What is the job description of a Consultant?

September 9, 2004

Hi Everyone,

The importance of having a qualified consultant in charge of a program is

stressed over and over again. The qualifications are on the BACB and ABA autism

SIG site.

I come from a state where there is a grand total of 7 BAs; an improvement over 4

years ago, when there was 1. Two of those people only serve in special

situations, 4 of those people only work in schools with specific age groups. 1

is on mommy leave. The only person that sets up home programs and provides

on-going supervision is not certified. All of them are at the northern tip of

the state, meaning that lots of people do not have a BA/consultant within 100

miles+ of them.

There is a question I would like to ask---there look to be a fair number of pros

and experienced parents on this list and I would like to clearly know.

The question: What is the job description of a consultant? Esp. if that person

is the director of a home program, and not just on-call for a particular

behavioral issue. How are the expectations different if the only certified

person you can get is from out of state? Does it matter; should the expectations

be the same?

I just got my first real live consultant--long distance and out of state--we

were excited at finally being able to do/afford the right thing and have the

professional backing. We checked the credentials, we interviewed, we did

everything that we were supposed to and ask.

After 2 days and $2000 we were left with a list from the ABLLS and an email

address.

I just sent an email because we were stuck on programs not working to

expectations--the response--essentially, I will deal with it on my next visit 6

weeks from now. The visits can only be managed every 3 months because of

caseload. This was disillusioning, and I would like to believe not the way that

it is supposed to work.

Please restore my faith in the field--esp. those of you who are long-distance

consultants. Tell me how it is supposed to work.

Sincerest thanks,

Regina F

Regina F.

I believe in Applied Behavior Analysis.

Recommended Posts