ABA in Brazil
A comprehensive guide to ABA in Brazil, where public health law mandates coverage and the field is growing rapidly. Training, credentialing, funding, and resources for professionals and families.
Overview: ABA Practice in Brazil
Brazil has emerged as one of the most dynamic ABA markets in the world. The country is home to an estimated 2,000 to 4,000 practicing behavior analysts, with numbers growing significantly each year as training programs expand and awareness increases. Brazil's population of over 210 million people and an estimated 2 million individuals with autism create enormous demand for qualified ABA services.
A landmark development came in 2012 with the passage of the Berenice Piana Law (Law 12.764), which established the legal rights of individuals with autism in Brazil. This was followed by further legislation in 2014 mandating that the public health system (SUS) cover ABA therapy. These legal protections have been transformative for families seeking services, though implementation remains uneven across the country's vast geography.
ABA in Brazil is practiced primarily by psychologists, speech-language pathologists, and occupational therapists who have specialized in behavior analysis. The field has a strong academic tradition, with several Brazilian universities offering graduate programs in behavior analysis and producing high-quality research. The Associacao Brasileira de Analise do Comportamento (ABAC) serves as the primary professional organization.
The major challenge in Brazil remains geographic access. Services are concentrated in the southeastern region, particularly Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Minas Gerais. Families in the north and northeast regions face significant barriers to accessing qualified providers, making telehealth and online training increasingly important.
Credentialing in Brazil
Federal Council Registration
ABA practice in Brazil is primarily regulated through the federal professional councils. Psychologists must be registered with the CRP (Conselho Regional de Psicologia). Speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists register with CREFITO. These registrations are the legal requirements for practicing in their respective fields, including ABA-informed work.
BACB Certification
BACB certification is recognized in Brazil as a marker of specialized ABA training, but it is not required for practice. The BACB is discontinuing new international certifications. Existing BACB certificants in Brazil can maintain their credentials through their current cycle.
IBAO Certification
IBAO offers an international credential available in 119 countries, including Brazil. QABA also offers credentials internationally.
ABAC and Local Standards
The Associacao Brasileira de Analise do Comportamento (ABAC) provides professional development, ethical guidelines, and standards for ABA practice in Brazil. While not a credentialing body in the same sense as BACB, ABAC membership and adherence to their guidelines signals professional commitment to the field.
Training and Education
University Programs in Brazil
- USP (Universidade de Sao Paulo) - Graduate programs in experimental psychology with behavior analysis focus
- PUC-SP - Postgraduate specialization in applied behavior analysis
- UFSCar (Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos) - Research and training in behavior analysis
- UEL (Universidade Estadual de Londrina) - Graduate programs in behavior analysis
- UFPA (Universidade Federal do Para) - Programs in behavior analysis and experimental psychology
Many Brazilian ABA programs are offered as "pos-graduacao lato sensu" (specialization courses), which provide focused professional training beyond undergraduate education.
Online Training
Online training is particularly valuable in Brazil given the country's geographic size and the concentration of training programs in southeastern cities. Special Learning provides BACB ACE Provider continuing education (ACE Provider #OP-14-2437) accessible from anywhere in Brazil. All courses are self-paced and provide BACB Authorized Continuing Education certificates (recognized by the BACB for BACB certificants).
The CE Library offers BACB Authorized Continuing Education for BCBAs and BCaBAs. The All Access provides access to the full course catalog.
View training options or explore the All Access.
Funding and Access
SUS (Sistema Unico de Saude)
Since 2014, SUS is legally mandated to cover ABA therapy for individuals with autism. In practice, accessing ABA through SUS depends on your municipality and state. Some CAPS (Centro de Atencao Psicossocial) offer behavioral services, and hospitals in larger cities may have ABA programs. When SUS services are unavailable or delayed, families can use judicial processes to compel coverage, a strategy that has been successful in many cases.
Private Health Insurance (Planos de Saude)
The Berenice Piana Law requires private health insurance plans to cover treatment for autism, which includes ABA therapy. The ANS (Agencia Nacional de Saude Suplementar) has issued rulings supporting ABA coverage. Families may need to advocate with their insurance providers and, in some cases, pursue legal action to secure coverage. The number of approved sessions per month varies by insurer.
Private Pay
Private ABA therapy costs between 100 and 400 BRL per session, with monthly costs for comprehensive programs ranging from 3,000 to 15,000 BRL. Rates are higher in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Some practitioners offer sliding-scale fees.
Social Programs
Various government social programs and NGOs provide support for families of individuals with disabilities. The BPC (Beneficio de Prestacao Continuada) provides a monthly payment to low-income individuals with disabilities. Some municipalities offer additional local programs.
Finding a Provider in Brazil
ESBAP Directory
Search the ESBAP directory for ABA providers with independent ethical standards verification, including Brazilian organizations.
Local Resources
- ABAC - Associacao Brasileira de Analise do Comportamento member directory
- ABPMC - Associacao Brasileira de Psicologia e Medicina Comportamental
- CRP directories - Regional psychology council listings
- Autism parent associations - Organizations like AMA (Associacao de Amigos do Autista) maintain provider referrals
What to Look For
- Active CRP, CREFITO, or equivalent professional registration
- Specialized ABA training (postgraduate specialization or equivalent)
- BACB, IBAO, or QABA certification (optional but indicates advanced training)
- Individualized assessment and data-driven programming
- Supervised therapy team structure
- Transparent communication about progress and methods
Free Resources from Special Learning
All Special Learning free tools work from Brazil with no account required:
Free ABA Tools
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Access Free ToolsGuides and Learning
In-depth guides on ABA topics, evidence-based strategies, and practical resources.
Browse GuidesLearn ABA
Structured learning paths for parents, educators, and professionals new to behavior analysis.
Start LearningV-CAT Consultation
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Book V-CATFrequently Asked Questions: ABA in Brazil
Is ABA available in Brazil?
Yes, and Brazil is one of the fastest-growing ABA markets in the world. Since 2014, law mandates that the public health system (SUS) cover ABA therapy. Brazil has an estimated 2,000 to 4,000 behavior analysts and a rapidly expanding training infrastructure.
Does the Brazilian public health system cover ABA?
Yes. Since 2014, SUS is legally mandated to cover ABA therapy for autism. Access varies by location. Private health insurance is also required to cover ABA under the Berenice Piana Law.
What credentials do I need to practice ABA in Brazil?
Registration with your federal council (CRP for psychologists, CREFITO for SLPs/OTs) is required. BACB certification is recognized but not required and is being discontinued internationally. IBAO and QABA also operate internationally.
How much does ABA therapy cost in Brazil?
Private sessions cost 100 to 400 BRL each. Monthly comprehensive programs range from 3,000 to 15,000 BRL. SUS and private insurance can reduce costs significantly.
Where can I study ABA in Brazil?
Universities including USP, PUC-SP, UFSCar, and UEL offer ABA programs. Online training from providers like Special Learning provides additional BACB Authorized Continuing Education (recognized by the BACB for BACB certificants).
Is the BACB certification recognized in Brazil?
BACB certification is recognized as a mark of advanced training but is not required for practice. The BACB is discontinuing new international certifications. IBAO also operates internationally.
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