Careers Working With Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects communication, social interaction, and behavior, with a range of severity and symptoms. ASD in children may manifest as delayed language development, difficulty with social cues, repetitive behaviors, intense interests, and sensory sensitivities, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Children with ASD require specialized care and support, and the demand for skilled professionals who can deliver such care is great. Discover the profound impact of working with children with ASD and how rewarding a career in this field can be.

1. Board Certified Applied Behavior Analyst (BCBA Certified)

Applied behavior specialists work with people with behavioral disorders, often with children with autism spectrum disorders. They also may work with children with pervasive developmental disorders, severe behavioral problems, or adults with developmental disabilities.

According to the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB^®), demand for those holding certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst^® (BCBA^®) or Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral^® (BCBA-D^®) has grown 21% from 2010 to 2022. Demand in 2022 was highest in California, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Texas. California alone accounted for 23% of the demand.

As a behavioral analyst, there are many opportunities open to you.

“You can work in big community settings, in daycare centers, and in Head Start,” says Lisa Phillips, psychology faculty member at Purdue Global. “Many of my students have opened ABA clinics.”

Applied behavior specialists are required to have a bachelor’s degree. Upon completion of a master’s degree, you can take the test to get certified as a BCBA.

>> Read: What Happens After You Pass a BCBA Exam?

2. Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA Certified)

Below the master’s-level BCBA specialist is the assistant behavior analyst. As an assistant, you’ll be required to practice under the supervision of a BCBA.

Assistants conduct assessments, analyze data, help create interventions, and supervise registered behavior technicians.

In 2022, according to the BACB, there was a slight decrease in demand for assistant behavior analysts, but demand itself remains high. The top states for assistant behavior analysts were California, Florida, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia.

You need to have at least a bachelor’s degree to sit for the Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst^® (BCaBA^®) certification exam. Many people first obtain a BCaBA certification and then get a BCBA after further education and training.

>> Read: What's the Difference Between a BCBA and BCaBA?

3. Registered Behavior Technician

The BACB offers a behavior analysis paraprofessional certification. Once you pass the exam and meet other requirements, you can call yourself a registered behavior technician (RBT^®). RBTs assist in delivering behavior-analytic services and practice under the direction and close supervision of a supervisor and/or a requirements coordinator, who is responsible for all work an RBT performs.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) puts RBTs under the umbrella role, “psychiatric technicians and aides,” and it projects that employment of psychiatric technicians and aides will grow 9% from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations.

To earn certification, you must have at least a high school-level education or the equivalent, meet certain other requirements, and pass the RBT certification exam. Employers may prefer applicants who hold a bachelor's in psychology in applied behavior analysis (ABA).

Earn the Degree You Need to Work With Children With ASD

Working with children with ASD can bring immense personal and professional fulfillment. The field offers ample opportunities for growth, and you can feel good about your role in helping these children develop and improve quality of life.

“The satisfaction in this job is off the Richter scale,” Phillips says. “The greatest gift I've ever experienced is teaching someone to speak. We worked with a child for months and months, and he never said a word. One day we walked in, and his practitioner said, ‘Hi, Joey.’ He looked at her and said, ‘Hi, Miss Marcie!’ He came out with a full sentence. It was the most magnificent experience in the world — when someone who cannot speak starts using language. It changes everything, not just for the child but for the entire family and the child’s educators.”

Purdue Global’s online college programs can help you enter or advance in this field:

• Online bachelor's degree in psychology in applied behavior analysis (ABA)
• Online postbaccalaureate certificate in applied behavior analysis (ABA)
• Online master's degree in applied behavior analysis (ABA)

Find out more about Purdue Global today.