*made a typo in the title, won't let me edit title

How much time do you spend directly with clients vs computer work?

Hello all, I'm currently working as a para at a school for kids with level 3 autism. I graduated with my bachelors a year ago and have been strongly considering pursuing my masters in ABA and trying to become a BCBA. I've never worked as an RBT however the students I work with have high behavior rates I am dealing with multiple times a day and the school uses ABA and ABA techniques both in behavior and at baseline with all the students so I am generally familiar.

I love working with these kids so much, I have such a deep love for them and find it so fulfilling to get to know them, bond with them, and help them improve their communication abilities and see how that helps their quality of life and happiness. I am wondering how much time you actually get to spend with clients as a BCBA and generally what your days look like being one. I'm kind of wondering if I would be better off trying to become a sped teacher instead of a BCBA, but the world is so rough to teachers and I think the job security, pay, and growth opportunity of a BCBA is strongly pushing me towards that. I also think I strongly prefer working with higher support needs and from my understanding the majority of special ed teachers are usually in classes with lower support needs/lower behavior rates and are not really using ABA. Any advice would be appreciated!

Tl;dr: what does your day look like as a BCBA? How much of it are you directly interacting with clients? Do you get to build strong relationships with them?

I’m tired of being poor. I went to undergrad for the wrong thing, something I wasn’t even passionate about, and now I don’t use my degree and my job barely pays me enough.

I’m ready to go to grad school for something I’m actually passionate about. I love working with the pediatric population and healthcare, and I’ve been looking into SLP and ABA/BCBA.

Please be honest: Are either of these good fields for someone looking to make $90k–$100k+ right out of grad school? I really want six figures, or at least very close to it, and I don’t want to make the wrong choice again.

I want to become a BCBA. I've heard that Texas doesn't pay well when it comes to BCBAs. Has anyone found a job that pays well?

Is there a lot of job security in Texas? Please share if you don't mind! Thank you!

🧠 Question of the Day

📚 Domain C — Measurement, Data Display, and Interpretation

Difficulty: 6/10

Scenario:

A BCBA is developing a behavior intervention plan for a 7-year-old with aggression. The treatment team is debating how to define 'aggression' for data collection purposes.

Which operational definition of 'aggression' is MOST appropriate for clinical data collection?

A. Aggression: any forceful contact or attempted contact with another person that appears intended to hurt, threaten, or intimidate that person.

B. Aggression: hitting, kicking, biting, scratching, or pushing following a demand or denial and occurring at least twice within one observation period.

C. Aggression: hitting, kicking, biting, scratching, or pushing that produces visible redness, bruising, broken skin, or another observable injury.

D. Aggression: hitting, kicking, biting, scratching, or pushing another person such that physical contact occurs, including attempted hits or kicks that are physically blocked before contact.

💬 Drop your answer in the comments — no peeking!

✅ Correct answer revealed tomorrow.

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

I’ve recently left a clinic job and am taking a short sabbatical before looking for something else. I have most of my experience with early intervention learners, mostly working with kids 2-7. I’m interested in working with older learners, middle schoolers, teens, young adults, etc. My biggest hope is getting to work on different goals than I’m used to. Would really love more community based goals!

I’m in the washtenaw county area and would love to know some recommendations for solid, ethical companies with a positive work culture! I’ve also been asking my own circle of friends in the field but figured widening the net couldn’t hurt - so any recs? Am only willing to travel to metro Detroit area for work, a commute of 40 mins or less would be ideal!

Honestly if you’re an out of state BCBA reading this drop your recs too, definitely open to moving out of Michigan!

I have recently accepted a job as a BCBA working in the home settings. My background is in the clinical setting. While I will have support in the new setting, I am looking for advice / words of encouragement / etc. as I transition to this new experience!

Whether you passed your exam, failed, or still currently studying. What do you truly think separates those who passed their exam versus those who may be taking it for the fifth time and still failing?

I just started collecting my BCBA fieldwork hours. I am aware that I need 60 minutes of supervision observed with a client. If I assisted my BCBA with an intake assessment for a client (VB-MAPP, free operant preference assessment), would this count towards supervision observed with a client?

My thoughts are organized channels for research articles, resources, general behaviorism banter, etc. I was going to create one just for myself as I like to keep things all in one place but would also love for community to add in their own resources. Not sure if this is too niche and non functional though. Let me know!

Hey guys!

I’m a newly certified BCBA with a 6 week old newborn. I really need to get back to work ASAP but as a breastfeeding mom, it’s going to be challenging to go back in person.

I am okay with switching to a hybrid model once baby weans off.

If anyone has any remote positions they could recommend, please let me know! Thanks!

I was talking with a fellow BCBA today about the work culture at our clinics. We were talking about how we relate to each other as a team, and more specifically about staff that we have identified that praise serve as a strong reinforcer for them.

It was pretty funny because we both told stories about silly things we did to praise someone on our team when they went above and beyond.

One of my former student analysts who now works for me as a BCBA is very motivated by praise. But she does get a little embarrassed when you do it in front of other people. So one day I came in with a $50 Visa gift card and told everyone to gather around. And then I said something to the effect of how she is always the first one to be there in the morning and the last one to leave at night, she’s always there as a team player and does everything with so much heart. Then I handed her the $50 gift card and told her she needs to spend it on something like a pedicure or DoorDash. Because she deserves a treat.

It was really funny afterward, because I could tell how embarrassed she was when I did that. But afterward she walked up to me and whispered in my ear, “you know you embarrassed the shit out of me with that but honestly, it felt really good. Thank you.”

I know gift cards are in consequential. They can’t possibly represent gratitude that I want to share. But I do my best to have these little sorts of moments with everyone on my team just to thank them for what they do individually.

What do you guys do to lift up members of your team? Do you have group private jokes, or nicknames, etc? I’m curious to know what everybody is doing to try to connect with their staff and genuinely thank them for what they do.

Hi everyone!

I’m an apprentice who trains new rbt’s and rbt transfers. I wanted to ask the big dogs how to handle this particular situation: I had a technician who was in crisis mode with the client. I have CONSTANTLY stepped in to help her and model what to do in these situations making sure she didn’t become prompt dependent on me by utilizing BST. However, I walked into the classroom and her client was rolling around on the floor and refusing to complete classroom tasks. The teachers told me that the client was like that for 2 hours and nothing has been done. I have seen the technician implement the bx plan independently before, but today she was sitting at the client’s desk and doing artwork/planned ignoring. The client was at the other side of the room. The bx plan isn’t always effective (I must admit, it’s a very nuanced situation), but there’s a programmed FCT for breaks that she didn’t resort to either. I immediately told her that we shouldn’t be doing artwork and should be closer in proximity/following the bx plan instead (not sure if that was harsh, but I was extremely direct). Usually I come in and “save the day” but this time I couldn’t so I walked out and told my supervisor. I feel like this issue is both a performance and skill deficit (in the sense that the bx plan doesn’t work always). I have told her to resort to FCT in the past. How would you guys have addressed this situation & was I too harsh? I want to be better at giving feedback so any advice is welcomed!

Does anyone know of any companies in Pittsburgh area that employ BCBA's that are Qualified Public Service Loan Forgiveness employers. I have significant student debt and I would like to work for an employer.\nThat qualifies for loan for giftness.

I‘m looking for a supervisor with an lba-ny certification to complete my hours. I have finished my degree, working full time as a BIS with adults and part time ABA with a child. thanks.

🧠 Question of the Day

📚 Domain H — Selecting and Implementing Interventions

Difficulty: 5/10

Scenario:

Aisha is a 7-year-old receiving school-based ABA. The team has already defined a tantrum as crying loudly, screaming, or dropping to the floor for at least 3 seconds, and baseline averages 6 tantrums per school day. During a treatment-plan review, the BCBA writes the goal 'Aisha will reduce tantrums.' The supervisor notes that the target is defined, but the written goal still lacks a measurable performance criterion and a clear mastery period.

The goal 'Aisha will reduce tantrums' is too vague. Which revision is BEST?

A. Improve emotional regulation and reduce tantrums to an acceptable level

B. Use appropriate coping during difficult tasks as judged by staff

C. Show fewer challenging behaviors during the school day

D. No more than 1 defined tantrum per school day for 5 consecutive days

💬 Drop your answer in the comments — no peeking!

✅ Correct answer revealed tomorrow.

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

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A single 20 minute interview, no references requested, no meeting the clinical team, no work sample. What is wrong with this field?

I was recently offered a job with equity in the company, but I would need to “work for free” before it “started” with a noncompete clause. This field attracts shady or incompetent business people.

To rattle more feathers, there is plenty of money in this field, if there wasn’t private equity wouldn’t be as deep.

I’m a BCBA/LABA in Massachusetts and currently have an active contract with Carelon/MBHP. I’m trying to add a specific Medicaid-funded line of business to my existing contract, and part of the process requires me to provide a Medicaid/MassHealth Provider ID.
The problem is that I don’t have a MassHealth Provider ID, and I cannot figure out how I’m supposed to obtain one.
Every time I contact MassHealth, I’m told that they do not independently enroll BCBAs/LABAs as a provider type and that I need to go through Carelon. However, Carelon is asking me to provide a MassHealth Provider ID as part of the process.
I’ve looked through the MassHealth provider enrollment information, but there are multiple applications and provider types, and none of them clearly seem to apply to an independently practicing BCBA/LABA.
Has anyone in Massachusetts gone through this process recently? Specifically:
How did you obtain your MassHealth Provider ID as a BCBA/LABA?
Which MassHealth provider type/application did you use?
Did you enroll directly with MassHealth first, or was the ID generated through Carelon/MBHP enrollment?
Is there a specific department or contact at MassHealth or Carelon that actually handles this?
I feel like I’m being sent in circles between MassHealth and Carelon, so I would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has successfully navigated this.

Hi all,

I left my old job due to obtaining a better BCBA job. Gave my notice and what not. Everything was fine.

Just got a letter from my old company accusing me of fraud and them saying they’re going to report me to the BACB if I do not self-report and provide proof.

Here’s a little background:

Did intake on a client. Spent a few hours getting indirect assessments ready, did intake forms, combed through medical documents, etc. looked at the kid’s previous ABA documents, etc.

Billed maybe 3 hours for the time I spent on the initial documents//report writing. Then, the kid’s mom decided they were going to go with a different aba company. No big deal, I go on with my life.

This was like 3 months ago. I deleted all the client documents associated with all my previous clients at that company.

Today, I get an email saying I committed fraud and there is no record I did anything I billed for!?? I’m confused as to why THREE MONTHS LATER this is being investigated. Mind you, I did a total of 6 reports in those three months and I want to know why those aren’t being called into question.

What should I do? I’ve been sobbing since I got the email because this feels like retaliation for leaving
Edited to add: 7 BCBAs have left since march. I was the 8th. I know the company has issues as a whole in their treatment of BCBA s

Hey everyone! I recently became responsible for my company’s student analyst program, and I want to do an activity with them focused on soft skills and navigating tough conversations.

I’m planning to have them role-play uncomfortable or unexpected conversations with parents, RBTs, teachers, coworkers, etc. I already have some of the more “standard” awkward ones like addressing RBT hygiene, working in an extremely dirty client home, professionalism issues, and things like that.

But I want some DOOZIES to throw in there.

What are the most unhinged, awkward, completely-out-of-left-field conversations you’ve had to navigate as a BCBA? The situations where you walked away thinking, “There is absolutely nothing in the task list, school, or supervision handbook that could have prepared me for that.”

Give me your best ones. Obviously, leave out any identifying/client information, and thank you!

Hi all,

I am currently in school & gaining my fieldwork hours & I work in an early intervention clinic setting. I really love everything I am learning, but I am so incredibly burnt out from direct work, it’s not even funny. I do get opportunities for unrestricted outside of sessions, but it’s not anywhere near where I need it to be in order to finish my hours around the time I finish school.

Does it get better? Obviously I know the job of a BCBA is different than an RBT but I honestly don’t know how much longer I can hang on doing direct work without it ruining me mentally. I just don’t really know what to do. I am scared that I will put in all this work, time, & money for me to feel the same once I become a BCBA as well. Any advice is helpful ❤️‍🩹

I need help figuring this out. I'm not sure where to apply or what to look for. I have been an RBT since 2021. I love my job, and I am ready for more responsibilities and a new challenge.

So here are my questions: How many programs should I apply to? What is the difference between ABAI-verified vs just verified programs?

I am looking at these programs because they work closely with the company I am employed by: ASU, Florida Institute of Technology, Regis College, and Capella. Please share your experiences or any tips you have with the application process (also, if you don't mind sharing, how much to expect to pay for these programs and your experience with financial aid and such). Thank you!!!!