Every job demands different skill sets to fulfill the job requirements and succeed in the particular career field. Similarly, if you want to join the Applied Behaviour field, the best position to start with is behavior analyst. The primary responsibility of the behavior analyst is to implement the client’s behavior/ treatment plan to improve their personal and social life.
To become a successful behavior analyst, you should have specific qualities or acquire those skills by training and practice. We have listed below the eight most essential personality traits you should have to excel as an ABA. Keep reading to know what these personality traits are!
1. Certification
The first and foremost step is to earn the ABA certification by the BACB. First, you need to fulfill the educational requirements in the related field, and then you need to qualify the exam to get certified.
You are required to qualify the BCBA training modules to become a registered behavior analyst. Also, having the certification adds to your value in the market and also increases your demand.
2. Active Listener
The most important trait of an ABA is active listening skills. They should be able to understand the reasoning behind the other person’s thought process to help them in a better way.
Also, they need to be empathetic, not judgemental, to win the trust of their client. For this, the interested candidates can join communication courses and training programs to practice active listening.
3. Adaptability
You can never predict the situations during the treatment sessions; therefore, the ABA should be adaptive to offer the best possible services to the clients. The professionals should be quick and responsible for the changing needs of the clients. Therefore, the analyst must have the ability to adjust according to the circumstances and give his best under stressful conditions.
4. Patience
It is very hard to make it possible without being patient when working as an applied behavior analyst. Working in this profession demands you to stay patient with the client and their friends and family members during the hard days.
Every human goes through hard and good days, so you may feel impatient at certain times. However, always remember that it comes with practice and experience. Hence to retain a healthy two-way relationship, it is important to stay patient and calm in critical situations and allow the patient to choose the therapy session time that suits them the most. Client comfort and convenience should be your priority.
5. Dedication
The main motive of a behavior analyst is to serve the patients with full dedication to improve their clients’ life experiences. And if you lack this important trait, you may face problems to rise in your career since, without dedication, you can’t put your complete efforts to give your best.
To survive in the challenging and demanding environment, you need to be ready to devote most of your time to your profession. Above all, appreciate the achievements you have made in your career so that you feel motivated to achieve all the milestones you have set for yourself.
6. Curiosity
One who is curious to learn, know, and observe more can achieve heights of success in this career option. Curiosity is an important quality that helps professionals understand why a patient is behaving in a certain way. However, having the same curiosity level throughout your career needs great energy and enthusiasm.
7. Empathy
Without empathy, it will be difficult for you to build a trusted relationship with your patients. Empathy can be defined as the capability to understand and recognize another person’s mental state. It helps you to develop helping behavior and compassion for others. Also, an empathetic person prefers to listen to what the other person has to say rather than forcing his point of view about a certain circumstance.
When you serve at the position of a RAB, then you closely deal with the patient’s family and friends in problematic situations. Therefore, if you naturally exhibit empathy, these people will feel more connected and comfortable with you while sharing experiences and problems.
8. Emotional Stability
When managing the stressful situations of patients, a person might get emotionally unstable. However, if you are an ABA, you don’t have another choice apart from showing emotional maturity. Not only at work but also when you reach your home, keep your professional and personal experiences separate and forget everything you observe and see at the workplace.
Moreover, emotional stability or maturity also reflects when you take charge of everything and believe in yourself. An emotionally mature ABA shows resilience and stays calm, which are the most required qualities in the ABA job role.
Summing up
We understand that you do not have all these characteristics mentioned above. However, it does not mean that you cannot acquire these qualities. For example, if you are passionate about helping others who don’t have any other way out, you will surely develop all the required traits with time.
