Potential dangers of receiving Autism Therapy services from non-regulated professions in BC

There are several potential disadvantages of receiving Autism Therapy services from non-regulated professionsin British Columbia(BC) includes:

Lack of Standards:

Non-regulated professions may not have established standards for education, training, or ethical conduct. This can lead to inconsistencies in the quality of services provided and may increase the risk of harm to children.

Lack of Oversight:

Non-regulated professions may not be subject to oversight or regulatory bodies, which can make it difficult to ensure that practitioners are practicing ethically and providing high-quality services.

Lack of Accountability:

Non-regulated professions may not be held accountable for their actions or outcomes, which can make it difficult for family with children to seek redress in the case of malpractice or unethical conduct.

Limited Recognition:

Even though some non-regulated professions maybe recognized by government agencies, many insurance companies and  other funding agencies may restrict the access to funding to services for children.

Risk of Harm:

Non-regulated professions may pose a risk of harm to children as the practitioners do not have the necessary training, experience, or qualifications to provide safe and effective services.

Non-regulated professionals may offer more flexibility and reduce cost of services to the families but they also present potential risks and  may reduce the quality of services to the children. It is very important for parents to ensure that the practitioners they choose for their children have the appropriate qualifications, training, and ethical standards in place to protect the safety and well-being of their children.

Shalini Das

Director, Board Certified Behavior Analyst,Occupational Therapist

Shalini is one of the co-founders of Symbiosis Pediatric Therapy. She currently oversees the clinical and administrative departments of Symbiosis. Shalini has more than 25 years of experience working with children with autism and developmental disabilities.

Shalini completed her Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy specializing in Pediatric Neurology in 2000. She also has her Masters degree in Special Education with a focus on Applied Behavior Analysis from The Pennsylvania State University.Shalini is listed in the RASP list as a Behavior Consultant and an Occupational Therapist.

Shalini has extensive clinical experience with assessment and program development that is designed to treat challenging behaviors, build communication, and functional life skills. Some of the team-based intervention which she incorporates are the Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), SCERTS, DIR®/Floor time model, etc.

Shalini has trained & supervised several teams of therapists, parents, and other professionals on evidence-based behavioral strategies to improve the quality of life for the children. She also assists with the development and implementation of evidence-based treatment approaches, in addition to providing clinical guidance and mentorship to the Behavioral intervention team.

Shalini is certified to administer the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT) from the University of Southern California and in Neuro-Developmental Therapy (NDT) from NDT Association, USA. She also enjoys working with children in Symbiosis embracing different therapy models while viewing the challenges faced by the children through the developmental framework.

Shalini is the mother of two children and understands the importance of considering the needs and wants of all members of the family when establishing therapy goals. She spends her spare time with her children and husband, reading, traveling, and cooking different recipes from around the world.