response-For any families considering or doing ABA... (cross-post)

[Guest guest]

Diane,

You posted this message:

Please, if you're doing ABA, make sure that the person you're

trusting your child's growth and future with is CERTIFIED and

actually has the knowledge and capabiltity, and CERTIFICATION

to write a program specifically geared towards your little

individual and can show you the credentials needed, that are

necessary, to help your child. Too often, people may say they're

qualified, but without certain credentials, they may do more harm

than good. Just a thought.... You wouldn't have your oil changed

by someone that says... " sure, I've done this before... no

problem " .

What you posted is not entirely correct. What is needed in Michigan is a

license to practice psychology. The behavioral certification is not neccessary

in this state (although it is good to have both). Michigan is a state where a

person with a Master's degree can become licensed and practice psychology. A

certificate does not take precidence over the license.

There are many professionals that are certified that have a license in other

areas (speech, ot, ect) as well as paraprofessionals, but do not have a license

in psychology. They only need to study for what is on the test and pass. They

then have to get CEU credits to maintain the certification but they are not at

all regulated by the state or federal government like a licensed psychologist

is. If they cause harm in their treatment or break other ethical guidlines

there is no recourse for the consumer.

However, it is neccessary to have a license in psychology to function as an ABA

consultant. The licensure board states clearly that when practicing behvavior

change methods that it should be done by a licensed indiviudual.

This is what is stated about that on the Michigan Board of Psychology's

website:http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-27417_27529_27552-59190--,00.h\

tml

The Public Health Code defines the practice of psychology as the rendering to

individuals, groups, organizations, or the public of services involving the

application of principles, methods, and procedures of understanding, predicting,

and influencing behavior for the purposes of the diagnosis, assessment related

to diagnosis, prevention, amelioration, or treatment of mental or emotional

disorders, disabilities or behavioral adjustment problems by means of

psychotherapy, counseling, behavior modification, hypnosis, biofeedback

techniques, psychological tests, or other verbal or behavioral means. The

practice of psychology does not include the practice of medicine such as

prescribing drugs, performing surgery, or administering electro-convulsive

therapy.

It is very common for families to use high school or college students or other

paraprofessionals to assist in the daily activities of runing an intensive ABA

program. However, those individuals should be supervised by a consultant

licensed in psychology.

I hope this is helpful in clarrifying how to run a quality home-based ABA

program.