Pessllaya Katz on Board-Certified Behavior Analyst

What is your job title, what do you do, and how long have you been working in this field? What is the path that led you to this job?

I am a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) licensed in New York and have been in this field for two-and-a-half years. I work for two ABA agencies providing in-person and telehealth services for children between the ages of three and twelve years old. I've always had a special place in my heart for the special-needs population and often found myself observing and analyzing the behaviors of others, so this career was the most natural choice for me.

Can you explain what a professional in your field does?

A BCBA is a professional who studies the behavior of children and adults. We try to figure out why our clients are exhibiting certain behaviors, help decrease undesirable behaviors, and work on increasing desired behaviors. Some of our duties include supervising registered behavior technicians and paraprofessionals who work with our clients, writing up treatment reports and behavior plans, and speaking with parents and caregivers about how to best support their child from a behavioral approach.

In what area of study did you obtain a degree and how does it inform what you currently do? Can you offer insight into the variety of ways in which your degree can be used?

I have a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) which I earned through Sara Schenirer/Manhattanville College. After completing my schooling, I performed fieldwork hours and passed my BCBA exam to become a certified BCBA. BCBAs can work with a variety of populations including children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We can also use Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) to assess and improve work environments through ABA techniques such as reinforcement and understanding behavioral causes and effects. OBM can help increase employee satisfaction, engagement, and motivation.

Why is a career in this industry valuable?

ABA is proven to be the most effective way to help children and adults with ASD succeed in life and gain socially significant skills. Many people lack basic understanding about the science of behavior and how unwanted behaviors look, what the causes are, and what reinforces them. BCBAs can explain those issues to parents, educators, and others to help work with them to improve a child’s behavior in the best way possible.

What does a day-in-the-life look like?

Every day is different. My schedule can change at the last minute due to cancellations or session changes from a family or behavior technician. On a typical day, though, I oversee my paraprofessionals working with clients and go from session-to-session supervising. Other days, I do treatment planning where I update client programs. I also meet with parents twice per month and work on assessments.

What are the skills necessary for success in this career and what type of characteristics would be a good fit for positions in this field?

You need to be someone interested in observing behaviors and be capable of breaking down issues to look at the small picture (short-term goals) and then take a broader view to understand the bigger picture (long-term goals). Soft skills, social skills, and intuitiveness are all necessary characteristics for the job description. Attention to detail as well as the ability to separate logic from emotions are also vital proficiencies for this job.

What is the most rewarding part of the job and the most challenging aspect?

The most gratifying aspect of my job is seeing clients make progress and maintain their mastered goals. There's no better feeling than seeing a child’s growth from where they started compared to where they are months or years later. It's amazing to witness improvement on all fronts including individual client progress, parental skill development, and paraprofessional advancement.

It can be difficult when clients are not able to master certain target skills fast enough. This may be due to several factors including behavioral issues like aggression or noncompliance. Sometimes parents do not follow through with at-home objectives. One of the most common challenges I face is parent training since sometimes families can be resistant to change and are hesitant to implement new techniques. We also often run into scheduling issues since many parents work during the day and are only available to meet in the evenings, so it can be complicated for me to adjust my personal calendar.  

What is the job market like? Are jobs easy to obtain, flexible, and well-paying?

Agencies are always looking for BCBAs and the pay is very good. It’s a flexible career in the sense that you can create your own schedule, but obtaining morning sessions can be tricky since many clients receive services after 3pm. Remote BCBA work is also an option, so if you are comfortable connecting with clients that way, you may have more opportunities.

Can you give an idea of starting salaries in the industry and how one moves up? How is success defined in this field?

Most BCBAs get paid by the hour and the starting rate is usually between $85-$100 depending on the agency as well as the state you work in. Pay rates typically increase $5 yearly. If you earn a reputation as an effective BCBA, you can acquire more cases and it will be easier to obtain significant raises. If you positively impact your clients and they make progress toward mastery, that's considered success in my book!

Would you recommend this career to frum women and men? Why or why not? What advice can you give to people interested in this field?

Being a BCBA is not always easy, so I would recommend pursuing this career if you are passionate about helping others and making a positive difference in people's lives. There is potential to earn a six-figure salary within a few years, but the job requires a lot of hard work and effort. ABA is an extremely sensitive field and many families have had negative experiences, especially those with children on the higher end of ASD who have been mainstreamed. Not all parents are quick to embrace ABA practices and sometimes it takes time to gain their trust and willingness to implement goals with their children when they are not in session. I would especially encourage men to explore this field as it's a predominantly female profession and we can use more male BCBAs. If you are interested in helping others correct unwanted behaviors while increasing desired behaviors in a structured way where you can discern clear data and feedback, then this is the field for you!