Fostering Growth in ABA

Todd A. Ward, PhD, BCBA-D

bSci21Media, LLC

Knowing if a career change is going to help you achieve your professional goals can be difficult. Given the large number of jobs available in the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) industry today, I talked to the Verbal Beginnings team to hear about the supportive training environment they provide for practitioners of all experience levels.

As part of their effort to welcome new staff to the field, Verbal Beginnings created a multi-day training for people who have a passion for ABA, but who may need guidance to provide the best support to kids and their families.  The training program is interactive, and participants will spend their time learning from experienced staff as well as pairing up with one another to role-play essential ABA skills, such as providing positive reinforcement, prompting techniques, and more.  The interactive nature of the training allows participants to put into practice what they have learned, and to receive feedback during the session to further hone their skills, and to ensure new staff feel comfortable in their abilities before working with kids.

Because the training takes place at the Verbal Beginnings Center, trainees are also given the opportunity to shadow an experienced staff member in a controlled environment. Shadowing allows trainees to see how the principals they learned and practiced during the training generalize to the inherent in working with kids of different abilities and backgrounds. Shadowing also allows trainees to see how what they have learned can quickly make a positive impact on a child’s life. If all goes well, and trainees are able to successfully implement their skills when shadowing, then they will move on to work with a family.

For new hires who are already experienced with ABA, Verbal Beginnings is able to help them take the next step in the field by providing the support needed to sit for the Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) exam. With a comprehensive 40-hour training course which meets the standards of the BACB.

Furthermore, by cultivating partnerships with research universities, Verbal Beginnings strives to keep their staff on the cutting edge of the evolving field of ABA. Through their partnership with The Chicago School, they are able to welcome cohorts of Verbal Beginnings staff to work towards Master’s level certification in ABA at a cohort rate. In addition to the financial benefits, staff complete the course requirements with the support of their cohort, often working on homework together after hours or helping one another study for exams.

Finally, the training and supports continue onsite through BCBA supervision and meetings with administrative support supervisors.

If you are ready to pursue your passions, contact [email protected] to begin your journey today.

Todd A. Ward, PhD, BCBA-D is the President and Founder of bSci21Media, LLC, which owns the top behavior analytic media outlet in the world, bSci21.org.  bSci21Media aims to disseminate behavior analysis to the world and to support ABA companies around the globe through the Behavioral Science in the 21st Century blog and its subsidiaries, bSciEntrepreneurial, bSciWebDesign, bSciWriting, and the ABA Outside the Box CEU series.  Dr. Ward received his PhD in behavior analysis from the University of Nevada, Reno under Dr. Ramona Houmanfar.  He has served as a Guest Associate Editor of the Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, and as an Editorial Board member of Behavior and Social Issues.  Dr. Ward has also provided ABA services to children and adults with various developmental disabilities in day centers, in-home, residential, and school settings, and previously served as Faculty Director of Behavior Analysis Online at the University of North Texas.  Dr. Ward is passionate about disseminating behavior analysis to the world and growing the field through entrepreneurship. Todd can be reached at [email protected]

*Paid content by Verbal Beginnings.