What is Behavior analysis

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Behavior Analysis is the scientific study of the principles of learning and behavior. This field of science is concerned with describing, understanding, predicting, and changing behavior. Behavior analysts examine both biological and environmental factors, with a primary emphasis on how the environment influences behavior change.

There are three main branches to the field: Conceptual Behavior Analysis, Experimental Behavior Analysis, and Applied Behavior Analysis. The Conceptual branch focuses on the philosophical, theoretical, historical, and methodological issues that underlie the field. Experimental Behavior Analysis involves basic research intended to add to the body of knowledge about phenomena that control and influence behavior. Applied Behavior Analysis is focused on the application of the principles of behavior to the needs of individuals to promote behavior change and improve quality of life.

The application of behavior analysis is very broad, ranging from assisting individuals in overcoming drug addiction to improving the workplace for organizations. Behavior analysis has been applied to programs related to diet, exercise, juvenile delinquency, toilet training, education, skill acquisition, behavior reduction, organizational structures, and more.

Over the past 60 years, applied behavior analysis has become recognized as the treatment of choice for behavior problems associated with intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, brain injury, and other disorders. Many people also recognize that applied behavior analysis is capable of producing remarkable results in classroom learning. In recent years, interest in the field has grown especially rapidly outside the United States; ABA International has over 5,000 members from nearly 50 countries and its affiliated chapters have a total membership of about 13,000 worldwide.

The Science of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), is an empirically-validated or evidence based approach to teaching using behavioral principles, laws and strategies, backed by over 60 years of research. Typically ABA is applied to teaching children, adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, behavioral disorders or challenges, speech impairment and mental health disorders. ABA can be used to improve skill areas or behaviors and/or decrease maladaptive behaviors that are socially significant for the family and student, client or child.

Any individual who is interested in behavior change, whether skill acquisition or behavior reduction, including persons with developmental disabilities can benefit from Behavior Analysis treatment or services. Teaching procedures derived from our science can be applied in any natural environment including homes, special and general education classrooms, community-based activities and during therapy services such as Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy. ABA is a data-driven science that provides teaching strategies that result in measurable outcomes for consumers.

Numerous skill areas can be addressed such as:

• Academic Skills such as reading, writing and math.
• Language Skills such as requesting, labeling and conversation.
• Hygiene Skills such as toileting, grooming and dressing.
• Activities of Daily Living (ADL) skills such as eating, meal preparation and doing laundry.
• Community skills such as walking in a store, shopping, sitting in a restaurant, ordering a meal, and street safety skills
• Social skills such as building relationships, interacting with peers, building play with others, sibling play and learning appropriate social rules.
• Recreation skills such as riding a bike, swimming, learning to ski, bowling, martial arts and using playground equipment.
• Creative skills such as art, painting and learning a music instrument.
• Technical skills such as using a computer, surfing the internet and computer based activities such as visual art design.
• Coping skills such as emotional regulation and self-monitoring.

A Board Certified Behavior Analyst is a Master’s or Doctorate Level professional who has specifically studied the Science of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), with specific coursework requirements, as well as completion of supervised experience in a fieldwork setting engaging in Behavior Analytic activities and passed a national certification exam in Behavior Analysis. BCBA’s are specialized in the field of Behavior Analysis.

For more information about Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA’s) or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts (BCaBA’s) in New Mexico and around the world, including credentials and requirements of Behavior Analysts, please visit the Behavior Analyst Certification Board website at www.bacb.com.

The Autism Special Interest Group (Autism SIG) developed a document to help guide consumers on the qualifications of Behavior Analysts to work with children with Autism. Consumers (parents or professionals) of behavior analytic services may benefit from the information recommended in this document.

Click here to access PDF file.

The titles Behavioral Therapist or Behavior Management Specialist do not specify certification as a behavior analyst practitioner. Anyone may use these titles to describe their work as they are not regulated terms. Individuals with a BCBA or BCBA-D have met a high standard of practice in the field of Behavior Analysis. They have completed graduate-level coursework, met experience requirements, and have passed an international certification examination. They have demonstrated understanding of the “best practice” and ethical standards of the behavior analysis profession.

While some individuals using the terms Behavioral Therapist or Behavior Management Specialist have received some formal training in Behavior Analysis, many have not. It is important for consumers to question the credentials of those employed using these terms, as some may have had little training and no formal education in Behavior Analysis.

Since 1998, Behavior Analysts have been nationally credentialed by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). The BACB is a nonprofit organization that sets professional standards and certifies individuals in the field of behavior analysis. Certification by the BACB demonstrates that an individual has met the educational, experience, and examination requirements to practice as a professional Behavior Analyst.

However, certification is not the same as licensure. Licensure is issued by individual U.S. states and legally authorizes someone to practice behavior analysis within that state. Many states have enacted laws requiring licensure for BCBAs to ensure quality control and consumer protection.

🔍 As of now (April 2, 2025), New Mexico does not require licensure for Behavior Analysts. BCBAs in New Mexico may practice using only their BACB certification.
 

It’s important to stay informed, as licensing laws continue to expand across the U.S. For the most up-to-date information on state licensure requirements, visit the BACB’s official U.S. Licensure of Behavior Analysts page.

U.S. LICENSURE OF BEHAVIOR ANALYSTS 

Click here for the BACB Model Act for Licensing Behavior Analysts 

Founded in 2011, NMABA has been at the forefront of advocating for the interests of Behavior Analysts in New Mexico. Our history is rooted in the commitment to excellence in the application of Behavior Analysis principles.