Erasmus+ in Europe: Supporting European Behaviour Analysts by developing professional qualifications and training.
Rationale and Background to the project
- Behaviour Analysis is the science that underpins more or less all evidence-based educational, developmental, and psychosocial interventions used to support persons with and without disabilities;
- In Europe, however, there are no recognised qualifications for Behaviour Analysts;
- In Europe, misrepresentations of the science of Behaviour Analysis are rife;
- In stark contrast, in USA/Canada, Behaviour Analysis has a long history and is enshrined in law in North America.
- In USA/Canada, Behaviour Analysts are certified/licenced;
- In USA/Canada, Behaviour Analysis-based interventions are viewed as ‘Gold Standard’, and are funded via health care or education systems;
- Research has shown optimal and statistically significant outcomes for those who have availed of these interventions.
- Aiming to improve the support of clients is of paramount importance since, in Europe, more than 3.5% of the population have disabilities, including autism;
- Rising rates of disability are associated with increased costs to society, un- or under-employment, worsening of mental health, and lower quality-of-life for affected individuals and their families: this means that at least 10-18 million Europeans and their families could benefit directly from well-qualified Behaviour Analysts;
- BUT: Qualifications in Behaviour Analysis are not available in Europe. The current project is a first step in addressing this issue by developing standards for professional qualifications and training for European Behaviour Analysts.
Objectives of the current project
- To ensure transparency and recognition of skills and qualifications for Behaviour Analysts in Europe;
- To tackle skills gaps, shortages, and skills mismatches;
- To improve future support of persons with special needs and/or disabilities;
- To support educators and other professional staff through enhancing their skills and qualifications, thereby improving mobility and employability.
Approach
The Objectives of the project will be achieved through
- Developing and setting professional standards in Behaviour Analysis with comprehensive standardisations (referenced to European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and 6 National Qualifications Framework (NQFs);
- Creating competency profiles for entry-level and Masters level EuroBAs);
- Developing an online course at multilingual/cultural entry-level;
- Also: these qualifications will not focus on one single method of intervention, but rather on the scientific theoretical and practical basis of the full range of evidence-based effective procedures.
