FAQs

What is a BCBA?

A BCBA is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. They are clinicians who have undergone rigorous education, training, and testing, and are now certified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). BCBAs have completed a Master’s degree, fieldwork experience, and passed the certification exam. They are governed by the BACB and bound by a strict code of ethics.

At Precision ABA, all Behavior Analysts are Board Certified.

What is ABA/ABA therapy?

ABA, or Applied Behavior Analysis, is the natural science of understanding and modifying human behavior. Rooted in the teachings of B.F. Skinner, Behavior Analysts study and measure behavior, teach new behaviors, and help learners manage behavior. ABA and all of our interventions are empirically validated and evidence-based, which means that everything we do is backed by research. ABA therapy is the clinical application of the science of ABA. The National Autism Center cites ABA as the top treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. While the majority of applied practitioners work with those with Autism, ABA is the study of behavior, and we all behave! Therefore, ABA interventions work for everyone.

What is Precision Teaching?

Precision Teaching is a sub-field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), and is the hybrid of ABA and education. Ogden R. Lindsley extended the teaching of B.F. Skinner and his measure, rate of response, to develop the field of Precision Teaching.

As Precision Teachers, we:

Pinpoint behaviors: Break skills down into finite components to allow for clarity in measurement and skill development
Measure: Take data on those finite behaviors using frequency
Display: Use the Standard Celeration Chart (SCC) to display those data. The SCC is a standardized Chart that measures all behavior, from one time per day (or week, month, or year!) to 1,000 times per minute. This allows for quick data-based decision making, and also gives a true picture of performance without inflating results. We also look to improve learning over time using celeration measures.
Try, try, again: Precision Teachers make timely data-based decisions following strict rules for behavior change. If the learner doesn’t make progress for 3 days, we try something new! The Learner is Always Right.

How many therapists are on a team?

Teams are comprised of a Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and one or more Behavior Technicians. Some teams also have a Program Manager. This is based on the number of client hours and needs.

What is the commitment to therapy?

Many families ask what the commitment to therapy is when they’re getting started. At Precision ABA, each learner has their own plan developed to meet their specific needs. This includes the determination of hours that will produce the best outcomes, the number of direct therapy hours, the type of therapy, and the amount of parent support. We do require that all families have some level of parent support included in their treatment plan. Parents are the leaders of our teams at Precision ABA, and we will develop a plan that helps you and your child meet their goals!

What is Assent?

Assent an active, ongoing agreement or approval. This can be communicated in a variety of ways, from word-based communication, to gestures like nodding or a thumbs up, to physically moving toward a person, space, or activity. In Assent-Based Practice, this assent is constantly sought out from the learner with one intention: how can we make learning as meaningful, valuable, and engaging for you as possible? Assent does not have to be vocal, but it does need to be embodied, engaged, and free from manipulation or coercion.

What is Assent Withdrawal?

Assent withdrawal is a term to describe any action (or lack of action) indicating that a learner is no longer providing assent to engage; It is them opting-out or saying no. Assent withdrawal can occur for many reasons - a client may not feel well or may not have gotten enough sleep. The skill building program may be too hard. Or too easy. Or too boring. Something in the space may be triggering or distracting. There may be other more appealing things to do. There are so many reasons why someone may withdrawal their assent and "be a no" to something, and it is so important that this withdrawal is taken seriously and honored by letting the learner opt-out.

What does Assent/Assent Withdrawal look like in practice?

All learners at Precision ABA learn about assent and boundaries. Assent related goals are at the foundation of Precision ABA programming and remain a part of each learner's programming across the totality of their time with us. Data are collected on client assent withdrawal, and this feedback is used both immediately- to let the learner opt out, and after the fact- to assess what about the programming or the space needs to shift to make it more workable for the learner.