ABA in Schools

[u/Kind-Ad4622]

Hey everyone! I just wanted your opinion on ABA being used in schools, especially for our special needs learners or children with social-emotional challenges. I have been working with a SPED teacher since the beginning of the school year and every opportunity she gets, she always mentions that, "ABA isn't the solution" and that "I need to go back to a clinic" as well as not allowing me to practice my ABA interventions (even though that's why I was hired by the principal) and actively discouraging me. Is this just a bad teacher? Should I stay in the school district? Go back to a clinic? Any advice on the matter would be appreciated. 😌

[u/bkingslake]

Reminder you cannot practice ABA without being supervised by a BCBA and can get your license revoked if the BACB finds out. The principal and psych cannot sign off on you practicing ABA without an active BCBA designing the interventions. I’m guessing the teacher means well, but does not have a clear understanding of what ABA is since a lot of the principles we use in ABA are the same as you see in a sped classroom just packaged in a different way. Regardless, please remain in your scope of competence and find a clinic that will provide appropriate supervision and support!

[u/Kind-Ad4622 → u/bkingslake]

Thanks for the insight, I was unaware of this, as they literally framed me working in the school district under the idea that I'd be able to actively implement them. In fact they gave me questions relating to how much I know about ABA and how to implement certain things. Do you think I was given false pretences?

[u/bkingslake → u/Kind-Ad4622]

I think the school likely did not know what hiring an RBT meant. If you want to stay in the school, set the expectation that you are a para educator, nothing more and review what that actually means. Overall, it is your responsibility to comply with the RBT ethics code so even if it’s false pretenses, you need to ensure you are within compliance as it’s your license on the line.

[u/Kind-Ad4622 → u/bkingslake]

I see. Well I don't have a license, in fact I just have 3 years of experience, thats why they hired me, and I was under the impression that I'd be able to freely work without even knowing that I needed a BCBA to supervise me. I feel horrible knowing I've been doing bad things in regards to how ABA is ran. I should probably go back to a clinic or at least in home care because it's more clear than the school district as I'm now finding out.

[u/Tlacuache_Snuggler → u/Kind-Ad4622]

Hey, I’m a BCBA in public schools and want to chime in. The comment about not being able to practice without a BCBA supervisor isn’t necessarily true and it depends on the job you were hired on for.

If they hired you for a job that specifically mentions requiring your RBT cert, then it’s true you need a BCBA supervisor.

If they hired you as a general behavior aide or interventionist, you do NOT need to be under a BCBA. Any practitioner can use ABA-aligned strategies as ABA is a science, not a treatment. We have teachers using ABA strategies in classrooms all the time!

[u/Kind-Ad4622 → u/Tlacuache_Snuggler]

Really? Now I know I definitely need to research some things, especially because this is what I want to do, but dang I want to be able to do it freely. (with supervision but yk what I mean lol) I already contacted the admin of the SPED department, so let's see how it goes from there.

[u/Tlacuache_Snuggler → u/Kind-Ad4622]

Really! I’ve been a BCBA in public schools for 10 years. Most of the folks in this thread are probably assuming you are an RBT, hence all the comments about you getting in trouble.

But it’s totally okay for you to be hired on as an interventionist using principles of ABA to guide you. Tons of school districts expect that of their teachers anyway.

What’s not okay is billing Medicaid as “ABA therapy” — ABA as a therapy requires licensure. ABA methodologies as an applied science doesn’t; school psychologists are perfectly able to provide mentorship for that.

[u/Kind-Ad4622 → u/Tlacuache_Snuggler]

Yes, I was not hired as an RBT, just a SLC tech (basically an aide) and I use ABA as a way to help the students.

[u/bkingslake → u/Kind-Ad4622]

The important thing is that you care and your heart is in the right place! The only thing to do is correct this moving forward and set appropriate boundaries with the school. I’d recommend looking into clinics in your area that can help you get the appropriate credentials and training. Can I ask, how were you practicing ABA previously without your RBT? I’m a BCBA so just curious how you fell into this line of work

[u/Kind-Ad4622 → u/bkingslake]

I agree with that. I feel emotional whiplash with being encouraged and discouraged tbh, it's been awful since all I want to do is connect and help our diverse learners. I was originally hired by an ABA company because I had experience living with family members who were moderately disabled and went on from there, I worked in ABA companies and actually had my rbt cert and everything, then I became a contractor and worked with the schools (from this point on, I had no issues with the higher admin on me doing ABA, they encouraged and wanted me to do this) and then I became an SLC tech, working under a SPED teacher who started to have issues with me and telling me to go back where I came from (clinics, home therapy, etc). The principal said to keep doing what Ive been doing and basically I'm being ping ponged between these two 😅

[u/bkingslake → u/Kind-Ad4622]

In general- this teacher sounds like a nightmare. We spend way too much of our lives at work to work to put up with people like that. Good luck and I hope you find something better!

[u/Kind-Ad4622 → u/bkingslake]

I definitely took your advice to heart and asked the administrator of special education what schools have a BCBA or something to where I can practice ABA ethically and responsibly. If there are no suitable options, then I'll find a place where I can thrive elsewhere. Thank you for your feedback, I truly appreciate it. 💜