Is a BACB certified Behavior Analyst the same as an Autism Specialist or Therapist?
Behavior Analysis is an approach to human behavior that is not defined by a single diagnostic issue like Autism. There are behavior analysts who work in prevention of violence at the Centers for Disease Control, there are others that consult to Fortune 500 companies on employee motivation and productivity, and still others that train Human Service Animals. None of those BCBAs necessarily have any knowledge, training, or skill in working with people with Autism and yet they may well hold the BCBA credential based on their training and supervision in those other very important areas. Applied behavior analysis has been the treatment of choice for autistic behavior for the past 30 years. There are several hundred studies published in scientific journals which show the effectiveness of ABA with persons with Autism. Autism diagnoses have risen significantly and the disorder continues to receive extensive publicity. So, many people do mistake a Behavior Analyst as an Autism Specialist.
