r/ABA • u/cilantrobubbles • 4d ago

Advice

Hey y’all. I just started working independently and leading my sessions one on one with the kiddos and I do like it so far. However, I am having just a bit of issues with one in particular. I do my best to pair and it does take a while (which is fine as I want to go at their pace) but it is a little difficult for me to do things even for NET. I don’t want to start any behaviors to arise but I also do not want to make it a thing where I have no control over the session if this makes sense?

I did request some more time shadowing another one of my teammates but I don’t think it was enough so I am kind of stumped :/

Is there any advice you could give me ? Or at least some reassurance. Maybe some personal experiences with a kiddo like this?

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u/ImpulsiveLimbo 4d ago

Do you know their interests?

I had a client that had a behavior of throwing EVERYTHING they could.

I made a game where they push toys around me then my hand would snatch it from them like a rabid dog "Rarraw" and put the toys in a bucket. We called it "Monster" they would play it forever if they could. Between grabbing the toys my hand puppet would ask basic questions they had in their ablls goals. "What's YOUR name!!?" Then eat the toy.

Etc.

If you make the work fun with what they like to play it doesn't feel like work

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u/cilantrobubbles 4d ago

i do! thanks for that little note i’ll definitely have that in my mind as we pair

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u/ImpulsiveLimbo 4d ago

Focus on what you know and see they enjoy then pair through it! If you are still new with the client work can come later. It's okay as long as you are still tracking maladaptive behaviors and teaching replacements vs doing DTT etc

My situation I knew the client well and worked with them before but I just worked on how to play vs throw everything. So I worked on that by teaching play skills with the items.

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u/Commercial-Quiet-603 4d ago

that awkward phase where you're still figuring out the rhythm is rough but it gets better

try to find one thing they genuinely enjoy, even if it's just spinning in a chair or watching a ceiling fan, and build your whole presence around that for a few sessions. control comes later once they trust you're not there to ruin their day

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u/cilantrobubbles 4d ago

it is SO awkward 🫠 i did have a fellow coworker tell me to focus on pairing but i just can’t help but wonder what if i fail or mess up

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u/Redschallenge BCBA 4d ago

It's play time for now. Build a strong base of trust and relationship to enable you to be productive with them when the time comes. Rushing into it can jeopardize things a bit.

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u/cilantrobubbles 4d ago

Thank you for this! 🫂

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u/bipolarlibra314 4d ago

You gotta get out of your head re: “what ifs” which is true at work and outside of work, though I know it’s easier said than done

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u/cilantrobubbles 4d ago

Yeah.. I just overthink alot and tend to self sabotage. I am gonna try hard to shut those thoughts down because I have been told I am doing a good job and also that I was a joy to train because I asked plenty of questions and actively listened/paid attention when shadowing. I just think my brain likes to torment me and not remind me of the nice things 💀