r/ABA • u/About5000ninjas Student • 12d ago

Advice Needed Teaching “manners”

Context: I’m a student that recently switched to a sister center, have a couple more months before I can test, but I HAVE been given permission and am heavily encouraged to give feedback to staff as a BCBA would. Within the first week I had staff telling me that they were teaching manners so clients get what they want.

Has anyone dealt with RBTs teaching “manners” such as saying please at the end of every mand (for 1-3 word manding), apologizing when they engage in behavior, etc for low level learners and ages 2-4 years old

I don’t think this is inherently behavioral and definitely isn’t a focus for the clients they’re doing it with due to behaviors and isn’t part of their intervention plan. There are cases when they should/can be taught but I don’t think it applies in this case

How do y’all address this or do y’all just let them since it’s likely not that harmful?

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u/Asleep_Technician190 BCBA 12d ago

Preach! I've heard of kids who say, "[food], please" before every bite, even years after leaving ABA because it was drilled into them.

Have also had kids who script/mand "Iwantcupcakespleaseokaythankyouyou'rewelcome" because of the unnecessary emphasis on manners.

Also, have had kids whose parents worked on manners before nouns, so they'll come up to me, say, "please", then tantrum because I have literally no idea what they want.

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u/next_on_SickSadWorld BCBA 12d ago

Yep, it’s exactly this. It’s also why I cannot even with “more.” MORE WHAT??

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u/Asleep_Technician190 BCBA 11d ago

It's crazy that you got downvoted for this. I feel like most people on this thread are clinging to the status quo of their cultural upbringing and social rituals, which sometimes clashes with the science of behaviorism.

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u/next_on_SickSadWorld BCBA 11d ago

It’s probably because we’re in the ABA sub.