QASP-S® Requirements for Supervisors

Our Qualified Autism Services Practitioner – Supervisor (QASP-S®) supervision requirement supports our mission to ensure best practices across QABA’s three-tiered model. A QASP-S® provides services under the continued supervision of clinicians. By being monitored in this way, it allows both oversight for clients and at the same time serves to help a QASP-S® broaden their skills with the expertise of experienced practitioners.

In order to meet compliance standards, supervision must be documented using the QABA supervision log. Verification forms are located under the Forms section on the QABA website. A qualified supervisor must validate and complete the forms. It is the responsibility of the QASP-S® to maintain this documentation.

Valid Supervisors include:

• QBA®
• Certified Behavior Analyst (CBA) from an accredited certifying body
• A licensed practitioner within the scope of ABA. This can include a state licensed practitioner within the scope of ABA (e.g., Licensed Behavior Analyst, a licensed psychologist who is certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology who was tested in ABA)

Supervision Hours

Every QASP-S® has to meet with his or her supervisor for 5% of the time they provide behavior analytic services. This is to occur every 3-month period during the first 1000 hours of fieldwork. Supervision can be done remotely, however the method of video-conferencing must be a HIPAA compliant video conferencing program. During the session, one contact has to be one-to-one in-person or live (remotely) for a duration of no shorter than 1 hour. Once 1000 hours of fieldwork have been completed by the QASP-S®, the rate of supervision will then be reduced to 2% of every 3-month period upon supervisor approval. However, one contact must be one-to-one in person for no less than 1 hour. 50% of supervision hours may take place in a group setting.

Supervision Activity

Supervisors communicate performance expectations and evaluate QASP-S®s for overall performance. The supervisor must determine which activities qualify for fieldwork hours and if they reflect QABA standards. Through observation and modeling, they provide ongoing behavioral skills training and continual performance feedback. Supervisors model best practices in all aspects of the ABA field, including technical, professional performance and ethical behavior. Supervisors record data and monitor daily progress of QASP-S®’s adherence to, and delivery of, client behavior therapy plans.

Supervision activities may include the following:

• Performing assessments: This can include but are not limited to functional assessments, preference assessments, staff performance assessments; or assessments used for evaluating behavior intervention.
• Implementing and systematically monitoring skill-acquisition and behavior reduction programs through data collection. These often change and redevelop as a client moves through their therapy program.
• Additions to client’s services which can include: Creating behavior plans, clinic notes, progress summaries, etc.
• Assessing how the therapy plan is working out: This can include attending planning meetings regarding the behavior analytic program and talking to individuals about the program.
• Contributing to the Reports: Collecting data for the assessments related to the need for behavior intervention.
• Providing Team Support and Counsel: Training others, designing behavior plans, performance management.
• Cross referencing best practices: Overseeing the implementation of behavior analytic programs.
• Team Inclusion: Communication and cooperation skills with stakeholders and other professionals.

Supervisor Eligibility Requirements

In order for Supervisors to be able to perform the above duties, they must complete QABA’s required supervisory coursework before providing supervision of any QASP-S®. In addition to this, all supervisors must possess current credentials and have fulfilled the requirements as outlined in the candidate handbooks on the QABA website.