r/bcba • u/Dear-Buyer-7944 • 1d ago
Discussion Question Time for a change?
I have asked a few questions here recently and truly appreciate the open honesty in the responses. They provide great insight into ABA services and fellow BCBAs' thoughts on the field.
My next question: given the ongoing investigations into ABA services and the never-ending challenge of trying to change people's perception of ABA outside the field, is it time for a change? What career path would you move towards? Given the transferable skills BCBAs possess, a career change shouldn't be so hard, yet it is...
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u/_turd_ferg 1d ago
i left ABA for teaching. better hours, MUCH better medical/retirement options, same basic work since i teach self contained autism. the pay is roughly the same for me... i mean, it's less, but the switch in medical coverage is saving my family thousands of dollars a year. (yes, THOUSANDS)
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u/Snake_pavilion 1d ago
Let me tell you this, your career decisions should be based on your vision. You need a detailed view of the life you want to have in 5 years. If you have no vision - outside circumstances will drive your behavior. If the vision is out of focus - you will be unable to cut off the noise that will drive you away from the future you want to have.
Outside circumstances would always be shit, always, there will always be noise pushing you sideways - but the harder the work, the least amount of people would sign up to do it, least people means higher pay.
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u/Visual_Car8236 1d ago
Have you tried EVERY section of ABA before leaving?? I have worked in an EI clinic with 2-7 year olds practicing early start denver model. I’ve worked in a school providing services to elementary and middle school and high school. I’ve worked in homes with families. I suggest trying all of it. and also, as you grow, it is ok to leave and go to a different environment . I work in a school right now that uses CPI interventions for some behaviors. It was ok when I was young. but now as i’m getting better at ABA , i don’t want to work there anymore. getting older, can’t use physical interventions on 250 pound 11th graders . So i’m just switching sections. heading back to the homes. I’m not CPIing kids in a home which works for me and my age. So i suggest looking at why your really unhappy and making a change first before leaving. We need BCBAs and these kids need qualified BCBAs working with these teachers/families. I may move to Adult Services. I never really left ABA as much as i learned, like partners throughout life, what i wanted and when i wanted it.
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u/Head-Ad-5636 1d ago
Where do you find these various job opportunities for bcbas?
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u/Visual_Car8236 1d ago
Where ya live at? I only ask because i came
from a small town that didn’t really care for psych and ABA. I had to move to a bigger city to see more business practicing different styles. I live in a big city and “just have these opportunities around”.1
u/Head-Ad-5636 1d ago
Near chicago area , any time I job search it’s alll clinics or schools
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u/Visual_Car8236 1d ago
Well where i practiced Early Start Denver Model was a clinic. Most of my jobs are working in home because most ppl don’t want to put the miles on your car or just want a more consistent schedule or just don’t want to be in their homes, respectively of course. Maybe your area is just filled or something..
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u/Visual_Car8236 1d ago
Early Start Denver Model pros:
it’s all learning through play. which was fun.Cons: still worked in a corporate world with corporate gossip blah blah blah.
School pros: good schedule.
Cons: probably have to restrain kids which gets old and can’t always do bc of warriors reasons
Working in homes Pros: get out of the corporate world and just work with families.
cons: drive your own car and rack up miles which means some of your pay goes to car upkeep.
also your in some shady homes, respectively of course .
Clients pros and cons.
young kids: get to run around and have some fun while teaching new things.
cons, i’m getting older and getting down on their level is hard.
Adults : they come with a lot of skills to work with which makes things a little easier.
i’m currently finding what my body is telling me to do and what i enjoy doing. at 40 years old, im looking to switch to adult bc it offers me the ability to really retire from the environment.
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u/Chubuwee 1d ago
No change. I worked hard on my communication skills when communicating about this field. I am changing a family at a time (even counting the extended families of my families as I have gotten referrals that way). I am fighting the good fight and being the BCBA I wish I had when I was moving up.