by admin | Jan 31, 2019 | Clinician's Corner, Provider
By: J. M. Coimbra, MS, BCBA, LBA
If you’re looking for an ABA therapy job or how to become an ABA therapist, then you’re in the right place. Beyond dressing to impress and having the right credentials, there’s a lot more to acing your interview. What’s involved? Here are four ways to “wow” your interviewer and land the job you’ve always wanted.
1 – Be Approachable
One of the first things taught in my master’s program was to never use our language with parents, families, teachers, community members, friends, doctors, occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, spouses, and anyone else who is not also a behavior analyst. In the interview you think, “I can use the language now!” but, remember you are showcasing your abilities here. Take a moment to show how you can talk about escape extinction in a way that is neither robotic nor terrifying. Let your interviewer know that you’re compassionate and cordial with clients, while at the same time fulfilling your duties as a behavior analyst.
2 – Provide Data
If you don’t love raw bits of data, then you’re in the wrong field. Seduce your interviewer with some data – maybe an entire folder with your certification records, degrees, writing sample (e.g., mock behavior intervention plans or progress reports), behavior change graphs you’re most proud of (that you obtained consent to share), letters of recommendation, your CV/resume, and a cover letter. Back up all the self-reporting you do in the interview with some clear and concise evidence that make it difficult for your interviewer to doubt you.
3 – Respect Your Role
A small change to a train track can cause derailment, necessary route change, or have no effect. We are that small change. In an interview, it is wise to let your interviewer know exactly where you are on the railroad and what possibilities exist. Convey your confidence that you know what to do to shape an amazing repertoire, but at the first sign of derailment you also know what to do. You know whom to consult and from where to seek assistance. You know that sometimes interventions don’t work and if you haven’t produced results one way, then you’ll try another. Humility and confidence make an attractive combination.
4 – Promise Integrity
Integrity is one of those things that is hard to demonstrate in an interview, so I propose you just express it explicitly. Give your interviewer confidence that whatever you do you will do under the guidance of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s good-and-always-getting-updated Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts. When in doubt, fall back on science. Show them what you can when it comes to your integrity from the time you apply and submit a cover letter (in which you describe all of these amazing behaviors you have in your repertoire) and promise to follow up, actually follow up, and in the interview give examples of each of these skills. And in the end (or is it beginning?), work in your new position with integrity.
If you’re looking for an amazing work environment and a real opportunity to become the best behavioral analyst you can be, consider applying for a job with Attentive Behavior Care today.
by admin | Jan 28, 2019 | Clinician's Corner, Provider
By: J. M. Coimbra, MS, BCBA, LBA
Great behavior analysts make socially significant behavior change by altering environments. It might sound easy, but doing it isn’t so simple.
Do you think you have what it takes to become a great behavior analyst in 2019? Here’s a mini “task analysis” of critical components I think you’ll need to make that happen.
1 – Cute Doesn’t Count
Adorable children, funny topographies, and charming smiles shouldn’t affect you as a behavior analyst, when you’re “on the job.” It’s hard to ignore the chubby-cheeked face of a formerly “nonverbal” five-year-old who is hugging your leg and says, “you melt my heart,” in response to denied access to a preferred edible, but it’s what we may have to do in order to do our job right. Follow through! Your client has everyone else in the world to give in to maladaptive behaviors, so we must remember that we are there to make changes that ultimately provide our clients with greater opportunity to contact reinforcement in their lives.
2 – Love the Science
If you’re not already in it because of the science, then learn to love it. The science of behavior analysis will always be the rock you can lean on when your behavior analysis colleagues and friends fail you. Think, “What would Skinner do?” (experiment!) or “What would Malott do?” (hit them with a rolling pin!*), and probably best, “What will JABA tell me? (everything!, or see “What would Skinner do?”). A good supervisor will want to hear, “I want to help people,” but a great one will want to know you want to do what you were trained to do via an undergraduate degree, a master’s degree, and hundreds to thousands of supervision hours – science!
3 – Stay Humble
Out from the pigeon lab, we emerge into the natural environment. What could go wrong? Think bootleg reinforcement, extraneous reinforcement, and rule-governed behavior just to name a few. Just because you predict a solution, doesn’t mean it’ll work out. Come up with a backup plan and don’t be shy about it. Being the professional and utilizing another approach if the data don’t reflect the required change are not mutually exclusive! As behavior analysts we rely on observation, analysis, generality, and have an ethical responsibility to stand by those tenets of behavior analysis. Let’s do it.
4 – Expect Variability From Everyone Except Yourself
Rarely will the performance of our clients be as precisely controlled and stable as Carr and Durand (1985**; How’d they do that?), nor will the performances of the intervening team be perfect. What do we do? We remain consistent and stable as a model and do our best to always help. Be prepared for hiccups, hurdles, and the occasional headbutt (figurative and literal). Support your client, the family, and the paraprofessionals as the environment ever-changes due to your influence and all other possible, even if not probable, factors.
5 – Highlight Your Professionalism
By now, we know we are not babysitters, so show that. Model to your team and families what it means to hold up your end of an intervention no matter how difficult it is to do so. Let the team know that you know how to make behavior change happen ethically and with the client’s best interests “at mind.” Remind the team that as hard as it may be – “cute doesn’t count!” and that you’re dedicated to making sustainable change to improve the lives of each end every one of your clients.
If you’re looking for an amazing work environment and a real opportunity to become the best behavioral analyst you can be, consider applying for a job with Attentive Behavior Care today.
*Malott, R. W. (1972). Contingency Management in Education & Other Equally Exciting Places. Kalamazoo, MI: Behaviordelia.
**Carr, E. G., & Durand, V. M. (1985). Reducing behavior problems through functional communication training. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 18 (2), 111-126. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1985.18-111
by admin | Jan 17, 2019 | ABA Therapy, Parent
By: Heyde Ramirez MA, BCBA, NYS LBA & Frank Kou MSEd, BCBA, NYS LBA
When a family receives ABA therapy, oftentimes parents wonder: “What is happening?” and “What is this person doing to my child that is helping?” The most important question they ask is, “Will this work?”
To help concerned parents wondering if ABA is the right therapy for their child, here are five behavioral therapy techniques that actually work to help reduce problem behavior.
1 – Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior (DRA)
Using this technique, a problem behavior is reduced by reinforcing a different behavior. For example, John hits his peers to get their attention. During ABA therapy, John gets lots of attention and praise for using his words instead of hitting others to gain attention. John learns to use his words because he can earn the attention he seeks without hurting others. The DRA in this example is getting attention for “using words” instead of “hitting.”
2 – Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behavior (DRI)
Using this behavioral therapy technique, a problem behavior is reduced by reinforcing the complete opposite behavior. For example, John always gets up from his seat in class, which gets him attention when the teacher yells at him. During ABA therapy, John gets attention and praise for being in his seat, which he likes. John learns to remain in his seat in class. The DRI in this example is getting attention and praise for being in his seat rather than getting up from his seat.
3 – Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior (DRO)
Using this technique, a problem behavior is reduced by delivering reinforcement when that problem behavior does not occur during specific times. For example, John likes to pull strands of his hair when he does his work. During ABA therapy, a 5-minute timer will be set and John will get rewarded for not pulling his hair during the 5 minutes. When he pulls his hair, the timer is reset. The DRO in this example is being rewarded for not pulling his hair.
4 – Premack Principal
Using this behavioral therapy technique, an ABA technician will encourage a child to complete a non-preferred activity by following the activity with the opportunity to complete a highly preferred activity. Think of this like Grandma’s Rule: “First eat your broccoli and then you can have desert.” This increases the probability that the child will complete the non-preferred activity. For example, John does not want to complete his math homework because it is hard and boring. During ABA therapy, John gets to watch his favorite cartoon only after he completes his math homework.
5 – Token Economy
Using this technique, a child learns how to earn tokens for engaging in positive behavior. These tokens can then be exchanged for a variety of preferred items and activities. Think of this like an allowance: “If you clean your room, you will earn $2 towards your video game.” Not only can this technique be effective for teaching new skills, but it also helps teach children how to tolerate instruction for increased periods of time and respond to more natural conditions of reinforcement (e.g., earning money to buy something vs. earning the item itself). For example, John’s teacher notices that he is not participating in class. During ABA therapy, John is given a token every time he raises his hand to participate in class. At the end of class he exchanges his tokens for time to play his favorite iPad game.
These are just a few of the many ABA techniques that can be used to increase desirable behavior and decrease non-desired behavior. Remember, ABA is a toolbox where the data guides the treatment, so techniques should always be tailored to the individual needs of the child, guided by the data, and overseen by a qualified professional such as a BCBA® or Licensed Behavior Analyst.
For more information on how Attentive Behavior Care can help your child, contact us today.
by admin | Jan 10, 2019 | ABA Therapy, Parent
ABA stands for Applied Behavior Analysis. ABA is an evidence-based approach to treating individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ABA is backed by decades of research and has helped countless children diagnosed with autism learn new skills and gain greater independence.
The goal of ABA therapy is to improve meaningful behavior in real world, every day settings using techniques that are based upon the principles of behavior. ABA therapy applies an understanding of behavior to affect real life situations. The goal of ABA therapy is to increase helpful behavior in your child and reduce behaviors that are harmful or negatively affect learning.
Research has shown that ABA therapy is one of the most effective treatments for individuals with ASD. ABA therapy can help your child learn new skills and gain greater independence. It can also help to reduce problematic behavior. It can teach critical life skills—including language skills, communication skills, social skills, and daily living skills—which are the building blocks of success.
ABA therapy increases your child’s opportunities for meaningful personal relationships and involvement in the community. It can also help him or her manage throughout the day and become successful in school and at home, all while decreasing difficulties to learning.
How Does ABA Therapy Work?
ABA is a recognized and effective treatment for children with Autism when performed in a high-quality and intensive manner. ABA often utilizes positive reinforcement to increase desirable behaviors and advance the skills of the child. ABA therapy utilizes a research-based approach based on the principles of behavior. ABA programs are driven by data, so success can be measured and programming can be adjusted if the treatment is not effective.
A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) is the primary provider of ABA therapy services. BCBAs establish concrete ways to measure behavioral changes and improvements and identify whether behavior modification is appropriate or not. A BCBA must have a master’s degree or doctorate degree in behavior analysis or psychology and must take and pass a certification exam that recognizes specific training in the principles of applied behavior analysis. Some states require an additional license for the BCBA as well.
ABA therapy programs also involve ABA therapists – sometimes referred to as Paraprofessionals or Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs). Therapists are trained and supervised by a BCBA. They interact directly with patients and work toward the specific and individualized goals written by the BCBA, typically in a 1:1 setting. It is common for more than one ABA therapist to work with a child.
ABA therapy programs are highly individualized, and each treatment program will differ from one child to the next. Your child will be guided through an assessment process and a treatment plan with appropriate goals will be developed. Your child’s plan will then be implemented through regularly scheduled sessions either in your home or at a location of your choosing.
For more information about ABA therapy and how it can work for your child, please contact us today.
