Autism Behavioral Specialist

Autism behavioral specialists work with children and young adults living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a condition characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication. These specialists create and implement behavioral plans, working with individuals and families, to improve problem behaviors and teach appropriate behavior.

Education and Training

While most states do not require a specific degree for this role, most candidates have at least a bachelor’s degree in a field like behavioral analysis, psychology, or social work. Some states require you to pass a certification exam to practice.

Roles and Responsibilities

Autism behavioral specialists perform a variety of duties in their day-to-day work, such as:

• Assessing the needs of clients through observation and interaction to create a tailored behavioral plan
• Offering behavior interventions to help clients develop appropriate solutions for minimizing problem behaviors and increasing desirable actions
• Training and educating families and caregivers on how to help autistic individuals learn new skills at work
• Working with other professionals to develop clear treatment goals such as teachers, therapists, and other members of their treatment team
• Keeping and maintaining accurate and detailed documentation about each client, including assessments, treatment plans, interventions provided, and outcomes 

Tools and Skills

Autism behavioral specialists use a variety of tools to help clients, including:

• Behavioral plans
• Reinforcement and reward systems
• Positive behavior support (PBS)
• Applied behavior analysis (ABA)

In addition to these tools, autism behavioral specialists need a strong foundation in the following skills:

• Communication
• Patience
• Empathy
• Problem-solving
• Teamwork

Career Prospects

The job outlook for autism behavioral specialists is expected to grow much faster than average in the coming years, with an expected 25% growth from 2021 to 2031. The increasing prevalence of autism and the rising awareness of the benefits of early intervention are driving this growth.

Autism behavioral specialists can work in a variety of settings, including schools, clinics, hospitals, and private practices. Some specialists may also choose to work as independent contractors.

Personal Growth

This career offers numerous opportunities for personal growth as you will be working hands-on with clients and their families. Each case will be unique, therefore you will constantly need to adapt your behavior plans to meet individual needs. This can help you develop your creativity, problem-solving skills, and empathy.

Self-Guided Projects

There are a number of self-guided projects that you can complete to better prepare yourself for a career as an autism behavioral specialist. These projects can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to be successful in this role. Some examples of self-guided projects include:

• Volunteering at an autism center or school
• Shadowing an autism behavioral specialist
• Reading books and articles about autism and behavioral therapy
• Taking online courses in autism and behavioral therapy

Online Courses

Online courses can be a great way to learn about the principles and practices of autism behavioral therapy. These courses can provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to work with autistic individuals and their families. The extensive list of courses above covers many facets of autism and behavioral therapy, providing you with the opportunity to gain a well-rounded understanding of the field.

Online courses can help you learn about a variety of topics, including:

• The principles of ABA
• How to assess the needs of autistic individuals
• How to develop and implement behavioral plans
• How to work with families and caregivers

Online courses can be a helpful learning tool for those who want to pursue a career as an autism behavioral specialist. However, it is important to note that online courses are not a replacement for real-world experience. In order to be successful in this field, you will need to complete a combination of coursework and supervised experience.