Why Bashie Chose the ABA Pathway

Bashie Mandel shares her journey towards earning her M.P.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis

What inspired you to pursue your Master's in the field of ABA?

I consider myself a people person and I’m also very analytical, so I was very drawn to the idea of combining scientific study with helping others. While taking my undergraduate courses in psychology, I considered pursuing a career in Applied Behavior Analysis, but I wanted to make sure it was the right path for me. While still in school, I landed an internship as a behavior technician and that helped me realize how much I enjoyed the field, as well as the positive impact I could have on people’s lives as a behavior analyst. That is what solidified my decision to continue on to the master’s program in ABA.

How prepared did you feel when you first started? What surprised you most about your classes?

Since I worked at an ABA agency during my undergraduate program, I had a distinct advantage going into the master’s curriculum. The field of ABA has a great deal of terminology which is almost a language of its own. I know that a lot of my classmates struggled a bit during the first semester trying to acclimate to this new language, while simultaneously starting jobs in the field. Because of my prior experience in the field, I was already familiar with the terminology and felt prepared for the courses and fieldwork. 

What surprised me about the program was how it began with a strong emphasis on classroom learning that slowly diminished as we proceeded into the practical realms of the field. For example, we began the first semester by learning about terms and principles, but by the end of the program, all of the courses focused mainly on practical applications and fieldwork, so we were able to get real-life hands-on experience.

What was your favorite aspect of the program?

My favorite aspect was being able to ask our teachers all of our questions and receive satisfying responses. We had incredible professors who were immensely experienced in the field, and I loved that we were able to inquire about topics related to what we were working on in our internships. These discussions helped connect what we were learning in the classroom to our work experience, which is what ABA is all about – the practical application of behavior analysis.

How would you describe the support you receive from Sara Schenirer staff and professors?

The culture strikes a nice balance between caring and professionalism. You’re among a community of people who understand what you’re going through, and there is always someone  available to answer your questions and offer guidance. Everything at Sara Schenirer is done to the highest standards. The professors convey their deep knowledge and experiences to really prepare you for success in the field. In addition, if there are ever any issues or concerns, Sara Schenirer always has your back and will connect you with the right people and resources to resolve them.

What were your original goals going into the program?

My goal was to graduate with my master’s degree and become a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst, which I achieved. I see myself continuing to work at an agency for now, mostly with children. Because I began interning while I was an undergraduate, I had the opportunity to earn a reputation and move up in the field even at my age.

How did you find your current position?

I obtained my current position through interning at different agencies in various roles while still in school. The internship is one of the most valuable aspects of an ABA education and in determining a future career. Half of what you learn is in the classroom, but the other half is gained by applying those lessons practically. Since you could need up to about 2,000 hours of fieldwork to complete your degree, it’s important to focus on getting as much experience as you can. I made a point to work with all types of clients. Some of my cases involved high-functioning children, but many were low-functioning; I worked on the insurance aspect of cases even when I was still a behavior technician; and I actively sought high-level supervision and varied experiences to ensure I could be the best BCBA possible.

As a BCBA, I get placed in different locations, whether it's a clinic, school, camp, or home. I manage multiple cases where I oversee behavior technicians who work with children daily. The process begins with an initial assessment during which I meet with parents and create goals and a treatment plan. That’s followed by a meeting with the technician so I can train them in the plan. Throughout, I conduct weekly supervisions, parent training, data analysis, and programming updates. I am always in contact with the behavior technicians, even outside of official supervision, to help manage any issues and make adjustments. There is also constant conversation with the parents as well as reassessments every six months, which are required by insurance. There’s truly a great deal of collaboration between everyone involved to help the child improve.

Is this a field you would recommend to other frum women?

I would recommend this field to people who have good interpersonal skills and like to work with children. BCBAs need to have a lot of patience and compassion to work with kids who are dealing with diverse behavioral and developmental issues, some of which can be very intense and challenging. It’s a big commitment, but it is also extremely rewarding to see how you are having a positive effect on their capabilities. To illustrate, I’ve worked with kids who were non-verbal, but who eventually became communicative in other ways, which has made a tremendous difference to their quality of life.  

Working in this field can also align with a Jewish lifestyle since there is a certain amount of flexibility available when making a schedule. If you’re working for an agency, you can take on as many cases as you want, and you can also arrange for a few remote days to just deal with paperwork.

What is the job market like?

BCBAs are always needed, but it can take time to establish a reputation. Sometimes, you may need to start out with a smaller caseload or work for a few agencies until you build a name for yourself. The pay starts relatively high compared to most office jobs and there's definitely room for growth. One way to expand is to move into an administrative role such as a clinical supervisor. Sometimes people are able to eventually open their own agencies, although that is less common. A lot of career growth depends on making a name for yourself and retaining a good reputation.

Can you give an idea of starting salaries in the industry and how one moves up?

The pay structure at an agency is usually hourly, but the amounts vary depending on where you’re located and how insurance coverage works at your office. If you work for a school district or a private school, there may be opportunities to be a salaried employee, but the norm is hourly pay.

In addition to your position, what are some other ways to use your degree in your chosen field?

In addition to my other roles, I also work as the quality assurance manager at one of my agencies. I review assessments to ensure that not only is everything being done in accordance with clinical and insurance standards, but that the treatment plan is the best course of therapy for the client. Quality assurance can be a remote job and it’s a little different because you're not working directly with the clients.