What is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) as related to Autism?
ABA therapy, which stands for Applied Behavior Analysis is a system that teaches clients with autism to learn and unlearn different behaviors and helps them improve their social and behavior skills implementing a reward system along with other strategies.

What does an ABA Therapist do?
The ABA Therapist works in varied settings such as the home, schools, learninig centers, hospitals and more. Whether working with a child or adult, the ABA Therapist develops a rapport with the client and learns his/her likes and dislikes. The ABA Therapist must know what truely drives the client, so that the right motivation can be provided to encourage learning.

Once that foundation has been built, the therapist can move forward with providing regular one-on-one therapy sessions to teach new skills and reduce or manage challeging behavior. The therapist constantly observes and records the client's progress. All therapy information should be shared with the parents and program supervisor. If there are multiple therapists working with the autistic child or adult, they should be informed of progress as well. Assessments are made and strategies are proposed based on effectiveness of the therapy.

Preparing for a Career in ABA Therapy
ABA Therapists will have bachelor's or master's degrees in applied behavior analysis or related fields such as child development, occupational therapy, psychology, etc. In addition to licensing and other required credentials for their specific field, therapists should earn a certification by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB). The BACB's certifications include Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA). Along with education, training, and experience, employers and clients will usually require the BCBA or BCaBA certifications.
>> FAQs about ABA and Gettiing your Certification

Career Outlook for ABA Therapists
The demand for qualified Autism professionals is very strong , as diagnoses of ASD have increased significantly in recent years and there is still a lack of trained ASD-specific professionals. More than 500,000 individuals under the age of 21 are currently diagnosed with autism. According to the U.S. Department of Education, autism is expected to have a continued growth rate of 10 percent to 17 percent annually. The Centers for Disease Control estimates an increase from 1 in 150 to 1 in 110 children have an autism spectrum disorder. Such dramatic numbers and a shortage of qualified autism specialists create a strong demand for trained professionals. In fact, according to the Florida Association of Behavior Analysts, there are 4 job openings for every BCBA.

Salary for ABA Therapists (all data provided by Payscale.com)
ABA Therapists can earn an hourly rate of $14.16 to $19.55 with overtime rates of $20.72 to $29.75/hour. Payrate depends largely on experience.

To be eligible for the BCBA or BCaBA certifications, candidates must have earned a bachelor's (for a BCaBA) or master's degree (for BCBA) in ABA or a related field, completed a BACB approved sequence of coursework, performed a required number of hours of supervised fieldwork, and pass the certification exam.

Applied Behavior Analysis - Certificate (Includes Fieldwork Experience)
This BACB approved post graduate certificate program is designed to assist behavior analysts and those working in related fields with updating their licensure and further expanding their expertise related to developmental disabilities, geriatric conditions, behavioral and learning difficulties, and mental illness. This BACB approved certificate prepares students to sit for the examination to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Applicants must have a master's degree in a related field and five years' experience. The program can be completed in under a year, depending on field supervision availability.

Note: Completing supervised practical work experience required by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board while enrolled in an approved program, such as this one, can lead to a significant reduction of required field experience hours (1,000 versus 1,500).

Psychology / Applied Behavioral Analysis - BS
The Applied Behavioral Analysis specialization will explore behavioral development from birth to adolescence. Students will extensively examine design, analysis, and application of learning theories and behavioral principles to understand what motivates human behavior. They will learn the skills required for a myriad of jobs, including working with autistic children and adults with special needs and assisting certified behavioral analysts who conduct research or create behavior modification programs.

Psychology / Applied Behavioral Analysis - MS
Pursuing a Master of Science in Psychology from Kaplan University offers students a unique opportunity to blend the rich, academic tradition of psychology with exciting, contemporary applications of the science. The program will focus on the processes that underlie the individual human experience and behavior, as well as core knowledge, theories, and research in the field. Students of the Applied Behavioral Analysis specialization will focus on the developmentally disabled, the autistic, and individuals with traumatic brain injuries. Students will utilize behavioral concepts and theories, and develop assessment and intervention skills.

Behavioral Intervention in Autism - Online Graduate Certificate Program
Developed in collaboration with the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, this award-winning BACB approved program is one of the very few in the country available entirely online for individuals interested in expanding their knowledge of behavioral intervention for autism. With a critical shortage of skilled early intervention professionals in the United States, UMass Lowell's autism program is meeting the growing demand for specialists is this field. This online Autism Certificate program offers two track options.

The BIA Certificate track is the 4-course Graduate Certificate Program in Behavioral Intervention in Autism, designed to provide professionals working in education, child care, speech and language disorders, and metal health and human services with an understanding of autism and related development disorders, as well as an introduction to behavioral methods and how and where such methods can be used. This track has also attracted a large number of parents of autistic children. Applicants for this track must have a bachelor's degree.

The BCBA Certification Preparation track is the 5-course Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (BCBA) preparation program, which involves a sequence of online autism courses approved by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board (BACB) to meet coursework requirements towards national certification as a Behavior Analyst. Applicants for this track must have a master's degree in ABA or a related field.

Curriculum and Instruction / Autism Studies - MEd
The M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction: Autism Studies Option is a 30-credit (10-course) master's degree program which can be completed entirely online. Offered through UMass Lowell's Graduate School of Education in cooperation with the Psychology Department, this interdisciplinary program combines UMass Lowell's award-winning Behavioral Intervention in Autism online graduate certificate program with one of the University's most popular online Master's degree programs in Curriculum and Instruction.

Behavior Analysis - Certificate
The BACB approved post-graduate Certificate in Behavior Analysis online program is designed for professionals pursuing careers as a behavior analyst, behavior manager or consultant in the justice system, school system, or community services. This program focuses on developing new and innovative investigative approaches and techniques to the study of behavior and motivation. Graduates of this program will be trained to effectively work with behavioral problems and disorders in children, adolescents, and adults. This program provides the BACB approved sequence of coursework toward BCBA certification eligibility.

• Criminal Justice / Behavior Analysis - MS
• Business Intelligence / Behavior Analysis - MS