Best Start Clinic Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) Workshop Model
In the Workshop Model, Best Start Clinic provides the program supervision and the parents are responsible for hiring, managing and sometimes training the ABA therapists to work directly with the child in his/her home. Employing a private ABA therapist may provide some cost savings to parents as private ABA therapists set their own rates (contact the ABIA for a guide).
Parents should also consider the therapists' level of training, supervision, ongoing professional development requirements, as well as employment and insurance requirements. Parents are advised to request a Working With Children Check for all potential candidates.
The ABA Workshop Model at Best Start Clinic involves the initial program development and workshop followed by regular program meetings. The frequency of the program updates will depend on the number of therapy hours per week that your child is undertaking. Please note that for early intervention to improve long-term outcome for children with autism the recommended intensity is 20+ hours per week.
The Best Start Clinic team is available to provide training for your private therapy team. The ABIA also offers a range of training programs. For more information visit ABIA.
Recruiting ABA Therapists
ABA therapists, or those interested in becoming ABA therapists, can often be found by placing advertisements with universities or on Gumtree. The ABIA also keeps a list of people who have recently completed the ABIA’s introductory course. There is higher demand for experienced ABA therapists than supply however if possible we highly recommend trying to recruit at least one experienced therapist to work on your team. Your therapists should have police checks, working with children checks, insurance and their own ABN if you will not be directly providing them with an employment contract.
Training for ABA Therapists:
We recommend that all ABA therapists you employ have received prior introductory training in ABA. The ABIA runs many courses throughout the year covering training at varying levels and topics. We recommend that your therapists continue to receive ongoing training, such as through the ABIA courses. Parents sometimes pay or contribute to therapists initial and ongoing training. We also highly recommend that therapists working on an ABA workshop program supervised by Best Start Clinic undertake our ABA Introductory workshop.
The ongoing training requirements for your private therapists will depend on their experience and skill in working with your child and delivering the specific programs and also on what you, as the parent, are wanting and willing to provide.
We recommend that you provide ongoing training to your private therapists by arranging for regular session and/or video observations of your therapists by your program supervisor.