Understanding the Role of BCBA'S and RBTs: Managing Parent Expectations of ABA Teamwork (+ 5 tips for collaborating with your child's ABA team!)

As a parent navigating autism therapy options for your child, you may have heard about Applied Behavior Analysis aka ABA. ABA is a widely recognized and effective approach for children with autism, and understanding the two key roles in ABA can be essential to helping you make informed decisions about your child’s care.

Navigating healthcare options for parents can be stressful. Here are 5 tips to Collaborate with Your Child's ABA Team

At BeeKind ABA Therapy, we specialize in ABA Services for children on the spectrum in Georgia, and our dedicated team is here to guide you through the process. Here’s what parents should expect when working with ABA staff.

What Is ABA Therapy?

ABA therapy focuses on teaching children with autism new skills and reducing challenging behaviors through positive reinforcement. It involves breaking down tasks into smaller, manageable steps, making it easier for children to learn and retain new concepts. ABA has two essential roles. 

The first role is the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). These individuals are highly trained and educated in the field of ABA. BCBAs are responsible for working with parents, implementing evidence-based practices, managing data, monitoring client progress and more. The second essential role in ABA is the Registered Behavior Technician. The Registered Behavior Technician is also board certified and directly implements behavioral goals designed by the BCBA. The BCBA and RBT work closely together to maximize client’s benefits and teach life skills. There must be a BCBA assigned to every case; RBT's cannot work without the guidance of a BCBA.

5 Tips to Collaborating with Your Child's ABA Team

Together these two roles build your child’s ABA team with the parent(s) being the final team member(s). Together, the BCBA and RBT will conduct one-on-one sessions, often in a home, school, or clinic setting. Here’s what parents can expect from them:

5 Tips for collaborating with your child's ABA team.

1. Assessment and Goal Setting: The BCBA will start by assessing your child’s strengths, challenges, and learning style. This initial assessment helps create a customized treatment plan based on your child’s unique needs and goals. Parents play an essential role during this phase, as their input helps ensure the plan reflects the child's daily environment and priorities.

2. Data Collection and Monitoring Progress: ABA relies heavily on data to measure progress. The BCBA will consistently monitor your child’s behaviors, recording how well they respond to various strategies. This data collection process allows for adjustments to be made to the treatment plan, ensuring it continues to meet your child’s needs as they grow and develop. BeeKind BCBA's meet with parents frequently to enhance client outcomes.

3. Teaching New Skills: ABA therapy isn’t just about reducing negative behaviors—it’s also about helping children learn important life skills. Your child’s ABA team will use techniques like positive reinforcement and prompting to teach your child communication skills, social skills, and self-care routines. They may also address specific academic or functional skills based on your child’s needs.

4. Parent Involvement: One of the key components of successful ABA therapy is parent involvement. ABA therapists will work closely with you to help you implement strategies at home. This partnership helps ensure consistency and encourages generalization of skills across different environments.

5. Consistency and Patience: Therapy sessions are typically structured and may generally last anywhere from 20-40 hours per week, depending on your child's needs. ABA therapy healthcare teams provide consistent reinforcement and adapt their approach to encourage steady progress. This process takes time and patience, but the results can be life-changing for your child and family. The average ABA therapy program is 4 years. At BeeKind clients can graduate within 2.5-3 years with consistency and patience.

   
   

At Beekind ABA Therapy, we understand that navigating the world of ABA therapy can be overwhelming for parents. However, with the right team in place, you can feel confident that your child is receiving high-quality care tailored to their unique needs. If you are looking for ABA Services for children on the spectrum in Georgia, we are here to support you every step of the way.