How to Prevent Burnout as a BCBA: 7 Strategies That Actually Work Burnout is a well-documented challenge for BCBAs and RBTs. It’s often preventable and can be significantly reduced with proactive habits. Setting boundaries early, seeking adequate supervision, staying connected …
Exercise isn’t just good for physical health — in ABA therapy, it’s a clinical tool. For children with ASD, a growing body of research suggests that structured physical activity may reduce problem behaviors, improve attention, and strengthen motor and social …
A crisis services coordinator helps individuals and families navigate the mental health system during and after a crisis — connecting them to the right care at the right time. These professionals work across hospitals, mobile crisis units, community centers, and …
Peer-mediated instruction and intervention (PMII) is an evidence-based strategy often used within applied behavior analysis (ABA) where children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) learn social and communication skills by interacting with carefully selected, trained peers rather than adults alone. It’s …
Social narratives in ABA are short, personalized stories that help children with autism understand social situations and how to navigate them. A behavior analyst writes the story specifically for the child, describing a challenging situation, how others feel, and what …
School social workers support students facing personal, family, and behavioral challenges that affect learning and school engagement. They work within K–12 school systems alongside teachers, administrators, and school psychologists to build support systems for students who need them most. Most …
A career counselor is a trained professional who helps people make informed decisions about their education, job search, and long-term career path. They work in schools, colleges, and private settings, using assessments, one-on-one counseling, and research to connect clients with …
ABA licensing laws exist to protect consumers from unqualified practitioners. Starting with the first model legislation drafted in Massachusetts in 2006, states have steadily enacted licensing requirements that give consumers legal recourse, open doors with insurance providers, and give behavior …
Burnout in ABA is real, and the turnover numbers prove it. Research puts the rate somewhere between 30% and 70% depending on the setting. But plenty of practitioners have built long, fulfilling careers in this field — and they’ve figured …
Knowing when your expectations for a child are too high isn’t always obvious, especially when they’ve shown they can do something before. The key, according to ABA practitioners, is this: if a child is consistently showing unwanted behavior, the expectation …
Children with autism process information differently in four key ways: bottom-up thinking (details before concepts), highly literal language interpretation, difficulty with multi-step sequences, and challenges with perspective-taking. Understanding these patterns helps parents and caregivers communicate more effectively and build genuine …
Creating a safe home for your child with autism means going beyond standard childproofing. Because autism affects every child differently, the safest environments account for sensory sensitivities, wandering risks, water fixations, and the need for structured routine. These five tips …
Emotional dysregulation in autism is the difficulty many autistic individuals have managing emotional responses within a typical range. It stems from differences in brain structure and sensory processing, not a lack of effort or willpower. While it’s not part of …
Autism Spectrum Disorder can show up in many different ways, but most early signs involve differences in communication, social connection, and behavior. Common things to watch for include limited eye contact, not responding to their name, delays in babbling or …
Autism is strongly influenced by genetics — studies suggest genetic factors account for an estimated 64% to 91% of autism risk. But there’s no single “autism gene.” Researchers have identified over 100 genes strongly linked to autism, with potentially hundreds …
ABA therapy for rehabilitation and independent living uses evidence-based behavioral techniques to help individuals with brain injuries relearn daily skills, manage maladaptive behaviors, and regain functional independence. Both traumatic and acquired brain injuries fall within this scope. Behavior analysts work …
ABA feeding therapy uses applied behavior analysis techniques to help children, especially those with autism, learn to eat a wider variety of foods and reduce disruptive mealtime behaviors. A behavior analyst conducts a functional assessment, identifies what’s reinforcing the problem …
While still an emerging approach, some clinicians are exploring how ABA principles can support eating disorder treatment, particularly for behaviors with strong environmental reinforcement patterns. ABA’s focus on identifying specific triggers, behavioral chains, and reinforcing factors gives clinicians a more …
Behavioral addictions like gambling, compulsive internet use, and out-of-control sexual behavior share neurological features with substance addiction — and applied behavior analysis (ABA) offers a direct, evidence-based approach to treating them. By targeting the learned reward cycles that drive these …
Applied behavior analysis treats fears and phobias by systematically breaking the learned cycle of avoidance and anxiety. Through techniques like graduated exposure therapy, flooding, and contact desensitization, behavior analysts help patients demonstrate to themselves that the fear response isn’t warranted …
ABA therapy for depression uses a technique called behavioral activation to help people reengage with meaningful, enjoyable activities. By addressing patterns of avoidance and inactivity that sustain depression, ABA practitioners help clients gradually rebuild motivation and pleasure. Research suggests behavioral …
ABA therapy for traumatic brain injury helps patients relearn lost skills, manage behavioral changes, and adapt to life after injury. Behavior analysts work alongside medical teams to design individualized intervention plans that target cognition, communication, motivation, and daily functioning. It’s …
Behavioral gerontology is the application of applied behavior analysis (ABA) to the care of aging adults. Behavior analysts in this specialty work in hospitals, nursing homes, and memory care facilities — using evidence-based techniques to address behavioral challenges like dementia-related …
ABA in special education helps students with autism, ADHD, and other behavioral challenges receive appropriate schooling through structured plans like IEPs and BIPs. Behavior analysts in schools conduct assessments, build individualized intervention plans, and work alongside teachers and families to …
Becoming a licensed behavior analyst in Louisiana requires a master’s degree, BACB certification, supervised fieldwork hours, and passing both the national BCBA exam and Louisiana’s jurisprudence examination. The Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board (LBAB) oversees licensure for Licensed Behavior Analysts (LBAs) …
Becoming a licensed behavior analyst in Wyoming takes four steps: earn a master’s degree in ABA or a related field, complete 1,500 to 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork, pass the BCBA exam, and apply for licensure through the Wyoming Board …
Becoming a licensed Applied Behavior Analyst in Washington State requires a master’s degree in an approved field, at least 1,500 hours of supervised experience, a passing score on the BCBA® exam, and a license from the Washington State Department of …
Becoming a BCBA in West Virginia doesn’t require a state license, but BCBA certification through the BACB is the recognized standard and it’s required for insurance reimbursement. The path includes a master’s degree, 1,500 to 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork, …
Becoming a licensed behavior analyst in Oregon requires earning at least a master’s degree, completing supervised fieldwork hours, passing the BCBA exam, and applying for licensure through the Oregon Health Licensing Office. The process typically takes two to four years …
Vermont made ABA licensure official in 2015, and the path is clearer than you might think. If you hold BCBA® or BCaBA® certification from the BACB, Vermont will grant you a license by endorsement — no separate state exam required. …
Becoming a behavior analyst in South Carolina starts with a master’s degree in ABA or a related field, followed by supervised fieldwork and the BCBA exam. South Carolina requires state licensure to practice independently. The career outlook is strong: the …
Becoming a BCBA in Maine means earning a master’s degree in behavior analysis or a related field, completing 1,500 to 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork, and passing the BCBA exam. Maine doesn’t currently have state licensure for behavior analysts, but …
Utah started licensing applied behavior analysts in 2015, and the path to licensure closely mirrors BCBA® certification. You’ll need a master’s degree with BACB-approved coursework, at least 1,500 hours of supervised fieldwork, and a passing score on the national exam. …
Becoming a licensed behavior analyst in Rhode Island takes four steps: earn a qualifying master’s degree, complete supervised fieldwork hours, pass the BCBA exam, then apply to the Applied Behavior Analyst Licensing Board (ABALB). Rhode Island has been licensing ABAs …
Becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®) in New Hampshire means earning a master’s degree, completing 1,500 to 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork, and passing the BACB exam. New Hampshire doesn’t require a separate state license — your BCBA® certification …
Minnesota doesn’t require state licensure for behavior analysts, but the BCBA® credential is the professional standard for practice in the state. To earn it, you’ll need an ABAI-accredited or BACB-approved master’s degree, supervised fieldwork hours, and a passing score on …
Becoming a licensed behavior analyst in Maryland takes four key steps: earn a master’s degree from a BACB-approved program, complete 1,500 to 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork, pass the BCBA® exam, then apply for your LBA license through the Maryland …
Becoming a licensed behavior analyst in Virginia means earning a master’s degree, completing 1,500 to 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork, passing the BCBA® exam, and applying for state licensure through the Virginia Board of Medicine. The whole process typically takes …
Becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in Wisconsin means earning an accredited graduate degree, completing 1,500 to 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork, passing the national BCBA exam, and applying for your state license through the Wisconsin Department of Safety …
To become a licensed behavior analyst in Oklahoma, you’ll need to earn a master’s degree in behavior analysis, complete 1,500-2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork, pass the BCBA® certification exam, and apply for state licensure through the Oklahoma Licensed Behavior Analyst …
Becoming a licensed behavior analyst in Mississippi takes four steps: earn a qualifying master’s degree, complete 1,500–2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork, pass the BCBA® exam and Mississippi’s oral jurisprudence exam, then apply for licensure with the Mississippi Autism Board. The …
To become a licensed behavior analyst in Iowa, you’ll need a master’s degree, BACB-approved coursework, 1,500 to 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork, and a passing score on the BCBA® exam. The state application fee is $120. Iowa also offers a …
Becoming a licensed behavior analyst in Michigan means earning your BCBA® certification first, then applying for state licensure through LARA’s Michigan Board of Behavior Analysts. Michigan has required licensure since January 2020, and the state offers strong job demand, insurance …
Becoming a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®) in Indiana requires a qualifying master’s degree, 1,500–2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork, and passing the BACB® national exam. Indiana now licenses behavior analysts under Title 844 Article 21, with online applications available through the …
Becoming a licensed behavior analyst in Kansas takes four key steps: earning a master’s degree, completing 1,500–2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork, passing the BCBA® exam, and applying for your state license through the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board. Kansas has …
To become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®) in Georgia, you’ll need a qualifying master’s degree, 1,500–2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork, and a passing score on the national BCBA® exam. Georgia’s Behavior Analyst Licensing Board is now operational, and BCBA® …
Florida requires state licensure for behavior analysts through the Florida Department of Health, with BCBA® certification typically required for eligibility. To earn your BCBA®, you’ll need a qualifying master’s degree, 1,500–2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork, and a passing score on …
Becoming a licensed behavior analyst in Texas means earning a graduate degree with approved ABA coursework, completing 1,500 to 2,000 supervised fieldwork hours, passing your BACB or QABA certification exam, and applying for licensure through the Texas Department of Licensing …
To become a licensed behavior analyst in Illinois, you’ll need a master’s degree in behavior analysis or a related field, 1,500–2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork, and a passing score on the BCBA® exam. From there, you apply for a Licensed …
Becoming a licensed behavior analyst in Hawaii takes four steps: earn a master’s degree or higher, complete 1,500 to 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork, pass the BCBA certification exam, and apply for a state license through Hawaii’s Professional and Vocational …
Becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in Delaware means earning a master’s degree, completing 1,500–2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork, and passing the BCBA® exam. Delaware doesn’t require state licensure — the BCBA® credential is the recognized standard. Counselors in this …
Becoming a licensed behavior analyst in Connecticut means earning your BCBA® certification first, then applying to the State Department of Public Health. You’ll need a master’s degree, 1,500–2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork, and a passing score on the BCBA® exam. …
To become a BCBA in Colorado, you’ll need a master’s degree in behavior analysis or a related field, 1,500 to 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork, and a passing score on the BCBA exam. Colorado doesn’t require state licensure for behavior …
Becoming a licensed applied behavior analyst in Alaska requires a master’s degree, supervised fieldwork hours, passing the BCBA® exam, and applying through the state’s Corporations, Business & Professional Licensing Division. Alaska has required licensure for all ABA practitioners since September …