Applied behavior analysis operates within two distinct service delivery systems that have different legal foundations, funding structures, training requirements, and access pathways: educational services governed by IDEA and medical services governed by insurance mandates and healthcare regulations. For behavior analysts working at the intersection of these systems, understanding their differences is not an academic exercise.
Provider: BehaviorLive — via Colorado Association for Behavior Analysis
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Join Free →This webinar is designed to provide professionals with a deeper understanding of the practical applications of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) within both educational and medical service systems. Participants will explore key differences between educational and medical requirements, focusing on legal, training, and access considerations. Through the use of real-world case studies and tools, such as the flow chart assessment developed by Emily Ice, BCBA-D, and Rebecca Urbano-Powell, BCBA, attendees will learn to effectively determine the medical necessity of ABA services in schools. The session will also address the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration between educators and medical professionals, highlighting strategies to ensure consistent, medically necessary ABA interventions within school settings. An interactive discussion on ethical dilemmas related to service provision will conclude the webinar, encouraging attendees to explore the balance between medical necessity, educational obligations, and ethical responsibilities, aligned with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board's (BACB) Professional and Ethical Compliance Code. Breakdown of Content: 1. Compare and Contrast Educational and Medical Service Systems: ○ Understand the key legal and regulatory differences between educational services under IDEA/FAPE and medical services provided through insurance or healthcare systems (BACB Code 3.02 Identifying Stakeholders and 1.02 Conforming with Legal and Professional Requirements). 2. Identify Criteria for Determining Medical Necessity in Schools: ○ Learn to apply the flow chart assessment created by Emily and Rebecca to determine the medical necessity of ABA services in educational settings (BACB Code 1.04 Practicing within a Defined Role, 2.01 Considering Medical Need and Code 2.01: Providing Effective Treatment). 3. Implement Effective Collaboration Strategies: ○ Explore best practices for fostering interdisciplinary collaboration between educators, BCBAs, and other medical providers to ensure integrated care and service continuity (BACB Code 2.10 Collaborating with Colleagues, 3.06 Consulting with Other Providers, and 1.05 Practicing within Scope of Competence) 4. Analyze Ethical Challenges in the Delivery of ABA Services in Schools: ○ Engage in an open-ended ethics discussion addressing real-world dilemmas in school-based ABA services, with a focus on balancing medical and educational needs while adhering to ethical guidelines (BACB Code 2. 04 Disclosing Confidential Information, 2.11 Informed Consent, and 2.19 Addressing Conditions Interfering with Service Delivery)
| Certification Body | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|
| BACB® | 2 | Ethics |
| COA | 2 | — |
Rebecca has been working in the field of ABA since 2001 in clinic, community, home and school settings. From 2005-2014 she helped start and grow the ABA program at Tustin Unified School District in Orange County, CA to 80+ staff and 120+ students. She formed Seven Dimensions Behavioral Health in 2018 which offers clinical ABA and an ABA based Day Treatment program for preschool through adult transition. In 2022, Rebecca was elected Treasurer on the COABA (Colorado Association for Behavior Analysis) Executive Board. She is a member of the team which helped draft the bill for Medically Necessary Treatment in Schools and successfully helped lobby for its passage. She was elected as the President of COABA for 2024-2026 and is also a Subject Matter Expert for APBA Public Policy Committee. Rebecca was appointed to the Advisory Board for Rethink with the intent to improve ABA practice management and data collection systems to meet the needs of ABA clinicians. She is passionate about representing providers across the U.S. as one universal voice.
Dig into the research behind this topic — plain-English summaries written for BCBAs.
280 research articles with practitioner takeaways
279 research articles with practitioner takeaways
256 research articles with practitioner takeaways
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All behavior-analytic intervention is individualized. The information on this page is for educational purposes and does not constitute clinical advice. Treatment decisions should be informed by the best available published research, individualized assessment, and obtained with the informed consent of the client or their legal guardian. Behavior analysts are responsible for practicing within the boundaries of their competence and adhering to the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts.