Becoming an Independent Therapist

ABA Therapists provide one to one intervention in the form of teaching the child new skills and supporting the child to better manage their challenging behaviour.

Learning opportunities are incorporated within a mixture of play based activities and structured teaching sessions, facilitated by the therapist. The therapists will work closely and regularly with your child and your home.

Some of the specific responsibilities of a therapist involve:

• Implementing the skill building curriculum as directed by the child’s behavioural consultant.
• Following the outlined Behaviour Intervention Plan as indicated within the child’s program.
• Taking data to record progress during tutoring sessions.
• Providing feedback to families and the behavioural consultant regarding issues and concerns as they pertain to implementing the program.
• Attending required training and team meetings on a regular basis as the child’s program evolves in response to his/her rate of progress.
• Provide support at daycare/preschool/school to assist with generalising skills targeted in the home program.

 The personality traits that tend to lend themselves to being effective therapists include:

• Positivity
• Enthusiasm
• Fun
• Consistency
• Reliability
• Objectivity
• Patience

 What are the benefits of working as a therapist?

• The opportunity to gain an understanding of and apply well-researched learning principles in a practical setting.
• Receive training and support from experienced professionals within the fields of behavioural science, child development and disability.
• Work with a diverse range of children to accumulate a wealth of professional experience that has significant career prospects.
• Help children and families in really meaningful ways to achieve success in life.
• Work both autonomously and as part of a team.
• Create a flexible work schedule with hours that accommodate your other commitments.

Where does therapy take place?

Therapists typically work in the child’s own home. Some children attending school may require therapists to support them in the classroom also. Many children also have therapists to support their social development by facilitating community outings including play-dates, excursions and appointments.

What hours can a therapist expect to work?

The number of hours a therapist works varies considerably depending on the number of children the therapist works with. The minimum recommendation for working with a child is two therapy sessions a week. This ensures that the therapist becomes familiar with the child’s program and can keep up with changes as they occur. Therapy sessions run from 2-4 hours at a time depending upon the age of the child and the nature of their learning needs. Typically sessions are scheduled between 8am-6pm as per the preferences of the child’s family. Most children in an intensive program will have up to 2 sessions per day, some having sessions on weekends. 

 How are therapists trained?

All prospective therapists are provided with enough training to ensure that they will be able to meet the requirements of their role to the best of their ability. The amount of training will depend upon the nature of the child's program and the therapist's level of experience and knowledge. Therapists must complete the required training before they ever work alone with the child. Training may: 

• Include a combination of theoretical and practical components.
• Be delivered by an experienced therapist or behavioural consultant already familiar with the child and his/her treatment program.
• Require assessment by way of a written and/or practical exam.
• Be recurring as the needs of the child change.

How are therapists employed?

Therapists are contracted by families privately and are not in any way employed by Momentum Learning Services (MLS).

Therapists and parents are responsible for arranging the terms and conditions of employment within the therapy e.g. rates, terms of payment, taxes, scheduling of sessions and legal insurances. 

While MLS provides clinical guidance as to the implementation of each child’s treatment program, we are not legally responsible for the conduct of therapists who are not directly employed by us should this be contrary to this clinical guidance.