Are you looking for a fulfilling career in which you make a positive impact on students who have emotional and behavioral issues? If so, a position as a behavioral specialist could be exactly what you’re looking for.
In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about being a behavioral specialist, including what they are, their responsibilities, and the requirements for becoming one.
What is a Behavioral Specialist?
Behavioral specialists are psychological counselors who work with students who suffer from emotional and behavioral issues. Behavior specialists may work with students with ADHD, OCD, anxiety, depression, autism, or other disorders that might prevent them from achieving their best academically or socially.
Behavioral specialists include board certified behavior analysts (BCBA) and applied behavior analysts (ABA). Both BCBAs and ABAs assess students with behavioral issues and create plans to address these issues. They may also work alongside a registered behavioral technician (RBT) to implement these plans once they’ve been developed.
What Does a Behavioral Specialist Do?
Behavioral specialists have a wide range of duties that involve assessing and working with students who deal with behavioral issues. Their primary responsibilities include:
- Assisting children with emotional and behavioral challenges
- Evaluating students’ behavior
- Developing treatment plans for behavioral issues
- Offering support to children in following their treatment plans
- Managing patient documentation
- Collaborating with teachers, parents, and caregivers regarding treatment plans
Behavioral Specialist Requirements
To become a behavioral specialist, you must meet several requirements. These include obtaining your master’s degree in psychology, behavioral analysis, or a related field. You must also complete a training program and obtain a license to practice. The requirements for obtaining a license vary depending on the state in which you plan to practice. It is important to research the requirements for any state in which you want to work.
If you think a role as a behavioral specialist is the right fit for you, explore our behavioral specialist jobs page to find opportunities in your area.