ABA Therapist, Behavior Specialist, Behavior Consultant

Something recentlly was brought to my attention regarding confusion with the titles of ABA therapist, Behavior Specialist and Behavior Consultant. I came across people who honestly thought that ALL ABA therapists,  Behavior Specialists  and behavior consultants are fully trained Behavior Analysts. So, I feel that I need to strongly clarify.

Just an FYI- the Behavior Analyst Certification Board www.bacb.com   is the professional Applied Behavior Analysis organization that governs the Behavior Anayst credential.

If you are in need of a behavior related professional who has truly gone through the required Behavior Analyst ABA graduate level curriculum, ABA work supervision experience and has passed a rigorous ABA Board exam then you should hire a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.  ( BCBA )

If one calls themselves an ABA therapist or Behavior Specialist or Behavior Consultant- this does NOT mean that they are Board Certified Behavior Analysts. Nor can ABA therapists , Behavior Specialists or any other behavior related titles who have NOT earned the credential can call themselves “Behavior Analysts”. This is so because the Behavior Analyst Certification Board can only legally approve the Behavior Analyst trademark professional title.

So while shopping for ABA advisement, ASK those you are interested in- are you a Board Certified Behavior Analyst?

If they say YES- then ask them for verifiable proof of their Board Certified Behavior Analyst certificate and professional ID # assigned by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.

So it is highly recommended that if you employ someone in the field of behavior, check out their credentials fully. Just because they call themselves an ABA therapist or behavior specialist or behavior consultant, it does NOT mean that they have earned the professional credential of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

Tags: ABA therapist, Behavior Specialist, consultant