Pooja Shah | BCBA® & UKBA(cert) Behaviour Analyst in London

My Story

From Classroom Tutor to Board Certified Behaviour Analyst

BCBA® (2024) BCaBA (2020) UKBA(cert) MSc Anthropology BSc Psychology

I began my ABA career in 2006 as a tutor at TreeHouse London School — one of the UK's leading specialist schools for autistic children. That first-hand experience, working one-to-one with children and their families, shaped everything I do today.

Over the following years I progressed through every level of ABA practice: tutor, senior tutor, BCaBA, and ultimately BCBA in 2024. That progression gives me a complete picture of ABA in practice — not just from a clinical distance, but from every level of delivery. I know what it takes to implement a programme at home, to train tutors effectively, and to design systems that actually hold up in real families' lives.

Since 2020 I've been consulting independently with families across London. My practice is grounded in Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) — an approach that seeks first to understand why behaviour occurs, and then to build environments and skills that make challenging behaviour unnecessary. I don't just manage behaviour; I work to improve quality of life.

Every programme I design is built around your child's unique profile and your family's priorities. I believe families are the experts on their own children — my job is to bring the clinical knowledge, and together we build the rest.

Pooja Shah, BCBA — ABA Consultant London

Pooja Shah, BCBA, MSc

My Journey

The Complete ABA Path

Starting at the very beginning and progressing through every level of the profession — this is what makes the difference.

2006

ABA Tutor — TreeHouse London School

Started as an ABA tutor delivering one-to-one sessions with autistic children. Worked at TreeHouse London School, one of the UK's leading specialist ABA schools, gaining intensive supervised experience in discrete trial teaching, natural environment training, and functional behaviour assessment.

2009–2019

Senior Tutor & Programme Coordinator

Progressed to senior tutor and programme coordination roles across school and home settings throughout London. Developed deep expertise in programme design, tutor training, data-driven decision making, and working across multi-disciplinary teams.

2020

BCaBA Certification — Independent Consulting Begins

Achieved Board Certified assistant Behaviour Analyst (BCaBA) certification and began consulting independently with families across London. Started designing and supervising individualised ABA programmes, training tutors, and supporting families through EHCP processes and funding applications.

2020–2024

ABA Consultant — Growing Practice

Expanded consulting practice across London and surrounding areas, working with families of children at all ages and stages. Continued professional development in Positive Behaviour Support, verbal behaviour approaches, and autism-specific intervention strategies.

2024

BCBA Certification / UKBA (cert)

Achieved Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) credential through the Behaviour Analyst Certification Board (BACB) — the internationally recognised gold standard in the field. This certification requires rigorous examination and ongoing continuing education to maintain.

My Approach

How I Work With Families

Evidence-based, family-centred, and grounded in understanding behaviour rather than just managing it.

Positive Behaviour Support (PBS)

I follow a PBS framework — understanding the function of behaviour before designing any intervention. Challenging behaviour is communication. My job is to help children develop better ways to communicate and get their needs met.

Family as Partners

You know your child better than anyone. I bring the clinical expertise; together we design something that fits your family's real life — not a theoretical ideal. Parent training is built into every programme I deliver.

Data-Driven Decisions

Every programme I run is guided by data. We track progress consistently and use it to make decisions — if something isn't working, we change it quickly rather than waiting for the next quarterly review.

Long-Term Thinking

ABA isn't a quick fix. I work to build skills that will genuinely improve your child's independence and quality of life over time — not just compliance in therapy sessions. The goal is always generalisation into real life.

Qualifications & Credentials

Training & Certifications

Maintaining the highest professional standards through continuous learning and certification.

BCBA® — Board Certified Behaviour Analyst Behaviour Analyst Certification Board (BACB) · Achieved 2024
The internationally recognised gold standard in Applied Behaviour Analysis. Requires supervised practice hours, rigorous examination, and ongoing continuing education.
Also qualified as a UK Behaviour Analyst — UKBA(cert).

BCaBA — Board Certified assistant Behaviour Analyst Behaviour Analyst Certification Board (BACB) · Achieved 2020
Precursor to the BCBA, demonstrating supervised competency in ABA assessment and programme design.

UKBA(cert) — UK Behaviour Analyst UK Society for Behaviour Analysis (UK-SBA)
UK professional certification demonstrating competence in ABA practice within a UK context. Active member of the UK-SBA.

MSc Anthropology Brunel University London · 2004
Postgraduate study in human behaviour, culture, and social contexts — providing a broad understanding of the environments in which ABA is applied.

BSc Psychology Bangor University · 2003
Undergraduate foundation in psychological science, research methods, and behavioural theory.

Continuing Professional Development

As a BCBA, I am required to complete continuing education hours each certification cycle. I regularly attend conferences, workshops, and training in PBS, verbal behaviour approaches, and autism-specific interventions to ensure my practice reflects current evidence.

Pooja Shah — BCBA® Behaviour Analyst in London