Alabama § 34-5A-1 - Definitions.

§ 34-5A-1. Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the following meanings:

(1) ADVISORY COUNCIL. The Alabama Behavior Analyst Advisory Council created by this chapter.

(2) APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS DIRECT CONTACT TECHNICIAN. An individual who directly implements applied behavior analysis services.

(3) AUTISM. Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave.

(4) CERTIFYING ENTITY. The nationally accredited Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Incorporated.

(5) DEPARTMENT. The Department of Mental Health.

(6) DRS. The Department of Rehabilitation Services.

(7) LICENSED ASSISTANT BEHAVIOR ANALYST. An individual who is certified by the certifying entity as a national board certified assistant behavior analyst and who satisfies the criteria identified in Section 34-5A-4.

(8) LICENSED BEHAVIOR ANALYST. An individual who is certified by the certifying entity as a national board certified behavior analyst and who satisfies the criteria identified in Section 34-5A-4.

(9) MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSIONER. The executive officer of the Department of Mental Health.

(10) PRACTICE OF BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS. The design, implementation, and evaluation of instructional and environmental modifications to produce socially significant improvements in human behavior.

a. The practice of behavior analysis includes all of the following:

1. The empirical identification of functional relations between behavior and environmental factors, known as functional assessment and analysis.

2. Interventions based on scientific research and the direct observation and measurement of behavior and environment, which utilize contextual factors, establishing operations, antecedent stimuli, positive reinforcement, and other consequences to help individuals develop new behaviors, increase or decrease existing behaviors, and elicit behaviors under specific environmental conditions.

b. The practice of behavior analysis does not include psychological testing, psychotherapy, cognitive therapy, sex therapy, psychoanalysis or hypnotherapy, or long-term counseling as treatment modalities.

c. The practice of behavior analysis does not include preventing or alleviating or curing of diseases or injuries.

d. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as permitting or allowing a licensed behavior analyst to prescribe or administer any drug, make a medical diagnosis, provide medical treatment, or manage a medical condition. A licensed behavior analyst may not attempt to diagnose, prescribe for, treat, or advise a client with reference to any problem, complaint, or condition falling outside the boundaries of behavior analysis.