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Behavior interventionist vs behavioral specialist

The differences between behavior interventionists and behavioral specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a behavior interventionist and a behavioral specialist. Additionally, a behavioral specialist has an average salary of $42,029, which is higher than the $38,908 average annual salary of a behavior interventionist.

The top three skills for a behavior interventionist include applied behavior analysis, autism and behavior analysis. The most important skills for a behavioral specialist are mental health, autism, and applied behavior analysis.

Behavior interventionist vs behavioral specialist overview

Behavior InterventionistBehavioral Specialist
Yearly salary$38,908$42,029
Hourly rate$18.71$20.21
Growth rate14%12%
Number of jobs70,11574,968
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age3939
Years of experience66

What does a behavior interventionist do?

A behavior interventionist, or sometimes called behavior intervention specialist (BIS), is an individual who provides support and training for students with behavioral challenges through behavior management techniques and coping skills. Behavior interventionists must assist in implementing Behavioral Intervention Plans (BIP) or Individual Education Programs (IEP) to students who have difficulties in learning and advancing with their class. They are required to travel between different schools to attend case review meetings and meet with teachers who need assistance for managing problems in their classrooms. Behavior interventionists also consult with both medical and psychological professionals to develop and implement BIPs.

What does a behavioral specialist do?

A behavioral specialist is a psychological expert providing guidance and counseling to people who have behavioral issues affecting their abilities to learn and socialize with other people. Behavioral specialists assess the level of patients' behavior and make treatment plans to help them cope. They monitor the patient's progress and keep treatment reports, improving or adjusting treatment plans as needed. They also communicate with the patients' family and friends for treatment support, as well as coordinate with other health professionals for additional assistance.

Behavior interventionist vs behavioral specialist salary

Behavior interventionists and behavioral specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Behavior InterventionistBehavioral Specialist
Average salary$38,908$42,029
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $51,000Between $28,000 And $61,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYAnchorage, AK
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyCrescent City SchoolsBarbarian
Best paying industryEducationProfessional

Differences between behavior interventionist and behavioral specialist education

There are a few differences between a behavior interventionist and a behavioral specialist in terms of educational background:

Behavior InterventionistBehavioral Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Behavior interventionist vs behavioral specialist demographics

Here are the differences between behavior interventionists' and behavioral specialists' demographics:

Behavior InterventionistBehavioral Specialist
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 27.5% Female, 72.5%Male, 33.3% Female, 66.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 4.6% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 4.6% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between behavior interventionist and behavioral specialist duties and responsibilities

Behavior interventionist example responsibilities.

  • Manage and target behaviors using the ESDM, ABA, PRT and SCERTS model.
  • Complete all require documentations including collecting data, graphing, IEP, and quarterly notes.
  • Focus on improving behavior and communication in children with autism and developmental disabilities by providing in home behavioral services.
  • Implement behavior programs design as directed for children with autism spectrum disorders, and children with other developmental disabilities.
  • Report infractions to the district as information to better understand the needs of at-risk kids.
  • Implement behavioral therapy programs design specifically for a client's needs under the supervision of a BCBA.
  • Show more

Behavioral specialist example responsibilities.

  • Observe patients and strategically prepare and manage clinical analysis of individuals and their progress in conjunction with formulate behavior goals.
  • Implement a CPR training program for 20 staff serving 50 clients with mental illness.
  • Guide student achievement according to district's math content standards, utilizing identify needs information.
  • Assist children with autism or other developmental disabilities with activities and therapeutic socialization to improve social skills and academic performance.
  • Attend ETR meetings and provide input on students.
  • Sanitize toys and play equipment each day to maintain safety and cleanliness.
  • Show more

Behavior interventionist vs behavioral specialist skills

Common behavior interventionist skills
  • Applied Behavior Analysis, 19%
  • Autism, 18%
  • Behavior Analysis, 9%
  • Developmental Disabilities, 8%
  • ABA, 7%
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder, 5%
Common behavioral specialist skills
  • Mental Health, 10%
  • Autism, 10%
  • Applied Behavior Analysis, 7%
  • Crisis Intervention, 7%
  • Rehabilitation, 6%
  • Social Work, 6%

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