ABIA is dedicated to providing support, information and referral services to parents and carers. ABIA provides friendly advice and recommendations regarding ABA programs, suitable therapists or service providers and general support and information.

The ABIA has compiled a comprehensive information pack for parents and carers wanting information on ABA and how to get a program started.  Please click here for PARENT INFORMATION PACK. (This is a large file and may take a little while to download).

For parents about to embark on an ABA program it is highly recommended that you attend the ABIA's Parent Information Session on ABA and how to get started.  These sessions are run once a month, 10am - 12md on a Tuesday. Please check the events page for dates or contact the ABIA.

SERVICE PROVIDERS AND THERAPISTS

ABIA believes that families who wish to implement ABA programs have a right to know whether those who offer to supervise ABA programs or to support an ABA program implementation, have the competency to do so effectively and also how they are qualified.

In Australia, as in the US, the most senior and experienced professionals who supervise ABA programs are sometimes referred to as ‘ABA Consultants’. Others who train or work under their supervision might be called, depending on their qualifications and experience, a Clinic Supervisor, Program Manager, Case Manager, Senior Therapist or Lead Therapist.

In present-day Victoria however, there are no formal guidelines which delineate the kind of qualifications, experience and attributes that might entitle any professional or paraprofessional to use one or another title.

Families, therefore, need to satisfy themselves that the qualifications and experience of the professional or paraprofessional are adequate for their needs.

CHOOSING A SERVICE PROVIDER

• Letters of recommendation from other families, including opportunities to view other supervised ABA programs
• Cost (hourly and other costs), timing of payments and any specific contractual terms
• Formal qualifications in behaviour analysis and autism, attendance/participation at professional conferences and publication of articles
• Training in directing ABA programs, number of years (full or part-time) and experience and qualifications of supervisor
• Experience in directing ABA programs, including number of families dealt with currently and in the past
• Nature of the service provided including:

o whether more senior supervision is provided (and how often)
o whether they offer an introductory workshop
o frequency of visits and program review
o provision of curriculum details and recording sheets
o help in finding and training therapists
o experience in particular areas relevant to your child – e.g. Tantrum extinctions, the ‘older’ child, non-verbal communication, the ‘slower learning’ child, the ‘high functioning’ child etc.
o how soon they can start and whether they are available in the long term.

• set up an initial introductory workshop with the family
• develop and supervise the programs your child will work on
• provide ongoing training for therapists, including training on how to accurately collect data needed to track your child's progress.

For a list of service providers who are members of ABIA, please visit our Support & Services page.

FINDING A THERAPIST/S

Finding a therapist/s is one of the most difficult aspects of setting up a home program. Many families running ABA programs will have to employ some inexperienced therapists. Some people who have already been through this experience recommend placing advertisements at local universities, particularly in the Psychology, Disability Studies and Speech Pathology Departments.

If hiring an inexperienced therapist, ABIA recommends that the therapist undertake at least a basic introductory workshop on ABA or that they enroll in the 10 week Intensive ABA Therapist program run by ABIA.

A list of people available to work as ABA therapists is available to members of ABIA, which includes details of experience & qualifications.

Please note however, that the people on the list may or may not have attended any ABA training workshops or have worked with any other families. ABIA is not in a position to vouch for the credentials, qualifications, details or ABA experience of any of the service providers listed. We recommend that families make their own enquiries and screen every applicant who offers ABA or ABA related services to determine their suitability and qualifications.

It is essential that families also perform police checks before employing anyone to work with their child.

Please contact Victoria Police on 03 9247 6666 to request a Police Record Check Consent form or download the .PDF form from the Victorian Police website HERE.