Law-makers have sent a clear message to therapists working with children who have autism that they will not tolerate fake ABA qualifications.
In a move that could be copied by legislators worldwide, law-makers in Connecticut, USA, have joined forces with autism advocates to introduce measures to crack down on therapists who falsify their credentials.
Their proposed bill will make it illegal to falsely claim certification from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). The Florida-based BACB certifies the qualifications of professionals in the field of Applied Behaviour Analysis, used in the treatment of autism.
The move follows the conviction last year of Stacy Lore, of Carmel, New York, for misrepresenting herself as a fully qualified, BACB-certified behaviour analyst. Lore ran Spectrum Kids, a consulting firm for children with autism in Norwalk, in the US. She was sentenced to three years in prison.
Kimberley Graham, whose son was enrolled in Lore’s programme, joined other parents at a conference held to launch the proposed bill against fake ABA qualifications. She claimed that bad therapy in the critical early period in an autistic child’s life was worse than no therapy. “Inappropriate therapy magnifies the symptoms of autism,” she said. “A child receiving incorrect, damaging therapy will not function in our society.”
Under the proposed Connecticut law, therapists could face up to five years in prison for falsely representing themselves as a board-certified behaviour analyst who treats children with autism. Each patient contact or consultation would be considered a separate offence under the bill. If passed, the law could also apply to other therapists coming into contact with children with autism, including speech, occupational or physical therapists.
Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney, a New Haven Democrat, said the bill would tighten the law so that behaviour therapists would be treated in the same way as healthcare professionals in other fields. State Senator Bob Duff, also part of the team supporting the bill, said that the “long arm of the law” would be used to protect children with autism. He claimed the bill had an “excellent chance” of being passed.
Parents who would like to check the qualifications of therapists claiming to be certified by the BACB can contact the board by emailing verifications@bacb.com.
A list of therapists around the world who hold certification from the BACB can be found here.
Published: 17 February 2011
