Global Autism Project Announces BACB Exam Review for Aspiring Professionals

NEW YORK - April 25, 2013 - PRLog -- This week the Global Autism Project announced a new program that aims to help those in the behavior analysis field working to achieve their Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) certification. The program offers exam review and tutorials for the BACB exam.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 88 children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders, and the most recent study puts this number as high as 1 in 50. Accordingly, there is a great need for professionals who are able to administer comprehensive, evidence-based treatment.

More specifically, there has been wide agreement (notably by the U.S. Surgeon General as well as the American Academy of Pediatrics) on the use of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) as the best available method that has proven to be effective. Although currently available at the federal level, some state governments have been pushing for insurance coverage of ABA therapy. This would usually be administered by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).

Unfortunately, there is a great shortage of BCBA’s. According to the certification board’s registry, some U.S. states have fewer than 100 BCBA’s. At a global level, the situation is even more dire, with many countries having fewer than 10, or none at all.

Fortunately, there are many interested people out there who would like to dedicate their lives to providing ABA services to those who need it most. BCBA certification requires the passing of an exam administered by the BACB. The exam is necessarily rigorous, ensuring the capabilities of those who are successful, but the pass rates remain quite low, at about an average of 43.9% (including first-time testers and re-takes).

It is very common for someone to have to take the test multiple times in order to pass. Many test-takers are intimidated by these low rates and look for external help in preparing for these exams.

The Global Autism Project has started a BACB exam review program that will be available to any aspiring BACB in any part of the world. It will be hosted online and run by the organization’s Clinical Director, Ann Beirne.  Ms. Beirne is herself a BCBA who passed the exam on the first try. She has an educational background in ABA and is well versed in the content and structure of the exam. Along with the Global Autism Project, she has been training therapists all over the world in ABA and helping them train others within their countries and in their schools. She will be able to bring her considerable work and educational experience to this course.

The course itself will be held online from 10am to 4pm on May 4th and 5th, 2013. It will cover the Third Edition Tasklist. There are three different packages, which provide varying combinations of the online course, course materials, study guides, a pre-course strategy session, take-home practice exercises, a customized plan, and one-on-one tutoring with Ann Beirne.

To register for the course, go to http://globalautismproject.org/supervision/bcbaexamreview....

The organization will be expanding their exam review materials in the future.