Selecting a Service Provider:

1
Selecting a Service Provider

• Guidelines for Consumers of Applied
• Behavior Analysis Services

2
Applied Consulting and Training Services, ACTS

• Harvey J. Evans, M. Ed
• Board Certified Behavior Analyst, 1-04-1498

3
Autism Special Interest Group (SIG) Association
for Behavior Analysis (ABA)

• Revised Guidelines for Consumers of Applied
• Behavior Analysis Services to Individuals with
• Autism and Related Services (September 15,
• 2004)

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Definition of Applied Behavior Analysis

• an approach that seeks to understand behavior
  by analyzing environmental factors and involves
  the systematic manipulation of antecedents and
  consequences to modify both adaptive and
  maladaptive behaviors.

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Research supporting Applied Behavior Analysis

• Research has clearly documented the
  effectiveness of applied behavior analysis (ABA)
  methods in the education and treatment of people
  with autism (e.g., Matson et al., 1996 Smith,
  1996 New York Department of Health, 1999 U.S.
  Surgeon General, 1999).

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More Research

• Recently, Johnny Matson and his colleagues
  counted more than 550 studies published in
  scientific journals showing the effectiveness of
  behavior analytic procedures with persons with
  autism (Matson, J. L. et al, 1996).
• studies have shown that one treatment
  approachearly intensive treatment using the
  methods of Applied Behavior Analysiscan result
  in dramatic improvements for children with
  autism (Maurice, Green, and Luce, 1996)

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More Research

• In fact, there is a abundant scientific evidence
  that Applied Behavior Analysis methods can
  produce comprehensive and lasting improvements in
  many important skill areas for most people with
  autism, regardless of their age. No other
  treatment for autism offers comparable evidence
  of effectiveness (Maurice, Green, and Luce,
  1996)

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Surgeon General

• Thirty years of research demonstrated the
  efficacy of applied behavioral methods in
  reducing inappropriate behavior and in increasing
  communication, learning, and appropriate social
  behavior

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Question

• How does a consumer determine that an ABA service
  provider is competent to plan, direct, and
  monitor effective ABA programs for individuals
  with autism and their families?

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Minimum Standards (Autism SIG)

• Certification by the Behavior Analyst
  Certification Board as a Board Certified Behavior
  Analyst (BCBA)

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What are the standards for certification as a
BCBA?

• Masters Degree in Behavior Analysis or related
  field
• 225 hours of approved graduate level instruction
  in Applied Behavior Analysis
• Experience Standards (July 1st, 2006)
• Successful completion of Examination administered
  by the BACB

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New Experience Standards

• All experience must be supervised by a BCBA
• Between 750 and 1500 hours of supervised
  fieldwork and practicum experience
• Supervision every 1 to 2 weeks from 5 to 15 of
  experience hours.
• Behavior Analytic focus as described in Some
  Current Dimensions of Applied Behavior Analysis
  (Baer, Wolf, and Risley, 1968)

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Board Certified Associate Behavior Analyst

• Lower level of Board Certification
• Should practice under supervision of BCBA (BACB
  and Autism SIG)

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Board Certification is necessary but not
sufficient qualification

• At least one full calendar year (at least 25
  hours a week for 40 weeks) on hands-on experience
  providing ABA services directly to children
  and/or adults with autism
• Under the supervision of a BCBA with at least 5
  years of experience in ABA programming for
  individuals with autism

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Additional training that includes

• Formal training/Self-study about best available
  scientific evidence
• Formal training/Self-study of at least one
  curriculum for learners with autism

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Additional training that includes

• Training/Self-study in methods to assess and
  build verbal and nonverbal communication
  repertoires in people with autism
• Accrual of continuing education in best available
  research

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What specific questions can you ask prospective
ABA service providers?

• Are you a Board Certified Behavior Analyst?
• How much direct supervision do you provide to
  your people who directly deliver services?
• Are you a member of the Association for Behavior
  Analysis?
• Are you a member of an affiliated chapter?

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More Questions

• What specific training have you had in Behavior
  Analysis vs non-behavior analytic study?
• Letters of reference from persons that they have
  directed ABA programming
• Publications of behavior analytic research in
  peer-reviewed professional journals

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Beware of the Following

• Experience based on having attended some
  workshops, taking a few courses, or brief hands
  on experiences
• Expertise based solely on attendance and active
  participation in meetings/conferences in behavior
  analysis

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Additional Resources

• www.BACB.com
• www.abainternational.org
• http//www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/mentalhealth
  /chapter3/sec6.htmlautism