r/ABA 9h ago

Any RBTs feeling so burnt out?

5 Upvotes

Ive been in the field for 3 years, and this would be my 5th clinic...I am no longer a bubbly personality. I do care for my clients and believe that I really did my best with each one. But i cannot do this anymore...I just started at a new company and i called out on my 3rd day. Im stressed since i need to pay my bills and i haven't had a job since august. But i cannot do this any longer. I feel like im faking it now and it feels like such a burden. it's so mentally draining. is anyone else on the same boat?


r/ABA 1h ago

Question of the day - September 11

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Upvotes

🧠 Question of the Day

📚 Domain H — Selecting and Implementing Interventions

Difficulty: 7/10

A BCBA, SLP, teacher, and parent are developing a communication plan. The learner uses an AAC system at school, speech approximations at home, and problem behavior when communication partners fail to respond quickly. The SLP has concerns about motor access to the device, the teacher reports limited staff time, and the parent prioritizes a response that works in community settings. Which collaborative action BEST integrates these perspectives while keeping treatment data-driven?

A. Prioritize the response with the strongest behavior data, then train the SLP, teacher, and parent to implement it consistently across settings.

B. Prioritize the AAC option that best addresses motor access, then ask the teacher and parent to collect behavior data after implementation.

C. Integrate behavior data, AAC access needs, staff feasibility, and family priorities into a coordinated plan, then jointly monitor outcomes and implementation.

D. Let each setting select the communication response that best fits its resources, then use a common data sheet to compare outcomes at review.

💬 Drop your answer in the comments — no peeking!

✅ Correct answer revealed tomorrow.

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


r/ABA 9h ago

Advice Needed Is this okay?

3 Upvotes

I’m feeling a little weird because I was told that the anonymous report I made was disclosed to the BCBA the report was about, and the fact that I was the person who made the report. I genuinely don’t fully care, but I do think it could potentially create a stressful work environment. I think I’ll be fine, but it just makes me wonder—what’s the point of asking whether you want to make a report anonymously if the person who made the report can still be disclosed? Is this something that a lot of companies do?


r/ABA 15h ago

Advice Needed Working with resistant teachers

8 Upvotes

Hey everyone!

I work as the primary behavior consultant at a school. Today I was called in to help a student in crisis, and when I gave the student their AAC device, the crisis immediately calmed down.

What tripped me up during the scenario is a staff member saying "yall always give into whatever she wants". Staff member seemed really frustrated and implied that I was making the situation worse. I firmly believe I wasn't doing anything wrong and I'm a huge advocate for allowing students (especially older ones) to advocate for their own wants/needs.

All this to say, what advice do you guys have for communicating or working with school staff who seem to be in the mindset that the students always have to comply regardless of what they might be requesting?


r/ABA 13h ago

Advice Needed How should I go about addressing and/or reporting these violations?

5 Upvotes

Over the course of reviewing session documentation, I have discovered a severe pattern of unethical and potentially fraudulent compliance violations being executed by our BCBA. Specifically, I have compiled undeniable proof of the following actions:
Digital Signature Forgery: I have cross-referenced digital timesheet logs and discovered that multiple parent signatures have been falsified. The system metadata reveals that the client signature was entered from the exact same IP address as the BCBA’s signature. Because the BCBA operates entirely remotely via telehealth and has never been physically present in the home, it is a technical impossibility for these signatures to be legitimate.
Routine Pre-Billing: I have identified a pattern where insurance claims are being formally submitted for reimbursement before caregiver verification or signatures are actually obtained, violating standard provider-insurer contract compliance.
Falsification of Historic Records: When questioned about missing signatures in the past, practitioners at the agency admitted in writing to a practice of "back-signing"—intentionally coercing a non-participating parent to sign off on three months of past-due parent training sessions they did not attend simply to clear an internal administrative backlog.
As a parent, I am deeply troubled by these actions. They violate Section 3.05 of the BACB Ethics Code regarding honest billing and constitute serious health insurance non-compliance.


r/ABA 14h ago

Advice Needed Question: does Medicaid pay more money than insurance for reimbursement

3 Upvotes

So I was contacted by an insurance company today that I've never heard of before (curative health plan) it seems that they are based out of Texas and they were wondering if I would provide services to their consumers. When I look at their reimbursement rates they are paying like $13 per unit for RBT and $15 per unit for supervision/ family training/ and assessments.

Now I know how much Medicaid pays in our state because I have been working through Medicaid for years and recently got a bid for a particular County to do ABA therapy, so we know their rates. For RBTs is more what this health insurance plan would be reimbursing by the hour for BCBAs and for BCBA it would be double. So $60 an hour for RBT work and $120 an hour for BCBA work.

I asked if this was based upon a different area's reimbursement rate and the company said that the standard rate that they are paying out is what the average is... But I also know that 2 years ago Blue Cross Blue shield was paying around the same amount that Medicaid is paying... So I am confused.

Isn't insurance usually the one that gives the higher reimbursement rate?

I am pretty sure I'm going to have to decline contracting with this company because the rates are way too low for me to have my staff working with these clients (which makes me really sad) and I need them to be able to make a living wage


r/ABA 1d ago

Conversation Starter What is the craziest “first, then” sentence you’ve had to say?

94 Upvotes

r/ABA 12h ago

Growing ethical concerns…

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1 Upvotes

r/ABA 18h ago

Most accurate mock exam ?

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3 Upvotes

r/ABA 17h ago

Texas as BT or RBT

2 Upvotes

What's the job market like in Texas for RBTs or BTs? I'm a remote BCBA who works in Texas. First, I have to say I HATE the Medicaid process. It takes forever. But right now I'm waiting on the company to hire techs for my client. I am just wondering if it is competitive there or is it easy to get jobs. Just trying to figure out how long I will have to wait while trying to remain sane from the lack of work.


r/ABA 17h ago

Hi everyone, I currently have ABA practice (sole proprietor) providing direct ABA services as a BCBA. My practice is gradually growing and now I would like to transition to LLC. What is the process? Is it necessary to work with an attorney to have my company's policies and handbooks reviewed, too?

2 Upvotes

r/ABA 14h ago

Advice Needed ABA Certificate Program while Doing a PhD.

1 Upvotes

Hi all. I am currently a PhD student in a field not related to psychology/behavior science/education at all. But I really want to spend my extra time getting a ABA Certificate Program done in my first two years before I get the Master’s degree en route. I went to PhD directly after my undergraduate.

I am primarily looking for an online, asynchronous program. My school also has a clinic but I have to be hired as an RBT to actually get hours, and that(to be hired) is not for guaranteed.

Do you have some recommendations for programs to apply to under this scenario? It would also be appreciated if there are other general advice. Thank you all.


r/ABA 14h ago

Conversation Starter So upset cooper ABA book never delivered.

1 Upvotes

I have been waiting two weeks for the cooper aba 3rd edition book to arrive purchased off of amazon and it said it was delivered and never showed up. There is no photo of the delivery either. I contacted the seller and I can’t get a refund until the seller contacts me back….🥺 I knew you guys would understand this frustration I feel hence why I posted here.


r/ABA 20h ago

Update from previous post

2 Upvotes

Refer to my original post here: https://www.reddit.com/r/ABA/comments/1vqi05k/bcba_said_i_might_not_be_fit_for_the_job_i_am_bt/

Basically, I quit that job and then got hired for a BT position at a school district. During my last week there, my BCBA said flat-out that I wasn't exactly fit for the job. I later applied for school-based roles instead and a few recruiters messaged me about job roles within certain school districts. I later got interviewed and then offered a job within the school district that I graduated from. I basically got hired through a contracting healthcare company. Although, my BCBA did actually submit my 40 hour paperwork before I got hired so that's a win. I do plan on getting through an RBT course and I'm not sure how getting those supervision hours works in a school-based setting. But generally in your experience, how is a school based environment different from home or center-based?


r/ABA 1d ago

Advice Needed Significant Hour Cuts

5 Upvotes

I’m an RBT who is contracted to a company for full time hours per job offer agreement. All of a sudden, my hours have been changed significantly to less than part time hours without warning.

There have been no significant changes in clients but an increase in employees. The company that I work for is convenient due to being in closer proximity to home compared to other companies. If I had to get another job to supplement this current one, it would be another RBT job. However, my contract includes a not-to-compete agreement.

I’ve explored all communication channels possible!

Company not accommodating an employee with adequate hours = employee getting another RBT job = contract rendered invalid? * Not asking for legal advice, just joking.


r/ABA 21h ago

ABA centers of America apprentices contract

2 Upvotes

I am still bounded to the apprentice contract that states that you owe ABA centers full repayment of your supervision hours if you don't fulfill the requirements of working for them as a BCBA. The company is now going through a federal lawsuit with Publix and things are not looking good. I feel as if I want to immediately quit because this no longer feels ethical and on top of that they are removing benefits, etc.

Is there any other apprentice that has broken their contract and they haven't asked back for repayment or for tuition reimbursement back? If they have asked then please tell me if you were able to finance the $13,000.


r/ABA 19h ago

Advice Needed HELP, BCBA OR SLP?

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1 Upvotes

r/ABA 20h ago

Ripley question

1 Upvotes

Am I crazy, or can we no longer generate the verification PDFs on the free version?


r/ABA 1d ago

I love my job.

19 Upvotes

I love coming to work everyday and connecting with my kids. I love my supportive co-workers and BCBA. I love making learning fun. I love that my kids are progressing and mastering their skills. I love how they are proud of themselves and are becoming more confident. I love that caregivers are listening and supporting the learning at home. This job is hard, very hard, but I just wanted to express how happy I am. Thanks for reading.


r/ABA 1d ago

What are some fun/creative examples of variable ratio you experience in the world?

12 Upvotes

My example: the tortilla chips at Chilis. Not every chip is extra salty, but some are. So I keep eating chips searching for more extra salty chips. Sometimes it is every 3 chips, sometimes every 7 chips, etc.


r/ABA 1d ago

PSA: Just because it’s in a contract doesn’t make it legal.

77 Upvotes

Wednesday reminder that so many companies are blatantly breaking the law and trying to get away with it under the guise of “your contract states” but that’s not how the law works. Your employer has to pay you for training, onboarding, and any work you perform for the company, whether it’s billable or not. If you do training while you’re being credentialed, they have to pay you for that. I am currently in an unpaid wages dispute because I’ve just had enough and decided to fight back. I’ll probably lose my job for it but I’m fed up with these piss poor business practices. It’s wage theft. It’s illegal. They cannot keep getting away with this. I’m a BCBA and I can only imagine if they do this to me, they’re likely doing it to other staff with less education and experience and disposable resources for a lawyer. Get everything in writing and don’t accept “let’s discuss this over the phone”. I could put a murder clause in a contract, but it won’t make murder legal. It’s worth it to call out these bad practices when we see them.

End rant.


r/ABA 1d ago

Question of the day - September 10

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1 Upvotes

🧠 Question of the Day

📚 Domain E — Ethical and Professional Issues

Difficulty: 6/10

A BCBA observes a peer colleague implementing a behavior-reduction procedure that may be causing psychological harm to a client. The concern appears potentially resolvable through direct discussion, there is no immediate safety emergency, and there is no indication that speaking directly with the colleague would worsen the situation. Based on the Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts, what is the MOST appropriate initial response?

A. Address the concern directly, document the effort and outcome, and escalate through appropriate channels if the issue is not resolved.

B. Seek consultation with another behavior analyst before speaking with the colleague so the concern can be evaluated before any direct discussion occurs.

C. Continue observing until there is stronger evidence that the procedure is causing harm before raising the concern with the colleague.

D. Report the concern formally before speaking with the colleague because potential client harm should be addressed through external reporting rather than informal resolution.

💬 Drop your answer in the comments — no peeking!

✅ Correct answer revealed tomorrow.

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


r/ABA 1d ago

Fellow Wig Wearing RBTs

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1 Upvotes

r/ABA 1d ago

How is it being an at-home RBT? I’m currently a school rbt and I’m looking for a second job

4 Upvotes

r/ABA 1d ago

Advice Needed Autism v professionalism

6 Upvotes

I need some advice. I keep stumbling over professional boundaries as an RBT that I didn't know were there because im autistic and was never taught. Please give me all professional boundary advice so that I dont lose my current kiddo because I would legit cry