Helping Children Meet Their Full Potential Faster
Edward Windsor lives with his parents, George and Mary, in a lovely neighborhood in Ingham County, Michigan. He is 5 years old and has been recently diagnosed with Autism. His pediatrician and his family physician recommended he begin ABA therapy. Edward's parents, George and Mary, have begun the process of choosing the Perfect BCBA and therapist. They seek to find the persons who will be best at providing Edward with the adaptive and social skills necessary for him to thrive as an individual in his community.
Appointing a BCBA and therapist for your child sets the foundation of your child’s therapy. They will guide and lead the child and the family as they begin the journey to improvement & independence. They are present for the small & big milestones in the child’s life - learning small skills, school days, new activities & experiences, and so on. Therefore, great care must be exercised in choosing these professionals who will assist in shaping your child’s behavior.
Listed Below are Qualities to consider when choosing a BCBA/ Therapist:
Professional Experience – An experienced BCBA or therapist brings unique perspectives, an understanding of several solutions to difficulties in therapeutic intervention, and exposure to a diverse pool of clients. Therefore, the more experience a BCBA has the more likely they are to create effective and evidence-based therapy. Ideally, they should have experience in both ABA therapy and working with children on the spectrum.
Personality – As we all know; the personality of a person plays an important role in their profession and its impact. This applies to all professionals who deal with sensitive matters. Therefore, it’s vital to choose a BCBA & therapist who is enthusiastic, communicative, positive, and open-minded. It is important that the BCBA and therapist get along well with your child and create a positive and engaging learning environment.
Consistency - A key factor in making progress in your child’s therapy is consistency. Search for a therapist who is known to be consistent with their methods, attendance, and engagement with the child (and the family). Consistency with the customized plan put in place by the BCBA (with the assistance of the family) will help with progress in therapy.
Trust your instincts – Pay attention to your instinct, your gut feeling. It is important and advantageous to the success of treatment, that you feel comfortable with the BCBA and therapists creating and implementing therapy. Make sure you find the right fit. You can always ask your ABA provider to send you a range of profiles and choose the right match for you and your child.
Education Certifications – Make sure to you check the educational credentials of a potential BCBA to ensure that they have a genuine certificate from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) and that it is up to date.
