As a parent, I thought choosing an ABA organization was similar to choosing a pediatrician or a dentist: they are board-certified, so they must know what they are doing. Surprisingly, because the field of ABA is new (unlike the general medical profession, which has been around for more than 25,000 years), just because someone is board certified in ABA does not necessarily mean he/she is a seasoned clinician.
Did you know more than 50 percent of Board-Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) have been certified in just the last three years? This means there are many new people hoping to help newly diagnosed children and their families.
Seeking certified staff is a great first start, but there are other indicators of a quality service organization:
1. Who are the BCBAs on staff, and what is their experience?
- How many years of experience do they have?
- What types of settings have they worked in?
- What age range of children have they worked with in the past?
2. What are the backgrounds of the direct care staff who will be working with your child?
