Action Behavior Centers has made a big difference in the lives of many families across the United States by being one of the best places to get Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for kids with autism. Known for their compassionate, individualized approach, Action Behavior Centers are at the forefront of autism therapy. This article will go into detail about the interview questions that people who want to work for this prestigious company may be asked. This will give you a unique look into the values and expectations of a company that wants to make a difference in the autism community.
Getting hired as an ABA therapist at Action Behavior Centers provides a rewarding opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children with autism. However, first you need to showcase your skills and experience in the job interview.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover the top 25 most common interview questions asked for ABA therapists at Action Behavior Centers. Learn what skills and qualities interviewers look for so you can stand out from the competition.
Whether you’re just starting out or are a seasoned Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), reviewing these ABA therapy interview questions will prepare you to ace your Action Behavior Centers interview
Overview of Action Behavior Centers and the ABA Therapist Role
Action Behavior Centers provides applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Their approach uses positive reinforcement to encourage desired behaviors and discourage unwanted behaviors.
As an ABA therapist at Action Behavior Centers, your main responsibilities include:
- Conducting 1:1 therapy sessions with children to improve behaviors, communication skills, and social skills
- Developing customized treatment plans based on each child’s needs
- Closely monitoring student progress and adjusting plans when necessary
- Maintaining detailed session notes and reports
- Communicating with parents/teachers to ensure consistency
The ideal candidate will have strong interpersonal skills, patience and a passion for helping autistic children thrive. Some experience working with children with developmental disabilities is preferred.
Now let’s get into the top questions you’re likely to face in your ABA therapist interview at Action Behavior Centers:
Top 25 ABA Therapist Interview Questions and Answers
1. Why are you interested in becoming an ABA therapist?
This open-ended question allows you to share your passion. Focus on your desire to help children with developmental disabilities.
Example: I have always loved working with children and am very drawn to helping those with special needs. ABA therapy aligns well with my interests and strengths. I want to work one-on-one with autistic children and make a difference in their lives by equipping them with essential behavioral skills. Action Behavior Centers’ dedication to quality ABA therapy makes it my top choice for pursuing this rewarding career.
2. What experience do you have working with children with autism?
Highlight any relevant experience, even if not directly in an ABA setting. Emphasize skills learned.
Example: While I don’t have direct ABA experience yet, I have worked extensively with children on the autism spectrum through my role as a behavioral technician at a children’s therapy center. I supported occupational and speech therapists in implementing plans to improve daily living and social skills. This experience allowed me to understand autism and the unique needs of these children. I learned techniques to connect with them and motivate progress through positive reinforcement. I’m ready to apply these skills as an ABA therapist.
3. How does ABA therapy work?
This assesses your foundational knowledge of the therapy you’ll be conducting. Keep answers simple but accurate.
Example: ABA therapy works by using positive reinforcement to reward desired behaviors and discourage negative behaviors. The therapist breaks down skills into small, manageable steps and provides consistent rewards for achieving each one. For example, providing social praise and a fun activity when a child makes eye contact. Data collection and analysis guides the therapist in setting up new target behaviors as existing ones are mastered. The customized, measurable technique equips autistic children with essential life skills.
4. Why is parent/caregiver involvement important in ABA therapy?
Highlight the importance of consistency across environments for child progress.
Example: Parent and caregiver involvement is crucial because consistency across home, school, and therapy settings helps reinforce the behaviors targeted in ABA sessions. Regular communication allows me to provide suggestions to ensure the child receives similar positive reinforcement for their desired behaviors in daily life. Parent collaboration also helps me design realistic treatment goals tailored to the needs of each child and family.
5. How do you motivate children with autism who may have difficulty engaging in therapy sessions?
Discuss employing the child’s existing interests into therapy activities and using incremental rewards to promote participation.
Example: I motivate reluctant or distracted children by incorporating their preferred interests into our sessions. For example, using Thomas the Train toys to teach sharing skills. I provide regular verbal praise and small external rewards like stickers to reinforce engagement. Building rapport through playful interactions also improves participation. If a child appears anxious or overstimulated, I suggest taking a break and returning to the task later. My goal is making our sessions as enjoyable and motivating as possible while working toward target behaviors.
6. Describe the process of conducting a functional behavior assessment.
This evaluates your ability to analyze behaviors and determine effective interventions. Share steps clearly.
Example: Conducting a functional behavior assessment begins with gathering information from caregivers on triggers and consequences surrounding the target behavior. Next I would directly observe the child across different settings and take objective notes on instances of the behavior occurring. I would analyze my observations for patterns identifying the function of the behavior for the child such as gaining attention or avoiding a task. Finally, I’d use those insights to develop a behavior intervention plan outlining strategies to reinforce replacement behaviors that better meet the child’s needs.
7. How do you handle a child having a tantrum during a therapy session?
The interviewer wants to ensure you can respond calmly and professionally when challenging behaviors inevitably arise.
Example: When a child is having a tantrum, I give them space while ensuring they remain safe, speaking in a calm tone and avoiding overstimulating them. Once the outburst subsides, I address the behavior by explaining in simple terms why it is unacceptable. I then redirect their focus to a more appropriate task, providing praise when they re-engage. My priority is keeping both myself and the child safe while teaching in-the-moment coping strategies.
8. What are some key skills you focus on when conducting ABA therapy with young children?
Highlight core verbal, social, self-care, and cognitive skills built through ABA therapy. This demonstrates understanding of child development.
Example: Key skills I focus on include increasing verbal communication, making eye contact, developing social play skills like turn taking, building self-care skills like potty training, and cognitive skills like recognizing colors or numbers. I create fun, interactive games and activities to work on mastering these core abilities. My therapy plans ensure each session targets incremental growth in these developmental areas.
9. How do you document each ABA therapy session?
Thorough data collection and progress reporting is expected. Elaborate on the detailed notes you’d take for each child.
Example: I document each ABA session by recording target behaviors worked on, interventions used, the child’s successes and challenges with the tasks, as well as any other observed behaviors. I write down direct quotes of verbalizations. I also track skill acquisition by collecting data like percentage of correct responses or frequency of target behaviors achieved. These thorough notes allow me to monitor progress daily and adjust my techniques as needed. They also enable accurate progress updates for parents and supervisors.
10. Describe your approach to developing an ABA therapy plan for a new student.
Walk through how you would assess needs, set goals, design interventions and track data.
Example: When creating a therapy plan for a new student, I would first review their file and meet with parents to understand areas of need and history. Next I would formally assess skills through activities to get a baseline. Then I would break down larger goals into discrete, measurable behavioral objectives based on the child’s developmental level. My plan would outline interventions to achieve each goal, whether modeling, physical guidance or reinforcement strategies. Finally, I would create data tracking sheets to quantify progress on mastering target skills during each session. This data-driven approach ensures an effective, customized ABA plan.
11. How do you ensure consistency in a child’s ABA therapy when conducting multiple sessions per week?
Highlight strategies for providing continuity as children may work with multiple therapists.
Example: I recognize the importance of consistency across ABA sessions, so I thoroughly review previous notes and data for each child before every session. I touch base frequently with other therapists working with the child to discuss progress and align our strategies. My session plans build directly on the last to reinforce behaviors through repetition. If progress stalls, I collaborate with my supervisor and the child’s lead therapist to adjust techniques. Above all, I aim for seamless continuity between sessions to drive mastery of target behaviors.
12. What strategies do you use to generalize learned skills to new settings or situations?
Giving examples demonstrates your ability to extend teaching beyond the therapy room.
Example: To generalize skills, I use a variety of strategies. For social skills, we practice in different settings like outdoors. For self-care, I work with parents to implement routines like hand washing at home. I use varied verbal cues and reinforcement so behaviors aren’t associated with just one prompt. I may also use written social stories or picture schedules to teach applying skills in novel contexts. My focus is ensuring learned behaviors translate into everyday life.
13. How do you make ABA therapy activities enjoyable and keep children engaged?
Keeping young clients motivated is key. Share the creative tactics you would employ.
Example: I use children’s existing interests, whether it’s Disney movies, trains or music, to create engaging activities
Action Behavior Centers – ABA Therapy for Autism Hiring Process
Action Behavior Centers – ABA Therapy for Autism usually starts the hiring process with an online application. The next step is a phone interview with an HR recruiter. After the first phone interview, candidates may be asked to meet with the operations manager or other department heads in person or via video chat. Most people say that the interview process is thorough, with a focus on getting to know the candidate on a professional and personal level. The whole process can take up to a month, and some applicants say they had more than one interview and a final tour of an ABC center. Overall, the interview experience is considered positive, with interviewers described as kind, professional, and clear in their communication.
