Quality Control for Behavior Analysts

This handbook is written for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and shows how to apply the ideas of quality planning, control, and improvement to behavioral interventions. The goal is high-quality interventions that deliver superior clinical outcomes and so maximize the value of the care provided. It begins with an introductory overview and a short history of quality, then explains quality assurance, planning, control, and improvement for practicing BCBAs and other stakeholders in the applied behavior analysis (ABA) autism service industry. A central theme is the frequent, routine assessment of procedural fidelity and interobserver agreement during ABA therapy, which behavior analysts can use to manage the quality of their interventions. The step-by-step, practical approach is meant to help BCBAs control the quality of their work within the evidence-based practice of ABA, with the aim of improving the value of care and the quality of life for people with autism.