Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition that impacts an individual’s social, behavioral, and communication skills. Typical symptoms include delayed development, repetitive behavior, and impaired social interaction. Early interventions can help autistic children improve their skills and become independent adults.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) encompasses a wide range of abilities and challenges that affect an individual’s social skills, communication, behaviors, and interests. It includes a spectrum of subtypes that include Asperger’s syndrome, high-functioning autism, and on up to severe or profound autism.
It is not known precisely what causes autism, though it is believed to be the result of complex interactions between genetics and environment. It is more common in males than in females and may affect anywhere from 1 in 100 to 1 in 68 children (a study published in March 2014 found ASD in 1 out of 42 boys and 1 out of 189 girls).
There is no cure for ASD. Treatment is highly individualized and focuses on managing symptoms and taking advantage of unique strengths to compensate for individual challenges.
It is not known precisely what causes autism, though it is believed to be the result of complex interactions between genetics and environment. It is more common in males than in females and may affect anywhere from 1 in 100 to 1 in 68 children (a study published in March 2014 found ASD in 1 out of 42 boys and 1 out of 189 girls).
There is no cure for ASD. Treatment is highly individualized and focuses on managing symptoms and taking advantage of unique strengths to compensate for individual challenges.
There is no one exact known cause of ASD, though researchers believe that approximately 90% of cases are likely the result of complex genetic and environmental interactions. The remaining 1 in 10 cases can be linked with medical conditions that are known to cause ASD.
Genetics
While there are no specific genes or sets of genes directly linked to autism spectrum disorders, it has been shown to run in families. Siblings, particularly twins, of individuals with ASD are at an increased risk of developing the disorder.
Environmental Factors
Similarly, there is no single environmental factor that has been shown to cause ASD, though premature birth (prior to 37 weeks of pregnancy), parental age, parental obesity (including paternal obesity), and maternal use of alcohol or certain medications during pregnancy have been shown to increase the risk of ASD in children. Research is ongoing into these risk factors as well as other possible risk factors such as autism-like behaviors in first-degree relatives, infections during pregnancy, and exposure to pollutants.
One current theory is that some children are vulnerable to ASD based on genetic factors, which then interact with environmental factors to cause the condition to manifest.
One current theory is that some children are vulnerable to ASD based on genetic factors, which then interact with environmental factors to cause the condition to manifest.
Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology
There are many theories as to what precisely about the brain structure and function of individuals with ASD differs from people without ASD. One theory is that there are an abnormally high number of connections between different parts of the brain, resulting in an over-amplified signal in response to stimuli such as emotions, sounds, smells, tastes, and sights. This may partly explain symptoms such as strong preferences for routines, topics, or activities, as well as avoidance of over-stimulating sensory experiences.
Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions are known to increase the risk of developing ASD. About 10% of cases are linked with such conditions, which can include:
- fragile X syndrome
- Rett syndrome
- cerebral palsy
- muscular dystrophy
- infantile epilepsy
The Vaccination Myth
Various folk theories have come and gone since ASD was first described. One such early theory blamed mothers for aloof behavior that caused children to fail to develop socially (the “refrigerator mothers” theory). This theory has since been thoroughly discredited.
Another theory which has been thoroughly disproven through extensive scientific research involving millions of children worldwide is the myth that childhood vaccinations are a cause of ASD. There is no evidence this claim has any basis in truth, despite lingering claims from outside the scientific community. It is strongly recommended by the healthcare community that all eligible children be vaccinated. Vaccination saves lives and prevents permanent disability by limiting the spread of potentially deadly, preventable diseases.
Another theory which has been thoroughly disproven through extensive scientific research involving millions of children worldwide is the myth that childhood vaccinations are a cause of ASD. There is no evidence this claim has any basis in truth, despite lingering claims from outside the scientific community. It is strongly recommended by the healthcare community that all eligible children be vaccinated. Vaccination saves lives and prevents permanent disability by limiting the spread of potentially deadly, preventable diseases.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network (ATN) now has a tool kit to help parents work with their children’s applied behavior analysts. (Learn more and download it here.) Although the tool kit was developed with children and teens in mind, it also contains helpful information for those wanting to better understand and support ABA therapy for an adult with autism.
Behavior analysis is a scientifically validated approach to understanding behavior and how it is affected by the environment. In this context, “behavior" refers to actions and skills. "Environment" includes any influence – physical or social – that might change or be changed by one's behavior.
On a practical level, the principles and methods of behavior analysis have helped many different kinds of learners acquire many different skills – from healthier lifestyles to the mastery of a new language. Since the 1960s, therapists have been applying behavior analysis to help children with autism and related developmental disorders.
What is Applied Behavior Analysis?
Behavior analysis focuses on the principles that explain how learning takes place. Positive reinforcement is one such principle. When a behavior is followed by some sort of reward, the behavior is more likely to be repeated. Through decades of research, the field of behavior analysis has developed many techniques for increasing useful behaviors and reducing those that may cause harm or interfere with learning.
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is the use of these techniques and principles to bring about meaningful and positive change in behavior.
As mentioned, behavior analysts began working with young children with autism and related disorders in the 1960s. Early techniques often involved adults directing most of the instruction. Some allowed the child to take the lead. Since that time, a wide variety of ABA techniques have been developed for building useful skills in learners with autism – from toddlers through adulthood.
These techniques can be used in structured situations such as a classroom lesson as well as in "everyday" situations such as family dinnertime or the neighborhood playground. Some ABA therapy sessions involve one-on-one interaction between the behavior analyst and the participant. Group instruction can likewise prove useful
About Treatment (ABA)
Now has a tool kit to help parents work with their children’s applied behavior analysts. (Learn more and download it here.) Although the tool kit was developed with children and teens in mind, it also contains helpful information for those wanting to better understand and support ABA therapy for an adult with autism.
Now has a tool kit to help parents work with their children’s applied behavior analysts. (Learn more and download it here.) Although the tool kit was developed with children and teens in mind, it also contains helpful information for those wanting to better understand and support ABA therapy for an adult with autism.
Now has a tool kit to help parents work with their children’s applied behavior analysts. (Learn more and download it here.) Although the tool kit was developed with children and teens in mind, it also contains helpful information for those wanting to better understand and support ABA therapy for an adult with autism.
Behavior analysis is a scientifically validated approach to understanding behavior and how it is affected by the environment. In this context, “behavior" refers to actions and skills. "Environment" includes any influence – physical or social – that might change or be changed by one's behavior.
On a practical level, the principles and methods of behavior analysis have helped many different kinds of learners acquire many different skills – from healthier lifestyles to the mastery of a new language. Since the 1960s, therapists have been applying behavior analysis to help children with autism and related developmental disorders.
On a practical level, the principles and methods of behavior analysis have helped many different kinds of learners acquire many different skills – from healthier lifestyles to the mastery of a new language. Since the 1960s, therapists have been applying behavior analysis to help children with autism and related developmental disorders.On a practical level, the principles and methods of behavior analysis have helped many different kinds of learners acquire many different skills – from healthier lifestyles to the mastery of a new language. Since the 1960s, therapists have been applying behavior analysis to help children with autism and related developmental disorders.
"How do I Hire
a Qualified Behavior Analyst?"
a Qualified Behavior Analyst?"
There has been a significant increase in the demand for behavioral services over the past few years. A variety of factors have led to this increase in the demand for Behavior Analysis services. Several of these factors are: the Federal mandate to schools that they conduct Functional Behavioral Assessments under certain circumstances, the findings by the National Academy of Science in their seminal work on the subject Educating Children with Autism that behavior analytic treatments are empirically supported, and sadly an increase in the number of people needing such services.
As with anything else, when there is an increase in demand for something that is in short supply there is an influx of those claiming to offer the services who are less than qualified or well-trained to provide such services.
The situation with Behavior Analysis is no different than many other areas - and often worse because the consumer does not usually have the skills to distinguish the well-trained professional from one that is merely seizing on an opportunity to expand their practice. In addition to people merely claiming to have skills that they lack, there are a variety of new programs at colleges, universities, and technical training sites that offer courses in behavior analysis but do not provide the full training necessary to independently practice. So, how do you as a consumer know whether you are considering hiring a qualified behavior analyst?
There are several guides that you can use to decide if the person you are considering hiring is qualified to be independently offering behavior analysis services to you. First, you should know what a Behavior Analyst does and how that is different from more traditional psychological, psychiatric, and medical services. In many states there are limitations on who can do certain things like diagnose, conduct traditional psychological assessments and evaluations, and provide independent treatment.
Most behavior analytic services are offered as educational services and thereby are not directly covered by many states licensure laws. In most states, if you are interested in traditional assessment/evaluation services, diagnoses of a person, or traditional medical or psychological treatments you will need to see either a licensed psychologist or a physician.
The vast majority of those claiming to be behavior analysts are neither authorized under law nor trained to perform such tasks independently.
Most states do not have a formal process to evaluate, approve, or screen those claiming to be behavior analysts.
The Behavior Analyst Certification Board is an independent non-profit that certifies those with Masters or Doctoral degrees as minimally qualified to provide independent behavior analytic services to consumers. Those who have a masters and received board certification place the letters "BCBA" after their name and those whose doctorate included additional training in behavior analysis at the doctoral level are eligible to put "BCBA-D" after their name. Anyone can check to see if someone who claims board certification status is in fact board certified by going to the BACB website. In addition to certifying those as minimally qualified to provide independent ABA services, the board also certifies Assistant Behavior Analysts at the bachelors degree level (they place BCABA after their name) and the board requires that they receive ongoing supervision from a full board certified behavior analyst. It is therefore the board's position that Assistant Board Certified Behavior Analysts are not qualified to independently practice behavior analysis under any circumstances without supervision.
One significant caveat to this issue is that many of the leading researchers, professors, and practitioners of behavior analysis are not board certified at this time because the process is new; Dr. R. Montgomery went back and received board certification as a behavior analyst several years ago despite having taught ABA in universities and practiced as a behavior analyst for decades.
This means that it is possible to hire a professional qualified in behavior analysis who is not board certified. In the absence of board certification in behavior analysis what should you look for in the training and experience of someone you are considering hiring to ensure that they are qualified to provide you with sound behavioral services?
I recommend that you ask for a complete curriculum vitae (c.v.) from the professional. All professionals should both have a c.v. and readily make it available to you. Ours are available on this website and via download in pdf format. A c.v. is different from a resume in that the c.v. focuses on training and experience that qualifies the professional to practice in their area. Once you have the c.v. there are many things to look for in evaluating the professionals credentials. Three sources of information for what the minimum qualifications are for provision of independent behavior analytic services to consumers are the BACB websites Consumers section, a guide to behavioral consultation from the American Association on Mental Retardation, and the Autism Special Interest Group of the
Association for Behavior Analysis - International's Guidelines for Consumers of Applied Behavior Analysis Services to Individuals with Autism. These sources require or recommend that anyone seeking to independently provide ABA services have at least a Masters degree with the majority of their coursework in behavior analysis and learning theory.
This means that a few courses within the program for some other degree is generally not sufficient to meet the minimum training requirement. In addition to specific coursework in learning theory, principles of behavior change, behavioral assessment, single-subject research design, and ethics those seeking to independently practice behavior analysis should have at a minimum a year of applied training under the supervision of someone who has already met the standards laid out in these documents. Supervised experience means that the person meets with someone who is significantly more qualified then they are on a formal and regular basis (typically several hours a week) to review the professional and technical issues surrounding the provision of ABA services.
Such supervision time is not time where the two individuals are providing direct services but time set aside to go over data, review plans, review research materials and publications, and to discuss the improvement of the supervisee's skills in applying what they thought they learned in their classes. What this means is that simply having worked as say a teacher or an employee implementing ABA programs is not "supervised experience" under these guidelines.
This requirement recognizes that there is a distinct difference between sitting in a class, or being a practicum student observing others, and actually being the one called upon to provide ABA services independently. This means that formal supervision is a prerequisite to being minimally competent to work independently as a professional.
This is the same reason that physicians go on residency in a hospital setting for 3-5 years after they finish their coursework at medical school. Similarly, clinical psychologists are required to have several years of practicum work while in school, then do a year of full-time residency in a treatment setting like a hospital after they finish their courses, and in most states also have at least one post-doctoral year before they can be licensed to independently practice. The requirement for behavior analysts is not as stringent as either of these training regimens at only a year or so, but does ensure that the person has actually done some work in the field under direct supervision prior to offering their services independently.
Finally, it is my opinion that if someone claims to be an Applied Behavior Analyst they ought to belong to the premier organization of behavior analysts - the Association for Behavior Analysis. While no one requires such membership for credentialing purposes it is my belief that it is not possible to remain current in ABA without reading the professional literature in journals like the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, the Journal of Verbal Behavior, and other specifically behavior analytic journals. It is also my belief that if one wants to practice as a behavior analyst being a member of the only international behavior analyst organization is essential in order to have adequate access to ongoing training, discussions, and general information about ones profession.
I am VERY skeptical of anyone claiming to be an independent Applied Behavior Analyst, behavioral consultant, Functional Behavior Assessment specialist, etc. who is not a member of ABA or at least one of its state affiliates. I've seen plenty of folks who I do not believe are qualified to independently practice as behavior analysts and to date not one of them was a member of ABA. This does not mean that simply being a member of ABA makes one qualified, but the absence of this professional affiliation should raise questions in the consumers mind about the seriousness of the "professional" about the field of behavior analysis.
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