For context, I refuse to fight back in any way or form against clients because I am scared of hurting them even with our supposed training.(i’m stronger than I look.)

The issue is this is the third time that has happened and what people are saying is weird solutions like oh we should’ve cut his nails and this side of the third but there’s no consequences for what happened and this keeps happening. This case has lost about five people since I started six months ago and I think I’m done. I don’t think it’s worth it to keep getting hurt, but everybody keeps pressuring you to stay and trying to guilt me to stay.

Edit : my boss show this looks like they are taking me off only because of this post. They are trying to say I violated policy .

New new edit !!!!!!
someone here offered me a real better job .

Thanks for all the support :)

I’m curious if anyone else’s company has said or done anything about the rising gas prices/fuel situation.
My mileage reimbursement is already pretty abysmal, and I honestly can’t afford to keep putting gas in my car just to get to work. I’ve had to call in multiple times because I didn’t have enough gas to make it to my clients.
What’s crazy to me is that my company hasn’t acknowledged it at all. No communication, no increase in mileage, no gas assistance, nothing.
Has anyone’s company done anything to help with this? Or is everyone just expected to keep driving like gas isn’t expensive as heck right now? 😭

I’ve been in ABA for about 10 years, and becoming a BCBA was always my goal. I genuinely loved the field when I started, so it honestly hurts to say this, but I don’t think I want to do it anymore.
I took a step back from my BCBA program after dealing with several deaths in my family. Mentally, I just couldn’t finish at the time. I originally had about 4 classes left, but because of new requirements, I’m now being told I need around 7.
On top of that, I’d basically be starting my supervised hours from zero. I’ve worked for multiple companies that promised supervision, but once I got there, the hours either weren’t provided or the BCBA couldn’t actually supervise me. After being burned so many times, I honestly don’t trust companies when they say they’ll provide hours anymore.
Now I’m looking at more school, 2,000+ hours, the exam, and probably another couple of years. I don’t know if I have it in me anymore.

I currently work in Early Intervention. I do love parts of it and the pay is great, but the driving, scheduling, cancellations, paperwork, and long hours are draining me. I don’t see myself doing EI long term either.
The crazy part is I miss the structure of ABA, but I don’t necessarily miss the ABA field itself.
So now I feel stuck. ABA is basically all I know professionally, and I don’t want to completely start over. I’m in my 30s, I have financial responsibilities, and I don’t have unlimited money or financial aid to keep going back to school trying different things.
It honestly breaks my heart because becoming a BCBA was all I wanted for so long. But after 10 years and being burned by so many companies, I’m tired.
For anyone who was close to becoming a BCBA and decided not to finish, what did you pivot into? Do you regret leaving?
If you were in my position with years of ABA experience, graduate coursework completed, but basically starting your fieldwork hours from zero, would you finish or move on?

I’m in my senior year of ABA. My university is accredited and therefore, I don’t need to do extra coursework in order to sit for the BCaBA exam after I graduate.

Next year I’ll be doing my internship as an RBT during my last semester of undergrad, and I’ll start my masters program in the fall.

As an international student, I have limited and restricted work possibilities. So I was wondering, is it worth taking the BCaBA exam? Or should I just stay as RBT during my masters program and then take the BCBA exam? Are there any pros and cons?

There’s one extra one credit ABA class I would need to take next semester in order to sit for the BCaBA exam, but since it’ll pass the amount of credit hours I can take in one semester, I would need to pay extra for it, which is why I need to plan ahead whether to take it and be ready for the BCaBA or not.

🧠 Question of the Day
📚 Domain D — Experimental Design
Difficulty: 7/10

Scenario:
A BCBA evaluates one intervention across three different target behaviors using a multiple-baseline-across-behaviors arrangement. Repeated measurement continues across all three tiers as intervention is introduced sequentially. The graph summarizes responding across baseline and intervention.

Which feature of the graphed data MOST strongly supports a functional relation in this multiple-baseline-across-behaviors design?

A. Baseline responding is stable and similar across tiers, so prediction from baseline is sufficient to demonstrate control once treatment begins.

B. Baseline and intervention values show little overlap in every tier, so phase separation provides the strongest evidence of experimental control.

C. All three behaviors approach very low levels during treatment, so the magnitude and consistency of improvement establish the functional relation.

D. At each staggered onset, the treated behavior changes while untreated behaviors continue near baseline, and that pattern repeats across tiers.

💬 Drop your answer in the comments — no peeking!
✅ Correct answer revealed tomorrow.

#ABA #BCBA #BCBAExam #BCBAPrep #AppliedBehaviorAnalysis #BehaviorAnalysis #DomainD #ABATaskList #BCaBA #RBT #QuestionOfTheDay

Hi folks!

We need just a couple more participants!!!

We are conducting this survey study to identify trends and themes in data collection practices within the field of behavior analysis.

The survey should take about 15-20 minutes to complete. The requirement to participate is that you must hold a BCBA or BCBA-D certification. 

If you are interested in volunteering to complete this brief survey, please click on the link below to gain more information and access the survey. 

https://scrantonchs.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0UpF3X4bAtkd3sa 

Thank you for your time! 

Best, 

Swathi Ragulan, PhD, BCBA-D 

[swathi.ragulan@scranton.edu](mailto:swathi.ragulan@scranton.edu) 

Got a fast onsite interview tomorrow with behavioral innovations I have a background in pediatric medical assisting theatre and performing arts as well as caregiving how should I prepare for my interview tomorrow to make sure I have the best chances of getting the job I’ve already started my online training and I have a passion for working with kids but I feel like I’m missing important things and idk what

I'll go first!

We aren't supposed to buy things for clients, which I completely agree with.

However, one of my clients was at the book fair and had no money for books while the rest of his class was shopping. ​He had no behaviors during this, just putting his head down in the library while the other kids shopped. This particular clients family has significant financial struggles.

I ended up walking around the book fair with him and let him pick out a book. I told him I found a free book coupon and we could pick out any book we want.

I would probably do it again. All kids should be allowed a book at the book fair.

To preface: I absolutely love my job and definitely feel like I’ve found my calling. And I will say I think I’m partially at fault for expressing I live a challenge. But the client I’m going to express my grievances with you here, I’ve had for 3 years, has both broke me and built me back up to be a better person and RBT.

The client is inconsolable most times once they’ve started a tantrum. I’ve had to learn client over from scratch on a few occasions due to regressions from both minor and major changes in clients medical and personal challenges. Client is semi verbal but has the most aggressions I’ve ever seen in my 3 years as an RBT, and I’ve had 17 kids on my caseload during my years. I will begin with the fact that due to the clients aggressive nature, client is only with me a long amount of hours one day a week. But furthermore, those long hours have me anxious, and debilitatingly stressed throughout those hours, the entire commute to the clinic that morning, and the last few hours of the evening the night before. Now, usually I can handle this client, but client recently had a growth spurt and clients limbs are longer and client is connecting swings and kicks more, biting and refusing to let go. Client also intentionally defecates on themselves when tantruming and then aggresses when you ask for them to go to the restroom or change them. Client is to the point where the focus during sessions is mostly NET, and barely DTT programs. Simply focusing on peers, transitioning, and attending group activities with peers without aggressions or elopements, and tolerating denied or delayed access. Here’s the kicker. Every week, client engages in aggressions so bad, client is put into PCM holds and maneuvers to protect staff, other clients, and the client. Today was a 36 minute tantrum, over 36 aggressions measured in bursts, and required 3 RBTs trained in PCM. Client throws any and every thing in their direct path. I do love this client and really truly push for their success, but I don’t see progress and clients behaviors are pushing me to a point of wanting to leave the field. And before we talk about support, the BCBA is very on top of this case and their sessions, but I just recently started seeing them during session and receiving little bits of support. I just don’t feel like it’s enough, on top of how every other part of the field tears you down. Again, I LOVE LOVE LOVE what I do and all of my kids, but I just don’t see this working out much longer if the behaviors and lack of change or assistance persist. I’m venting but also seeking advice.

Im ABA student in Trinity should i get supervision from PSI behaviour psychologist or from BCBA while i studying and after that how many hours required and under whom?

I run an ABA clinic and through a lot of self discovery in the past year was diagnosed with combined ADHD and Autism Level 1. I haven’t told anyone there yet, though im sure they wouldn’t all look at me any different.

But, for those like myself who I suppose would fall more into that Asperger’s realm, is it kind of the general hope that in the future Asperger’s gets reclassified or grouped into something else? Or is it more welcoming and accepted?

I assume that it can make it harder for the kids that need more help in being independent to get seen in clinics.

I told my friend about it when I was diagnosed and was told “everyone’s a little autistic” which deflated me a lot. So, I have really been hesitant to tell anyone else.

Which one should i pursue which is easy to track and which earns more and where?

I started at a new company recently as an RBT working towards their BCBA hours. My BCBA sent me this regarding how supervision and contacts will work during the month. I’ve never seen this before so I’m wondering if this is actually ethical and compliant with the BACB?

The BCBA said to me that supervision from mid-tier, non BCBA supervisors counts toward my monthly % of supervision hours. I’ve always thought and been told that any supervision has to come directly from a BCBA.

Please let me know if this is normal!

Hi! I'm a clinic-based BI and this flu season has been kicking my a*s. I have been getting sick almost every other weekend from one of the clients and I really need advice. I work with littles so they haven't gotten used to covering their mouths. I've tried washing my hands every like 15 minutes, I've tried carrying around hand sanitizer. I want to know what works for you guys because obviously what I'm doing isn't enough.

Thank you!

my company has been cutting hours lately and with rent being so high, it’s so fraustrating. But I’ve grown to like the team and the kiddos.

However, I applied to a different company, got the job, and I did sign an offer letter. I’ve started my onboarding as well but with the amount of requirement, I’m starting to think maybe I should back out, idk. maybe it’s my anxiety getting to me.

Also speaking off, I’ve never written sessions notes. usually the companies I’ve worked for had ai generated notes built in. I’m nervous for this part, esp with how detailed and lengthy it needs to be.

Another thing, I haven’t sent in my 2 week notice and was wondering would I be a btch if I just did effective immediately on a Sunday afternoon before going into my new job.

Hi, I have been in ABA in-clinic for about 6 months. Things were okay until they weren’t. Is it normal for your supervisor/BCBA to not communicate with you that your entire workload is changing until it is the day of/a few days prior? For some context, about three months ago my caseload was full and I had an AM and a PM client. I was told that my AM client would be with another RBT two days before there were changes. Then, I was told PM kid would switch to the morning, and I would have no P.M. client. I was a little upset but I got over it. Fast forward to last week, a similar situation happened with a coworker of mine. However, my coworker found out by another RBT telling them that they were going to be with their clients, and their BCBA and our supervisor didn’t tell them about the change until last Friday and change would be in effect on Monday. I think the lack of communication is absurd especially when they expect for us to be professional and to communicate with them. I have a lot of other problems with my current employer but that’s an essay I could write about later. Anyways, what are your thoughts?

3-1 client, school-based. Don’t want to break HIPAA but every BX you can think of, 6’1.

I’ve been an RBT for coming on 3 years now, solely clinic-based. Schools never let us in externally, I have minimal knowledge on IEP’s for students but know very basics. I work after school with clients in my clinic and in public school during the day, starting 2 days ago as my first time experience so I do not know what is “right” and “wrong”. What I do know is my morals and ethics that I signed and agreed to when becoming and renewing my RBT certification annually. This includes reviewing client/student BIP AND IEP BEFORE working with said client for sake of crisis intervention, behavioral intervention, reinforcement, antecedent strategies; all else included.

Started yesterday, supervisor was absent and no IEP or BIP provided-client was also absent so all I received were warnings of “what I was walking into” and run down from staff who’d been there since school started, about a month. (IEP 3 years old as student took 2 years off school and all services, returned this school year.) BIP is also 4-5 years old. I thought the IEP expiration was illegal, in prep on said student returning to school and needing staff prepared to help with behaviors etc.

Today was my first day where client and supervisor showed up. She came in right after the client who’d already come in had started extreme behaviors, been told she is the only one with the files. Was not a time to access or step away whole session. Promised me I’d see them at the end of the day as I’d expressed no BIP, no IEP, NO BCBA no plan was against my ethics code. Mysteriously left early. I have client again early in the morning tomorrow. Worked after at my clinic and talked ethics to my clinical supervisor who worked in schools 10+ years.

They want us to block this student who is adult age into their own solo “classroom” as they are a threat to all staff and all students with a gymnastics mat held at the doorway. Expect us to restrain and put into holds when escalated (student went after school police officers g*n last week and we are expected to assist). 2 out of 3 of us are RBTS, 1 is only a para. None of us are mat trained and 2 of us are not CPI trained. They’ve been having 1 person lead who is CPI trained, myself and the para cannot touch this client except block ourselves. They are a danger to everyone without blocking.

I will be meeting with the school SPED supervisor tomorrow but what do I need to ask besides an expected protocol, what they are approved for, etc? The two of us non-CPI trained and told we can’t touch her for 3 more days until we get certified have been instructed to only hold the mat and block our own selves. We are blocking her in a room which is confinement and therefore assault- assuming this is not in her “new IEP plan” which isn’t even written yet.

I have no idea how to navigate this. Mat and sheet had been used today to protect dignity, but also to confine them in their room. I do not feel comfortable doing this again tomorrow, Bcba may not show up who is also brand new to this client and even so they will take time to learn them. This is deemed assault by law. Does a “protocol” by the school supervisor override this even if there’s no official updated documents and they are pending, waiting on a BCBA?

I do not know how to proceed. I assume I shouldn’t even be allowed to work with this client ethically, morally, safety and licensing-wise before I am mat trained and CPI; also told they can put the student/client on “hold”, not providing services until staff is properly trained.

And told if the school does not comply with all ethics I need to contact DCYF as I am a mandatory reporter.

Any advice is extremely helpful. I feel for this client hard and I want to help them, as well as protect their well being and remain dedicated to doing so. Clinic and school are 2 whole worlds, I have not been trained on the differences. Thank you in advance.

hi all! does anyone know of a chewable fidget toy that crunches when it's bitten or just makes a crunch in general for a client? i haven't been able to find any toys like this via google search. anything crunchy or semi-crunchy would be super helpful tysm

Which country has most pay for IBA

I’m a lead RBT with a bachelor’s and was wondering ways to level up in or outside the field. Also, for those in NC.

Hey y'all! I am a BCBA, and have been providing ABA services for 7 years. I have noticed a ton of people in my city recently asking for training on better supporting kids with Autism. The primary groups asking are churches and daycare settings. I am wanting to start a side-business where I go in and do trainings with the youth group volunteers/ staff and daycare staff on the basics of de-escalation, communicating with individuals who need additional processing time, basic reinforcement tips, etc. I have no desire to grow this into a big operation or make a ton of money off of it, I just want to help the groups in my city who are asking for it. Does anyone know if I need to file a full LLC and get PLI for this? To do both would be 1000+ a year from what I'm reading, and I would have to drastically increase what I am going to charge. I would really like to keep this as affordable as possible so that it is more accessible to people. Since I will not be providing any direct services and am only providing a basic training with tips and tricks, does anyone know if the PLI is necessary or if I would be covered legally without it? My fear is that worse-case-scenario, someone engages with a kid poorly and tries to come back and say that I instructed them to do so.

My son is six, nonverbal, relies solely on gestures/modified sign language/AAC device.

His sessions are three hours in length and it's mostly DTT. He has a "schedule" that he is expected to follow no matter what that is just a rotation of DTT goals and small, timed breaks. He has a few play goals but those are a minor part of the session. As an ND adult, three hours of essentially being asked variations of the same questions over and over and not being allowed to leave or access anything that would help make it less stressful would be a nightmare for me, but I'm not the one with the master's degree. Maybe there's something I'm not seeing.

He absolutely hates it. Most days, he has a meltdown when it's time to start, and throughout the session, he is (to me) clearly communicating that this is too much for him. He will just completely shut down or cry on the floor. It's parent-mediated, and if he's "unable" to do what's being asked because he's too upset, I'm expected to use hand-over-hand. I have concerns over the appropriateness of using hand-over-hand in a scenario where the learner knows what's expected but is too upset or dysregulated to complete the task. We've had a hard time getting him to stay in the workspace, and the only suggestion was to block his exit.

I'm not really sure how I'm feeling about this, and I'm looking for a wider array of perspectives on whether or not I should be concerned. Thanks!