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What is Applied Behavior Analysis?

Education is what survives when what has been learned has been forgotten.     

                                                                                                                                     - B.F. Skinner

 

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is an applied science devoted to the understanding and improvement of human behavior. It is a scientific approach for discovering for discovering environmental variables that reliably influence socially significant behavior and for developing a technology of behavior change that takes practical advantage of those discoveries.

- Cooper, Herron, Heward

 

ABA is an evidence-based method of examining and changing what people (and other living creatures)say and do.

- Mayer, Sulzer-Azaroff, Wallace

 

Applied Behavior Analysis Today

ABA is a scientific method, a technology, and/or a professional approach. Those who are practicing applied behavior analysis become increasingly able to successfully guide learning and performance in specific constructive directions.

- G. Roy Mayer and Beth Sulzer-Azaroff

Behavior Analysis For Lasting Change

Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)

About the Credential

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The Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) is a graduate-level certification in behavior analysis. Professionals who are certified at the BCBA level are independent practitioners who provide behavior-analytic services. In addition, BCBAs supervise the work of Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts, Registered Behavior Technicians, and others who implement behavior-analytic interventions.

 

Ethics and Discipline

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BCBAs must abide by the Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts.

 

Supervision

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BCBAs who wish to provide supervision must complete additional training and continuing education requirements.


More Information

 

Note:

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Individuals who hold the BCBA credential should be considered as having met and exceeded standards for the BCaBA and RBT credentials. Individuals who hold the BCaBA credential should be considered as having met and exceeded standards for the RBT credential. However, individuals holding a BACB credential should represent themselves using only the credential(s) awarded to them by the BACB.

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Information about RBT, please visit: https://www.bacb.com/rbt/

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Obtaining BCaBA or BCBA Certification

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Applicants for BCaBA or BCBA certification must meet one of three sets of eligibility requirements.

For more information: 

https://www.bacb.com/bcba/#BCBAApply

https://www.bacb.com/bcaba/#BCaBAApply

 

Maintaining BCBA Certification

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BCBAs are required to recertify, acquire continuing education, and comply with the BACB’s ethics requirements.

For more information: 

https://www.bacb.com/bcba/

 

Doctoral Designation (BCBA-D)

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BCBAs who are current in their certification may acquire an addition designation if they have a doctoral level degree that meets qualifications.

For more information: 

https://www.bacb.com/bcba/#BCBAD

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For more updates:

https://www.bacb.com/newsletter/recent-updates/

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“Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.” - RBG

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