Understanding Your Child’s ABA Team
If you’re new to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), some of the words and job titles can be confusing. You might hear terms like BCBA, RBT, Behavior Technician, supervisor, or ABA provider, even before someone explains who these people are and what they do for your family.
So, who provides ABA services, and what does each person do for your child or teen? Whether you have a young child, a teenager, or a young adult, the roles on your ABA team are important to understand.
The BCBA: Developing and Overseeing Treatment
A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) is a professional with advanced training in behavior analysis who supervises your child’s ABA program. BCBAs work with families of all ages, from toddlers to young adults, and help make sure the program fits your child’s current needs.
The BCBA is responsible for guiding and adjusting your child’s ABA services to make sure they are effective and appropriate for their age and stage of development.
Your child’s BCBA may:
get to know your child or teen and complete assessments
identify strengths and support needs at home, at school, and in the community
work with your family to set goals that matter for your child’s daily life, whether that’s learning to get dressed, making friends, or building independence as a teenager
create and update a treatment plan that changes as your child grows and their needs change
analyze data and evaluate progress make changes when an intervention isn’t working as expected
train and supervise members of the ABA team
provide guidance and training to parents and caregivers
The BCBA doesn’t simply develop a plan at the beginning of services and then step away. ABA is an ongoing process of assessment, intervention, measurement, and adjustment, so the BCBA remains actively involved throughout treatment.
The RBT: Providing Direct ABA Services
Many families will spend much of their time with a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT).
An RBT is a paraprofessional who has completed specific training and competency requirements and earned a credential through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). RBTs provide ABA services under the ongoing supervision of a qualified behavior analyst, such as a BCBA.
Depending on your child’s goals and age, an RBT might help with things like communication, following directions, learning new routines, practicing social skills, or building independence, whether that means tying shoes, making a snack, or preparing for a job.
The RBT also collects data during sessions. That information helps the BCBA determine whether skills are developing, whether behaviors are changing, and whether the treatment plan needs adjustment.
What About Behavior Technicians?
You may also hear the term Behavior Technician, or BT. A Behavior Technician may provide direct ABA services under appropriate supervision but has not necessarily earned the RBT credential. Who provides direct ABA services may depend on your state, your insurance, and your family’s situation. It’s always okay to ask your provider to explain the roles and qualifications of people working with your child, teen, or young adult.
If you’re ever unsure about someone’s role or credentials, it’s completely appropriate to ask.
Why Are There Multiple People on the ABA Team?
ABA is designed to be collaborative.
The person providing direct services spends time with your child or teen, helping with goals and skills, and watching how things go during sessions. The BCBA checks in regularly, looks at what’s working (and what’s not), and makes changes as your child grows and learns new things.
And there is another essential part of the team:
YOU.
Parents and caregivers provide information that a clinical team cannot get from data alone. You know what happens during morning routines, family activities, school transitions, community outings, difficult days, and successful ones. That information matters.
At Colors of Hope, we believe effective ABA services bring together science, expert guidance, real-life observation, and your family’s knowledge of your child, no matter their age. Each member of the team has a different role, but everyone is working toward the same goal: helping your child, teen, or young adult make meaningful progress that matters to your family’s everyday life.
It’s Okay to Ask Who Is Working With Your Child
Families should understand who provides services and who makes clinical decisions.
Don’t hesitate to ask:
Who is my child’s BCBA?
Who will provide direct services?
What are their credentials?
How often will the BCBA be involved?
How will I communicate with the clinical team?
How will I be involved in treatment decisions?
A good ABA provider should be comfortable answering those questions. Understanding your team is an important part of understanding your child’s care.