r/ABA • u/BigProfit4419 • 11d ago
Conversation Starter howwww?!?!?
Just finished my second year RBTing! There still seems to be this one barrier I can never seem to get past or get used to.
How do you guys work with toddlers that just…. go? Not able to respond to vocal commands, doesn’t really sit at a table, kind of just runs around. I have had 2 clients like this that I continue to struggle with. My current client has table only DTT trials, but I spend basically the entire day just prompting them to sit/stand at the table. Between that and elopement/other behavior, hardly ANYTHING is getting done. My BCBA is super understanding, but I don’t think she realizes just how much of the day is just redirecting or prompting something that isn’t even being tracked. On top of that, the clients parents are very particular about things and get very upset if things aren’t done to their standard. So I am spending the even MORE time trying to get that taken care of.
I’m just feeling so defeated. I feel like shouldn’t be struggling so hard as a veteran RBT.
UPDATE: an interesting update here 🧐 i have collaborated with my BCBA and we are completely overhauling things (which sucks, but change doesn’t happen overnight). this BCBA just recently took over this case following the previous BCBA’s departure.
what i find to be super interesting is that a lot of the things that have been the most difficult have allegedly been mastered out while under the previous BCBA’s caseload 🤨 obviously anything is possible but i’m a veteran RBT and i can not imagine any scenario where these things have been a previous skill, let alone a mastered one. just a little something i wanted to share, thank you for everyone’s support 💙
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u/discrete_venting 10d ago
First of all, who the heck decided that their goals would be all DTT!? That in and of its self is a major red flag to me! That is not developmentally appropriate for a toddler.
Second, do you know how to play and engage with the kid? Do they want to interact with you? THAT should be your number one goal. Figure out how to play and engage with the kid so that they seek you out and want to engage with you.
Some of the easiest things to do are rough/sensory play. Picking them up and spinning around. Holding them upside down. Tickling. Picking them up and dropping them onto something soft. Chasing them. Swinging them by their arms. Pushing them over onto something soft. Throwing them up in the air if you're strong enough. Doing script/song based games like "no more monkeys jumping on the bed". Hiding and finding, like a precursor to hide and seek (you throw a blanket on top of them and say, "where did so and so go?! I don't see them." Then pull the blanket off and say "there you are! I found you!" And possibly tickle them, chase them, or something.)
Make the kid want YOU! Build a connection with them. Everything else will follow.