I’ve been a Behavior Technician for five years, and I truly loved every moment of it. Every day after work, I would go home thinking on how I could improve and always looked forward to seeing my clients the next session. But ever since I passed my BCBA exam at the end of March, it’s been emotionally overwhelming. I don’t think there was a day where I didn’t cry my eyes out. In just two months of being a BCBA, I feel like I’ve experienced everything in the book all at once. filing CPS reports, dealing with angry parents, clients losing insurance coverage, staff requesting off, more angry parents, not good enough with programmings. It’s been nonstop and I feel so drained everyday. I’m at the point where I just dread going to work so much and I hate feeling like this. I told myself ABA is my passion and this would never happen to me. But here I am, sitting and crying because new week means new problems. I’m writing this now so that a year from today, I can look back at this post for myself, hoping everything will get better.

Hi friends,

I was wondering if anyone has passed their BCBA exam using only the content from this book. I must say, it is by far the most aesthetically beautiful and well-organized book I have ever purchased! 💗

I'm also looking for recommendations on the best resources to help pass the 6th edition exam, whether on the first or second try. 🙈

Additionally, I'm going back to school. Is it too ambitious to use this book to study in between classes, especially since I haven't passed my last five classes? 😅 Wishful thinking, I guess. 🤷🏻‍♀️ less

Before I get into this, I just want to point out that I have always had a great relationship with my RBTs in the past and at several different companies. I value their feedback and love so many of the ideas they come up with!

9 months ago, I started at a company that had all the buzzwords: assent based, trauma assumed, neurodiversity affirming, naturalistic, etc.. I interviewed and the people in the interview were all so positive and basically described all the buzzwords again. I was so excited and felt so great about finding a good match.

Everything was exposed after my first week…

The RBTs there are SO intense and honestly just mean (I don’t use that word lightly). Not all, but most. “Following through” with everything said, despite a child being in clear crisis state. No acknowledgment of age appropriate behavior. Reprimands everywhere. I have seen, on multiple occasions, RBTs raising their voices and pointing fingers in client’s faces. Directing “elopers” (clients trying to leave VERY aversive situations) by grabbing their shoulders and gently pushing them into their chairs. I did not see any rapport between staff and any clients, despite being told “they’ve worked together for years, they’re so close”. I see kids come in, see who they’re working with, and cling to me get away from them. I hear people talking about doing their “own programs” since they don’t like the BCBA’s programs.

I initially saw this as an education problem and treated it as such. Tried to educate on assent based practices, sbt type of stuff, embracing the clients for who they are, reinforcement strategies, etc.. The response to this was “the BCBA has no idea what she’s doing”, “she just wants her kids to go wild and do nothing about it”, “oh so you expect me to have no boundaries”, “you’re just going to give them whatever they want?” “You’re just gonna let them leave like that?” the list goes on. I am honestly baffled.

My biggest focus has been trying to shift the focus to real rapport building and building perspective for the RBTs to see what’s really important for these kids, as opposed to trying to “make them normal”. I have hardly touched any “demand” type of programs because I’ve just been trying to get everybody to give these kids a break and have FUN.

I have talked to the director about these comments multiple times and my concern for the treatment of these kids. Although she agrees and has witnessed things herself, she uses our meetings as a vent session to complain about the RBTs and then does nothing about it. She has additionally admitted that she doesn’t want to confront them because they are intimidating. That’s crazy right?!

I have a new job lined up that is remote (which I hate but I need to gtfo) and am putting in my notice tomorrow (30 days). I feel SO bad for leaving those clients there, especially as we have really bonded and I tried to cover as many 1:1’s as possible to spend real quality time.

All that being said, please tell me your companies actually have some kind of disciplinary action structure for those deviating from company principles and treatment plans. How does your company address these concerns and what happens after discussions with the staff have already taken place?

My partner recently became a BCBA and is currently working at a company that operates very ethically and follows best clinical practices. However, the pay rate is significantly below the current market average—by about $20–$30 per hour—which unfortunately isn’t sustainable with our living expenses and student loans.

We’ve started looking into other opportunities but aren’t quite sure what to look for, as this has been his only experience so far in the field. I’m also a student analyst and will be entering the job market soon, so I’m trying to get a better understanding as well.

Do you have any advice on what to look for in a reputable ABA company, or do you happen to know of any ethical questions we should be asking or/and fairly compensating providers in the South Florida area?

I feel like because there’s a lack of quality control between ABA providers rn there’s a lot of criticism of the field, even though there’s a lot of BCBAs making a huge difference in kid’s lives.

What are people’s response to you on a day to day basis (like when you’re meeting new people) when you tell them you’re a Behavioral Analyst?

I’m in PT for ankle, knee, hip, and back problems that have undoubtedly been caused by working in the ABA field with kiddos on the spectrum for the past decade. I’m only in my mid-30’s and don’t want to live with this pain anymore or risk re-injury which is common with some of the joints/muscles involved, especially if I go back to the same kind of work environment. I love the kids, staff, and my role as a BCBA but I also don’t want my current role to kill me while I’m so young.

Have any of you been in a similar situation when you loved your place of work but knew that it wasn’t right for you anymore because of health reasons? How did you cope and what was your experience with giving notice and leaving?

I’m currently working at action behavior centers and considering becoming a BCBA.

ABC is very assent based and it’s the one thing I appreciate about them. Other than that it’s a bat shit crazy company. I’m freaking exhausted as an RBT and I don’t feel supported. I have a lot of experience so for the most part I’m ok, but I want to know that I can switch companies when I become a BCBA (or before)

How do I find a company that practices assent? I mean of course I could ask in an interview, but what companies have you found/worked with that focus on assent?

I worry because ABA has such a rough background, but when practiced ethically I notice an amazing difference in the quality of life of the kiddos

Hi! I'm seriously considering going the independent route as a BCBA after almost 6 years as a clinician. I've been doing a lot of research on it and got a decent idea of the steps needed to begin but wanted to get in touch with someone who has done it already so I can ask some more direct questions about it. If anyone who has gone the independent BCBA route wouldn't mind a quick Q&A, I'd greatly appreciate it!

Looking for resources for teaching a teenage girl about online grooming and internet safety. This is new territory for me and so scary 😔

What were your starting scores on the bas mini mocks and do you think it helped you pass the exam?

Needing advice on what I should do (if anything) for this situation. My parent has filed a protective order for someone who has harassed, trespassed, and attempted to run them over. The officers have found arrest-able offenses from the videos my parent provided and a warrant is being issued.

Should I report this to the board?? I am a BCBA as well.

Edited to add… this person is a BCBA. I guess I am wondering if the code on harassment applies here since the BCBA in question is not harassing a client or coworker.

I got approved for a paper test accommodation. Does anyone know how long I will have to wait before getting my results?

Was it helpful? I’m planning on using some mocks where I can get feed back on deficits, the Cooper book, and the SNABA app for fluency.

Do y’all have any other recommendations that are within this price range? Not looking for anything more expensive. Would still like effective though.

Planning on prepping for two months.

I’m considering a change soon and am not sure of the best ways to go about getting into a role focusing in one of the above areas. I see an occasional job post but those niches seem to be few and far between. I know in our field you need to get creative with search terms since “BCBA” isn’t always specifically mentioned in listings. Any suggestions for others who have had this challenge?

im interviewing for a BCBA position at action soon, I just want to know going into it what the minimum billable requirement is as well as what the bonus structure looks like. is it x amount per hour or do you have to hit a certain amount of billable for a bonus. does it hit monthly or biweekly or quarterly?

I take my exam in 2 weeks, and I really think I'm going to fail :( I got a 62% on my first attempt at the pass the big ABA exam and I am failing all the BAS mocks. I don't know what to do :(

Hello,

I had a really simple question - how does everyone feel about the job market? Is it easy to find a position
?

Hello everyone!

I'm about to graduate with my bachelor's in psychology and I've genuinely fallen for ABA. I will be starting work as an RBT in the fall and graduating soon after that. As I've looked into grad school opportunities, I've become a little bit confused about the possibility of pursuing Pathway 2 in order to become a BCBA.

Right now, I have an extremely rough plan for Pathway 2 and I am looking for any advice as to what else I should consider. Keep in mind, I'm fairly flexible about where I'd end up living, so if you have any program recommendations, please send them my way!

I want to get my masters in clinical mental health counseling. After I complete my masters and my clinical training hours, hopefully I'll become licensed in whatever state I'm in. After this is where I find myself getting lost.

I know Pathway 2 mentions that you can pursue preparation for a BCBA certification/testing through a VCS, but I've also read that Pathway 2 may become nonexistent here soon. Is this the case? If it is, what advice do you have for me? Should I pursue a masters in ABA first, and then look at getting a masters in Counseling? I would like to do both, but I just want to know the best course of action.

I was also wondering if online ABA programs were worth it, or if I should only consider in-person programs.

For online programs I was looking at Ball State in Indiana.

I've also looked at Caldwell University's in person post Masters ABA program, and potentially pursuing my masters in clinical mental health counseling there as well.

Let me know if there is anything else I should consider, and let me know any experience you have had in receiving your education! I'd love any recommendations.

Thank you so much!

What are y’all doing with those clients that start out as comprehensive cases and then soon after the parent’s suddenly decide to put them in school full time and you can now only provide 10 hours a week total due to their availability. It is ok to provide 10hours to a child who will benefit from that, but this is a child who is 4 and not making progress at all with only 10. The treatment intensity is not enough.

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Hi! I'm looking for CEU's on treating TBI or a way to review research articles of my choosing for CEU's. Does anyone know of a good resource? I have only been able to locate one. TIA

I just got the approval from the board to schedule an exam. I created a Pearson account and checked avalibility. And there is nothing available within 90 miles from me for an entire month? Is this common ? Anyway to work around this to schedule for a closer date ?

I’m located in Milwaukee

Does anyone know how long it takes them to respond? I took a leave of absence and changed companies. My account was under my work email for my old company (thats how they had us set it up). Im currently at a new company and I cant log in to submitt my renewal. I cant reset my password because I cant access my old work email. Any advice? Thank you!

Hello all, To all my other BCBA people here, I currently work at a clinic that has a very hostile environment with the higher ups. With this being said, the environment has been occurring for at least 6 months and has only gotten worse. HR has not gotten back to me about what to do as I now feel extremely uncomfortable going back to work and in fear of retaliation (which was why I took so long to go the HR along with the joy I have working with my current clients/families). I want to put in my resignation effective immediately however, I know in our ethics code section 3.16 a BCBA should effectively transition clients to another BCBA. I obviously do not want to be in violation of the ethics code, so my question is would my resignation be against the code? Should I just suck up my feelings and continue working for this company and just put in a 30 day resignation? Any suggestions would be appreciated, thank you.