Practice of Behavior Analysis is in Jeopardy

Issues related to Professional Practice

http://www.babat.org/professionalpractice.html

The practice of behavior analysis in Massachusetts is in jeopardy. The Massachusetts Psychological Association wants to take control of the practice of behavior analysis. They have introduced a bill (to see the bill, click here) that would deny most of the 700 BCBAs the right to practice behavior analysis. Fortunately, behavior analysts have a voice in the Massachusetts legislature in Rep. John Scibak of South Hadley. Rep. Scibak has introduced a bill (to see the bill, click here) that would uphold the right to practice of persons credentialed by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. For a better understanding of the direct situation our right to practice faces, please read the following press release by the BACB (click here).

Now is the time to call upon our own legislators to urge their support. Your voice on this important issue matters - please contact your legislator to let him or her know how important this issue is to you!

Taken from: http://www.babat.org/professionalpractice.html

This is scary, people. Only behavior analysts are trained, educated, and have experience working in the scientific field of behavior analysis. Psychologists are not necessarily trained in the implementation of behavior analysis. This could be devastating to families affected by autism, who will not get the same help and support they need if this bill is passed. Licensure is not itself a bad idea to tighten which behavior analysts practice. I am behind the idea of licensure because the tighter the requirements, the more professional our field will become. There are people who go to school, train, and gain supervised work experience to work solely with families affected by autism. What will happen to these people, like me, who will no longer be legally allowed to do that, despite their extensive background and education? Licensure should be based on behavior analysis and not psychology. These are two schools of thought, although many think they are similar. I am currently obtaining a PhD in clinical psychology, but I am not learning about autism or behavior analysis in these courses. My affiliation as a someday psychologist does not change my belief that people helping families should be trained in the behavior analysis standards of the BACB (BACB.COM) not psychological associations. I personally know many psychologists who exceed psychological association standards and who are great psychologists, but do not know the first thing about behavior analysis. This scares me that I could be limited from helping families who really could use my help. I am also fearful if this is passed that it will set a precedent for states to follow. We do NOT want people outside of the field, who are not trained in autism or applied behavior analysis, to be working with families as behavior analysts. Children with autism need the scientific and systematic approaches proven through years of applied behavior analysis research.