What do all those letters after a provider's name mean?
When you're searching for autism care, you'll see abbreviations like BCBA, OTR/L, and CCC-SLP after every name. This guide explains what each one means — in plain English, not clinical jargon.
Tip: credentials aren't everything
Credentials tell you a provider's training and scope of practice — but they don't tell you how good they are at working with your specific child. When you contact a provider, ask about their experience with autism, their approach, and how they involve families. The best credential is a great fit.
The most common credentials you'll see
These six appear on the majority of autism care providers in our directory.
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
A licensed specialist in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) — the most evidence-based therapy for autism.
Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology
A fully licensed and nationally certified speech-language pathologist — the gold standard credential in the field.
Occupational Therapist, Registered & Licensed
A licensed occupational therapist who helps people develop the skills needed for daily life.
Registered Behavior Technician
A paraprofessional who delivers ABA therapy directly to clients under a BCBA's supervision.
Board Certified Behavior Analyst – Doctoral
A BCBA who also holds a doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent). The highest academic level in the field.
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, Licensed
A licensed OT assistant who works under an OTR/L's supervision to deliver occupational therapy.
Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the most evidence-based intervention for autism. These credentials tell you someone's training level in ABA — from the technician delivering sessions to the doctoral-level analyst designing the program.
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
A licensed specialist in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) — the most evidence-based therapy for autism.
For autism care: Designs and oversees ABA therapy programs, creates behavior plans, trains caregivers and staff, and tracks progress toward goals.
Issued by: Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) — requires a master's degree, supervised hours, and a national exam.
Board Certified Behavior Analyst – Doctoral
A BCBA who also holds a doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent). The highest academic level in the field.
For autism care: Same as a BCBA, often with additional research, training, or supervisory roles.
Issued by: Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB)
Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst
A behavior analyst who works under the supervision of a BCBA.
For autism care: Implements ABA programs designed by a supervising BCBA. Can work directly with children and coach caregivers.
Issued by: Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) — requires a bachelor's degree and supervised hours.
Registered Behavior Technician
A paraprofessional who delivers ABA therapy directly to clients under a BCBA's supervision.
For autism care: Runs the day-to-day ABA sessions with your child — practicing skills, collecting data, following the BCBA's treatment plan.
Issued by: Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) — 40-hour training + competency assessment.
Licensed Behavior Analyst
A state-licensed behavior analyst — the state-level equivalent of a BCBA in many states.
For autism care: Same scope as a BCBA. Some states require this license in addition to or instead of BCBA certification.
Issued by: State licensing board (requirements vary by state).
Qualified Autism Service Provider
A credential used in some states (like California) to qualify providers to deliver insurance-funded autism services.
For autism care: Provides direct ABA-based autism treatment. The QASP designation is specific to insurance billing compliance.
Issued by: State insurance commission or Medi-Cal credentialing (California).
Behavior Technician
An entry-level clinician who delivers direct ABA therapy under BCBA supervision. Similar to RBT.
For autism care: Runs ABA sessions, practices skills with your child, collects data.
Board Certified in Behavior Psychology (or Behavior Coaching & Planning)
A behavior professional with specialty board certification.
For autism care: Provides behavioral assessment and intervention — similar scope to BCBA depending on state and context.
Speech & Language
Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) address far more than just talking. For autistic individuals they work on language comprehension, social communication, AAC devices, and sometimes feeding.
Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology
A fully licensed and nationally certified speech-language pathologist — the gold standard credential in the field.
For autism care: Evaluates and treats communication challenges including delayed speech, language processing, AAC (devices), social communication, and feeding.
Issued by: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) — requires a master's degree, clinical fellowship, and passing a national exam.
Speech-Language Pathologist
A specialist in communication, language, and speech disorders.
For autism care: Works on talking, understanding language, social communication, AAC devices, and sometimes feeding/swallowing.
Issued by: State licensure required; most also hold CCC-SLP.
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
A paraprofessional who supports an SLP and delivers speech therapy under their supervision.
For autism care: Runs speech therapy activities with your child as directed by a supervising SLP.
Issued by: Requirements vary by state; typically an associate's or bachelor's degree.
Clinical Fellow – Speech-Language Pathology
A newly graduated SLP completing their required clinical fellowship year before full certification.
For autism care: Provides the same services as a licensed SLP under the supervision of a CCC-SLP mentor.
Teacher of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities
A New York State teaching credential for specialists in speech and language disorders in school settings.
For autism care: Provides speech-language services to students in NY schools, often as part of an IEP.
Issued by: New York State Education Department certification.
Speech-Language Pathology Intern
An SLP completing a supervised internship or fellowship period.
For autism care: Provides speech-language services under the supervision of a licensed CCC-SLP.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapists help people do the things they need and want to do in daily life. For autistic children, that often means sensory processing, fine motor skills, self-care routines, and handwriting.
Occupational Therapist, Registered & Licensed
A licensed occupational therapist who helps people develop the skills needed for daily life.
For autism care: Addresses sensory processing, fine motor skills, self-care (dressing, eating), handwriting, and daily routines for autistic children.
Issued by: National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) + state licensure.
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, Licensed
A licensed OT assistant who works under an OTR/L's supervision to deliver occupational therapy.
For autism care: Implements therapy activities designed by the OTR/L — practicing skills, sensory activities, fine motor exercises.
Issued by: NBCOT certification + state licensure.
Doctor of Occupational Therapy
An occupational therapist who holds a clinical doctorate — the highest professional degree in OT.
Certified Hand Therapist
An OT or PT with advanced specialty certification in hand and upper extremity rehabilitation.
For autism care: Addresses fine motor challenges, hand strength, and coordination — relevant for children with motor difficulties alongside autism.
Issued by: Hand Therapy Certification Commission (HTCC).
Assistive Technology Professional
A specialist certified in recommending and implementing assistive technology (AAC devices, adaptive equipment, etc.).
For autism care: Helps find and set up communication devices, adaptive tools, and tech that supports independence.
Issued by: Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA).
Neurodevelopmental Treatment
A clinical approach (not a standalone credential) used by OTs, PTs, and SLPs for neurological conditions.
For autism care: Addresses movement, posture, and functional skills in children with neurological differences.
Certified Brain Injury Specialist
A clinician with specialized training in acquired brain injury rehabilitation.
For autism care: Supports individuals with co-occurring brain injury and developmental differences.
Issued by: Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists (ACBIS).
Certified Lymphedema Therapist
An OT or PT with specialty certification in lymphedema management.
For autism care: Addresses lymphatic and circulation issues — may be relevant for children with complex medical needs alongside autism.
Issued by: Lymphology Association of North America (LANA) or equivalent.
Licensed Occupational Therapist
An occupational therapist licensed at the state level — equivalent to OTR/L in states that use this title.
For autism care: Addresses sensory processing, fine motor skills, self-care, and daily living skills for autistic individuals.
Issued by: State occupational therapy licensure board.
Psychology & Mental Health
These providers offer psychological evaluation, diagnosis, and mental health support. An autistic child's anxiety, emotional regulation, or family stress often benefits from this type of specialist.
Doctor of Philosophy
A research and/or clinical doctorate. In the autism care context, usually a psychologist or behavior analyst.
Licensed Professional Counselor
A licensed mental health therapist who provides counseling and psychotherapy.
For autism care: Offers talk therapy, coping skills, anxiety support, and family counseling for autistic individuals and their families.
Issued by: State licensure — requires a master's degree and supervised hours.
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
A licensed therapist (similar to LPC, terminology varies by state).
For autism care: Provides mental health therapy, anxiety and emotional regulation support, and family counseling.
Issued by: State licensure — requires a master's degree.
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
A licensed therapist specializing in family systems and relationships.
For autism care: Helps families navigate the emotional impact of an autism diagnosis and improve family communication.
Issued by: State licensure — requires a master's degree.
Licensed Psychologist
A doctoral-level psychologist licensed to provide psychological testing and therapy.
For autism care: Conducts autism evaluations and diagnostic assessments, provides therapy, and offers behavioral support recommendations.
Issued by: State licensure — requires a doctoral degree (PhD, PsyD) and supervised internship.
Licensed Educational Psychologist
A psychologist specializing in assessment and support within educational settings.
For autism care: Conducts psychoeducational evaluations, supports IEP development, and recommends school-based accommodations.
Issued by: State credential (California and select states).
Master of Social Work
A social worker with a master's degree. Many MSWs also hold clinical licensure (LCSW, LMSW).
Board Certified Art Therapist
A therapist who uses art-making as a therapeutic tool.
For autism care: Supports emotional expression, communication, and social skills for autistic individuals who may find verbal therapy challenging.
Issued by: Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB).
Medical
Medical providers in an autism care directory may offer diagnostic assessments, medication management, or medical care coordination for complex needs.
Medical Doctor
A licensed physician.
For autism care: May provide autism diagnosis, psychiatric medication management, or developmental pediatrics.
Issued by: State medical board licensure.
Physician Assistant
A licensed medical professional who practices medicine under physician supervision.
For autism care: May assist with diagnosis, medication management, and medical care coordination.
Issued by: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) + state licensure.
Registered Nurse
A licensed nurse.
For autism care: May provide care coordination, health monitoring, and support for medically complex autistic individuals.
Issued by: State board of nursing licensure.
Clinical Nurse Specialist
An advanced practice nurse with specialty clinical training.
For autism care: Provides specialized nursing care, often in developmental or psychiatric settings.
Issued by: Advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) licensure.
International Board Certified Lactation Consultant
A specialist in breastfeeding and infant feeding.
For autism care: Supports feeding challenges in infants and young children, which can co-occur with early autism feeding difficulties.
Issued by: International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE).
Physical Therapy
Physical therapists focus on gross motor skills, balance, coordination, and physical development. Many autistic children with low muscle tone or motor delays benefit from PT.
Physical Therapist
A licensed therapist who works on movement, strength, balance, and gross motor skills.
For autism care: Helps autistic children with low muscle tone, motor coordination, balance, and physical development.
Issued by: State licensure + NPTE exam.
Doctor of Physical Therapy
A physical therapist who holds a clinical doctorate — the standard entry-level degree in PT today.
Special Education
These credentials are primarily held by educators in school settings. You'll see them on providers who support IEPs and school-based services.
Teacher of Students with Hearing Handicaps
A New York State teaching credential for educators specializing in hearing impairment.
For autism care: Provides specialized educational support for students with hearing loss, sometimes alongside autism services.
Issued by: New York State Education Department certification.
Academic Degree
These are academic degrees rather than clinical licenses. They often appear after a provider's name alongside their clinical credential — for example, "MS, CCC-SLP" means they have a master's degree and are a certified SLP.
Master of Science
A graduate-level academic degree. In this context, usually in a clinical field like speech-language pathology or behavior analysis.
Master of Arts
A graduate-level academic degree, often in communication sciences, psychology, or education.
Master of Education
A graduate degree focused on education. Often held by special educators and school-based therapists.
Master of Science in Education
A graduate degree in education with a science focus — common in special education and school psychology.
Master of Occupational Therapy
A graduate degree in occupational therapy. Holders are typically also OTR/L licensed.
Master of Communication Disorders
A graduate degree in communication sciences — typically the academic degree behind an SLP credential.
Master of Health Science
A graduate degree in health sciences — held by various clinical professionals.
Bachelor of Science
An undergraduate degree. In this context, often the foundational degree for RBTs or BCaBAs.
Bachelor of Arts
An undergraduate degree.
Master of Business Administration
A graduate business degree. Occasionally held by clinicians who also manage or own practices.
Ready to find a provider?
Now that you know what you're looking for, search for autism care providers in your area.
Search providers →