Can I as a parent apply ABA?
It is common to hear teachers or therapists these days say they can do ABA and that they received a training or two that qualifies them to apply the strategies of this approach. That is a good start, but not a good enough start. Applying ABA is a delicate process because any incorrect application of a technique could cause unwanted results. For that reason, it is important to have a certified behavior analyst supervising the behavior intervention plan and its application.
Always ask the person applying ABA if they are certified or supervised by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). You can go to the BACB website to search for certified therapists in your country. You will also find a list of therapists who are Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs). Having those credentials allows for the ethical and proper application of ABA.
If you are wondering who can apply this approach besides certified therapists, the answer is anyone who is motivated, well-trained, and supervised to do so accurately and consistently. So yes, parents, primary caregivers, even siblings of the children receiving ABA can learn to apply basic interventions on a daily basis. This will allow for a comprehensive application of these strategies that eventually assists in seeing results in several settings.
“Applying ABA is a delicate process because any incorrect application of a technique could cause unwanted results.”
To know more about ABA and its ethical application, please contact SKILD center and we will be happy to refer you to our BCBA for a free consultation!
