Statement on the Professional Practice of Behaviour Analysis in the Atlantic Provinces
Purpose of this Statement
APABA (Atlantic Provinces Association for Behaviour Analysis) is a professional organization representing behaviour analysis in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island. APABA is an Affiliate Chapter of the Association for Behaviour Analysis International. APABA is firmly committed to advocating for the practice of applied behaviour analysis in Atlantic Canada as a standalone profession.
Currently, the practice of ABA is not regulated in any of the Atlantic Provinces. This means anyone can say that they practice behaviour analysis or call themselves a behaviour analyst regardless of whether they have the training and/or experience to do so. The practice of applied behaviour analysis in the Atlantic Provinces affects public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the Atlantic Provinces. Therefore, APABA supports a minimum standard of qualification to protect the public from (i) the practice of ABA by unqualified persons, and (ii) unprofessional, unethical, and/or harmful conduct by those claiming to practice ABA.
Given the growth in the field of ABA in the Atlantic Provinces it is critically important that the professional practice of behaviour analysis is promoted; however, it is important to recognize that the practice of ABA in the Atlantic Provinces is still in a critical period with relatively low numbers of practitioners in general and even fewer who meet the recommended qualifications outlined below. Thus a transition for practitioners to follow the recommendations below will likely take several years. It is the expectation that this statement and these recommendations will change as the profession of ABA matures in the Atlantic Provinces.
Please read the full statement by downloading the statement or viewing the statement below.
Currently, the practice of ABA is not regulated in any of the Atlantic Provinces. This means anyone can say that they practice behaviour analysis or call themselves a behaviour analyst regardless of whether they have the training and/or experience to do so. The practice of applied behaviour analysis in the Atlantic Provinces affects public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the Atlantic Provinces. Therefore, APABA supports a minimum standard of qualification to protect the public from (i) the practice of ABA by unqualified persons, and (ii) unprofessional, unethical, and/or harmful conduct by those claiming to practice ABA.
Given the growth in the field of ABA in the Atlantic Provinces it is critically important that the professional practice of behaviour analysis is promoted; however, it is important to recognize that the practice of ABA in the Atlantic Provinces is still in a critical period with relatively low numbers of practitioners in general and even fewer who meet the recommended qualifications outlined below. Thus a transition for practitioners to follow the recommendations below will likely take several years. It is the expectation that this statement and these recommendations will change as the profession of ABA matures in the Atlantic Provinces.
Please read the full statement by downloading the statement or viewing the statement below.
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