Ilana Gerschlowitz
Star Academy Managing Director
Across the board certification
Once our Star Academy staff members meet the necessary training requirement hours, they will sit for an international ABA Board exam, achieving certification as Board Certified Autism Technician (BCAT). The certificate is awarded by the Behavioural Intervention Certification Council (BICC), an independent and autonomous governing body for the BCAT certification programme, was established in 2013 to promote the highest standards of treatment for individuals with ASD through the development, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of all aspects of the certification and certification renewal processes.
Not only do our staff meet the eligibility requirements for exam entrants — which include a certain number of supervised experience hours, education, and training — we are thrilled that they also achieved top marks for the BCAT certification.
ABA Certification Achievements
Staff Achievement
The Star Academy is proud to announce that all our staff members across South Africa and Africa have participated in an international ABA Board Exam, achieving certification as Board Certified Autism Technicians (BCAT). This certification further validates the autism-specific skills of our team members and their competencies in using the principles and procedures of applied behaviour analysis.
Excellence in Autism Facilitation
The certificate is awarded by the Behavioural Intervention Certification Council (BICC), a nonprofit organisation founded in America to promote top-quality, evidenced-based autism treatment and to ensure consumer safety. BCAT certificate holders meet specified education, training, and experience standards, adhere to a code of ethics, and demonstrate mastery of the knowledge required to treat the deficits and behaviours associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
The BICC, an independent and autonomous governing body for the BCAT certification programme, was established in 2013 to promote the highest standards of treatment for individuals with ASD through the development, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of all aspects of the certification and certification renewal processes.
Taking on the Challenge
“Not only did our staff meet the eligibility requirements for exam entrants — which included a certain number of supervised experience hours, education, and training — we are thrilled that they also achieved top marks for the BCAT certification,” says Ilana Gerschlowitz, Director of The Star Academy, commenting on the BCAT as an ongoing means of evaluation where technicians must obtain continuing education credit units in order to retain their certification. With the pass mark for the exam set at 80% or above, this is no mean feat.
Across-the-Board Quality
The BCAT examination was developed by a diverse group of practitioners in partnership with test development experts in a manner consistent with generally accepted psychometric principles and best practices for certification using an internationally recognized process to identify the roles and responsibilities of autism technicians. It is the first and only autism-specific credential that is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), an independent body accredited by the American National Standards Institute as a Standards Developer.
“The NCCA regulates the standard of certification professionals in developing and managing high-quality certification programs, the same credentialing authority that accredits Board Certified Behaviour Analysts,” continues Ilana.
We are not accredited, yet. We submitted the application and should hear that we are accredited by the end of October or early November. We are members of the parent organization, the Institute for Credentialing Excellence. The psychometrician and test consultant who worked with us to develop the exam sit on the NCCA board, so we are confident that we have a strong application and will hear good news.
Identifying Qualified Technicians
Furthermore, all BCAT technicians are registered on the BICC registry, providing consumers with the means to identify qualified technicians. This further enforces the BICC’s rigorous standards, which includes monitoring of the technicians’ educational backgrounds, training, credentials and additional certifications. This is done in the interest of public safety, and the information is accessible to parents, caregivers, educators, funding agencies, and other interested parties, dovetailing with The Star Academy’s commitment to the highest standard in facilitating cutting-edge instruction.
Key Reasons for Our Success
“Some of the key reasons that our staff excelled in the exam can be attributed to the level of expertise and experience of our staff at The Star Academy and the expertise, support and on-going training and quality assurance of our USA affiliate CARD, world leaders in autism treatment,” explains Ilana. “We have a commitment to a strong work ethic where we work together as members of a team, dedicated to improving the lives of the children entrusted to our care.”
Congratulations to all of our outstanding staff members who have been inducted as BCAT certifcants. We look forward to many more productive and successful years as we continue our contribution in making a difference to our children and families with ASD.
We are certified in Johannesburg, Tshwane , Durban and across Africa (Ghana, Mauritius and Zimbabwe).
OUR TEAM
Alicia:
I am a case supervisor at The Star Academy. I have completed my education degree at the University of South Africa. Working at The Star Academy has been an amazing experience and teaching our wonderful kids inspires me everyday!
Gerald:
I am a Senior Instructor at The Star Academy. I love working at the Academy because we have the ability to teach children how to communicate. Giving a child a voice is rewarding and motivating. We find a way no matter how challenging the problem may appear to be. I have become a creative thinker and have learnt so much about problem solving. Working at the Academy is rewarding and I feel like I have found my career path.
Ananja:
I completed my Honors degree in Social Work in 2016 at The North West University, Potchefstroom Campus. Working at Star has been such an incredible experience. To be able to work with the children is a privilege! I have witnessed how ABA enables them to get back on track. At Star I have learnt how to teach children to communicate appropriately and I have become part of an expert team that works towards enhancing the skills repertoire of each individual child.
Amanda:
Working as an instructor at Star means that I am a part of making a meaningful difference. I am proud of being a part of the Academy and seeing how wonderful all the children are progressing inspires me. I completed my BA degree at the University of Pretoria and continued my studies when I enrolled at Walter Sisulu University in the Eastern Cape where I completed an Honors Degree – BSocSc ( Honours)
Iana:
I am a Case Manager and Supervisor at the Academy. I am responsible to direct the Independent Education Plans of the children assigned to me. I hold a Masters Degree in Education relating to Curriculum and Instruction: Autism Studies, University of Massachusetts Lowell. I am currently completing my course work towards BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) certification. Working at Star Academy for the last 10 years has changed my life and has become my chosen career path. Our team goes the extra mile to ensure that the children receive the best opportunity to develop and acquire skills. Over the last three years I have worked closely with top experts at CARD and have learnt so much about program design and implementation.
Lerato:
I am a Case Supervisor at The Star Academy. I have a degree in Psychology and an honours in Industrial Psychology (2010) both obtained at the University of Johannesburg. I also had the opportunity to sit for the Board Certified Autism Technician exam, and I have have worked with families in South Africa, Ghana, Mauritius, London and now in Kenya. “Seeing a child breaking boundaries, crashing stereotypes, overcoming the “impossible” is just so rewarding. It’s been over 10 years and every morning, I put on my gloves with pride and prepare for another day of winning.”
Carmen:
I am a Case Manager at The Star Academy. My qualifications include a BA in Psychology at TUKS followed by an Honors Degree in Psychology at UNISA. I has the opportunity to sit for Board Certified Autism Technician exam. I found Star Academy as I was searching for options to broaden my Psychology experience. Within the first month of working at Star and with children on the spectrum I knew that I had found my calling. The things I love most about working at Star is learning and working with the diversity of Autism and related disorders and being a part of the amazing and unbelievable results ABA can produce. Witnessing the children’s gains and improvements on a daily basis, no matter how small, is the most fulfilling component.
Desray:
I am a senior instructor at The Star Academy and had the opportunity to sit for the Board Certified Autism Technician exam. I love learning and it will always be a part of my life’s journey. I have an Honours degree in Communication. I’m currently completing my Postgraduate Honours in Psychology and will continue my Psychology journey to benefit the children I work with. Though the above qualifications, what I thrive in is practically teaching kids life skills. I have my boxing gloves on, fighting for the kids. We weather the storms. I stand in their corner and help instil resilience in them. My motto for the kids I work with is to remember “every day and in every way, we are better and better”. Let’s do this!
Alicia:
I am a case supervisor at The Star Academy. I have completed my education degree at the University of South Africa. Working at The Star Academy has been an amazing experience and teaching our wonderful kids inspires me everyday!
Gerald:
I am a Senior Instructor at The Star Academy. I love working at the Academy because we have the ability to teach children how to communicate. Giving a child a voice is rewarding and motivating. We find a way no matter how challenging the problem may appear to be. I have become a creative thinker and have learnt so much about problem solving. Working at the Academy is rewarding and I feel like I have found my career path.
Ananja:
I completed my Honors degree in Social Work in 2016 at The North West University, Potchefstroom Campus. Working at Star has been such an incredible experience. To be able to work with the children is a privilege! I have witnessed how ABA enables them to get back on track. At Star I have learnt how to teach children to communicate appropriately and I have become part of an expert team that works towards enhancing the skills repertoire of each individual child.
Amanda:
Working as an instructor at Star means that I am a part of making a meaningful difference. I am proud of being a part of the Academy and seeing how wonderful all the children are progressing inspires me. I completed my BA degree at the University of Pretoria and continued my studies when I enrolled at Walter Sisulu University in the Eastern Cape where I completed an Honors Degree – BSocSc ( Honours)
Iana:
I am a Case Manager and Supervisor at the Academy. I am responsible to direct the Independent Education Plans of the children assigned to me. I hold a Masters Degree in Education relating to Curriculum and Instruction: Autism Studies, University of Massachusetts Lowell. I am currently completing my course work towards BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) certification. Working at Star Academy for the last 10 years has changed my life and has become my chosen career path. Our team goes the extra mile to ensure that the children receive the best opportunity to develop and acquire skills. Over the last three years I have worked closely with top experts at CARD and have learnt so much about program design and implementation.
Lerato:
I am a Case Supervisor at The Star Academy. I have a degree in Psychology and an honours in Industrial Psychology (2010) both obtained at the University of Johannesburg. I also had the opportunity to sit for the Board Certified Autism Technician exam, and I have have worked with families in South Africa, Ghana, Mauritius, London and now in Kenya. “Seeing a child breaking boundaries, crashing stereotypes, overcoming the “impossible” is just so rewarding. It’s been over 10 years and every morning, I put on my gloves with pride and prepare for another day of winning.”
Giving back to the community
The Yellow Canaries of Tembisa
The Star Academy which is a public benefit organisation and a company not for profit has started the Yellow Canaries Outreach Programme to assist children with autism in the Thembisa township. Through our team’s deep commitment, we have trained residents in Tembisa in our Star Academy teaching methodology to uplift the lives of both parents and their children.
Our Mission
It is our mission to reach as many children as possible with treatment for Autism, Asperger’s, ADHD and Oppositional Defiance Disorder. If you are interested in helping us make a difference to children affected by these disorders here are some ways you can get involved:
Centres throughout South Africa
HEAD OFFICE:
Enquiries for all centres via headoffice
+27 (0) 11 440 7796
info@thestaracademy.co.za
LOCATIONS:
Johannesburg | Highlands North
112 Athol Street, Highlands North, Johannesburg
Johannesburg | Waverley
80 Athol Street, Waverley, Johannesburg
Johannesburg | Fourways
72 Glenluce Drive, Douglasdale, Johannesburg
Cape Town | Sea Point
12 Graham Road, Sea Point, Cape Town
Mount Edgecombe, Durban
3 Ridgeway Lane, Mount Edgecombe, Durban
Pretoria | Erasmuskloof
480 Kleineweide street, Erasmuskloof, Pretoria
OTHER LOCATIONS:
Rustenburg
Helping kids throughout Africa
