An experienced therapist…

• Have you had any training in ABA/VB? If so, by whom?

• What is your experience in this field? (# of years worked, # of kids worked with,

their functionality levels, socialization training done, evaluation done, training done

for new therapists etc.)

• How often do you attend workshops? How often do you check updates?

• What books have you read or recommend on ABA/VB?

• How many families have you worked for? If you are not currently working with

them, what prompted you to quit?

• If you have worked with many families, what is your average tenure at a job?

• How do you handle negative behaviors?

• Do you have experience taking data?

• Do you have any experience working on direct instruction programs? (Some kids

will be on this program)

• How do you feel about working with a consultant?

• What do you want to do ultimately with all the experience you gain from this

program?

• Are you available to train our new therapists (If you are interviewing a lead

therapist)

A person who is new to ABA/VB….

• What is your experience with children with autism or other disabilities in general?

• What motivates you to consider this job?

• What different courses have you taken so far? (If this is a student)

• Have you ever done any research projects that involves data taking?

• Are you willing to learn (explain that this job is very different from other jobs and

requisites lots of learning and practicing)?

• How well do you work with other people in the team?

• Are you open to constructive criticism (from a consultant and/or lead therapist)?

• Are you available for scheduled training sessions and overlapping sessions with

other therapists?

• What are your hobbies (good to know to get an idea whether the person will be able

to motivate your child)?

• Your future plans or what do you want to do with the experience you gain from this

program?

Common questions and your policies….

• What is your commitment? (Explain that a new therapist will have to go through

lots of training before he/she actually starts working with the child one on one.

Parents will also be sponsoring therapists for outside workshops/training that

are costly. A therapist should be well paired with the child before placing

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demands on him/her. It is important that a therapist stays for X # of months or

X # of years for full involvement and for the amelioration of the program).

Advice not to accept this offer if he/she cannot stay for a longer period.

• Set up parameters on sick time (both therapist and the child), vacations, and explain

your policies on cancellations, making up sessions, maintaining consistency

etc.

• Discuss their availability for therapy sessions, team meetings, consults etc.

• Be specific on

 Payment or hourly rate (rates for training, respite and weekend rates if

they are different from the regular rates) and any other allowances you

are willing to provide.

 Who pays them (If you receive funding from a source, explain how it

works)

 How often payments are made?

 Explain to them if parents are willing to write an agreement with the

therapist

 Discuss if the therapist has to go through a back ground check

• Do you have any medical conditions that we should be aware of?

• Request for resume and references.