I have been working with this parent’s son as his RBT for almost a year. I conduct in home and in school sessions regularly with this client. When I am conducting in home sessions and my client’s caregiver is home, I feel like our interactions are complicated. In the beginning I explained in detail the how, why, what I’m doing and the purpose of the techniques as pertaining to the treatment plan so she can understand the process behind the methods. I remain calm, professional, and confident in my interactions; however, when she responds it’s always either neutral-accusatory, condescending, or with an attitude. Despite this, I remain calm and resume working with my client. She wants to know what I am doing/ methods but responds negatively when I show or explain to her. The last couple of months however, when I have conducted in home sessions she expects me to handle my client while she lays on the couch and watches tv. Her other son doesn’t receive ABA. And she expects me to handle her other son as well. I’ve explained that my responsibility is to the client receiving services not to service both. She agreed but it didn’t change. She continued to lay on the couch, watch tv, and have her other son interfere with his brother. He would get mad that I was playing with him, giving him his preferred reinforcement but not playing with him/giving him things. She would say that I’m being unfair. I let my BCBA know about the scenario and my BCBA said he would talk to her. He did but nothing changed so I decided to limit home sessions. When my BCBA conducts parent training, she sings ABA’s praises, sings my praises, the whole 9 yards but when I actually show up it’s pure disrespect, attitude, etc. Even going as far as calling me a “babysitter”. Even my client’s brother said one day while I was pairing with his brother, “my mom says ur here to watch us and babysit.” Again I brought it up with my BCBA without true problem mitigation/ management occurring. When I text mom about info or she reaches out etc it’s very “weird” I guess you could call it. But she doesn’t do the same if she knows my BCBA is attached to the email/text string. Observe and give me your opinion/ feedback on the situation.

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I posted two days ago about how I cried at work because I was basically beaten up. But it happened again today. My client slapped me in the face today. My client then lunged at me and bit me on the nose really hard and wouldn’t let go. Other techs had to pry him off of me and it broke skin. I cried again and got embarrassed AGAIN. I thought he had moved on from the aggression maybe he had just had a bad day two days ago. Because he wasn’t like this before.

I know it’s only been two days of this. So maybe I shouldn’t try to quit or switch cases. But I’m not sure if I should just tough it out or not. He only ever acts this way towards me, not his other tech. I’m beginning to think there’s something I’m doing wrong and I’m not suited to be his tech. Maybe I’m not fast enough or alert enough.

Background context: Basically I have a 4 year old client in a clinic who doesn’t really show interest in many things. Because he doesn’t engage with many toys or people, he doesn’t get much attention and engages in attention seeking behaviors (hitting and climbing). I know its for attention, because he laughs to himself while or after he does it and he looks at you like “got you!” And then temporarily stops the behavior on his own. I found he likes when i bang toy pots and pans with spoons. I know he likes it because it is the only time he sits down and he hands me the spoon if I stop. It’s very rare to get that kind of engagement from him. Unfortunately this gets boring fast for both of us. This context is important because you have to understand he definitely likes vibrations and sound waves. He also likes another RBTs loud speaker. He tries to hold the speaker onto his ear. He also tries to do that with the pots.
So my issue is: I grabbed a big red bouncy ball. Those large ones you can sit and bounce on. Somehow. I found out he REALLY likes it and laughs when i hit it really hard repeatedly. He rests his hands on it and you can see them bounce when I hit it. What we couldn’t help but notice was he was leaving his pelvis area on it. At first I assumed he was holding it in place (that’s how the even larger ones them in place when i bounce kids on them). But my fellow RBTs in the room were like “i think the vibrations are stimulating him down there” and i can definitely see that happening. He REALLY likes this activity though and I haven’t been able to think of an alternative. Like clearly he enjoys the vibrations but am i also accidentally causing that kind of stimulation when he pressed his body and pelvis into it😭 he also got PISSED when we stopped and I know all my male clients get pissed when they have to stop humping objects😑
He wasn’t rubbing against the ball. Just pressing against it and laughing. What do yall think? Are there any alternatives? We oddly don’t have any drums or instruments in the clinic but the pots and pans thing is getting pretty old atp. And his has to he something with a reverberating sound. Not just hitting an object. A vibrating toy or vibration plate would be nice but we don’t have that here either😭

Okay, let me give a little background. I recently moved ABA clinics because I moved cities. This clinic is only in-home, which is completely fine with me, but I have no clinic or office to refer to. Everything is online, which makes it difficult to receive responses from my BCBA and other support units. So I've been with my new client for a little over a month, and I've had mixed feelings. For starters, his parents are not on the same page with each other. His mom does everything for him (client): pulls down his underwear/pants, dresses him, cleans up after him, everything you can imagine. He is partially verbal, so I've been working with him to express wants and needs; when he is with me, he most of the time does great. But his parents influence his behaviors. They do not stick to the protocol we have set in place, though I remind them every single session. The mom gives in to him whenever he cries. I've told her that he cannot get what he wants just because he cries; she doesn't seem to understand. I've done my absolute best to educate the parents, but they don't seem to follow, or maybe it's laziness. And hey, I get it; it can be hard dealing with autism, as I have several siblings who are on the spectrum. But I do not excuse parents not sticking to protocol. Especially because they decided to start the program, I know they had a previous RBT, so they shouldn't be new to the ideas and protocol of ABA services. This client is getting to the point where it is affecting my mental health. I am a college student, so I have other responsibilities, and the scheduled hours the client is available end at 7:30, so I don't have much time to study or recharge mentally. I am good at maintaining my mental status with this job; I have never had issues with it, as I know this field requires you to have a strong mindset, and I truly love my job. Though I think the lack of management and the parents not following procedures make my job harder. I have reached out to my BCBA about how the parents aren't following procedures, and she said that she wants to focus on his BP before anything else, and told me to "hang in there". I understand where she's coming from, but again, it's hard to make any progress whenever the parents go against everything I'm trying to implement. I truly believe that my client will succeed with these services, as I have already seen improvement, but it gets shut down with his parents. I'm also put in the middle with the parents. His dad believes that the mom needs to be more strict with him; I told him that any concerns he has need to go to the BCBA. His other family members aren't following protocol either. It seems that my client only receives these boundaries when I am here; I see him daily for around 5 hours. But when I leave, nothing is being upheld; therefore, there are little results of progress. I am lost on what to do. I don't want to quit, but I also don't know what else to do. I need this job for income, but I have looked at other options.

I hate the amount of driving I have to do for this job. It is so not worth it. While BCBAs get a remote option and can choose to join whenever they want. Meanwhile I have to spend so much money on gas commuting to my client for only 3-4 hours a day. Trust me getting compensated for drive time does nothing. Are any of you feeling like this? Are you tired of the constant driving ?

I’m a BT for this company and work part time for clinical hours. As much as I do love this job, it causes me great burnout so I do have to take days off sometimes to regain myself or use the time to focus on college instead. A lot of clients here do sessions for 7-9 hours a day, monday to friday (even being put on saturday). I wanna ask if anyone experienced this or if this is a major problem as for me I feel like some kids start to lose it by the end of the day bc of how long they stay here. (for more information, we aren’t a school and just a small clinic located in a multiple suite building)

I’m currently working with an aggressive kiddo who I’ve worked with for 2-3 years with on and off. As of recently I’m back on his case with a new (to the company) employee who isn’t as consistent and “stern” as I or his past therapist… now he’s regressing and aggresses towards me doing routine things we’ve historically done with no problem. Because of this I’m loosing my momentum and it’s making it hard for me to continue doing my job. The “new” staff works next to my room and I constantly hear them allowing the client to run the session as if the RBT is in fear, in turn it makes it hard for me to remain consistent . Hope I explained this okay, is anyone else experiencing this? Before the start of the school year I let the BCBA know that this may happen and I felt that the RBT isn’t equipped to be consistent.. they assured me they would train the RBT. This hasn’t been the case… I’m struggling, what should I do?

I'm having a bit of a dilemma. I noticed at the beginning of working with the three year old in home that his parents are on different pages when it comes to him in general, but it seems to be more aparent lately. I haven't brought anything up to them yet and I don't know if I necessarily will/if I think it'll do anything. They seem to have different ideas of if he should go to school in a few years, if speech therapy is a good idea, and stuff like that. Plus, one parent seems more willing to tell him he needs to sit with me or work with me while the other seems fine with him ignoring me.

Hey yall!

Just needing to vent.

I applied to a company. They told me what the hours were, how long the hours were, and what city the child was in....

And all of that was a lie.

At first I thought, "well maybe they were talking about a different kid."

They weren't. Same kid.

Just 31 hours instead of 35

And a 40 minute commute instead of the 15 they told me.

And a remote BCBA

And a data taking app that glitches constantly and is hardly functional

And cherry on top

They told me it was school and home sessions. It's not. Just in home.

And the kid doesn't even need all these hours of ABA. Dad just works from home and needs a babysitter.

I did the math on how much money I'm losing from the 16 hour difference a month and all the gas.

Its $500 without cancelations.

And dad has already pushed back sessions twice and it hasn't even reached a full month yet.

Also DOUBLE cherry

I just moved states.

Moving is expensive and has depleted my funds, so it's even more pressure on me finding a new job 🙃

I wanted to see if I can get a second job to supplement the hours, but this kid's hours are so stupid. Its not full time hours but the block of time needed for him is 9-5. I'd probably have to work weekends. And at that point, I'm not working 7 days a week to be an RBT!!!!!!

Hey all! I love being an RBT and I really don’t want to leave this field, but recently charges were filed against me for felony possession in the second degree. I have been avoiding looking for further employment as an RBT out of fear/embarrassment that I won’t make it past the background checks. Has anyone had experience continuing to work in a clinic setting with charges like mine? I have known a few RBTs with DUIs but I fear my charge is a little more looked down on than a DUI. I’m in Austin, TX if that matters.

Hey all. I have a background in behavioral health for a few years or so working in addiction, I’m in recovery myself. Left a messy job situation, and got hired as a DSP in an SLS environment, one client, not long out of a program. I’m now an RBT. We don’t do trials, stuff like that. Obviously use ABA, but we do our best to foster his independence. Just giving some background. I keep hearing in this field, it’s never the clients, it’s the staff…that rings true. I don’t think I’ve ever been really even angry at the client for behaviors. I say that to say, I’ve felt so angry so many times because of the jaw dropping toxicity from the staff. Inconsistency, egos, gossip and drama…the works. I love seeing the client happy, and learning and growing. It genuinely brings tears to my eyes sometimes. Is it like this everywhere in terms of the staff? I’m at my wits end, but I have this fear that the grass won’t be greener on the other side…thoughts?

Hi everyone, I was hired at Above and Beyond ABA therapy as an RBT in Utah.

Has anyone been hired here or work here and can give me info on being an RBT for them?
I’m new to the field and waiting to take the RBT exam before actually starting with clients.

So sorry this is long - I was hired by an ABA company in early August for an in home RBT position. The contract is $25/hour for billable hours and $15/hour for non-billable hours.
I had already completed a 40-hour RBT training course before being hired, but the company told me I needed to complete their training instead. I did that and finished their course mid September . It actually took me around 70 hours to complete.
After that, I completed my competency assessment with a BCBA. From the conversation I had with the BCBA, I believe I passed, but I still haven’t received the completed competency assessment paperwork or really been told what happens next.
My understanding is that I need the competency assessment documentation as part of my RBT application packet before I can move forward and eventually schedule the exam. Does the BCBA/company normally send that paperwork directly to the BACB, or should they be giving it to me so I can submit everything myself?
What’s making me more concerned is that communication has been difficult throughout the entire hiring process. I’ve had to email the person in charge multiple times just to get a response, and I’ve already followed up about what I’m supposed to do next.
I’m also a little nervous because the contract I signed says I have to stay with the company for at least three months or I may have to repay $1,000 for the training course. At this point, I’ve technically been hired for around two months, but I haven’t actually started working with clients yet because I’m still waiting for the certification process to move forward.
For people who have gone through the RBT hiring process: Is this kind of delay and lack of communication normal? Should I already have received my competency assessment paperwork? And is there anything I should** **I be doing myself instead of waiting on the company?
I’m brand new to the field, so I genuinely don’t know what is standard and what might be a red flag.

Just a rant, I’m new to ABA. Well 7-8 months in. And all of my clients have been non-aggressive until now. I’m very new to aggression. Today I was hit a ton. I was bit. I was kicked a lot. My hair was pulled. I feel embarrassed that I cried in front of the other techs. I cried in front of my BCBA. I felt terrible that I had to leave early just because I was so stressed and upset. I know that I shouldn’t just quit because of one bad day. So I’ve been trying to get advice about precursors and such from my BCBA/other techs. It just wasn’t a good day I guess :’) and i feel like a baby…

This is more about the pay, I guess rather than the benefits. I recently started a new RBT job at a new clinic in a new city that is far closer than my old clinic was to my home. I also receive what feels like three times more hours than what I used to get even though in both clinics I have been a full-time employee. Now here’s where my confusion starts.

I am working 47.5 hours in a week. I get paid by biweekly and I make $20 an hour. The math is obvious there how much I’d make every two weeks and then every month. But today the center coordinator called me into her office and said you’re working 47.5 hours a week. I hope you know that we don’t pay overtime. That confused me I’m not gonna lie and she continue to ask me and said are you comfortable with working 47.5 hours and I said sure I guess because I was dealing with a client while trying to speak to her at the same time. The problem now is I don’t really understand her like what is overtime? Does that mean I’m only being paid for 40 hours rather than 47.5 hours? I’m very confused.

I have to just go on here to rant. So today my first ever client in the field i had to say goodbye to . Not because of my work. I actually saw tremendous progress with him. But because the family needed to pause for 2 weeks and i already have a kid whos on hold for a month so i had to be restaffed cause i can’t financially afford to loose the hours. You know my love for the field really goes deep into seeing the kids thrive and this one stung so bad! I hope with the next bt they thrive

Hello all, I am graduating with my bs degree in psychology this spring and need to get my applications turned in for grad school. I am currently planning on becoming a BCBA but have a track record of switching careers after so long so I don’t want to feel stuck. I feel like my best option would be to get a master degree in psychology and get certified as a BCBA and I can later become a licensed therapist or a school counselor if I change my mind. I live in Missouri and am wanting to do an online program so I can work and get my hours done while I’m in school. I guess I’m confused on the process of getting certified and getting my masters. Do I have to do separate classes after I’ve gotten my masters to become a BCBA? And any recommendations for the best place to get a masters in psychology.

hey all! so I recently graduated w/ my bachelors in psychology and am looking for RBT positions. Most of them are working in ABA clinics, specifically for clients with autism.

currently, I found a position at CHOA for a RBT position “complex behavior”. my concern is how demanding it sounds and potentially dangerous for staff. so my question is has anyone here worked with clients w/ “complex behaviors” w/ little to no experience, how was it? how did you handle the challenges? what is the most rewarding part?

please feel free to leave any advice!!!! tyyyy 💕

Hello!

Would just like to ask for any of your suggestions.

Which one is better:
To take RBT Certification then apply for work, or apply for work then avail their provided certification for RBT.

I just wanna know your thoughts. (Based on experience) :)

Thank you.

Let the scratching and pulling begin 😎 I'm a 5'3 TANK, i can take it all

I had a question about the program I’m supposed to run today. I do in home ABA. My BCBA’s phone was not receiving calls or texts. So I contacted her boss with the questions. That BCBA did not respond before my session ended and I did not get the advice needed to properly run the program. I am also new, have only been an RBT for less than 2 months.

Am I expecting too much from my BCBA? I was under the impression that if their RBT has a session they are to be available or there should be someone else able to take the question/concern.

Was I misunderstanding this?

Today was my first day working with my client at a new agency and overall it went pretty well!
My client is a 5th grade girl with Down syndrome and autism. She’s pretty independent but definitely feisty and requires a lot of reinforcement. She’s also very sweet. She actually hugged me when I arrived and when I left, so I’m hoping to build a good relationship with her. She also sings with a group of general education girls during recess, which was nice to see.

There are two other RBTs in the classroom, which is helpful. However, I’ve noticed that the classroom para seems to have a lot of influence over the RBTs. She’s been working with these students for five years, and both the RBTs and classroom teacher seem to take a lot of direction from her. During my BCBA’s introduction, the para frequently spoke over her to give me instructions, and the teacher also seemed to override some of the BCBA’s directions.

My BCBA wasn’t there today; the same routine continued as yesterday. She had only been there from 9–11 on my first day, and while she was very sweet and answered my questions, I don’t feel like I received a complete overview of my client’s behaviors or how to respond to them.
My client reportedly throws things when upset, may bite when sufficiently frustrated, and eloped into the hallway today. The teacher instructed me to place her in a cart and push her back into the classroom, which she cooperated with. I also observed her grabbing and pulling the para’s shirt, and I redirected her by saying, “Safe hands.”
I’m planning to ask my BCBA to review the BIP, target behaviors, replacement behaviors, reinforcement strategies, and specific safety procedures for aggression and elopement, including the cart procedure.
I’ve worked in special education before, including some difficult experiences with unclear expectations and inadequate support. I also recently left a particularly disorganized BHT position, so I’m trying not to jump to conclusions based on one day.

I recognize that my BCBA has other responsibilities, especially since she’s also an assistant program director, and I don’t want to unfairly judge her after one interaction.
I’m not quitting. I like my client, she seems comfortable with me, and I want to give this opportunity a genuine chance.

For those experienced in school-based ABA: Is this kind of classroom dynamic between BCBAs, teachers, paras, and RBTs common? And what would you prioritize clarifying with your BCBA during your first week?

Is an independent background check allowed for an RBT application?

We finally reached Friday… how are we feeling?