Paul, thanks for publishing this account of how California came to support treatment based on behavior analysis. It deserves to be read by many advocates, administrators, policy makers, and others.
Of note for me is that I worked with students with disabilities during the 1960s and 1970s in southern California. Some of those children were described as autistic (even "autistoid") and many others would these days probably be said to be "on the spectrum." We were doing whatever we could find in the scant literature of the time (JABA's first volumes beginning in 1968 were a boon!) and by visiting with folks at UCLA to discuss treatment protocols. Your account aligns quite well with my memories of those times.
Thanks for your comments. In my career the best days of ABA were when Regional Center and School Districts paid for services, before there was medical billing. Medical billing is more than difficult.
Right. The changes in paying for ABA made for an entirely different environment, I’m sure. And now there are probably a zillion (I am exaggerating!) providers for hire of varying competence.
I started my career in ABA in 2015 when I moved to the Bay Area. When I started there was no RBT Certifications I was literally thrown to the wolves with no training at all. Clinical notes were taken on paper and six months into my first year we stopped billing as tutors and because bonotied medical providers & our practices were fully covered by Medicaid.
Yes I am still deeply committed to the profession whether I am working in it or not. During the pandemic I committed myself to learning everything I could about the scientific method, aba research and how to read and analyze data. It's one of the greatest gifts I've ever given myself. Be well 🙏
I haven't given up on a career in ABA . I'm still slowly matriculating towards my BCBA which is taking forever but that's ok. If and when I achieve those ends I plan to contract with a developing country & help them build a self supporting industry for themselves
This is an excellent resource. Interesting about Lovaas’s involvement. Hard to navigate the emotions given his name has become a conditioned aversive stimulus for most BAs. Would you mind if I discuss this essay or show it to my Instagram audience? Lots of young BAs might be interested in the history.
Thanks Harry
Paul, thanks for publishing this account of how California came to support treatment based on behavior analysis. It deserves to be read by many advocates, administrators, policy makers, and others.
Of note for me is that I worked with students with disabilities during the 1960s and 1970s in southern California. Some of those children were described as autistic (even "autistoid") and many others would these days probably be said to be "on the spectrum." We were doing whatever we could find in the scant literature of the time (JABA's first volumes beginning in 1968 were a boon!) and by visiting with folks at UCLA to discuss treatment protocols. Your account aligns quite well with my memories of those times.
Thanks for your comments. In my career the best days of ABA were when Regional Center and School Districts paid for services, before there was medical billing. Medical billing is more than difficult.
Right. The changes in paying for ABA made for an entirely different environment, I’m sure. And now there are probably a zillion (I am exaggerating!) providers for hire of varying competence.
Nice summary.
I started my career in ABA in 2015 when I moved to the Bay Area. When I started there was no RBT Certifications I was literally thrown to the wolves with no training at all. Clinical notes were taken on paper and six months into my first year we stopped billing as tutors and because bonotied medical providers & our practices were fully covered by Medicaid.
Are you still in ABA?
Yes I am still deeply committed to the profession whether I am working in it or not. During the pandemic I committed myself to learning everything I could about the scientific method, aba research and how to read and analyze data. It's one of the greatest gifts I've ever given myself. Be well 🙏
yes, behavior analysis helps with one's career, personal life and family life.
I haven't given up on a career in ABA . I'm still slowly matriculating towards my BCBA which is taking forever but that's ok. If and when I achieve those ends I plan to contract with a developing country & help them build a self supporting industry for themselves
This is an excellent resource. Interesting about Lovaas’s involvement. Hard to navigate the emotions given his name has become a conditioned aversive stimulus for most BAs. Would you mind if I discuss this essay or show it to my Instagram audience? Lots of young BAs might be interested in the history.
Sure. The IEP process was the key.