Autism therapists are certified professionals that specialize in the science of behavior. There are different certificates available for professionals in ABA. Below is a list of the types of certifications that are available:
BCBA - A board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) provides ABA therapy services. To become a BCBA, the following is needed:
- Earn a master’s degree or PhD in psychology or behavior analysis.
- Pass a national certification exam.
- Seek a state license to practice (in some states)
- Behavior Interventionist or Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
ABA therapy programs also involve therapists, or registered behavior technicians (RBTs). These therapists are trained and supervised by the BCBA. They work directly with children and adults with autism to practice skills and work toward the individual goals written by the BCBA. You may hear them referred to by a few different names: behavioral therapists, line therapists, behavior tech, etc .At ACES we call our therapists Behavior Technicians.
At any certification level, a therapists partners with each client and their family to provide treatment that is socially significant and meaningful to the individual to improve their quality of life. ABA Therapy looks different for every individual based on what their treatment goals are. What is important to one family or individual may not be for another, and vise versa. It is critical to work closely with your ABA therapist to ensure that the treatment is effective.
Applied Behavioral Analysis
Commonly referred to as ABA, this practice analyzes individual behaviors to develop an understanding of what methods should be used to address undesired behaviors. ABA therapy can be applied to just about every aspect of your child’s life, as it reinforces positive behaviors to enhance learning and communication. It also discourages negative behaviors, so you can reduce outbursts and other disruptive actions.
Occupational Therapy
Don’t be fooled by its name, occupational therapy has nothing to do with recovering from work issues. No, occupational therapy is a service that we provide for families impacted by autism. Occupational therapy supplies you with the help of a trained professional to focus on health challenges and promote independence with daily tasks.
Speech Therapy
For those having difficulties communicating due to speech or developmental disorders, speech therapy is a great service provided by our speech-language pathologists at ACES. Our speech therapy programs are customizable to best foster an improvement in communication skills. From language intervention activities to articulation therapy, we work to enhance the quality of life and future for all our patients.
Social Skills
Social skills training is a common techniques to build confidence, reduce social anxiety, and build social skills. At ACES, our ABA Based Social Groups use the following techniques to encourage social skill practice in a safe, non-judgemental environment:
- Behavioral rehearsal: Role play which involves practicing new skills during therapy in simulated situations
- Corrective feedback: Used to help improve social skills during practice
- Instruction: The educational component of SST that involves the modeling of appropriate social behaviors
- Positive reinforcement: used to reward improvements in social skills
- Weekly homework assignments: Provide the chance to practice new social skills outside of therapy
Every child and adult with autism deserves access to the highest standards of autism care. ACES meets those standards. To learn more about how we encourage growth, contact ACES today!