What Is A BCBA?

A BCBA is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst certified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.

How do you get a BCBA anyway?

A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) is a professional who has completed graduate-level training in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and passed an international certification exam. This qualification represents a deep understanding of how behavior works and how it can be used to teach meaningful, lasting skills that create positive change in daily life.

Does a BCBA Automatically Specialize in Autism?

While many BCBAs are passionate about supporting individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), the BCBA credential itself reflects expertise in human behavior, not just one diagnosis. Some BCBAs gain extensive experience in autism intervention, while others apply their behavioral knowledge in education, healthcare, or community programs.

What truly defines a great BCBA is the blend of knowledge, experience, and compassion—the ability to understand each learner’s unique needs and help them thrive across different environments.

Are All BCBAs the Same?

Every BCBA brings their own strengths, passion, and area of specialization. Some have decades of experience working with individuals with developmental differences, while others focus on particular age groups or learning areas.

At Autism Recovery Network (ARN), we are honored to be guided by our consultant Dr. James Partington, Ph.D., BCBA-D — a licensed psychologist and Doctoral-level Board Certified Behavior Analyst internationally recognized for his contributions to Applied Behavior Analysis and Verbal Behavior.

With over 40 years of experience supporting children with developmental challenges, Dr. Partington’s expertise continues to shape ARN’s mission — to provide compassionate, effective, and evidence-based support that empowers every learner to reach their fullest potential.

✨ At ARN, we believe that excellence comes not just from certification, but from the heart and commitment to every child’s journey.

Start Your Free Online Test (For 7 Years & Above)

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List any previous or existing diagnosis

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Does your child have difficulty in making conversations?
E.g. taking turns in talking, staying on topic, or doing all the talking

Does your child avoid eye contact when talking to others?

Does your child have a problem reading nonverbal cues?
E.g. body language or tone of voice

Does your child have difficulty following one-to-two-step instructions?
E.g. go get the ball, ask daddy for the remote, etc.

Does your child spend time on their own rather than with their peers?

Does your child have difficulty relating to children their own age and prefer to play with younger children or adults?

Does your child have a problem making friends and have few or no real friends?

Does your child invade personal space by getting too close to people when talking to them?

Does your child get easily frustrated leading to tantrums and aggression?

Does your child get upset by unexpected changes in routines?
E.g. riding a different way going to school, unexpected change of room

Does your child have odd interests or obsessions?
E.g. collecting sticks, lining up toys, turning on and off light switches, etc.

Does your child have unusual body movements or repetitive noises?
E.g. rocking body, hand flopping, howling, etc.

Does your child express few emotions on their faces or is not able to read other people’s facial expressions?

Does your child display an unusual tone of voice or use speech in an unusual way?
E.g. speak very softly or very loudly; in a monotone voice or repetitive speech

Does your child take things literally?
E.g. doesn’t understand phrases such as break a leg – “good luck”; its raining cats and dogs “it’s raining very hard”

Does your child display over-or-under sensitivity to certain sounds, tastes of food, or smells?

Does your child need assistance with everyday activities such as bathing, dressing, and toileting skills?

Does your child display poor physical coordination?
E.g. jumping jacks, cutting paper with scissors or writing

Does your child have a good memory and recall facts?
E.g. mental calculations, identify the day of the week of any date over a wide time period, lines in a movie or advertisements

Does your child have difficulty adjusting their behavior in different social situations?
Eg. birthday party, sports, school, picnic, church time

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Start Your free online test (For 3 to 6 Years Old)

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List any previous or existing diagnosis

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Does your child look at the item you point across the room?
E.g. does your child look when you point to the ball?

Does your child attend to the sounds from people or his environment?
E.g. Do you wonder if your child might be deaf?

Does he or she plays make believe games
E.g. pretend to drink form cup or eat with spoon

Does your child say words or phrases?
E.g. “mama”, “papa”, “I want cookies”

Does your child like to climb up on chairs, furnitures, stairs?

Does your child make strange/odd movements with hands or fingers?
E.g. wiggle finger near eyes, flap hands

Does your child point to the item that he/she wants?
E.g. Can he/she choose from 2 choices

Does your child point to show you something interesting?
E.g. pointing to the car in the road or the airplane in the sky

Does your child prefer to do things on his own than with other kids?

Does your child share interests with others?
Eg. show an item that he or she likes – a picture or drawing she has done; a puzzle that she finish

Does your child look or come when called by his name?

Does your child smile back at you when you smile at your child?

Is your child sensitive with sounds?
E.g. vacuum cleaner, car horns, baby crying

Does your child make eye contact when you talk to him/her?
E.g. asking for something, booktime, play time

Does your child imitate actions from adults or peers?
E.g. clapping hands, waving hands

Does your child follow instruction to a simple motor action?
E.g. clap hands, jump, wave hands

Does your child follow 2 steps instructions?
E.g.put the book on the chair, give me the cup

Does your child like to spin, stare or line up the toys instead of playing with them?

Does your child get upset with major changes?
E.g. if my daily routine is changed

Does your child point to things or pictures when they are named?
E.g. point to apple in a book when you say apple

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Start Your Free Online test (For 2 years & Below)

Enter your child's name*

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List any previous or existing diagnosis

List any previous or current interventions/therapies

Is your child interested in other children?
E.g. Does your child watch other children, smile at them, or go to them?

Does your child show you things by bringing them to you or holding them up for you to see - not to get help, but just to share?
E.g. Showing you a flower, a stuffed animal, or a toy truck.

Does your child respond when you call his or her name?
E.g. Does he or she look up, talk or babble, or stop what he or she is doing when you call his or her name?

When you smile at your child, does he or she smile back at you?

Does your child walk?

Does your child look you in the eye when you are talking to him or her, playing with him or her, or dressing him or her?

If you turn your head to look at something, does your child look around to see what you are looking at?

Does your child get upset by everyday noises?
Example: Does your child scream or cry to noise such as a vacuum cleaner or loud music?

Does your child try to copy what you do?
Example: Wave bye-bye, clap, or make a funny noise when you do.

Does your child try to get you to watch him or her?
Example: Does your child look at you for praise, or say “look” or “watch me”?

Does your child understand when you tell him or her to do something?
E.g. If you don’t point, can your child understand “put the book on the chair” or “bring me the blanket”?

If something new happens, does your child look at your face to see how you feel about it?
E.g. If he or she hears a strange or funny noise, or sees a new toy, will he or she look at your face?

Does your child like movement activities?
E.g. being swung or bounced on your knee.

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What Is A BCBA?

How do you get a BCBA anyway?

Does a BCBA Automatically Specialize in Autism?

Are All BCBAs the Same?

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