Charlebois, Mikaela - Behaviour Analyst
From What can you do with a degree in psychology?
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| ==Educational requirements and other qualifications== | ==Educational requirements and other qualifications== | ||
| - | + | To practice as a Behaviour Analyst, it is preferred that the individual complete their Master's in Applied Behaviour Analysis, Disabilities Studies or a similar field. | |
| - | + | ||
| - | + | ||
| - | + | ||
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| + | Many organizations require you to complete a certification, and the most commonly sought after one is provided by the Behaviour Analyst Certification Board (BACB). | ||
| + | This allows the individual to become a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA). This certification is accepted worldwide, and many universities offer programs with the BACB approved coursework. | ||
| + | |||
| + | To become BCBA one must: | ||
| + | * Possess a minimum of a master's degree in behavioural analysis, education or psychology OR complete a program that has Behaviour Analyst Certication Board approved course sequence | ||
| + | * Complete Behaaviour Analyst Certifation Board approved experience, this could include: | ||
| + | **1500 hours of supervised independent fieldwork in behaviour analysis | ||
| + | ** 1000 hours of practicum in behaviour analysis within a university practicum program approved by the BACB and taken for graduate academic credit | ||
| + | ** 750 of intensive practicum in behaviour analysis within a university practicum program approved by the BACB and taken for graduate academic credit | ||
| + | |||
| + | To maintain your certification with the Behaviour Analyst Certification Board you must send in a renewal application once a year and recertify every three year. | ||
| + | Recertification requires 36 hours of continuing education, three of which are required to be focused on ethics and professional behaviour <ref name=BCBA>Standards for Board Certified Behaviour Analyst. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.bacb.com/index.php?page=158</ref>. | ||
| Some schools that offer approved course sequences applicable toward BACB eligibility requirements include: | Some schools that offer approved course sequences applicable toward BACB eligibility requirements include: | ||
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| * [https://www.edu.uwo.ca/graduate-education/legacy/masters-edpsych-specialed-aba.html Western University] | * [https://www.edu.uwo.ca/graduate-education/legacy/masters-edpsych-specialed-aba.html Western University] | ||
| * [http://www.bacb.com/index.php?page=100358 Full list of schools with approved course sequences can be found here] | * [http://www.bacb.com/index.php?page=100358 Full list of schools with approved course sequences can be found here] | ||
| + | |||
| + | There are a variety of other associations that one may choose to become a part of to strength their credibility in this field. | ||
| + | Many provinces have their own associations you can apply to become a part of. Ontario's can be found here: | ||
| + | [http://www.ontaba.org/ Ontario Association for Behaviour Analysis, Inc.] | ||
| ==Related skills, interests, and abilities== | ==Related skills, interests, and abilities== | ||
Revision as of 11:24, 27 March 2015
Job Title (Mikaela Charlebois)
Behaviour Analyst
General overview
When working with individual's with exceptionalities outside of an Educational Assistant, Special Needs Teacher or Communicative Assistant roles, there are two general directions you can go in after achieving your bachelor's degree. You can seek a diploma in a college level Autism and Behavioural Sciences course and become a Behaviour Technician, or you can complete a Master's in Disabilities Studies and become a Behaviour Analyst.
A Behaviour Analyst is an independent practitioner. This individual may be employed or work as an independent contractor for an organization (such as a school, treatment centre or hospital). They are required to conduct behavioural assessments, provide interpretations of these assessments and supervise interventions [1]. Commonly, these individuals work with clients with autism, however these assessment and intervention tools can be used for a variety of diagnosis.
They may take a research approach in the area of applied behaviour analysis, or they may take more a professional approach applying today’s commonly believed theories [2].
Job duties and responsibilities
Job duties involve performing behavioural assessments and developing behavioural intervention plans, while outlaying possible treatment options. They may also implement this behaviour plan and would consistently monitor the patient’s progress. Depending on the organization, a behaviou analyst may create programming for the organization as a whole. A behaviour analyst often oversees and trains other individuals who may take a part in implementing the behaviour plan.
Typical work day
The typical work day of a Behaviour Analyst depends on the setting in which they are employed.
There are a variety of work settings possible for a behaviour analyst, including schools, treatment centres, private practices and hospitals. Typical tasks for a behaviour analyst include designing, implementing and supporting education and behavioural programs, participating in the assessment and data analysis of said programs and assisting with intervention and therapeutic program evaluations [3].
These data reveal that most respondents reported working with children
diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, although children with other
developmental disabilities was the second most common classification. Adults
with ASD and adults with other developmental disabilities were each reported as
recipients of services by about 30% of respondents. Children and adults with
brain injuries were less often reported as consumers. There were many children
with other special needs not fitting in these other categories who were served as
well. Elderly adults were least often reported. Differences between BCBAs and
BCaBAs across these population categories were generally minor.
http://www.apbahome.net/survey-report-johnston.pdf
Many reported involvement in administration or supervision directly related to ABA services (e.g., program director, shift supervisor, house manager, etc.). Some of both kinds of activities presumably occur in the context of agency consulting, which many respondents also reported. Not surprisingly, BCBAs were more likely to be involved in higher education teaching
Most respondents reported working for either governmental (28.5%) or nongovernmental (34%) agencies. However, 39.3% categorized themselves as selfemployed. Only 13.1% work for colleges or universities.
Educational requirements and other qualifications
To practice as a Behaviour Analyst, it is preferred that the individual complete their Master's in Applied Behaviour Analysis, Disabilities Studies or a similar field.
Many organizations require you to complete a certification, and the most commonly sought after one is provided by the Behaviour Analyst Certification Board (BACB). This allows the individual to become a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA). This certification is accepted worldwide, and many universities offer programs with the BACB approved coursework.
To become BCBA one must:
- Possess a minimum of a master's degree in behavioural analysis, education or psychology OR complete a program that has Behaviour Analyst Certication Board approved course sequence
- Complete Behaaviour Analyst Certifation Board approved experience, this could include:
- 1500 hours of supervised independent fieldwork in behaviour analysis
- 1000 hours of practicum in behaviour analysis within a university practicum program approved by the BACB and taken for graduate academic credit
- 750 of intensive practicum in behaviour analysis within a university practicum program approved by the BACB and taken for graduate academic credit
To maintain your certification with the Behaviour Analyst Certification Board you must send in a renewal application once a year and recertify every three year. Recertification requires 36 hours of continuing education, three of which are required to be focused on ethics and professional behaviour [1].
Some schools that offer approved course sequences applicable toward BACB eligibility requirements include:
- Brock University
- Western University
- Full list of schools with approved course sequences can be found here
There are a variety of other associations that one may choose to become a part of to strength their credibility in this field. Many provinces have their own associations you can apply to become a part of. Ontario's can be found here: Ontario Association for Behaviour Analysis, Inc.
Related skills, interests, and abilities
Experience working with individuals with autism is a well-sought after skill in this profession. Data analysis, functional analysis and clinical supervisions are other related skills [3]..
Relevance of Psychology undergraduate degree
In order to become a Behaviour Analyst, you must have completed an undergraduate degree in psychology or a similar discipline, combined with a BACB course approved Master’s degree or equivalent.
This is a requirement as many of the topics covered in a Psychology undergraduate degree will help you throughout further training and throughout one's career. Brock offers a variety of courses that will build an exceptional foundation for one looking to get into this field. An individual in this program will take a variety of courses, all of which contributing in different ways.
In second year, Brock offers a course on Learning [4], in which different theories of learning, reinforcement and punishment are studied. These concepts will later be used in implementing behaviour plans when tackling difficult behaviours or creating new habits.
Another very valuable course for this career path is Psychology of the Exceptional Child [4]. This course focuses on varying disabilities as well as other struggles a child may go through, such as psychiatric disorders or being exceptionally smart.
Brock also offers a service learning credit that a psychology major can choose to take as a minor, that involves you with their Special Needs Activity Program. Through this program, the student is able to interact with children with exceptionalities and work with them through a movement program based on curriculum created at Brock[5]. This gives hands on experience of working with children of this population, and allows the student to utilize the skills they have learned through their other psychology courses.
Salary potential
In Canada, Board Certified Behaviour Analyst's make an average of $60,000 a year [6].
Salary ranges from $38,723 - $75,174 in the United States, with a median of $54,279 [3].
WHAT IS THE BEST ESTIMATE OF THE PREVALENCE OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS IN CANADA? http://autismontario.novosolutions.net/default.asp?id=133
1 in 94 in 2012
1 in 166 in 2000, 1 in 68 in 2014 in the US https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/prevalence
Job outlook
The field of ABA is currently a growing industry, but there is a problem with the services being provided. Many people claim that they can deliver ABA and some countries do not regulate consultants, leaving families vulnerable and potentially not receiving the level of treatment that they except [7]. This has lead to an increasing number of jobs available for Certified Behaviour Analysts throughout North America and a critical shortage of qualified personnel. Many positions are available for providing therapeutic and consultation services, as well as supervising interventions, research and program evaluation [2]..
To know more
Brock’s Centre for Applied Disabilities Website - Master’s Information
http://www.brocku.ca/social-sciences/departments-and-centres/centre-for-applied-disability/future-students/about-our-programme
Behaviour Analyst Certification Board
http://www.bacb.com/
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Standards for Board Certified Behaviour Analyst. (n.d.) Retrieved from, http://www.bacb.com/index.php?page=4
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 About Our Program. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.brocku.ca/social-sciences/departments-and-centres/centre-for-applied-disability/future-students/about-our-programme
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Board Certified Behaviour Analyst Salary (United States). (2014). Retrieved from http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Board_Certified_Behavior_Analyst/Salary
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Brock Undergraduate Calendar, 2014-2015, (2014). Psychology. Retrieved on March 26, 2015 from, http://www.brocku.ca/webcal/2014/undergrad/psyc.html#PSYC_2P45
- ↑ Special Needs Activity Program (SNAP), (2009), Retrieved March 26, 2015 from, https://www.brocku.ca/applied-health-sciences/in-the-community/snap
- ↑ Average Salary for Certification: Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). (2015). Retrieved from, http://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Certification=Board_Certified_Behavior_Analyst_%28BCBA%29/Salary
- ↑ Wertz, S. (2012). Why Choose a Board Certified Behavior Analyst? Retrieved from http://www.autism-programs.com/articles-on-autism/why-choose-a-certified-behavior- analyst.htm
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