lundi 28 mars 2016

Facts About Pediatric Behavioral Specialist

By Jose Sanders


Behavioral specialists refer to trained mental health professionals whose specialty is in working with individuals who have behavioral disorders. A pediatric behavioral specialist mostly works with children who have various disorders including pervasive developmental disorders, severe behavior problems, and autism spectrum disorders. Although these professionals work with children most of the time, in Dallas, TX, they also work with grownups that have developmental disabilities or mental retardation.

To serve the public properly, specialized training and education are needed by specialists of behavior. Education and training take several years to complete. To work in this capacity, most states need professionals to have master degree in behavior analysis and learning. Master degrees in marriage therapy, family therapy, social work, psychology, and other related courses may be accepted too. One must ensure that the university from which they graduate is accredited and well-known. Otherwise, the degree may not be recognized in other states or anywhere in the world.

Experience in working with special needs populations is usually needed by most employers. Some employers only need their employees to have work experience and a bachelor degree. Applicants who have worked with special needs populations gain a lot of skills in dealing with the special needs of such people. When compared to general psychologists, the academic requirements for behaviorists are usually lower and less stringent.

One is not allowed to start working as a specialist of behavior before they complete training in entirety. Setting differs with what training one must pass through. Appropriate intervention strategies and techniques, ethics classes, and crisis intervention for a certain population are some of the subjects covered. In-service and on-site training in specific topics may be provided by external specialists under the request of the employer or training institute.

Completion of education and training requirements does not give one the right to start practicing. They must be certified or licensed first. Certification or licensing is given for one to work with a specific population such as autistic children. Requirements for certification vary from one state to another. Thus, one should check with relevant authorities in their state to know what requirements are in that state.

In most states, to be certified or licensed, an applicant must submit proof of education, experience, and training. One may provide the proof in form of forms filled out by their employer and college transcripts. Most states have also made clinical experience and criminal background check mandatory for licensure.

Working as a behaviorist involves many responsibilities. The work is mostly done in a clinical environment. These workers observe, evaluate, and support people with emotional and behavior issues. They also come up with programs and services for helping their clients or patients. Others opt to work as lecturers in academic institutions while other as researchers in research facilities.

Certain skills are necessary for one to be successful as a behavior specialist. Some of those skills include problem solving, creativity, decision making, analytical mind, and patience. How much one earns in a year is dependent on the place of work and level of experience. Research indicates that as of 2015, behaviorists were earning a median salary of 39, 483 dollars.




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