What is the Role of a BCBA in ABA Therapy?

Patrick McLean

Patrick McLean

Patrick McLean serves as Administrative Director and Co-CEO of Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center, a comprehensive pediatric therapy practice he co-founded with his wife Rose in 2014. With over a decade of healthcare business leadership, Patrick has transformed their vision of coordinated, family-centered care into a thriving multidisciplinary clinic serving families throughout Chicago. After graduating from Western Illinois University in 2004 with a Bachelor's degree in Business and Finance, Patrick developed expertise in healthcare operations, strategic planning, and organizational growth. His business acumen combined with a deep commitment to serving children with developmental needs has positioned Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center as a trusted resource for families navigating speech delays, sensory processing challenges, autism spectrum disorder, motor delays, and behavioral concerns. As Co-CEO, Patrick oversees essential operational pillars including marketing and community outreach, human resources and staff development, financial management and insurance coordination, and long-term business strategy. His leadership has enabled the clinic to expand from offering single therapy services to providing integrated physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, ABA therapy, and social work—all coordinated under one roof for maximum family convenience and clinical effectiveness. Patrick's management philosophy centers on creating systems that empower both staff and families. He has built a culture of collaboration where therapists from different disciplines communicate seamlessly about each child's progress, ensuring holistic treatment plans that address the whole child. His proudest moments come from witnessing families' journeys—from initial concerns through celebrated milestones and hard-won achievements. Beyond his professional role, Patrick brings personal perspective as a father of four children. He actively coaches his kids in various sports, enjoys creating barbecue masterpieces on his smoker, and values connection time with friends on the golf course. This balance between professional purpose and family life reinforces his understanding of the families Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center serves every day.

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A Board Certified Behavior Analyst or BCBA holds a graduate level certification in behavior analysis. BCBAs are certified through the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). They must adhere to the Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts. In order to become a BCBA, an individual must obtain their Master’s degree, complete supervised fieldwork, and pass the BCBA examination.

Chicagoland ABA Therapy

A BCBA will be the team leader of an ABA therapy program and will work closely with the team and family. The BCBA will conduct an initial assessment and will use those results to develop a treatment and behavior intervention plan. They will train and collaborate with all individuals who interact with the child receiving therapy.

ABA Therapy Team

These individuals include RBTs (Registered Behavior Technicians), parents/caregivers, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, social workers, teachers and other professionals creating an IEP, and any other professional carrying out the treatment plan to ensure proper implementation and consistency. BCBAs will monitor progress on a weekly basis and make modifications as needed. This may include regular updates to goals, parent education and coaching, and RBT training on implementation.

BCBAs rotate their time with each provider of a child’s team. They perform direct supervision by observing and training RBTs, parent trainings, reassessing and conducting ongoing team meetings. These analysts spend an ample amount of time behind the scenes writing treatment and behavior plans. They also analyze data, make program updates, work on scheduling, collaborate with other therapies, and attend IEP meetings. More pieces of their work load include completing school observations, creating materials, documenting, and supervising graduate level students who are studying to become BCBAs.

Need More Info?

A BCBA is an integral role and will be the go-to person for an ABA therapy program. For more information on ABA therapy and how a BCBA can help your child reach their maximum potential contact Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center! Please call our office today at 773-687-9241! For more information you can check out our ABA Therapy Page

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