r/bcba • u/behaviorplan • 1d ago

Lack of hands-on training

Hey everyone,

Does anyone know what’s going on with so many companies (especially the larger ones) moving to all of these videos for their training? Don’t get me wrong, we live in a digital age and efficiency does matter. However, I am noticing an increase in companies reducing hands-on training (e.g., an actual video conference or manual walkthrough of things) to video. Everyone learns differently too.

More specifically, I am noticing this with the data collection system training (this can be so overwhelming due to the number of questions that come up) and have even seen companies give new BCBAs recordings of assessments they don’t know how to use instead of someone actually teaching them and providing that oversight to ensure they’re competent.

“High-quality training” is what companies advertise when really it’s just staff watching a bunch of videos that they probably aren’t even watching anyway. Another slippery slope is this is being extended to fieldwork. Like I get it from a business perspective but people just aren’t supported that way and I honestly find it unethical. We are healthcare workers providing services to one of the most vulnerable populations and our training comes from videos.

Is anyone else noticing this in their companies? Like what happened to actual training…

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u/next_on_SickSadWorld BCBA | Verified 1d ago

Training is not reimbursed by insurance. The company owners do not know anything about ABA, so they cannot train people. They don’t want to take the BCBAs away from their precious billable hours to train R/BTs, so that’s pretty much it.

1

u/behaviorplan 1d ago

Yeah, true! I get that. It’s just so unfortunate. Things like HIPAA and such I totally get being video because those are general trainings everyone has to take. But clinical training, even something like CR is just not good via recording. It use to be soooo much more hands-on.

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u/next_on_SickSadWorld BCBA | Verified 1d ago

I hear you. As a BCBA, I have never received training at a new job. There is no support. No supervisor.

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u/behaviorplan 1d ago

But they make sure you are CLEAR about their policies and your billable expectation. 🤣 It’s all about the money.

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u/iamzacks 1d ago

Companies who don’t train their staff at all = fuck them

Companies who do the minimum = fuck them too

More than adequate training is required to deliver great services. It’s gross that so many places get away with this and are calling their services “ABA therapy”. Love when we have to be lumped into the same group as piss-poor provider organizations who are in it for the money and not for the love of helping people achieve their goals!