Concerns About the Registered Behavior Technician™ in Relation to Effective Autism Intervention

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

Behavior analytic standards have always been more objective, exacting, and precise.

“Behavior analytic standards have always been more objective, exacting, and precise (Baer et al., 1968).”

• cites Baer et al., 1968 sourcePartly supported

  The Applied and Analytic sections call for precise measurement, reliable observation, and exact descriptions of procedures. They do not establish that behavior-analytic standards have always been more objective, exacting, or precise than other standards; the paper says applied research may meet a lower standard for demonstrating experimental control than laboratory research. Page numbers are unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.86)

  Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

There has been no evaluation determining what effect the RBT credential may have on the cost of intervention.

“First, there has been no evaluation determining what effect the RBT® credential may have on the cost of intervention.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

There has been no empirical investigation of the specific components of the RBT credential.

“As stated previously, there has been no empirical investigation of the specific components of the RBT® credential.”

May combine two claims.

There is no external verification of RBT competency and no assurance that one trainer's approved performance corresponds to other trainers' standards or to BACB expectations.

“Fourth, there is no external verification of competency and no assurance that the level of performance that is approved by one trainer corresponds to the standards of other trainer/certifiers or that the therapist's performance meets the expectation of the BACB® when the criteria were laid out.”

May combine two claims.

There has been no empirical evidence that procedures are implemented with higher fidelity or that consumers are better protected because of the certification process.

“There has been no empirical evidence that procedures are being implemented with a higher degree of fidelity or that consumers are better protected because of the certification process.”

May combine two claims.

The RBT training hours requirement of 40 h does not appear extensive nor consistent with the current body of research.

“The training hours requirement for the RBT® does not appear to be extensive nor does it appear to be consistent with the current body of research.”

May combine two claims.

The RBT development process adhered closely to standards employed by many other fields for credentialing, but this may not have been enough to move forward with the RBT credential.

“This process adhered closely to standards employed by many other fields for credentialing their respective professions; however, it may not have been enough to move forward with the RBT® credential.”

May combine two claims.

The RBT task list does not include a basic understanding of curriculum or specific knowledge about the population with whom the RBT is working.

“Also, the task list does not include a basic understanding of curriculum or specific knowledge about the population with whom they are working (e.g., autism, developmental disabilities, or typically developing children).”

• cites BACB, 2015aNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

Insurance companies require services to be implemented and supervised by certified behavior analysts and interventionists; school districts hire in-house BCBAs; and some states require licensure and accept the BACB credential as evidence of eligibility.

“Insurance companies are requiring that services be implemented and supervised by certified behavior analysts (Autism Speaks, 2015) and interventionists; school districts are hiring in-house BCBAs®; and states (e.g., MO, IL, MA) are requiring behavior analysts and interventionists to be state licensed in order to receive funding and are accepting the BACB® credential as evidence of eligibility for”

• cites Autism Speaks, 2015Not matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

May combine two claims.

The RBT task list does not require demonstration of data interpretation, shaping procedures, behavioral skills training or similar procedures, or leading/supporting group instruction.

“For example, the task list does not require demonstration of data interpretation (e.g., determining if a client has reached mastery criterion), shaping procedures, behavioral skills training or similar procedures, or leading/supporting group instruction.”

• cites BACB, 2015aNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

There is no evidence, empirical or otherwise, that there have been changes in the field or the certification process by which a BCaBA is now capable of providing adequate supervision.

“It is unclear what the justification was for this change; there is no evidence, empirical, or otherwise that there have been changes in the field or the certification process by which a BCaBA® is now capable of providing adequate supervision.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: BCaBAs are now able to provide supervision to RBTs.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

The credentialing process focuses more on a generalist approach, and the credentialing body has not acknowledged the need for differentiating areas of specialization such as ASD and early intervention.

“This is especially dangerous given that the credentialing process focuses more on a generalist approach, and the credentialing body has not acknowledged the need for differentiating areas of specialization, such as ASD and early intervention.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

The RBT development process took over 2 years and involved 14 representative subject matter experts and over 12,000 professionals who were surveyed.

“The process took over 2 years and involved 14 representative subject matter experts (SMEs) and over 12,000 professionals who were surveyed.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Interventionists are not simply automatons and need to be able to make decisions in the moment in the absence of a supervisor, which requires a much more advanced level of training.

“Moreover, as discussed in the BTask List^ section below, interventionists are not simply automatons and need to be able to make decisions in the moment in the absence of a supervisor, which requires a much more advanced level of training.”

May combine two claims.

Under current rules, the person conducting the RBT assessment may also be the employer, creating an incentive to pass candidates and potential conflicts of interest or dual relationships.

“Finally, if the person conducting the assessment is also the employer of the potential RBT® (this is allowed under the rules), there could be an incentive for the assessor to pass the RBT®, since having more RBTs® can lead to more clients and potentially lead to greater financial reward.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

In a cost-conscious environment, there will be intense pressure to utilize the least expensive personnel, and companies adhering to higher training standards will likely not survive.

“In a cost-conscious environment, there will be intense pressure to utilize the least expensive personnel; an unfortunate consequence will be that companies that choose to adhere to a higher standard of training will likely not be able to survive.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

Unintended consequences of the RBT may even cause harm to those whom its creation was intended to help.

“Furthermore, the possibility that unintended consequences may even cause harm to those whom the creation of RBT® was intended to help must not be overlooked.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The RBT credential was intended to help individuals diagnosed with ASD.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

An interventionist must be able to alter the curriculum as well as the teaching or behavior strategy in the moment, when a supervisor may not be present.

“Based upon this analysis, an interventionist must be able to alter the curriculum as well as the teaching or behavior strategy in the moment, when a supervisor may not be present.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

The absence of a specialty credential may be taken by consumers as an indication that a generalist credential is sufficient to provide EIBI services.

“The absence of a specialty credential may be taken by consumers as an indication that a generalist credential is all that is necessary to be qualified to provide EIBI services.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

The complexities of ASD and the type of intervention required in an EIBI program require a far higher level of maturity, life experience, and specialized knowledge than is required for basic childcare.

“The complexities of ASD and the type of intervention required in an early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) program require a far higher level of maturity, life experience, and specialized knowledge than is required for basic childcare.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

The procedures implemented by LPNs are generally less numerous and less complex than the procedures a RBT is expected to implement.

“In addition, one could argue that the procedures implemented by LPNs (e.g., medication administration, taking vital signs, basic wound care, injections) are generally less numerous and less complex than the procedures a RBT® is expected to implement.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

Leaving the decision of whether a technician has been trained in a sufficient number of content areas to the judgment of an individual BCBA is contrary to the goal of an objective and standardized model of certification.

“However, leaving the decision of whether a technician has been trained in a sufficient number of content areas to the judgment of an individual BCBA® is contrary to the goal of an objective and standardized model of certification.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: The RBT task list may not be complete and it is the supervisor's responsibility to teach any additional skills to the RBT.

May combine two claims.

BACB certifications have become the gold standard and increasingly a de facto requirement for providing behavioral intervention to individuals diagnosed with ASD.

“Today, the BACB® certifications have become the gold standard and, increasingly, a de facto requirement for providing behavioral intervention to individuals diagnosed with ASD (Green, 2010).”

• cites Green, 2010 sourceNot checked — no full text of the source

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

In a world where certification has become the de facto standard, consumers risk paying more attention to the mere fact of being credentialed than to evidence of outcomes, training, experience, and quality of work.

“Ina world where certification has become the de facto standard, there is considerable risk that consumers will pay more attention to the mere fact of being credentialed rather than critically evaluating evidence of outcomes, extent and nature of training and experience with a specific population, and the quality of work product.”

May combine two claims.

A potentially unintended consequence of the RBT may be that the cost of intervention rises, even though it has not been demonstrated that better outcomes are obtained when using certified personnel.

“Therefore, a potentially unintended consequence of the RBT® may be that the cost of intervention rises, even though it has not yet been demonstrated that better outcomes are obtained when using certified personnel.”

May combine two claims.

Behaviors outlined in the RBT task list are not thoroughly operationally defined nor are competency criteria explicitly provided.

“Additionally, behaviors outlined in the task list are not thoroughly operationally defined nor are competency criteria explicitly provided.”

• cites BACB, 2015aNot matched

  Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

There have been many unintended negative consequences of BACB certification, many of which could also apply to the creation of the RBT.

“As the BACB® certification has become ingrained in the world of ABA intervention for persons with ASD, there have been many unintended negative consequences, many of which could also apply to the creation of the RBT®.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

Videotape assessment allows RBT candidates to select only their best samples, which may artificially inflate judged performance.

“For example, the RBT® candidate could select only their best samples to provide to the assessor and may artificially inflate judged performance.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

Professionals in ABA have never been satisfied with merely following the established training and assessment practices of other fields.

“Professionals in the discipline of ABA have never been satisfied with merely following the established training and assessment practices of other fields.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

With the inclusion of the RBT, there is less emphasis on course work and hours of training.

“With the inclusion of the RBT®, there is less emphasis on course work and hours of training.”

May combine two claims.

Role-play assessment requires a great deal of subjective judgment by the assessor, which can lead to inadvertent or purposeful manipulation and artificially increase the likelihood that the candidate demonstrates procedures correctly.

“The use of role play also requires a great deal of subjective judgment by the assessor, which can lead to inadvertent or, in the worst case scenario, purposeful manipulation by the evaluator to change the circumstances of the role play; this would artificially increase the likelihood of the RBT® candidate demonstrating the procedures correctly during the role-play scenario.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: A substantial part of the RBT assessment can be based on role play.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

As the RBT credential potentially represents a paraprofessional position requiring only a high school degree, it would be hard to justify reimbursement rates for RBT services comparable to positions requiring at least a bachelor's degree.

“Alternatively, as the RBT® credential potentially represents a paraprofessional position requiring only a high school degree, it would be hard to justify reimbursement rates for RBT® services that are comparable to positions that require at least a bachelor's degree.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

It is difficult to identify the RBT as being conceptually systematic with our science on staff training and evaluation of performance.

“Finally, it is difficult to identify the RBT® as being conceptually systematic with our science on staff training and evaluation of performance.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

Because of adherence to higher standards, ABA results have consistently been more sweeping, extensive, and profound.

“It is because of our adherence to higher standards that our results have consistently been more sweeping, extensive, and profound.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

Many of the over 12,000 surveyed professionals may have had a vested interest and may not have fully understood the possible unintended consequences of the RBT credential.

“Third, although over 12,000 professionals were surveyed, it may be the case that many of these individuals have a vested interest (e.g., financial interest in an established credential for direct line staff) and may not have fully understood the possible unintended consequences (stated above) of the RBT® credential.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

Too often, consumers are not receiving quality intervention, even by those who are certified.

“The authors know unequivocally that individuals on the autism spectrum require effective behavioral intervention; unfortunately, too often, consumers are not receiving quality intervention, even by those who are certified.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

Individuals on the autism spectrum require effective behavioral intervention.

“The authors know unequivocally that individuals on the autism spectrum require effective behavioral intervention; unfortunately, too often, consumers are not receiving quality intervention, even by those who are certified.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

The RBT designation does not ensure that a person has received any training in ASD.

“Specifically, the BACB® needs to state (a) that they might not be knowledgeable of all ABA-based procedures, (b) that the RBT® designation does not ensure that a person has received any training in ASD, and (c) that a RBT® should never implement ABA-based programs independently without ongoing supervision.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

The advent of the RBT credential amplifies and extends concerns about qualifications of professionals in ABA and ASD and increases the urgency of renewed discussion, debate, and reconsideration.

“The advent of the RBT® credential amplifies and extends these concerns and increases the urgency of renewed discussion, debate, and reconsideration.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

The amount of time spent developing the RBT credential is neither a good indicator of completeness nor of quality.

“Besides the concerns and considerations listed above, the amount of time spent developing the credential is neither a good indicator of completeness nor of quality; the development process should not be considered complete until all substantial concerns are addressed adequately and resolved sufficiently.”

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

It is unclear how objective and unbiased was the procedure for selecting the 14 SMEs who guided the creation of the RBT credential.

“Secondly, while there is no question that the 14 SMEs who guided the creation of the RBT® credential were indeed experts, it is unclear how objective and unbiased was the procedure for selecting the members of this panel.”