Triveni Goswami Vernal
(Registered Special Educator A64010)

Behavioural Therapy is often an essential component of intervention for Autism, but there is a lot of confusion regarding who can practice as a Behaviour Therapist.

WHAT IS BEHAVIOUR THERAPY?
Behavioural therapy is an intervention that works on reducing maladaptive behaviours and increasing the likelihood of the occurrence of behaviours that are considered, “desirable.” It looks at learned behaviours and the interaction between the behaviour, environment and the mental states of the individuals in it, that influences the behaviour.
There are various kinds of Behavioural Therapy. Some of them are as follows—

• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy / CBT (that combines both cognitive as well as behavioural elements)
• Applied Behaviour Analysis /ABA (Based on the principles of Operant Conditioning to shape and bring about changes, in challenging behaviours)
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy /DBT (Based on CBT, it is often used to treat personality disorders, focus on emotional regulation, tolerance of distress and inter-personal conflicts)
• Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy /REBT (Based on CBT, it helps in identification of irrational beliefs and negative thoughts that can lead to challenging emotions and behaviours)

BEHAVIOUR THERAPY AND AUTISM

For Autism intervention, Behaviour Therapy most often than not, includes Applied Behaviour Analysis/ ABA and in a smaller proportion, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy/CBT too. Usually, individuals who are trained in Clinical Psychology or specifically in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, can practice CBT. But who can practice as an ABA therapist?

QUALIFICATIONS FOR PROFESSIONALS PRACTICING APPLIED BEHAVIOUR ANALYSIS (ABA)
There are two main boards to certify individuals for ABA—
1. BACB (Behaviour Analyst Certification Board https://www.bacb.com/) that certifies an individual as   
a) Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA)
b) Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst-Doctoral (BCBA-D) 
c) Board Certified Assistant Behaviour Analyst (BCaBA)
d) Registered Behaviour Technician (RBT)
 
Under the Behaviour Analyst Certification Board (BACB),
a) BCBA (Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst) is a Graduate level certification. BCBAs can work as independent practitioners and supervise the work of Board-Certified Assistant Behaviour Analyst (BCaBA) and Registered Behaviour Technician (RBT)
b) Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst-Doctoral (BCBA-D): Those with doctoral or post-doctoral training in behaviour analysis may apply for this designation. There is no additional certification for it, but all the requirements for BCBA must be met.
c) Board Certified Assistant Behaviour Analyst (BCaBA) is an undergraduate level certification in behaviour analysis. They may work under the supervision of a BCBA but can supervise the work of Registered Behaviour Technicians.
d) Registered Behaviour Technician (RBT) is a para-professional certification in behavioural analysis. They can assist in delivering behaviour analytic services under the supervision of a RBT supervisor.


2. QABA (Qualified Behaviour Analysis Credentialing Board https://qababoard.com/)  that certifies an individual as:
a) Applied Behaviour Analysis Technician (ABAT)
b) Qualified Autism Service Practitioner-Supervisor (QASP-S)
c) Qualified Behaviour Analyst (QBA)
Under the QABA,
a) Applied Behaviour Analysis Technician (ABAT) should have a high school diploma or an equivalent. 
b) Qualified Autism Service Practitioner-Supervisor (QASP-S) should have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
c) Qualified Behaviour Analyst (QBA) should have a master’s degree from an accredited university.

Please Note: The number of hours for course work and supervised fieldwork for both BACB and QABA Certified Professionals would differ on the basis of the level of certification, applied for.

AVAILABILITY OF TRAINING FOR ABA IN INDIA
Behaviour Momentum India founded by Dr. Smita Awasthy (BCBA-D), had established India’s first ABA certifications under the Behaviour Analyst Certification Board (BACB), from 2013-2022. But after the exit of BACB from India, BMI now provides training under QABA (https://bmiabacourse.com/Process/) 
Other organizations providing training under QABA are:
Stepping Stones Center
https://steppingstonescenter.in/our-training/certification/
https://steppingstonescenter.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/stepping-stones-abat-certification-brochure_2025.pdf
Prayatna
https://prayatna.co.in/online-applied-behaviour-analysis-technician-course/
Butterfly Learnings
https://www.butterflylearnings.com/qaba
Jey Special Needs Centre
https://jeyspecialneedscentre.com/online-applied-behavior-analysis-technician-course/

Thus, we see that although there are stringent guidelines regarding the qualifications required to practice as an ABA therapist, yet, the reality is often blurred in the rehabilitation space, in a country like India. Steps should be taken by the professionals as well as the powers that be, to ensure that only certified and trained professionals impart services in the rehabilitation space.

REFERENCES:
https://www.bacb.com/
https://qababoard.com/
https://dialecticalbehaviortherapy.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behaviour_therapy
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21208-cognitive-behavioral-therapy-cbt
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/autism/conditioninfo/treatments/cognitive-behavior
https://albertellis.org/

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Author Dr.Triveni Goswami Vernal

Dr.Triveni Goswami Vernal is a Registered Special Educator (CRR: A64010), a Psychologist and an Expressive Arts Therapy Practitioner in training (UNESCO-CID). She is an Avaz Certified Educator and Certified in Dyslexia Teacher Training. She is also an art educator for children with additional needs.

“Blooms”
Kabir Vernal
Acrylic Painting on Stretched Canvas
12 x 16 inches