ABSTRACT
Board certified behavior analysts (BCBA) are responsible for determining the medically necessary treatment dosage for patients (i.e., the number of hours of therapy a patient should receive per week to optimize progress) during applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy. However, because there is currently no standard method for making these determinations, BCBAs must rely on their own clinical judgment. Given that clinical judgment may be underdeveloped in some BCBAs, particularly those who are newly certified, more formal strategies are needed to guide decision making as it relates to medical necessity and treatment dosage. In this article we describe the development of the Patient Outcome Planning Calculator (POP-C), a standardized decision-making tool designed to assist novice practitioners in determining the medically necessary ABA treatment intensity and appropriate treatment setting for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We present preliminary reliability data as well as construct validity data indicating statistically significant correlations between the POP-C and several norm-referenced and criterion-referenced assessments commonly used to estimate skill level and the corresponding degree of support needed within the ASD population to inform the ABA treatment model and goals. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40617-023-00861-6.
ABSTRACT
The advisory board's makeup tends to consist of professionals with domains of expertise relevant to the organization they serve. Organizations invite advisory board members to guide the organization's efforts over an extended period. Still, they do not have fiduciary, operational, or decision-making responsibilities for the organization in the way that a board of directors does. This article provides a framework for a behavior-analytic organization to (a) identify whether an advisory board would be feasible and beneficial, (b) establish an advisory board, and (c) engage and manage an advisory board to best leverage the unique skills and interests of the members. The article includes 2 examples of advisory boards to illustrate the suggested framework and recommendations.
ABSTRACT
The Behavior Analysis Certification Board continues to increase the standards for supervision of trainees, which is needed in order for the field to continually improve. However, this presents a challenge for organizations to meet the needs of both their clients and their supervisees based on these increasing standards. Throughout the ages, experts in all trades have passed along their knowledge and skill through apprenticeship opportunities. An apprenticeship supervision model is described that allows Board Certified Behavior Analysts to supervise future behavior analysts by mentoring, educating, and training supervisees on the science of human behavior in a format that is mutually beneficial. This innovative supervision model is discussed as it applies to an applied behavior analysis human service organization with the goal of creating a system that results in high-quality supervision in a cost-effective manner while providing maximal learning for the supervisee. The organization's previous supervision difficulties are described prior to implementing the apprenticeship supervision model, and the benefits of developing and using the apprenticeship supervision model are outlined.