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Applied behaviour analysts will be regulated health professionals in Ontario for the first time as of July 1, 2024, and CHEO is prepared for the change.
The new Psychology and Applied Behaviour Analysis Act brings the profession of “Behaviour Analyst” within the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario.
That means every behaviour analyst must register and satisfy certain conditions to practise in Ontario.
The move aims to protect families and children who require Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), a flexible, evidence-based therapy that can be adapted to support the needs of each unique person in schools, homes, clinics, and other community settings.
Best known for its successful application with children, youth and adults with developmental disabilities, ABA applies the theory of learning and behaviour to increase behaviours that are helpful and decrease behaviours that are harmful or affect learning.
Jessica Remedios, the Professional Practice Leader for ABA at CHEO, said this is a “big shift” in the profession, but not at CHEO where the hospital’s Neurodevelopment Health teamhas already followed best practices of the industry.
“We were very much ready, where we've thought a lot about this,” said Remedios.
CHEO has already exemplified strong ethical practice by positioning behaviour analysts as the supervising clinician for ABA services and frontline ABA-practising clinicians.
This will be legal practice in all of Ontario as of July 1, which also gives families a proper mechanism to provide feedback and complaints.
For more information, you can visit the College’s page with frequently asked questions.