s covered by over forty years of research and the end results show a high degree of positive outcomes.

PECS stands for Picture Exchange Communication System

The Picture Exchange Communication System is an alternative communication system developed in 1985 by Andy Bondy and Lori Frost, to help children affected by autism convey their thoughts and needs.

Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) is a program focused mainly on aiding a child to build social relationships with other people, initially with parents and other immediate members of the family.

The RDI program was developed by Dr. Steven Gutstein, PhD. He is an internationally renowned pioneer in the field of developmental disabilities. Being an expert in developmental psychology and having studied more than 30 years in the field of autism, he established that early parent-infant interaction brought about good, if not better, later abilities of the child in the areas of language, reasoning and social growth. He refers to these areas as the core deficits of autism.

The program usually starts with a one-hour session with the consultant once a week. This may either increase or decrease over the course of time, depending on the progress the child makes. Eventually, when the child is ready, an introduction to peers or groups will be made and fewer consultant visits will be required.

SCERTS is an acronym that refers to Social Communication/Emotional Regulation/Transactional Support.

Social communication focuses on building communication, expressing emotions and developing trusting relationships for individuals with autism.

Emotional Regulation concentrates on enhancing the skills of individuals with autism to sustain a controlled emotional state appropriate for dealing with daily stress, and for learning and interacting.

Transactional Support refers to the development and application of support to assist partners in responding to the child’s requirements and interests. Transactional Support also denotes modifying and adjusting to the environment, and providing tools to improve learning such as picture communication, etc.

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Being an RBT for me was extremely fun because where were you going to find a place where you can be completely silly without having to worry what people thought about you? This was the only job that made me feel like I could make a dramatic difference while being myself.

I also liked to be surrounded by people that had the same goals of wanting to help kids and the teamwork made the job much easier and more enjoyable.

Change and progress was the ultimate goal for our kiddos. The early intervention program was seriously only a miracle because I saw changes in the kiddos that from day one, you wouldn’t even recognize who they were.

Changes from being able to utter 3-4 words where they can only make a syllable from when they started, the behavior decreases in which kiddo that used to engage in 30-40 0 self-harm to only half, learning how to wait during games, table work where they use to swipe and drop to the floor if they had to.

My favorite was when the parents would tell us what amazing progress they were making at home. I used to tear up and felt for these parents so much because it was already difficult for them and now, they can trust and rely on ABA and the therapists knowing their goal was ours.

By Emma Rogers, BA, RBT

Mother Child
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