What is ABA? & Who are the Professionals Working with my Child?

What Is ABA?

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a scientific approach to understanding learning and behavior. ABA uses principles of learning and behavior to teach meaningful skills and help children become more successful and independent in their everyday lives. Depending on the child, treatment goals may focus on areas such as communication, social interaction, play, daily living skills, independence, participation in routines, or behaviors that interfere with learning and everyday activities.

ABA can be delivered in different ways depending on the child's needs and the skills being taught. Some teaching may be more structured, while naturalistic approaches create opportunities for learning within activities and interactions that are meaningful and motivating to the child.

Questions Parents Can Ask

· What will ABA look like for my child?

· What teaching approaches do you use?

· How are my child's interests and motivation incorporated into treatment?

· How do you keep a young child engaged while working toward treatment goals?

· How do you determine which skills are meaningful to teach?

What This Looks Like at Great Strides

At Great Strides, our Intensive Early Intervention Program incorporates Natural Environment Teaching (NET). This allows our team to create learning opportunities within experiences that are meaningful and motivating to each child rather than expecting every child to learn in the same way.

For young children, learning can happen naturally when they are interested, engaged, and interacting with the people and environment around them. Our team uses these moments intentionally to work toward individualized communication, social, play, independence, and other developmental goals. The result is purposeful learning that builds on what motivates each child while helping them develop skills that are meaningful in everyday life.

Who Will Be Working with My Child?

When families begin exploring ABA, they may hear several different job titles and credentials. Understanding the differences can make it easier to know who may work directly with your child and who is responsible for overseeing treatment.

The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) offers certifications for Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts (BCaBAs), and Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs).

A Behavior Technician (BT) works directly with clients to implement treatment programming under supervision. Behavior Technicians may complete training and work through the requirements to become Registered Behavior Technicians.

A Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) is a paraprofessional certified by the BACB who provides behavior-analytic services under close, ongoing supervision. RBTs often spend significant time working directly with children and implementing their individualized treatment programs.

A Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) holds an undergraduate-level certification in behavior analysis. BCaBAs provide behavior-analytic services under the supervision of a BCBA and may also supervise RBTs.

A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) holds a graduate-level certification in behavior analysis. BCBAs can provide behavior-analytic services independently and may conduct assessments, develop treatment plans, analyze data, make clinical decisions, adjust programming, work with families, and supervise the professionals implementing treatment.

Questions Parents Can Ask

· Who will work directly with my child?

· What training do your Behavior Technicians and RBTs receive?

· How do you support staff as they develop their skills?

· Who develops and makes changes to my child's treatment plan?

· How involved will the BCBA be in my child's treatment?

What This Looks Like at Great Strides

At Great Strides, we look for team members who are passionate about working with children, interested in the field of ABA, dependable, and motivated to make a meaningful difference in a child's life. Credentials and experience are valuable, but we also want people on our team who genuinely enjoy connecting with children and are excited to continue learning and growing as providers.

Behavior Technicians at Great Strides go through the RBT training and certification process. They complete the required 40-hour training while also shadowing experienced team members and gaining hands-on experience with support and guidance from our clinical team. After completing the training, they complete the RBT Initial Competency Assessment and certification process, including the RBT examination, to earn their Registered Behavior Technician certification.

That learning doesn't stop once someone earns their RBT certification. Great Strides provides ongoing staff training and education to help our RBTs continue building their knowledge, confidence, and skills as providers. Trainings cover a variety of topics relevant to their day-to-day work with children and ways to support social and developmental skills. Our team also explores how ABA principles can be applied creatively and naturally through child-led play. Through continued education, feedback, and support from our clinical team, RBTs have opportunities to strengthen their skills and continue growing as professionals. With BCBAs on-site daily, Behavior Technicians and RBTs also have consistent access to clinical guidance, feedback, and support as they continue developing their skills. At Great Strides, we value building a team of professionals who are committed to the children and families they serve.

Choosing the Right ABA Team

Understanding what ABA may look like and the roles of each professional can help families feel more informed as they explore services. At Great Strides, treatment is individualized around meaningful goals and incorporates child-led, play-based Natural Environment Teaching. Children are supported by a team of Behavior Technicians, RBTs, BCaBAs, and BCBAs who each contribute to the development and implementation of treatment. Ongoing training and daily access to on-site BCBAs help our team continue strengthening their skills while providing consistent clinical support. Families should feel comfortable asking questions and learning how a provider’s approach, supervision, and treatment team will support their child’s individual needs.

Sources & Further Reading

Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP). Applied Behavior Analysis Practice Guidelines for the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Version 3.0.

Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). RBT, BCaBA, BCBA, certification, training, and supervision resources.