A Day in the Life of a BCBA

There are many treatment options available today for children who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). One of the leading options is known as applied behavioral analysis, or ABA therapy.

This treatment is a science- and evidence-based approach to learning and behavior. Through positive reinforcement, repetition and breaking down tasks into individual steps, patients are able to build the social, communication and daily life skills that they often struggle with.

A main advantage of ABA therapy is the fact that it is personalized to each individual patient. In this way, the treatment plan can truly be tailored to each child’s unique strengths and challenges.

It also integrates parents, caregivers and other family members into the process, so that the skills learned during sessions can be emphasized when sessions are over.

ABA therapy is an intensive treatment plan that is typically administered over many hours and weeks, if not years. At the center of it all is the ABA therapist who comes up with the treatment plan and administers it to each patient.

At Blue Gems ABA, we have a team of board-certified behavior analysts (BCBAs) who administer this therapy in both clinical and home-based settings for children all along the autism spectrum.

While much of what we discuss is based around the amazing benefits of ABA therapy to children and their families, it’s also important for us to talk about what a day in the life of a BCBA looks like.

By doing so, we can help shed light on the amazing work that they’re doing, and also highlight why some of the major benefits of ABA therapy really come to fruition.

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How Do BCBAs Interact with Children and Parents/Caregivers?

As mentioned before, ABA therapy is so individual and personalized that the interactions between BCBAs, their patients and the child’s parents and caregivers really varies on a case-by-case basis.

Overall, BCBAs try to continuously pair with both their clients and their parents. They do this by talking about events going on in their lives, and by sharing successes and struggles.

Many BCBAs really love to keep things light-hearted and to laugh with their kids and families. This helps to break down any barriers and makes everyone feel comfortable.

“Every patient has their own favorite game. A lot of them love to run, some love tickles and some love cuddles,” says Katie Nerud, BlueGems BCBA, “Whatever the children bring to me, I make sure to incorporate it in session for me and my tech to use.”

This again helps the children and their families feel comfortable, as they work with familiar things and happy, smiling faces.

How Long Does a BCBA Typically Spend with a Patient?

Depending on the specific needs of the children and their families, a BCBA will spend between two to five hours with a patient for each session. Some kids need extra care due to harmful behaviors, while others don’t need as much time because their goals might revolve around social skills, for instance.

“I very consistently do a minimum of 1 hour of parent training per week per client,” said Nerud, “My families are great and know before or after session i will be there and they are ready for me.”

Some BCBAs only work in clinical settings, others work only in home-based environments, while others will have a mix of both. On some days, they might work with just one patient, while on other days, they may see as many as three.

“Some days I see one client for long in-depth sessions,” says Andrea Kramer, BlueGems BCBA, “other days I am able to see multiple for shorter check-ins as needed to ensure they’re receiving adequate attention, care, and support at the level that optimizes their growth.”

But, BCBAs don’t just administer ABA therapy all workday. They also go to doctor’s appointments, dentist appointments, other necessary appointments and even to community outings with their kids — all of which may add more time that they spend with them during that week.

In this way, BCBAs are providing an all-encompassing, holistic approach to treatment, as they help their patients grow in all facets of their life.

What are Some of the Biggest Challenges BCBAs Face?

As rewarding as the job of a BCBA can be, it can also be very challenging.

Katie Nerud says; “The biggest challenge is being able to separate your emotions. Kids and families go through extremely hard times and massive successes, it can be a lot of support we’re giving to all the families at once which can be emotionally exhausting.”

The BCBAs integrate themselves as part of their patients’ lives. As such, they often feel the happiness, sadness, frustration, confusion and everything else when they are working with the kids.

They also feel excitement and jubilation when clients graduate from the services, but of course also feel sadness when they will no longer be a part of their daily lives.

Many BCBAs say that the best way to overcome all of these emotions and challenges is to always plan for an independent future for their clients. The goal, then, is to work with them out of services and know that there are always more kids and families to help.

Blue Gems ABA’s BCBAs are Here to Serve Your Child on the Autism Spectrum

The job of a BCBA is very challenging, but it’s also extremely rewarding. This can clearly be seen just through the brief descriptions of what a day in the life of a BCBA looks like.

Andrea Kramer put it best when she said; “As a clinician and Behavior Analyst at BlueGems ABA, I am able to focus on providing high quality clinical care for our clients. Our strong administrative supports allow me to be fully engaged and invested in individualizing treatment for the families we serve. The ability to tailor each treatment plan to the learner and their parents to meet them where they are at is very effective and rewarding.”

At Blue Gems ABA, we have a team of trained and experienced BCBAs who are dedicated to helping their clients grow and live independent, happy, healthy and fulfilling lives.

To learn more, please contact us today.