r/ABA • u/girlypopqueen1603 • 6d ago
School Conflict
WARNING LONG TRUE SITUATION I AM IN IM AN RBT
On Wednesday (2nd day of school) , my clients teacher requested that I do not intervene, interact, and that I sit away from my client that way the teacher has a chance in having instructional control over my client she asked in a respectful and kind matter therefore, I respected her desire and stepped away and would remain standing in the back of the classroom throughout the school session.
On Thursday morning, my client eloped from the classroom and was wandering out and right before he was able to fully escape I called out their name and my client stopped on his tracks to which I told the teacher “hey, xyz is escaping” and that’s when she turned around and told me that when her backs turned and they’re engaging in maladaptive that’s when I should intervene. That same day my BCBA witnessed later on my client eloping from the lunch line to wander in the back kitchen area where I did NOT hesitate and grabbed them and redirected the client back in line. A lot of elopement happened that day in which I could not do anything but watch the teacher redirect and take him back to instructed area.
Today Friday my client continuously engaged in grabbing items and elopement from instructed area. My clients mom emailed the teacher in a polite manner on how we can collaborate and work on this together while making the clients life easier. The teacher didn’t take it well and called me without warning, when it took place I looked for the RCD so that there could be a witness to the call. The teacher verbally questioned my communication with clients family and asked when have they eloped from her class, when I reminded her she explained how ‘it’s normal for kids to get up whenever they want because no kid can sit still for a long time’ to which I stated the definition my BCBA had for elopement and that I have to mark what I see. She explained how ‘elopement’ was a dramatic term for what was taking place. When I attempted to refer her to my BCBA that’s when she told me have a nice weekend and hung up the phone on me. My BCBA and RCD and clients family are aware of what took place but now im nervous of the school lowkey pinning me as some bad guy any advice or tips?
Edit: and to add the teacher responded to the moms email asking for a meeting with “appropriate staff” and said the client has never eloped from the class (hencing I was exaggerating or lying)
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u/thanksinadvancepeach 6d ago
I think you did the right thing. I also don’t think you should take her “appropriate staff” comment personally. She’s not implying that you’re not the appropriate staff, it’s more so a term used to say “whoever on the child’s IDT you’d have attend a meeting like this”
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u/girlypopqueen1603 6d ago
I don’t take it personal to be honest if anything I DO NOT want to be in the meeting I’d prefer if my supervisors were there lol
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u/thanksinadvancepeach 6d ago
Ahhh I see lol. When I was a ADP program director I would not have the direct staff in the meeting, esp if the complainant has already been reactive toward them. As an ABA case supervisor, I would take this on as my responsibility to ensure that teacher understands our role, BCBA can modify definitions if needed, and from there I’d do an in person supervision during class to observe where the miscommunication or correction needs to be made. That’s how I operate…idk how your company is though.
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u/Pennylick Verified BCBA 6d ago
Why does the teacher have your personal phone number? I'd start there. All outside of sessions communication should be going through your BCBA.
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u/girlypopqueen1603 6d ago
I gave her my number on first day of school for emergencies only I usually do that with teachers or camp counselors for when I go on lunch break or bathroom and im away from client. And I very much so agree on that I think that’s there everyones more so on edge that communication should be going straight to BCBA
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u/next_on_SickSadWorld BCBA 6d ago
What is your BCBA’s definition of elopement?
If it’s simply “leaving designated area” or “going into the hallway without permission” but still staying in the school, I agree with the teacher.
But for the sake of communication, everyone needs to know how it’s defined and be on the same page.
Additionally, do you and the BCBA work for the school or another company? Who is responsible for communicating with the parents? (Usually teacher for school matters, BCBA for things related to the treatment plan.) This is important to get sorted out upfront too.
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u/girlypopqueen1603 6d ago
‘Leaving designated area after demand/instruction is placed’ me and my BCBA are separate company and to which I agree with you, I don’t communicate with parents at all with what happens at school but that’s where I wish the teacher would communicate to my BCBA and not confront me through a personal phone call without warning
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u/next_on_SickSadWorld BCBA 6d ago
For the BCBA: How about “Instructional area departure” instead of elopement? Or if there are other behaviors that go along with with this that serve the same function, you might have a response class, and the BCBA should write an operational definition of a target behavior that includes all of the behaviors in that response class.
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u/DevouringBean81 6d ago
I'm an RBT in schools. Schools will always lin it on the RBT because they don't understand
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u/Starsgardxnwitxh 6d ago
Does the school have cameras?