Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. We conducted a survey of BCBAs currently providing supervision to gather information about current practices and barriers. The top areas of success and need are presented based on the responses of participants who completed the entire survey, along with recommendations.
The field of applied behavior analysis ABA relies on a supervision model to develop the skills required for an individual working toward becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst BCBA to deliver effective services to consumers and to provide quality training and supervision of direct-line staff. Upcoming additional requirements include course content focusing on supervision content BACB, c and the requirement that new BCBAs cannot provide supervision to trainees within their first year, postcertification, unless they are supervised by a BCBA with 5 or more years of supervisory experience BACB, b.
For the field of behavior analysis, relying on a supervision model allows for qualified practitioner-supervisors to directly shape the field by teaching and modeling critical knowledge and skills. However, reliance on a supervision model places a strain on supervisory resources, which is a concern given the rapid growth of the field. In a recent workforce outlook report, analysts found that the employment demand for BCBAs more than doubled from to Burning Glass Technologies, , p.
It should be noted that workforce growth and strain on resources are to be expected in a new field as it approaches a steady state of functioning. According to LeBlanc and Luiselli , who wrote the introduction to a recent special issue on the topic of supervision in the journal Behavior Analysis in Practice , there is a dearth of available training for effective supervisory practices in the field of ABA.
Because supervisors are charged with training and providing feedback to trainees, if those supervisors have not been trained on effective strategies for teaching and performance management, there is an increased risk that trainees will develop incomplete or faulty repertoires.
