Overview
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The Behavior Technician specialization provides foundational knowledge in behavior analysis and practical strategies for supporting individuals with developmental and behavioral challenges. Participants will gain hands-on skills in behavior acquisition techniques, functional assessment, verbal operant instruction, and both antecedent and consequence-based interventions. By the end of the program, learners will be able to implement structured teaching methods, identify functions of behavior, apply behavior intervention strategies, and support communication development through mand, tact, and intraverbal training.
IMPORTANT: This specialization is not designed to prepare students for national certification, such as the Registered Behavior Technician credential offered by the BACB. Enrollees will gain the foundational/fundamental knowledge on subject matter relevant to the profession. While references may be made throughout the training to Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) or Behavior Technicians (BTs), to gain industry certification, a more comprehensive program must be completed through enrollment via approved/eligible schools such as MedCerts.
Syllabus
- Course 1: Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Introduction
- Course 2: Functional Approach to Understanding Behavior
- Course 3: Verbal Operants
Courses
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The Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Introduction course provides a comprehensive overview of the scientifically validated approach to understanding and improving human behavior. Designed for those entering the field of behavior analysis, the course explores foundational principles and techniques used to promote meaningful behavior change, particularly in individuals with developmental disabilities such as autism spectrum disorder. Key lessons include ABA and Skill (Behavior) Acquisition, where students will learn how ABA principles are used to teach new skills and increase desired behaviors through structured and evidence-based strategies. The course also covers Discrete Trial Training, a highly structured teaching method that breaks down skills into small, teachable components, emphasizing repetition, reinforcement, and data collection to track progress. The last lesson, Natural Environment Training, focuses on applying ABA techniques in more dynamic, real-life settings to encourage generalization and functional use of skills. This course prepares students for further study in ABA and provides valuable tools for those working in educational, therapeutic or caregiving roles. IMPORTANT: This course is not designed to prepare students for national certification, such as the Registered Behavior Technician credential offered by the BACB. Enrollees will gain the foundational/fundamental knowledge on subject matter relevant to the profession. While references may be made throughout the training to Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) or Behavior Technicians (BTs), to gain industry certification, a more comprehensive program must be completed through enrollment via approved/eligible schools such as MedCerts.
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The Functional Approach to Understanding Behavior course offers a practical and foundational exploration into behavior analysis, focusing on understanding why behaviors occur and how to effectively respond to them. In the first lesson, Functions of Behavior, students learn to identify the four primary reasons behaviors occur—attention, escape, access to tangibles, and sensory stimulation. This knowledge serves as the cornerstone for designing effective behavior support plans. The second lesson, Antecedent Intervention, introduces proactive strategies to prevent challenging behaviors before they occur. These include modifying environments, routines, or instructions to reduce triggers and promote appropriate alternatives. The third lesson, Consequence-Level Intervention, teaches students how to respond to behaviors after they happen in ways that reduce problem behavior and encourage positive change. This includes reinforcement strategies, redirection, and planned responses. Throughout the course, participants will develop their ability to observe, assess and intervene based on the function of behavior. IMPORTANT: This course is not designed to prepare students for national certification, such as the Registered Behavior Technician credential offered by the BACB. Enrollees will gain the foundational/fundamental knowledge on subject matter relevant to the profession. While references may be made throughout the training to Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) or Behavior Technicians (BTs), to gain industry certification, a more comprehensive program must be completed through enrollment via approved/eligible schools such as MedCerts.
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The Verbal Operants course provides an in-depth exploration of language development in Applied Behavior Analysis. Designed for those working with individuals with language delays, it focuses on teaching communication and social interaction skills using evidence-based ABA strategies. The course begins with a lesson on Teaching Imitation, which lays the foundation for learning by showing how copying actions can lead to broader skill acquisition. Students then explore Teaching Social Skills, focusing on building meaningful interactions such as greetings, turn-taking, and joint attention – skills critical for successful social development. The third lesson, Mand Training, teaches students how to help learners request, or “mand,” for what they want, a vital step in developing functional communication. The final section covers Teaching Echoics, Tact, and Intraverbal Skills, guiding students through methods to teach vocal imitation (echoics), label items (tacts), and respond to questions or conversations (intraverbals). By the end of the course, students will understand how to teach and generalize verbal behavior to support lasting communication growth in a variety of settings. IMPORTANT: This course is not designed to prepare students for national certification, such as the Registered Behavior Technician credential offered by the BACB. Enrollees will gain the foundational/fundamental knowledge on subject matter relevant to the profession. While references may be made throughout the training to Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) or Behavior Technicians (BTs), to gain industry certification, a more comprehensive program must be completed through enrollment via approved/eligible schools such as MedCerts.
Taught by
Robert Prudhomme