Written by Sal Ruiz (Guest blog)
Behavior analytic literature provides some excellent guidelines for implementing the principles of behavior analysis with clients. For example, the dimensions of behavior analysis have demonstrated the importance of describing behavior in observable terms, demonstrating functional relations, providing replicable procedures, intervening to improve the lives of the organisms we work with, making a durable behavior across settings, and ensuring the procedures work (Baer, Wolfe, & Risley, 1968; Baer, Wolfe, & Risley, 1987).
Following these guidelines is critical to success, whether you work with typically developing people, those with a diagnosis, or non-human organisms. To do this well in the early stages of your career requires structured support from behavior analysts with a history of successfully building behavioral repertoires…. and meaningful BACB supervision should utilize the same principles and guidelines that applied behavior analysis services deliver.
With Supervision from a CentralReach Supervisor we implement deliberate strategies to ensure supervisee success. We aim to shape up a repertoire of best practice and produce behavior analysts who perform well beyond minimum competencies.
Here’s how we do it:
- First, we help our trainees gain command of the literature through careful examination of seminal documents in the field.
- Second, we provide practice opportunities to define and measure behavior. We place a unique emphasis on defining behaviors precisely and mastering best measurement practices for various scenarios.
- Third, we guide trainees through single case research designs and graphical displays while modeling analyses and decision-making processes, ultimately building trainees’ analytic skills with graphed outcome data.
- Fourth, we identify and strengthen the behaviors needed to operate independent of the supervisor.
The process provides a high level of guidance through supervision and gradually fades based on the performance of the trainee. Precision Teaching emphasizes data analysis to determine when change is appropriate; the same model is applied to our BACB Supervision. The supervisor initially provides a high level of involvement and the amount of guidance changes as needed, based on progress data.
Further, we offer individual sessions and group sessions based specifically on which option best fills the needs of our individual trainees. Individual sessions include content such as focusing on client needs, developing data collection tools, and measurement tactics. Depending on client needs or trainee interest, we may also assign literature to contribute to a well-rounded understanding of certain concepts or procedures. A group session may include behavior analytic discussion led by the trainees, or this time can be used to help connect future behavior analysts for the development of a professional network.
The field of behavior analysis has built a successful record of creating behavior change by individualizing interventions and measurement. CentralReach Supervision provides the same level of individualization and measurement. We seek to create behavior analysts that have a strong foundation in measurement. Through guided support and careful analysis of data, great change can occur. Trainees will one day become BCBAs who will impact the lives of many individuals, so we take supervision seriously.