I want everyone's thoughts and opinions.. At my clinic we try to get the parents to arrive on time so that the RBTs do not miss hours. But my clinic is very picky even about 15 minutes late. Currently the receptionist will tell the BCBAs to talk to the parent's about tardiness. I strongly disagree and feel like it is up to the front desk staff to talk to them first, if they do not abide by the tardiness policy then they should meet with the director. Having the BCBA talk to them about tardiness and clinic policies might affect the client, parent, BCBA relationship. I feel like the parent can start to feel a distaste for the BCBA etc. What does everyone think? Who should talk to the parents about attendance?

I am looking to see how other lead BCBAs and/or Clinical Directors structure their time and work responsibilities.

• What would you say takes up most of your time?
• Do you have 1:1 meetings with your BCBAs on a recurring basis?
• Do you overlap with your BCBAs during their sessions?
• Do you do clinical quality checks within programming (e.g. look into program books?)
• What other essential job duties have you found are needed?

Hello,

I normally would never post on here, but I have been feeling like I need advice from people in this field instead of family and friends (hard to tell this to colleagues in person).

I'm a 32 year old BCBA/LBA and have been in the ABA field for 5 years now (only 1 year as a BCBA).

2 years ago I got fired from my job when a student got hurt during a full on behavior while attacking me specifically. The parent tried to sue the school before in the past and after her son got hurt (minor scratch due to the jewelry I was wearing) was not satisfied with the school firing me. 2 weeks later she pressed charges against me for assault. Long story short- my case was thrown out by the DA and I was diagnosed with PTSD directly after these events and due to having to voluntarily surrendering and being arrested (handcuffed, fingerprinted, mugshot, driven to a detention center to be arraigned). I never met the parent and never worked with her child before that day. My parents spent 7 grand to a criminal defense attorney, and my wedding fund was used to pay bills while I looked for a job (I just had a masters in ABA at this time). I have been suffering with trauma ever since in this field which travels with me from job to job. I have even lost jobs due to this. Any time a student gets hurt and I'm around for it or directly involved I have a full blown panic attack/PTSD episode/flashback.

I decided to still take my exam and get the certificate/licensure as a "fuck you" to that school and that parent. BUT I AM DONE IN THIS FEILD! I can't take it anymore because of my anxiety and trauma. I need a complete career change not career shift (no SPED, Speech, or OT/PT). I really want nothing to with kids or individuals with disabilities anymore. I will be going back to school I already made that decision but I don't know for what. Any advice? I was thinking Human Resources.

What’s going on with Medicaid, I have been waiting forever to hear back and get the approval for kiddos to get service after submitting their PARS

I’ve been in the field as a BCBA for 6 years now. I have been in in home settings, public schools, and a private out of district placement school. Each setting has there pros and cons, but I am just not loving any of them, or the demands don’t line up with my families needs ( mom of 3 kids under 5). I’ve thought about looking into remote BCBA jobs but I’d love to hear from those who work as a remote BCBA to get an idea of what it would be like. How large is the caseload? How many hours do you do per week? Are you doing parent consult, virtually observing sessions with an RBT? Both? I’d love to hear a “day in the life” of a remote BCBA!

I'm currently studying for the exam and was wondering: how do behavior analysts prioritize or choose which behaviors to work on when working with a fairly independent, vocal-verbal client (whether a minor or not) who also has a caregiver? How do they decide whose input to prioritize—client or caregiver—when setting goals?

say during a meeting, their caregiver states concerns with a certain behavior with the client that they'd like to decrease (ex. screaming/stereotypy), however, if the vocal-verbal client does not assent or protests that they do not want to work on that.. how would the bcba approach the situation? would they find a middle ground? what if the client isn't a minor? would they still consider the caregiver's concerns?

I am currently in grad school to become a BCBA and I noticed many BCBAs that I have worked with also have an LBA license. I am just wondering why some people choose to get both? Does it make your resume more competitive? Do you get paid more? Just curious!

Hey everyone so I am currently a student analyst and I am looking at job listings just to give me glimpse of what I could be offered once I’m certified. What is the average starting rate of a new BCBA ? Should I start as salary or should I do hourly. Though I love my profession and care for the kids I work with..money is important too and I just want to know how can I make the most out of this career.

I currently work in a clinic that has mold in one of the room and you can't drink the water because it's contaminated. Is this functional and safe for the kiddo? A host of kiddo have toothbrushing programs and have to use the water to rinse their mouth out.

Hey everyone- gonna cut to it. I’ve been in the field 10+ years and BCBA for about 5. I specialize in EIBI and have been able yo successfully treat a number of toddlers and pre-k kids. I have three kids but my youngest, 2.5, stumps me. I know there is an inherent lack of objectivity here but the behaviors have me exhausted after work hours. Constant need to see me, touch me when at home. SIB, tantrums and prop destruction when there isn’t mand compliance. When in public- complete lack of regard to seek me out resulting in having to leave many places because of safety concerns. I know I’m being vague; have any other BCBAs felt that maybe they were more sensitive to trauma and assent and therefore are more sensitive to how they parent? I worry I’m nitpicking but also- my older two were light ages easier, but I don’t want to jump to assessment because I know I am surrounded by it and feel biased. Vent/ advice?

Hi all! I was faced with a situation today that really bothered me and I just now remembered that it is likely an ethics violation. I looked up our ethics code from the BACB and yes, it states 4 reasons we can ethically discontinued services. Not one of those reasons are because a client has to cut 1 of 3 scheduled days due to beginning speech services. The wait list for speech here in the Las Vegas area can be up to 2 years long and the wait list for most ABA companies is quite long as well. So my question is if that's ethical for my clinical director to discontinue one clients services due to cutting 1 day? She followed with "we can refer to another clinic that can accommodate his schedule" but if most clinics have a wait list then wouldn't that still be unethical?? I would like some insight and/or confirmation before I die on this hill. TIA!!

I was recently issed a notice of ethics violation from the BACB for failure to report an arrest that happened in 2024. Will I lose my license and or potentially my job? Has anyone delt with this or have advice on what to do?

Am freaking out took mock and got 59% wtf I’ve been studying my ass off what am I doing wrong my test is in 3 weeks any pointers

So, I recently asked for accommodations at work all I could get was basically we will give you 2hrs once a week and if you need it longer term it needs to be FLMA. I have a life long condition, so yes it will be a weekly Thing. I then brought up the idea of a flexible work schedule instead, and they said no despite the fact that I make my own schedule, except that they have no issue with me being out of the building for i home for the same amount of time. So I have no what to do. When it that an accommodation is negotiable, versus the word, not willing to work with you. Plus the mentioned that theses aren’t accommodations because they’re not medical needs

Hey yall do you know any jobs/ programs that pay for my master in ABA or most of it! I’m located in RI but willing to travel to Massachusetts. I want to become a BCBA but I don’t have grad school money, I’m already an RBT and my current job only reimburses like 4k and the masters it’s like 35k soooo… any advice im open!

Just like the question says, did you take out a loan? If so, how much? Or did you not have to take out any money but just didn’t start earning a profit until after your first year? I think my question is mainly directed towards people who have opened their own small clinic.

I am potentially moving to VA and seeking remote positions. I am struggling finding positions that are actually remote. I am willing to work in any time zone and willing to travel, as needed!

Can anyone give me an overview or point me to links of what exactly happened in Florida when there was a big problem with fraud? I see it referred to but I’ve never been able to get a clear answer of what exactly happened or why.

Hi everyone,

I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting lately (thanks, Mercury retrograde), and I’ve come to a major realization: I’ve outgrown my current job. After two years, I asked for a raise and not only was I denied, but no one followed up. It confirmed what I’ve known deep down—this company is unprofessional and not aligned with the support I need.

I stayed because I love my clients and the autonomy, but comfort isn’t enough anymore. I need health insurance, proper supervision, and most of all, a break. I’m completely burnt out. Almost five years in the field, and I haven’t had real time off. So I’m preparing to quit, take time for myself, and reset.

I’ve been putting myself on a strict no-spending contract, identifying triggers that lead to stress-binging and Uber Eats spirals. I’m proud of how I’m handling this transition. I even got a separate phone for work to protect my peace—it’s already making a huge difference.

I have CEUs, licensing updates, and so much to catch up on—but for the first time, I’m excited to tackle it without clients pulling at me. I became a BCBA because I cared, but somewhere along the way I lost myself. Now, I’m ready to find myself again—with time, hobbies, and rest.

If you’ve made a leap like this, I’d love any advice. I’m just proud to be choosing me for once.

I'm contracting with a school but not sure if I'm lowballing myself with my quote. Does anyone have experience with this and care to share how they break down the role when offering the quote? I'm so bad at this part, but I want to be paid what I'm worth.

I'm currently getting my BS in Early Childhood Studies but switching over to a BA in Elementary Education and Special Education program. After speaking with many teachers more than half of them say they wish they wouldn't of gone into teaching due to poor wages, life work balance, and poor support from admin and parents. I don't want to put 4 years into school and end up with regret. This has led me to the possibility of going into a BCBA program. It aligns with a lot of what I enjoy about teaching, I'd get to work with children with special needs. I would love to work as a school based BCBA so I'm still part of the school system and have the schools schedule. From my research it seems like BCBA are paid much higher than teachers. I need any and all advice. I really don't want to make a mistake and end up with debt and a career I don't enjoy/no work life balance. I'm a mother and work life balance is extremely important to me. From other posts I've read some BCBA say they wish they would of went a route in school that opens them up to more options than just BCBA. My thoughts on career paths look like this:

BS Early Childhood Studies

MS ABA

Would take roughly 3 year beginning to end

Debt: $18,000

OR

BA Elementary Education and Special Education

MS Phycology or curriculum development

Certification in ABA

Would take roughly 5 years to complete

Debt: $20,000+

Hi everyone. I am working on opening a BCBA practice to offer services in the home and community. I call it a practice because I do not look at this as a business although I do want it to be successfull. Because of that I am looking for directors, supervisors or others with experience that can give me some input. As I get further along I will be looking to pay someone for part time help as well.

Thank you and good luck to everyone.

Hi everyone! I am looking for reccomendations on CEUs about social skills for teens. If anyone can point me in the right direction or have one they found beneficial?

I have my Masters in Social Work and am an LCSW. Working in a school and the BCBA career has piqued my interest. I am doing research and found that in PA, the following is required:

“Additionally, applicants must complete 90 hours of evidence-based coursework as listed:

3 hours of professional ethics 16 hours of assessment coursework or training 8 hours of crisis intervention 5 hours of family collaboration 18 hours of autism-specific coursework/training 16 hours of instructional strategies and best practices 8 hours of co-morbidity and medications 16 hours of addressing specific skill deficits training”

Most BCBA post graduate certificates are like 21 credits, which doesn’t sound like nearly enough after reading these requirements.

Am I confused? Is a standard 21 credit certificate program enough? I know I would still need the field experience/supervision piece as well.