What kinds of things do Applied Behavior Analysis teachers do?

Question

Hi I am 13 and I want to be a teacher in ABA therapy. It seems like a good thing for Autism (which I am most interested in). I also am curious about the other teaching methods too and I would really like it if you could include this information. Thanks!!!!!!

Thanks everybody you all have great ideas I am looking into!!!!:)

Answer 1

Hello...I am an ABA therapist, in Indiana.... I work with several programs ABLLS, TEACCH, FLOORTIME,LOVAS and many more. Your best bet is to get on some Autism websites and look at what people do with there programs, In my case I take a little from all my training and all the programs listed above and make a program that fits the kiddos i'm working with! I have a son with Autism, Ironicly I was studing to become a "behavior Therapist/ABA therapist" before I had him....Maybe you felt lead to work in this line of work for a reason you dont know yet!
Good luck and email me with any questions!
Beky

Answer 2

That sounds like very interesting career. Thanks for heads up that another specialty has been created. Would be very mind-full of two things: Certifications being offered in this area, and what turf wars may or will develop. Get all the skills you can in relationship to PLP. Will just use letters because have seen different words applied to them. Wondering as you apparently are wondering what specific role you will be playing. If you get a chance talk to Superintendent of a School District, and learn the nuts and bolts they see now and the future as being most useful.

Answer 3

_The Special Needs Child_by Serena Weider and Stanley Greenspan cover "Floortime." I know you said you're only 13 but I don't think the writing is too technical. There are specific books on the subject (i.e. Behavioral Intervention for Young Children with Autism_ but that one IS very technical). The editor, Catherine Maurice, wrote a book about her experience with it (_Let Me Hear Your Voice_) and that would be easier to swallow for starters. There are dozens of sites. Just google "learning
Applied Behaviorial Analysis."
You might be interested, too, in The Picture Exchange Communication System used with auties who have limited verbal ability. Lots of sites on its use.
My daughter is 8... she knows the basics of ABA because her younger brother is autistic... she learned through his ABA teachers we hired privately to teach him after school. She learned how to connect with her brother finally using it so the basics are not difficult. She wants to be a specialed teacher, too.