The Wh- ?'s of
ABA Therapy Programs

What kind of skills are taught during ABA therapy?

ABA therapy focuses on developing skills that are determined to be socially significant for the individual person. Programs generally target two main areas: skill acquisition goals and behavior intervention goals.

Skill acquisition goals focus primarily on increasing skills in the developmental areas of communication, socialization, and daily living skills.
Behavior intervention goals generally focus on reducing maladaptive behaviors (e.g., behaviors that impede basic functioning, learning, or access to the community), teaching your child coping skills, and how to use functional replacement behaviors.

All of the goals in your child’s ABA treatment plan are based on a direct assessment of their current skills and created specifically for them.

When should my child start ABA therapy?

ABA therapy can be started at any age, but the research has shown that it is best to start as early as possible. Children under the age of five have been shown to make the quickest gains over time in targeted skill areas. Each year, 1 in 4 children under the age of five are identified by their family doctors as being “at risk” for developmental delays, and 1 in 35 children are diagnosed with autism. It is important for parents to reach out to their pediatrician if they have any concerns about their child's development. Such identifications are made by pediatricians during routine screenings, and then assessed through formal developmental evaluations. Based on those results, Pediatricians may recommend a variety of services, which may include: speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy as interventions, depending on your child’s specific needs.

Where does ABA therapy take place?

ABA therapy can occur in many places, including homes, therapy centers, some schools, after-school programs, and other community locations. However, every insurance provider defines the specific settings that they will approve for ABA services. Your child’s ABA therapy may be initially scheduled to occur in a center-based setting or home-based setting, and those locations can change over time, based on your child’s needs. As they learn new skills, it's crucial to teach those skills in the different places they will be using them, we call this skill generalization.

For example, when being taught play skills, they may first practice those skills with their therapist. Then, once they have mastered that skill with the therapist, they might practice with peers in a social group, with a playdate, or even at a park. The more practice they get with different people and in different places, will help them to use that skill more successfully in the future.

Who is providing the ABA therapy?

Who provides the ABA therapy is actually dependant on the model used by the ABA provider. There are two types of ABA program models used: a sole-model or multi-tiered model. In a sole-model program, the ABA therapy is provided and overseen by a sole BCBA, who is responsible for all aspects of the program. However, the multi-tiered model program is most commonly used, and is provided by a team of trained clinicians, which must include: a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst), and several RBT's (Registered Behavior Technicians). The BCBA is responsible for overseeing the program, completing the assessment, creating a treatment plan, and providing guidance and supervision to the RBT's. The RBT's work directly with your child to implement the ABA treatment plan during your child's therapy sessions.

Who is a BT (Behavior Technician) or RBT (Registered Behavior Technician)?

At Level Up, there are different levels of clinicians a that can provide ABA therapy for your child, and are based on their level of certification. BT's (Behavior Technician) or RBT's (Registered Behavior Technician) are the clinicians responsible for providing the one-to-one direct instruction to your child. Under the direction of a BCBA, they use various techniques that are evidenced-based and taken directly from the field of ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis). Every therapy session the technicians work with your child to teach them the new skills needed to meet each of their therapy goals. They are also responsible for collecting the data on every skill taught, and your child's progress is directly monitored by the BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst).

So, you're probably wondering, "What is the difference between a BT and a RBT?"

A BT is a clinician who has successfully completed the initial steps required by the BACB (Behavior Analyst Certification Board) to become an RBT. First, candidates are required to complete an approved BACB 40-hour RBT training course. Next, they must pass the BACB RBT Initial Competency Assessment, as well as pass a DOJ and FBI background check. Once completed, they become eligible to sit for the BACB RBT Examination.

A RBT is a clinician who has successfully completed the RBT examination, and has been issued a BACB RBT Certification, which is a paraprofessional certification in behavior analysis. Each RBT is required by the BACB to be assigned to a Supervising BCBA, who is responsible for providing monthly direct supervision to the technician for their certification to remain active. Every 2 years, to maintain their certification, each RBT must successfully complete the BACB RBT Renewal Competency Assessment.

Who is a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst)?

A BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) is a clinician who has obtained a graduate-level certification in Applied Behavior Analysis. The BCBA practice standards are overseen by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). In order to become a BCBA, one must have a master’s degree, completed specific coursework in Applied Behavior Analysis, and passed the BCBA board examination. In order to maintain certification, BCBA's must participate in ongoing training, complete annual continuing education units (CEU's) and remain in good standing with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.