ABA/Behavior Therapy

Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)

• Focus: Specialize in behavior analysis. They work to understand and modify behaviors, often using principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
• Training: Requires a master’s degree in behavior analysis, education, or psychology, completion of specific coursework in behavior analysis, supervised practical experience, and passing the BCBA exam
• Approach: Uses data-driven techniques to increase positive behaviors and decrease negative or harmful behaviors (aka maladaptive behaviors). Interventions are often highly structured.

Occupational Therapist (OT)

• Focus: OT’s help children to gain skills for playing, social situation, educational skills, attention, sensory regulation, emotional regulation and support them achieve independence in all daily activities
• Training: Requires a master’s or doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy and many courses are focused on human function and development, brain development, structure and organization, and psychology. They must complete and pass fieldwork rotations and pass the National Board of for Certification in Occupational Therapy exam.
• Approach: Uses play based activities, tasks and exercises to improve fine & gross motor skills, coordination, oculomotor skills, sensory integration, feeding, and everyday life skills.

Overlap and Collaboration

• Collaboration: BCBA’s and OT’s often work together. For instance, a child with autism may receive behavior therapy from a BCBA to address behavior challenges and occupational therapy to improve motor skills and sensory processing.
• Overlap: Both professions may work on similar goals like improving social skills, behaviors or daily living activities but from different perspectives. For example, BCBA’s might use reinforcement strategies to encourage a child to complete a task, while an OT might use a sensory-based approach to make the tasks more manageable.