ABA therapists, or Behavior Technicians, are highly sought-after, both for their professional qualities and the demand for their services. In 2018, the Center for Disease Control’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network (ADDM) reported that approximately 1 in 59 children in the United States has been identified with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, resulting in the rapid growth of career opportunities in ABA for autism therapy.
Behavior Technicians are intrinsically motivated, as helping people — especially children — is extremely gratifying. As a Behavior Technician, your skills enable you to make a valuable contribution to any therapy team.
When evaluating potential jobs in the field, you should also carefully assess each organization to determine if it can offer you the type of working environment you seek. So what are some of the things you should look for when applying for a job in the ABA field?
Benefits and scheduling
A top concern for you is likely whether your prospective employer provides health insurance and if they offer paid time off for vacations and holidays. Some companies offer benefits for BTs who work full time, or may also offer PTO and company devices for all employees. Be sure to inquire about the benefits your prospective employer may offer.
Many employers offer flex-time work policies for full-time employees, which can allow staff members to alter the start or end time of a workday. This benefit can be crucial for many families, especially those with two working parents.
When it comes to scheduling, you’ll want to understand how the organization manages time and distributes clients among technicians. Some companies use specialized software to match clients with providers who best suit their needs. Whether it’s specialized software or another method, you’ll want to understand how the organization schedules staff and if the process is user-friendly.
How does the company handle cancellations?
Most companies have cancellation policies since the consistency of care is critical for client progress. Ask about what the cancellation policy is, and if there are incentives for good attendance! You want to make sure you understand the scheduling policies to know if it’s a good fit for your availability.
Do the company and its employees hold professional accreditations?
Organizations that hold certifications, such as from the Behavioral Health Center of Excellence (BHCOE), or are members of nonprofits, such as the Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP), have taken care to meet specific quality standards. BHCOE is an international accrediting body that requires companies to continually meet standards required by third-party evaluators during regular reviews. CASP is a similar nonprofit that focuses specifically on professionals who provide services for individuals with autism.
Ongoing training opportunities
Ongoing training opportunities within an organization are a perk that allows you to do double-duty earning a living and strengthening your professional qualifications in your ABA career. Look for employers that provide chances for you to fulfill continuing education credits or complete certification to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, a Registered Behavior Technician, or a Board Certified Autism Technician. All of these certifications allow you to grow professionally and provide the most effective autism therapy to all clients, wherever your career takes you.
A mission you can get behind
Research your prospective employer to understand its mission and affirm it aligns with your values. How does the organization seek to provide the best possible outcomes for its clients? Do clinicians employ a one-size-fits-all approach, or do they solicit innovative solutions for individual clients? What is the work atmosphere like? Does the company strive to create a work-life balance for employees? If you have an opportunity, speak with current employees to ask what motivates them.
GBC Autism Services serves families in the Bolingbrook, Bloomington-Normal, Rockford, Springfield, Dekalb and Peoria areas. We pride ourselves on achieving exceptionally high standards of service. Our compassionate team’s values are simple: communication, integrity, community, and fun. Browse our career opportunities in ABA therapy!
