I couldn’t have done it without this subreddit. I did take the training and studied as much material as my company had given me. However, I do want to acknowledge that many posts on here guided me to several other resources that played a big role in passing the exam.

Oops I meant BCBA 😭

Are there always floaters around to help? If so how does that work, are they there to cover if needed or does there need to be at least one floater around?

Hey y’all. I am close to finishing my 40 hour course and just scored an interview at a local ABA place.

I was wondering how much yall have been getting paid? I’m sure the rate varies on locations, but I’m in the Bryan-College Station area if anyone else has been in the same boat.

what state? and how long have you been a bcba?

I’m so nervous 😭

I need to get this off my chest 😭 I pretty much got a new client (he has been through like ten BT’s since the start of the year) and me and him were developing a good bond. His parents though ? Very weird and made me very uncomfortable. They would try to tell me how to do my job and that I need to help potty train (I was told we can’t help with that) but then would sit there and take him away from me when I was working and pairing with him. Long story short, the dad made me so uncomfortable to the point that I had an anxiety attack and was on the verge of throwing up because he was hovering around me and doing things like breathing hard and stomping on the floor just to let it be known he was there. Not to mention I think the parents were texting back and forth about me because he would type on his phone (he had the volume loud) and then her phone would go off. I feel bad for the kid because he’s missing out due to his parents actions. I literally texted my bcba told her what was going on and they took me off the case. How can parents be like this and get no repercussions? That’s what’s confusing me.

tldr: I keep getting the run around on being paired with a new client while new hires are being prioritized. now I get assigned a horrible schedule and don't know what to say to my supervisor. they're jerking me around for whatever schedule suits them without taking me into consideration.

So to summerize I've been with this company for 2 years. Last year both my clients made the switch to public school and basically graduated the program (yay good for them). ofc this was a big change to my schedule and I got one new client right away. my schedule changed from I think 30/35 hours a week to 25 consistent hours (5 hours away from getting benefits)

With the new client I was working a 5 hour session with no break and redirecting a lot of elopement. I would sometimes be scheduled for coverage and have to drive to different centers to get my hours made up.

there was a huge delay on getting my second client while I would watch so many new hires get paired with multiple clients.

I get my new client and he's out sick for a month, comes in really inconsistently after that. and then his parents eventually pull him out.

all this is frustrating but understandable, I know it's not the companies fault. then I get told I'm getting a new afternoon client and will get off at 4:30. this sounds perfect to me and I'm looking forward to it despite knowing it'll be a hard transition for my morning client to go from being with me for 5 hrs to 2.5 (it has been, hearing him cry for me breaks my heart tbh).

then I get another email saying this new client also won't be moving forward with services. and now instead of coming in at 9, I'll come in at 8:30 and leave at 5. but I'll only be working 7 hour days because I'll be getting two 30 minute breaks.

so I'll be inside the center all day close to 9 hours but only working 7 of those. this seems like a horrible schedule to me. I don't want to do this, I know I'll get burnt out. I tried communicating this to a higher up and she basically shot it down. I can try to update my availability but it may be denied.

I don't know if I should just try to reduce my hours to 30 or what. I have a meeting with my BCBA on Monday but idk what to tell her. please give me advice.

I got 2 offers. I’m new to aba.

The in clinic one is asking if I quit the company within a year I will have to reimburse training (training to get my RBT certification that cost $2,000).

Every quarter it will decrease. Is this a red flag or do companies do this?

I have to take ABC data for several behaviors. The ABC parts are fine and all easy but Im confused on what I answer for who else was there? I am around other RBTs while these behaviors are occurring and work in a center. If the kid was around around other RBTs and other clients while these behaviors occurred, would I mark peer?? The options kind of confuse me and few of them really seem to apply for people that work in a center.

Another general question about abc data, Sometimes I just mark the behavior and then do the ABC data when I have time to go through it. By doing the ABC data some time after recording the behavior, will it go to the first count of behavior that doesn’t have abc data? Or will that create another record of the behavior with what I just filled out as it’s ABC data?

Dual/Multiple Relationships

Looking for clarification on the RBT Ethics Code regarding Multiple Relationships.

Is a circumstance where an RBT was working with a family in one capacity (i.e. a babysitter) and then becomes the RBT with that client upon the Caregivers request for them to apply with the company a child is receiving ABA services with?

This happened with a family receiving services with our company. The parent had an RBT that they didn't like someone she encouraged 3 of her babysitters to become certified and then apply to become an RBT. The family then requested these specific RBTs to work with her child.

Now that parent wants to dictates not only that those RBTs can ONLY work with her child, they (RBTs) complained to the parent that they are each making different rates. So the parent reached out and demanded that they all be paid the same or she will recommend that they quit and she will end services, taking the RBTs with her to another company.

I feel that this situation violates the RBT Ethics Code on Multiple Relationships. My company disagrees as the RBTs are no longer working as babysitters with the family. My thought is that a conversation needs to happen to clearly set boundaries with not only the family but the RBTs(and potentially corrective action)about their roles, not discussing pay rates with families, maintaining professionalism etc. Is this reportable to the BACB as an ethics violation? Should the RBTs be allowed to continue with the family?

I’m wrapping up my first month as a RBT and am feeling extremely overwhelmed. I absolutely love the kiddos and the job that I do but it is A LOT sometimes. I’m noticing when i’m 1 on 1 with my clients i’m doing pretty well however once my BCBA comes to supervise my session it’s like I completely forget everything i’m supposed to do and find myself struggling to run programs. Has anyone else ever felt the same way as I am, and if so what did you do to alleviate this?

My BCBA’s are incredibly helpful however I feel so overwhelmed when they are there and a bit awkward. I feel as if this hinders my performance and am worried they’ll see it as a problem.

Another thing i’m struggling with is getting trial counts up. When my supervisor models for me it seems like a piece of cake to get 14+ trials for one target in under five minutes. Yet i’m struggling to meet five :( Our sessions are for the majority ran in NET and I feel like this in theory should make getting those counts in much easier. However, i’m finding it to be the complete opposite.

I really want to improve and do well within the position so if anyone has any suggestions/personal stories they can share that would be amazing. It’s also a possibility that I’m putting entirely too large of an expectation on my plate being a newbie but am always wanting to learn how I can do better.

Such as an hour where I'm providing both direct service while also doing an assessment?

does anyone have tips on lessening repetition & aggression when an answer is not given (after answering 5+ times) in clients. I've been dealing with a child who keeps asking me & his parents for the same thing over and over constantly. the parents are putting a looottttt of pressure on me to get this to lessen and if im being honest, it's kind of getting to me too.

I began using a tally counter for asking, but that makes him upset. we made a graphic together centered around not repeating, but that doesn't seem to be helping. when I remind him of no repeating (after the question is asked about 5 times) he becomes aggressive, cries, screams, throws things, hits, etc.. I've kind of tried everything to be honest, but nothing is lessening the repetition and his parents are kind of looking at me sideways for it.

So I’m trying to decide what major I want for my masters. I am an aspiring BCBA but I don’t want to get my masters in ABA just in case I want to change my career in the future. What psychology major gives the most leeway for careers? And then what schools ??

Hey all, I have been an RBT at my center for a little less than 3 months. In that time I have yet to call out. Well last week I got a doctors appointment schedule for today and requested for the day off to go, I was told I was on the wait list because there were already too many people off that day. Things have happened at our center (lost our CD and the person who was going to replace her) so now we have be people coming in. I had to call out for this appointment since my UPTO was still pending. I got a message asking if I could still come into work and just leave for my appointment and come back. Normally this would not bother me but I have no idea when my appointment will be over. I feel really guilty about calling out, but at the same time, I have no choice. There's also the fact that there are people who constantly call out but never get reprimanded. I guess I'm looking for advice on how not to feel guilty for calling out and not feeling like I'm going to get fired. Sorry for the rant, I've got really bad anxiety and HATE making everybody else's lives harder💗

I remember listening to a podcast where an American was living in Ireland but working remotely for a US company as a BCBA. Is this really possible? Do any of you work while living in different countries or for companies abroad? What is it like? As a digital nomad family, I am very curious. Yes, I know in person/ hybrid is often a better option than remote. Thanks.

UPDATE: per recommendations of you lovely people, I told my BCBA and she told me to keep blocking it. She said thanks for looking out & reporting it

Hello there! I love my job! I love the kids (3-5) I work with!

Recently one of my kids (4 years old) added a bathroom protocol, where he has to sit on the toilet for a portion of time. However, when he does this, he starts masterbating after waiting on the toilet for some time. I have guided his hand away, but he keeps reaching for his genitals to continue.

Is what I’m doing appropriate and ethical? I’ll ask her almost anything but I don’t want to ask my BCBA because it’s obviously a very difficult question that I feel has some client dignity and ethical issues.

Let me know what you would recommend I do! If I should talk to my BCBA, or share advice on how I should handle the situation, OR tell me if I am doing it correctly.

Hello everyone!

As I am finished with my masters and accumulating hours for my BCBA, I am wondering what other certifications can you get and how can you get them. I know there are ones for IBA and OBM just curious what other ones are out there. I am thinking specifically specialist certifications where I can look into furthering my knowledge, not sure if that makes sense.

I’m going to start onboarding for this new job, but they don’t seem to have bathroom buddies for client dignity, because they say that it actually to ensure they don’t feel stared at or embarrassed. But how does that protect me as an RBT if a kiddo happens to say I did something inappropriate during potty time?

I really enjoy my job as an RBT, but I’m having a hard time dealing with the disrespectful 5th graders (they’re not autistic, just incredibly rude). Every day, when I leave the pre-k building, I have to face these kids calling me ugly and saying other mean things.

What’s even more frustrating is that their teacher or aide is right there and lets them get away with it. It’s starting to really get to me, and I’m so close to snapping, but as a contract worker, I don’t feel like I can do anything.

I’m the only one here without a supervisor, and I still don’t even know who the principal is since this is only my second week. Do you have any advice? I could try avoiding them, but that would mean constantly evading them.

The teachers don’t seem to care, and I’m worried about getting in trouble if I speak up. I don’t want to come off as childish or like I’m just venting about my issues with them.

I’m really at my breaking point—my anxiety is through the roof, I’m overly self-conscious, and to top it off, I almost tripped in front of them because of how stressed I am.

I’m about 50-75% sure that after 8 years I cannot do this anymore. Due to family mental illness and abuse, trauma, medical difficulties, and working for a company where I am having almost panic attacks at work almost weekly for the last month. I can’t have the life I wanted and continue in this field. I am pretty sure that I need to find a job that is just shutting my emotional brain off while I’m at work, getting paid, and going home. One of my friends left the field to work for a bank and I think something robotic and numbers oriented may be a good idea. Does anyone have any formatting tips for resumes?

Edit: THANK YOU so much everyone for the support! We are currently #1 for new releases in Behaviorism Psychology on Amazon!

Hey new BCBAs!!

My fellow BCBA and I wrote a book to serve as a guide for new BCBAs! Moving from an RBT to a BCBA is a BIG jump. Hopefully, you had stellar supervisors during your 2,000 hours, but even the world’s best supervisor is bound to miss a thing or two.

We took all last the questions we had as new BCBAs, the experiences that we had to work through, and help that we have given to some “baby” BCBAs at our job!

If you are interested check it out!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F1TWZPQS?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_XDCND9WVAGWDWTEN5XGQ_5&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_XDCND9WVAGWDWTEN5XGQ_5&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cso_cp_apin_dp_XDCND9WVAGWDWTEN5XGQ_5&bestFormat=true&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR17BwqJKHMN7iCaK8Um5eHl6sNImWWF94VGd9PlxEITnEKo9_CjBNl622c_aem__UeQpiryimj8DLv3_8wHpw

How do you guys defuse/deescalate after client illness? I have pretty bad health anxiety and working with kids surely doesn't help. If you ever have a germy kid or have to deal with vomit/diarrhea, how do you deescalate and continue throughout your day? Any advice would be helpful.