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Behavior interventionist vs behavioral therapist

The differences between behavior interventionists and behavioral therapists 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 therapist. Additionally, a behavior interventionist has an average salary of $38,908, which is higher than the $37,881 average annual salary of a behavioral therapist.

The top three skills for a behavior interventionist include applied behavior analysis, autism and behavior analysis. The most important skills for a behavioral therapist are autism, social work, and behavior analysis.

Behavior interventionist vs behavioral therapist overview

Behavior InterventionistBehavioral Therapist
Yearly salary$38,908$37,881
Hourly rate$18.71$18.21
Growth rate14%14%
Number of jobs70,11591,976
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
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 therapist do?

A behavioral therapist is responsible for supporting patients with various developmental disorders and behavioral difficulties. Behavioral therapists conduct counseling to the patients, identifying their personal and social challenges, and administering treatment plans to modify unusual behaviors. They also coordinate with other medical professionals to plan activities and therapy sessions for patients' needs. A behavioral therapist maintains a record of the patients' progress, help them on developing social engagement, and adjust treatment strategies depending on the patients' noticeable changes.

Behavior interventionist vs behavioral therapist salary

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

Behavior InterventionistBehavioral Therapist
Average salary$38,908$37,881
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $51,000Between $27,000 And $51,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYNew York, NY
Highest paying stateAlaskaNew York
Best paying companyCrescent City SchoolsGeorge C. Grape Community Hospital
Best paying industryEducationEnergy

Differences between behavior interventionist and behavioral therapist education

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

Behavior InterventionistBehavioral Therapist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Behavior interventionist vs behavioral therapist demographics

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

Behavior InterventionistBehavioral Therapist
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 27.5% Female, 72.5%Male, 23.6% Female, 76.4%
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 therapist 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.
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Behavioral therapist example responsibilities.

  • Manage behavioral program for each client assign (CPI training).
  • Modele self-help and independent skills to assist autistic and developmentally delay children achieving their establish goals.
  • Assist the BCBA in assessing new clients, supervising line therapists, providing parent training, and formulating client specific programs.
  • Analyze and interpret results through graphing data collect from individual sessions.
  • Work collaboratively with BCBA's and direct line staff to ensure care plan and procedures are being implement consistently and uniformly.
  • Communicate with school administration, school teacher's and teaching assistants with helping create IEP's and behavior plans for individuals.
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Behavior interventionist vs behavioral therapist 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 therapist skills
  • Autism, 15%
  • Social Work, 12%
  • Behavior Analysis, 11%
  • Patients, 10%
  • Provide ABA, 6%
  • Applied Behavior Analysis, 5%

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