r/ABA • u/sbgs12345 • 1d ago
Older Male BCBA
I’m a male BCBA in my early 30s. I work with EI and school age kids and right now I can be pretty silly and playful with the kids but I can’t help but think at some point I will be too old to do the same kind of things. I just don’t really see any male BCBA’s in their 50s and 60s getting on the floor and being silly with clients. Does anyone here fit that description? What does your work look like? I would think it just looks strange to see an older man playing with kids.
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u/Big-Mind-6346 1d ago
I will be turning 50 next February, and I am a complete fool when it comes to interacting with clients. I act like a complete idiot when I am playing, and I have no shame in that.
As a BCBA, I want all of my clients to know who I am. I don’t want to be the BCBA who only breezed through once a month. I want to have a relationship with them. First of all, this is just best practice. But second of all, this allows me to step in and model programming for my staff. People who don’t take the time to sustain a relationship with their clients have a hard time stepping in because they are not paired with reinforcement.
Keep doing what you do! I think it’s pretty amazing.
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u/Powersmith BCBA 1d ago
Im a BCBA 51… I’m more playful w my kids than 90% of my RBTs, who are overwhelmingly younger than me and mostly young enough I could be their mother! It does require staying fit, which I’ve been consistent / dedicated to for many decades… but more so I think it’s about your attitude and values. I value rapport, I value HRE learning state, I value being a good model.
I literally laughed out when “early 30s” was what you were considering old. 😅
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u/MajorTom89 BCBA 1d ago
You don’t have to work exclusively with children if it gets tiresome. I’m a 36 year old man and I work with adults only.
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u/Few_Decision4172 1d ago
I'm in my 50s. You still get in the floor to play; it just gets harder to get off the floor.
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u/No_Alternative_5080 1d ago
😂😂😂 Definitely this! I'll be 49 in 2 months and my knees just started to snap, crackle and pop when I get off the floor.
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u/BeardedBehaviorist 1d ago
I'm 40 and male. Don't worry about it. Just be sure to engage in safe behaviors like making sure others are present and being careful to get clear assent (which we apl should be doing anyway), and you should be good. Being silly and fun, well, fun. Don't worry about the stick-in-the-mud people.
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u/Splicers87 1d ago
I’m a 37 year old trans guy who is a BCBA. I work with a guy in a similar program who could retire but he likes to work. Older males are rare but do exist.
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u/stircrazyathome 1d ago
My 4yo son’s absolute favorite paraprofessional at his school is a man pushing retirement age. While BCBAs and paraprofessionals have very different roles, they're close enough when it comes to how the kids see you.
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u/CalliopeofCastanet 1d ago
I have an older BCBA, mid 40s, and he is the most playful out of anyone in the company. Almost to a fault haha
Just today he laid an 8yo client down and he was kneeling with his knees either side of the kid if that makes sense. “Pinning” him basically. He was tickling him and the kid kept laughing and wiggling around. He’s always climbing around on equipment at parks.
I know all of the techs always laugh at his antics, and people out in the community do too. He’s just fun and charismatic so people don’t even think about his gender or age. Just in days I’ve been with him I’ve heard a lot of people say nice things about him or grin at him. And I’m in a rural midwestern town which can be pretty rigid about gender roles
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u/PrimaryMasterpiece31 1d ago
Great thinking process, i had these thoughts from the beginning! I did start from working with children as typically everyone does. When I was an RBT and before my masters program and I worked as a direct support professional for adults just to gain some experience. Now as a BCBA my full time job is working with adults and it’s SOO much better for my mental health and I can still do insurance based as per diem with kids.
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u/Legitimate_Win_8549 1d ago
Being a male in this field can definitely be hard at times . I’m 27 and goofy and silly with the kids and some people just view it as weird . Even though a female coworker would be similarly silly and no one would bat an eye . Especially prevalent in a in clinic early intervention .
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u/Scary-Profit712 1d ago
Yep, I’m in my late 30s. It is the best way to connect and have assent. They will always be kids.
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u/bazooka79 1d ago
I'm a mid 40s bcba working for a school district. I used to be really high energy and silly when I did in home, and it worked well but now I don't work directly with kids as much and in school you can't generally do the wild fun stuff like piggyback rides or water balloons so when I do work directly with kids now it's more of a mister Rogers vibe as opposed to Blippy. Sitting in a chair looking at a computer for extended periods is the most physically taxing part of my job. I can get down and up off the floor easily but doing it all day was tough ten years ago, I imagine it would be harder now to do it all day.
Most of my coworkers are my age or older. I stay in shape, dress sharp and stay well groomed and try to stay on top of my ear and nostril hair lol. Actively trying not to look like a weird old guy. I think my age and grey hairs makes me look like I know what I'm doing. My goal is to stay fit and active, so barring any serious illness or injuries I'll be able to sustain until I'm ready to be done
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u/CalliopeofCastanet 1d ago
I have an older BCBA, mid 40s, and he is the most playful out of anyone in the company. Almost to a fault haha
Just today he laid an 8yo client down and he was kneeling with his knees either side of the kid if that makes sense. “Pinning” him basically. He was tickling him and the kid kept laughing and wiggling around. He’s always climbing around on equipment at parks.
I know all of the techs always laugh at his antics, and people out in the community do too. He’s just fun and charismatic so people don’t even think about his gender or age. Just in days I’ve been with him I’ve heard a lot of people say nice things about him or grin at him. And I’m in a rural midwestern town which can be pretty rigid about gender roles
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u/One_Kaleidoscope_202 1d ago
Autism mom here. There’s a male at my daughters clinic about 60 years old lol Ive never seen him how he plays but just wanted you to know there are older males in the field
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u/Minimum_Training9829 22h ago
You don’t always have to work with kids for example my job we work with developmentally disabled adults and have bcba’s to help them
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u/VisualInspector5060 21h ago
I am interested in working with adults. Curious if it’s a private or public agency doing ABA with adults?
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u/Minimum_Training9829 16h ago edited 15h ago
It’s a public agency they are in several different states it’s called devereux behavior heath. You can check if it’s in yours. They’re a great company!
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u/Charlie_1300 BCBA 22h ago
I'm 47 and am in management and training/teaching. I still take on a few cases because I want to see clients. My clients are upper elementary to high school age. I had to make the switch due to injuries. Prolonging my career was a genuine concern for me until I found a niche that allows me to continue indefinitely in the field.
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u/Temporary_Sugar7298 1d ago
As a 38 year old woman, i also think about how I’m going to manage chasing tiny elopers, or aggressive kids. But the playing, that i hope i never have to lose
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u/ExistingDeal1662 1d ago
My supsrvisor is in his 50's and he's as silly and playful as it gets. They're out there, just not common. And yes, he does get the judgemental looks, especially in South Florida.
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u/cultureShocked5 1d ago
I’m a 40 year old female BCBA who works directly 1:1 with clients. I work out a lot and I’m in good shape so I have no problem running with my clients and getting up and down from the floor. I have a coworker doing the same in her 50s (she’s in amazing shape)
As for the male part- do you know male kindergarten/preschool teachers? I know some amazing ones, it’s the same deal.
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u/EACshootemUP BCBA 1d ago
Bcba Male 29years old and been a bcba for 2 years so far. We exist but we’re a rare species LOL.
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u/Brimzal RBT 1d ago
Find a hobby seriously. The more “childish” someone may think of it the better that’s how you keep the inner child in you. I love pokemon and RC stuff and you can connect with your kiddos with hobbies like that. And if you can’t who cares cause it really brings out the kid in you
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u/dangtypo 1d ago
Oh man I feel old reading someone refer to themselves as “older” only to see them being in their early 30s lol.
Anyways, male BCBA here who is in their early 40s. I definitely still get silly and have fun. It’s one of the reasons I like the job. Plus was Skinner some old guy just playing with pigeons? Not making any real comparison other than we can apply the science at any age.
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u/SnooGadgets5626 1d ago
About to be 38 (second oldest RBT at clinic and in training to become BCBA)-I get on that floor ALL the time moreso than other RBTs. I will say though-staying in shape helps.
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u/Jealous_Cold_1355 1d ago
34 (😭) m grad student. Just wanted to chime in and thank everyone for commenting. Gives me some hope haha.
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u/Positive_Buffalo_737 1d ago
my favorite supervisor when I was going for my bcba years ago was a male bcba in his 50s and the way the guy was up and down and running around with the 5 year olds was impressive. kids we serve aren’t going to get any more stoic the old we get, so we gotta keep the silliness going.
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u/cmil888 RBT 1d ago edited 1d ago
I think we are going to see a change over the next few years. There just haven’t been that many men on the front lines in ABA long enough for older male RBTs and BCBAs to be common in the direct delivery of ABA services. But a lot of us in the 35–45 range are sticking around. You’re not alone in your silliness and immaturity. The clients love it, deep down you know you love it 😉If the delivery style you enjoy is also effective for your clients, don’t change!
Solidarity! 👊
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u/Shiftbehavior2744 1d ago
You don't see many older males in this field the same way you don't see woman dominating corporate America. We are in a woman driven field. I work in a company of 10 BCBA' and I'm 1 of 2 the other being the owner. I am 59, my clients range from 3-22. It's fun to get down and play with the kids and model what skills I would like to see them learn. Truthfully some of the younger BTs don't have that floor creative play to interact with the realt young kids at times I think I'm modeling these skills for both of them 😁. Besides being older I think it helps defuse the awkwardness some kids have when you first start working with them. They seem to gravitate to me easier than they do to a mid age person.
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u/indiefolkfan RBT 1d ago
Not a BCBA but I used to work with an RBT in his 70s who would do plenty of play.
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u/PemaPawo 1d ago
Wait, older male, and you said 30 yikes! I just turned 40, and I became a BCBA in my late 30s. I work mostly in consulting with adults. I don't run around and chase kids anymore. I mostly train staff (DSPs and case managers and guardians ) and supervise RBTs. You don't have to run around as a BCBA. Seek out trainer and consulting roles. I exercise, and I am in good shape, but I refuse to sit in those kiddie chairs while I teach RBTs, lol.
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u/Snake_pavilion 1d ago
I’m a BCBA male, 39. I work with kids from 6 to 13, before that I was working on early intervention and damn that kids furniture broke my back…
I’m still doing a lot if direct. I felt a drop in stamina lately, but at the same time - I started to do lifting, stopped drinking a couple of years ago, I don’t smoke and don’t do drugs much. But in general I felt a substantial need to constantly support my physique. I’m quite positive that I’ll still be very active in 40s and 50s.
Also I think that there are numerous personal styles of building rapport, your personal vibe is constantly evolving, so you will be a different person even 2 years from now.
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u/sbgs12345 1d ago
Thank you everyone for your responses. I suppose the most important thing is to put our clients preferred interactions first. This can be done at any age of the practitioner. Although staying in relatively good physical health will help with that as we get older lol.
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u/Expendable_Red_Shirt BCBA 1d ago
Male BCBA in my 40s. I don't do EI but EI wasn't right for me in my 20's. I'm just as playful with the kids now as I ever was though and am definitely silly, I just prefer not to do it on the floor.
I would think it just looks strange to see an older man playing with kids.
This is ABA. Everything we do looks strange.
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u/Suspicious-Green4928 1d ago
I know a male BCBA late 50s and he is great. He has his own clinic now but he keeps working as a BCBA :) so don’t give up. I myself I’m an RBT in her 40s with lots of energy and I love what I do.
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u/EatYourCheckers 1d ago
I've worked with adults in group homes and day programs almost my entire career. A lot of the male clients respond better to male staff, so a male BCBA would be an asset.
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u/Important_Chemist_67 23h ago
I don’t see many bcbas over the age of 40 as it is tbh, male or female
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u/Most_Stay8822 22h ago
As a male BCBA in mid 30s I’d say it mostly exists in my head. I sometimes feel funny about grown male on floor playing with dolls with littles but usually parents say they don’t think about it. But perhaps it’s bc I prime them of my covert feelings? They then normalize it and then I’m cognizant of “televizability” as Hanley says
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u/Kind-Pear9463 22h ago
I am 37 and know many older rbts who are more physically fit than I am lol but I personally don’t want to do the same at 50 myself. Honestly in a few years I am going fully remote; there is a growing need for Telehealth BCBAs for rural areas in need, insurance, and accreditation.
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u/Sad_Raisin3819 22h ago
I feel that way as a 36 year old woman. Especially when I get hit or sick - I notice it's taking me longer and longer to recover. Unless I can find a way to have less physical contact I know I will need to find another career soon. Ex: I got kicked really hard in the chest the other day and I wondered how much longer my body will be able to take the beating. I get sick and I'm not bouncing back after a few days like I used too. I see myself slowing down. This is definitely a thing to be mindful of!
But at least you're a man and are usually valued as you age 😊
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u/janusville 21h ago
I’m make 55. I can get plenty silly, just can’t run around as much. I go into modeling calm mode very well, redirecting to fun when applicable. I’m beat at the end of the day, though.
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u/Connect_Advance_6942 20h ago
A mentor of mine is a older gentleman he’s pursuing his BCBA-D and built a school! I think you’re overthinking this, he switched over to adults as well so maybe that plays a factor!
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u/magtaylo327 17h ago
What in the world are you worrying about? I’m 55 and still get on the floor with kids. My husband is 52 and does the same.
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u/Inevitable-Ad774 17h ago
36m BCBA. I’ll be honest. When I was younger (started as BT at Age 23) I had the energy to be on the the floor and play all kinds of games and be energetic. As I grew older and matured a bit and my personality changed a little as well. Now I find it a lot harder to provide one on one because my body hurts and keeping that type of energy for session is draining. Mind you, I continue to provide great services, the only thing that changed is that I’m soo exhausted after. As I grow older I’ll probably just stick to mentoring, assessment, programming and report writing. I don’t leave the field because there’s a shortage of us and I feel a responsibility to our community but I’m exhausted 😩
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u/-snow_bunny- 1d ago
Being an older male you may be sought after more by niche clientele. Everyone has preferences.
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u/Armakus 1d ago
Don't fit that description, but I'm a male BT in his early 30's in his master's program for ABA, and the reason you haven't seen any is because barely any exist. You are not wrong, there will likely be people who make odd comments or even comments about how men shouldn't be playing like that, but that's exactly why we need more people like that in the field. The kids need male role models, too, and fun and play is not a gender exclusive trait!