Unnamed Company (the same for-profit company I mentioned earlier) has a reputation "as one of the world’s largest and most experienced organizations effectively treating children with autism," according to multiple sources. I personally know some of the therapists that work for this Unnamed Company, and they are genuine and loving people. However, I question the validity of this company's self proclaimed effectiveness and experience. (I will not disclose the company's name until I have further investigated and am ready to publish my findings. I will refer to it, instead as Unnamed Company).
What are the qualifications to be employed as an ABA Therapist for Unnamed Company? According to their own sources, you must be "pursuing a degree in psychology, education, early childhood development, or related field." Not obtained--pursuing. That leaves the door wide open for many people who may have once taken a psychology class at a community college but dropped out mid semester. That's "pursuing" a degree in psychology, right?
Here's more: this apparently top-notch company provides their new hires with one week of training before they are given the prestigious sounding title of "ABA Therapist." After one so-called "comprehensive" week of training, these pseudo-professionals walk into a family's home offering therapy services to children all over the autism spectrum. Parents are then expected to look to these individuals as the "experts," because of course years of raising your own child with autism means nothing compared to a week of sitting in some powerpoint lectures.
Sadly, the state isn't going to question any ABA company's validity at this point because they are are enjoying autism as a job creation opportunity. Autism has become quite the trendy field to work in. Beyond the trend, however, is a serious developmental disorder. Autism is complex, widespread, and varying (hence "spectrum") disorder that beckons proper scientific, medical, and psychological research. It is not a study that can be mastered, or even vaguely grasped in one week, even on a practical treatment level.
The more I find out about this, the more I am moved to speak out. This Unnamed-Reputable -Company apparently thinks that it is permissible for an individual to conduct intensive behavioral therapy for autistic children after one week of training. They have reduced the science of ABA to a few quick-and-dirty methods, and reduced the study of autism as a means to make money.
A BCBA is a legitimate degree for someone to have in the field of autism. While it is still not regulated, it is an education worth something. I had the opportunity to work directly under a BCBA to provide Verbal Behavior/ABA work for her own son who had autism. I am nowhere near an expert, I was merely a shadow who had the chance to learn a few things from constant training and supervision under my employer's expertise.
At the Sacramento branch of Unnamed Company, not one person holds a BCBA--not the therapists, senior therapists, case managers, case supervisors, or senior supervisor. Does this company legitimately believe they are giving children with autism the best possible services they can provide?
Am I loony for thinking this is messed up?
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2 comments:
If you're referring to CARD you're right on target! I used one of their ex supervisors and this person sucked. Absolutely no experience with more involved autism. The whole experience was a nightmare.
I agree. Lack of qualified therapists and good supervision is lacking. CARD also seems to focus on high functioning young children and really should not be selling themselves as understanding complex token systems and behavior contracts as well as kids on the more severe end of the spectrum. They are very weak in that area.
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