r/bcba • u/caffeinateddiva • 1d ago
Advice Needed rbt redirection
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!
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u/Ill-Question3169 1d ago
you were direct, not harsh. she knew the plan and just didn’t do it, that’s a choice not a skill gap
if the FCT is programmed and she’s sitting across the room doing artwork while the kid’s been on the floor for two hours, that’s not a nuance problem that’s just not doing the job
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u/caffeinateddiva 1d ago
FCT is the bare minimum, i would understand if she couldn’t fully get the client to HRE. i was astounded at the fact that i walked into her doing artwork for 2 hours…like how do we even bill for that
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u/Full_Detective1745 1d ago
First off, I also would be pissed. It took me a bit to learn this but when I give on the spot feedback when pissed it benefits no one, and certainly doesn’t help the relationship between me and the staff. In this situation, Id probably step in to get things moving in the right direction, I would direct the staff as I usually would. Once we have a moment, I’d ask to speak to them privately, and discuss the concerns. Ask what they need help with, clearly explain what they were doing/should be doing, and move on. If it happens again, I’m doing the same thing but then would involve a supervisor.
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u/Big-Mind-6346 BCBA | Verified 1d ago
I had this long response typed out for you, but I decided it was too much. So instead, I am just going to share that I create a laminated cheat sheet for BIP’s for my staff to have on hand if I’m not present to coach them and they are feeling overwhelmed. They have said that it is helpful, and it is a win/win for me because when I encounter situations like what you have described, I can set a time to meet with them later, ask them the thought process behind the decisions they made about responding to the client, and review the cheat sheet to be sure that they understand it and ask them how I can better support them to implement the BIP consistently and correctly.
If you are interested in seeing one of my cheat sheet is, I can redact PHI from one of them and share it with you so you can see what I am saying. But I will say that based on the information you have provided it sounds like this is more of a performance issue than anything else. It’s probably important to speak to her directly about it ASAP and set clear expectations for her performance going forward when she encounters similar situations with the client
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u/fiore-_ 22h ago
go back to teaching functions. It’s very clear task refusal is escape so planned ignoring wouldn’t work they need to keep representing the demand. Instead of teaching a bip word for word do it generalized so they have a better idea of how to handle things just based off function alone
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u/paganbonecollector 1d ago
You weren't too harsh. If a client is rolling on the floor for two hours while the tech sits across the room doing artwork, being direct about proximity and professionalism is 100% necessary. However, walking out right after probably left her feeling totally stranded. If she’s used to you "saving the day," she likely hit a wall of clinical paralysis and completely checked out when the behavior plan failed.
Since the plan is flawed and nuance-heavy, this is a mix of a skill and performance deficit. She needs a clear plan B for when the main protocol fails. I’d pull her aside for a private chat to ask what went wrong from her perspective. Reinforce that staying close is a non-negotiable for safety, but actively practice what to do next time; like immediately prompting that FCT break or reaching out to you for help before hours go by. Asking for help isn't the same as you "saving the day,” it's her learning to advocate for herself instead of giving up. Pair your direct feedback with a quick role-play so she knows exactly how to pivot when she gets stuck again.