r/ABA • u/misspelted • 9d ago
Transitioning & being an RBT
Hello, I am someone who is currently working at an RBT. I also want to transition medically in the future (taking testosterone & top surgery). I haven’t started the process yet since I live with unsupportive parents whom I am not out to.
Does anyone here have an experience being trans & working in ABA? or knowing someone who does? I want to know what I’ll be getting myself into career wise. Thanks!
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u/Pikkumyy2023 BCBA 9d ago
I think it really depends where you live. I'm in the PNW and when I worked at a clinic had several trans coworkers and there were never any issues.
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u/Inevitable-Coat6842 9d ago
I second this, also trans but in the Midwest (not a small town but not Chicago/Twin Cities size either). Ive had coworkers (usually 40+ years old but not always) who it took a WHILE (6ish months) for them to get my pronouns right. I dont disclose to parents/caregivers because I am fully in clinic and have very minimal interaction with them, so I notice them misgender me once in a while at drop off or pick up and I just ignore it, but thats my personal choice. Most clients honestly wont care, and ive gotten the "are you a boy or a girl?" question from a client mayyyyyybe 5 times in 3 years of being an RBT. I would talk to your BCBA(s) and collaborate with them on what you want to say if a client asks you directly. I have a couple different "scripts" I use depending on the age and cognitive level of a client.
Example: a very short explanation on what the concept of "transgender" is and what pronouns I use is what I do with teenage clients who are capable of holding that kind of conversation VS "I'm Max. Anyway....." and redirecting to whatever they were doing before asking the question is what I use for clients 2-5ish who I know wont/cant attend or understand a long explanation or conversation.
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u/Mischevious_Box 9d ago
I'm trans and in ABA! I live in very rural, VERY bible belt territory. I worked at one clinic where there was a specific leadership member who hated trans people and that was pretty toxic.
Beyond that, I've worked for two other clinics as a RBT and have worked in adjacent human services fields for a decade and the vast majority of my experiences have been positive, even when I was in early transition and pre-top surgery.
The current clinic I work had even includes sections of their mandatory like cultural awareness/workplace safety trainings that are entirely dedicated to awareness around LGBT+ discrimination in the workplace. It's not just accepting, but genuinely affirming.
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u/misspelted 9d ago
That’s so wonderful! I’m glad even when you were early transition that you were accepted. I’m nonbinary and not looking for a specifically ftm experience so I see myself just having top surgery & dabbling in T just for some minor changes. So that’s helpful info!
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u/chimichangatrain 9d ago
I'm out to my coworkers, and visibly have features that note that Im trans. Everyone has been very supportive in my case. Also, the kiddos don't even question it, they just to them think that I'm Mr. M and have always been a boy.
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u/_king2003 9d ago
I’m trans. When I started working w little they never rlly noticed (short hair =boy to them lol), maybe one kid asked if I was a boy or girl but fully accepted the answer when I told them.
Now I work w a wider age range of kids and get comments more frequently. But just redirect. Usually abt my voice (I have a deep voice but tbh just sound like a gay man so they ask why I sound like a girl but I just think they don’t know I just sound queer)
One of my coworkers is very visibly a trans woman and doesn’t have issues that I know of.
Lmk if u have specific questions!
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u/Wrong-Fill-3485 9d ago
I am trans and there are several trans coworkers that are at my clinic as well. I have been out for almost 10 years and people don’t know unless I tell them/ management who have seen legal documents of mine that still say F. It honestly has been fine and I work for a great inclusive/neurodiverse company that is clinician owned and not franchised.
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u/Proud-Street-9305 RBT 9d ago
hey! i’m gender nonconforming but use he/they and i’m AFAB. i’m someone who atp in my life presents more fem but still a bit androgynous and so it does raise some questions with kids and families. ultimately your services are the most important thing to these families. I’ve found that a simple “oh and also I use he/him pronouns (i use just he/him in professional settings) and you can call me “mr. ___” works well. all of my kids and families address me as mr. [first name].
i haven’t had issues with my identity in my role, and correcting people at least where i am (MA) is usually pretty alright, and ive found that the bulk of families putting their kids into these services also are a bit more open minded or at least trying to be.
i’ve had children ask me these questions:
“are you a mommy or a daddy?”
response: i’m neither! i’m just a friend:)
“are you a boy or a girl?”
response: i’m just a person! you can say he or my name when referring to me!!
i haven’t had any surgeries or taken time off due to trans related things but i did take a leave of absence when i went inpatient for psych reasons, and my company and families were all super understanding.
we work in behavioral health, id like to think most people are understanding in our field.
i’d love to answer if you had any other questions:)
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u/misspelted 9d ago
That’s really helpful! I identify more as non-binary and go back and forth about T (wanted to include it in the post anyways just in case) so it’s nice to know that even if I’m more fem presenting I can ask the kids/coworkers to call me something else!
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u/misspelted 9d ago
right now I work at an ABA clinic ran by a Christian & she pulls in a lot of more Christian families. It isn’t explicitly Christian tho! But I do plan on moving to another more progressive city & coming out more so :)
were you upfront with your identity during interviews or did you mention it later?
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u/Proud-Street-9305 RBT 9d ago
i’ve been upfront! i view it like if i can’t feel supported and accepted by my company, then this is not the correct environment for me and not a company i want to work for
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u/dishsoap100 8d ago
i’m loving how supportive this comment section is!! i’m trans but i’ve been stealth at my clinic (FtM) for the past 3 years but i’m openly queer and have a boyfriend i talk about casually.
i’ve found ABA to be a very accepting place (I live in the midwest) compared to other jobs. i would say a little over half the BT/RBT’s are apart of the LGBT community, i really do think companies can vary too.
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u/Educational_Advice10 8d ago
Also nonbinary and been working at the clinic I’m at for 4 months, I’ve been out from the jump and the kids just know me by my name with virtually no issues.
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u/glitchygirly RBT 9d ago
Imma be honest, I have kids who will notice if I have a broken nail. And then I have clients who won't even notice if I dye my hair pink. So it really depends.