Our dedicated team of BCBAs and therapists bring specialised training and a patient-focused approach to every consultation.
Dr. Dominic Leong is Southeast Asia’s only practicing Doctoral-level Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA-D). He is also the Founder and President of the Association for Behaviour Analysis (Singapore), leading more than 120 professionals to raise standards and quality of care.
With over a decade of experience, Dr. Dominic has supported both neurotypical and neurodiverse individuals across all ages and settings. His research explores innovative, interdisciplinary applications of ABA, including pioneering arts-integrated therapy in partnership with institutions such as Sing’theatre. These programs have brought dance and drama-based interventions to more than 50 individuals with special needs.
Dr. Dominic is a strong advocate of holistic, trans-disciplinary care. He emphasises collaboration with other psychological and therapeutic disciplines to deliver personalised, integrated, and comprehensive support for individuals and their families.
Board Certified Behaviour Analyst – Doctoral (BCBA-D)
Professor at Endicott College, a global leader in ABA research & education
PhD in Applied Behaviour Analysis – Endicott College
Master of Education (Autism & ABA) – Endicott College
Master of Guidance & Counselling (Counselling & Psychology) – James Cook University
Certified in Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2)
Trained in the Nuffield Dyspraxia Programme (NDP3)
Stephanie is a Board certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and the Vice President of the Association for Behaviour Analysis (Singapore).
Stephanie spent the first half of her career in Canada and has lived across Singapore, Korea, Japan, and Indonesia. With extensive experience working with families across both eastern and western cultures, Stephanie prioritises deep collaboration with a client’s support system (families, teachers, SLTs, OTs, other therapists) and develops creative strategies that tailor each client’s support to emphasise their interests and strengths.
Stephanie has supervised and trained >50 therapists over the course of her career, and continues to develop her research interests in sleeping/feeding challenges, treatment fidelity, and the design of context & environment-appropriate therapy.
Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA)
Master of Special Education (Autism & Developmental Disabilities) – University of British Columbia, President’s Entrance Scholar
Post Baccalaureate Diploma in Applied Behaviour Analysis – Capilano University, President’s Medal Award recipient
Formally trained in leading assessment tools: ABLLS-R, VB-MAPP, CTOPP-2, Vineland-3, ESDM Checklist
At Tesserae, our team is led by Southeast Asia’s only practicing BCBA-D, Dr Dominic Leong, which means your child benefits from the highest standards of expertise in behaviour analysis. Parents should always verify that their therapist’s certification is current on the official Behaviour Analyst Certification Board (BACB) registry. Used to be qualified is not enough, credentials must be active and maintained to ensure scope of competency and up-to-date practice.
Here’s what you need to know about the difference between the various ABA therapists, so you can feel confident about your child’s therapy journey.
A Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) is a professional who has been trained and certified to design, supervise, and adjust ABA therapy programmes independently. They do not just follow a script but instead tailor interventions to each child’s unique needs, whether it is improving communication, building independence, enhancing social and emotional regulation, or building daily living skills.
In the world of ABA therapy, it can be difficult to know who does what when you’re looking for support for your child.
A BCBA is trained to independently design and supervise therapy plans, and work directly with children to assess progress and model strategies.
RBTs and ABA therapists primarily focus on carrying out therapy sessions with children, following the plans and guidance created by the BCBA.
For a child receiving ABA therapy, the BCBA is the professional responsible for overseeing the entire programme. This includes a number of key tasks:
The constant supervision by a BCBA ensures that the therapy remains safe, ethical, effective, and tailored to your child’s needs.
To become a BCBA, an individual must first earn a Master’s degree from an accredited university. This isn’t just any Master’s degree; it must be in a field like behaviour analysis, psychology, or education.
Throughout their degree, they must complete a series of specific coursework approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), which is the credentialing body. This coursework covers everything from the principles of behaviour to ethical practices and practical application.
It ensures that every BCBA has a strong foundation in the science of behaviour, preparing them for the complexities of creating effective therapy programmes.
Beyond classroom learning, aspiring BCBAs must complete hundreds of hours of supervised fieldwork. This experience is done under the guidance of a certified BCBA and involves working with children and families directly. This fieldwork is essential to ensure competence in assessment, intervention, and collaboration with families and other professionals.
After completing their degree and fieldwork, candidates must pass a rigorous certification exam. This exam tests their ability to design, supervise, and evaluate ABA programmes. Once certified, BCBAs must also keep learning through ongoing professional development to maintain their credentials.
BCBA certification must be renewed regularly, and lapses mean that the individual is no longer considered qualified to practice independently. Parents can verify a BCBA’s certification on the official Behaviour Analyst Certification Board (BACB) website.
At Tesserae, we openly share our credentials and welcome parents to meet our team before starting therapy. We also emphasise that ongoing certification maintenance and education are essential.
We value not just qualifications, but continuous growth, research alignment, and accountability.
A BCBA-D is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst who has completed doctoral-level training. The “D” stands for “Doctorate”. This means they have completed a PhD or similar doctoral programme in behaviour analysis or a related field. This advanced training means they are not only skilled in therapy but also in research, leadership, and teaching.
Both BCBA and BCBA-D professionals are qualified to design and supervise ABA therapy. The main difference lies in the level of education and research expertise. A BCBA-D has deeper training in complex cases, advanced behaviour systems, and contributes to the field through research and innovation.
| Feature | BCBA | BCBA-D |
|---|---|---|
|
Education Level |
Master’s Degree |
Doctoral Degree (PhD, PsyD, etc.) |
|
Primary Role |
Programme design, supervision of therapists, training |
Programme design, supervision of BCBAs and therapists, research, advanced consultation, advanced training incorporating the latest research
|
|
Experience |
Requires extensive supervised fieldwork
|
Often has more extensive research and academic experience |
While a BCBA is more than qualified to provide excellent care, a family might prefer a BCBA-D in certain situations. For example, if a child has particularly complex or challenging behaviours that haven’t responded to previous interventions, a BCBA-D’s advanced knowledge of research and a broader range of strategies can be very beneficial.
A BCBA-D can also provide advanced consultation to a child’s entire care team, including teachers and other specialists, to ensure everyone is working together in the most effective way possible. Their expertise is also invaluable in ensuring that a therapy programme is based on the most current and robust research available.
Having Southeast Asia’s only practicing BCBA-D at Tesserae means your child’s therapy benefits from the highest level of expertise available in the region.
BCBAs use evidence-based strategies to assess each child’s unique needs. Instead of a one-size-fits-all programme, they design individualised plans that evolve as your child progresses.
The behaviour analysis field is guided by strict ethical standards. BCBAs are professionals certified to operate independently to ensure therapy is not only effective but also respectful of the child’s dignity, family culture, and values.
With a BCBA overseeing therapy, children often achieve lasting improvements in communication, independence, and social interaction. This creates a strong foundation for success at home, in school, and in the wider community.
When you have a consultation with a potential BCBA, it’s important to ask questions that go beyond just their credentials.
Here are a few to get you started:
Unfortunately, not all providers are the same.
Be aware of these red flags:
