Bermuda ABA

By Erica Smith

The formation of BABA in fall 2011 was due mostly to the ongoing work by Tomorrow’s Voices Autism Center and continues to be sustained through this synergistic partnership, as most of the professionals who practice ABA in Bermuda are employed with Tomorrow’s Voices.

BABA continues to be comprised of behaviour analysts, verbal behaviour therapists, junior therapists, non-profit leaders, and parents. The chapter continues to remain in close partnership with Tomorrow’s Voices—Bermuda Autism Early Intervention Centre, Bermuda’s first and only autism early intervention center, and this enables the majority of its members to come through the relationship with that organization.

2023 was a great year for members of Bermuda Association of Behavior Analysis (BABA). In 2023, Tomorrow’s Voices celebrated its 16th year of existence in Bermuda, validating the need for an international center providing services dedicated to those with autism spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities. Since its inception, the clinical center has hired and trained 72 professionals (Bermudian and Non-Bermudian) in the use of applied behavior analysis and verbal behavior, not to mention the thousands of parents, volunteers, students, educators, medical and allied health professionals trained and engaged through workshops, seminars, consultancies, internships, and work shadows.

Currently there are five professionals in Bermuda registered with the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), from Registered Behavior Therapists through to Board Certified Behavior Analysts which bodes well for the growth of the profession on our island.

Unfortunately, members’ ability to obtain their BCBA credential has been drastically impacted heavily due to external factors beyond their control with the transition of the BACB no longer facilitating international participants. However, there are members who have completed the necessary coursework and accrued the prerequisite practical experience hours during their pursuit of a master’s degree in applied behavior analysis. BABA members are in the process of developing alternative credentials, on par with becoming a BCBA. In reviewing these alternatives credentials, BABA has concerns with insurance coverage and recognition, or lack of, that alternative credentials may hold and how that lack of support may cause a domino effect in access to services.

Through the partnership with Tomorrow’s Voices, the following seminars and training workshops were presented by BABA members—Tomorrow’s Voices’ Senior Verbal Behavior Therapist Dr. Jahnae Harvey, BCBA- as well as Verbal Behavior Therapists: Destiny Stamp and Dayla Trott—on subjects related to ABA and developmental disabilities needs: Language is a Behavior (a workshop on Verbal Behavior), Natural Environment Teaching, Managing Challenging Behaviors, Restrictive and Avoidant Eating.

Community Training Institute—118 attendees

February 15, 2023: There is more to language than what you say- “Language is a Behavior”
April 19, 2023: Natural Environment Teaching (Play, daily living, and leisure skills- “We can’t have all work and no play!”
June 14, 2023: Challenging Behaviors: “It’s A Two Way Street”
September 20, 2023: Food Fights?- “How to handle picky eaters”

Training Workshops: Through scheduled, free and requested private workshops Tomorrow’s Voices provided 118 attendees with 312 hours of Professional Development and two Wellness workshops to the community via zoom.

Private Group Training Institute:
In partnership with Tomorrow’s Voices the following private group training institutes were facilitated: 2 to the Bermuda College (for the Intellectual Disabilities PACE Program), Onion Patch Nursery School, Perform to Learn Nursery School, and The Bermuda Scouts. Through these privately scheduled workshops, we had 38 attendances and provided two hours of professional development per attendance. In addition, we provided two Wellness Wednesday workshops (one through a partnership with EAP and the other with BF&M) open to the community via Zoom with access to replays.
The impact of these workshops goes beyond the participants. By sharing practical tools and insights, these workshops help create a more understanding and supportive community. People gain the knowledge they need to engage with individuals with autism and developmental disabilities, making our community more inclusive and compassionate. The two Wellness Wednesday workshops, accessible via Zoom, make this knowledge available to a wider audience, ensuring everyone can benefit from the insights shared during these sessions.

BABA members, through Tomorrow’s Voices, have maintained their membership with the Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP). A goal as BABA enters a new year is to actively expand its Executive Board with behaviour analyst professionals and continue to work on growing its membership, BABA members are honored to continue to lead the way with regard to growing the ABA profession in Bermuda and are actively involved in national policy and legislative projects in Bermuda. Tomorrow’s Voices Board Chair, Ms. Thea Furbert, is a member of the team working on the Bermuda National Intellectual Disability Plan. This involvement provides a behaviour-lens to addressing the issues facing our Island’s students and adults with Intellectual Disabilities, ASD and related disorders.

In 2023 a parent support group was established to serve as an initiative group for families of those who have autism and other developmental disabilities. The parent support meeting topics rotate across three main areas: information webinars (where a clinician of a related field- ABA, SLP, nursing, dietitian, personal care support specialist), social gatherings (where parents can get together for a social outing such as bowling or a nature walk…), and a chat and chew umbrella (where parents can meet virtually to catch up and ask any questions on one another’s journey across parents who have dependents of various ages).

Anyone interested in becoming a member of BABA or finding out more information should contact Erica Smith at bermudaaba@gmail.com.