r/ABA • u/Kind-Ad4622 • 4d ago

Advice Needed ABA in Schools

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. 😌

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u/Kind-Ad4622 4d ago

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?

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u/bkingslake BCBA 4d ago

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.

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u/Kind-Ad4622 4d ago

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.

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u/bkingslake BCBA 4d ago

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

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u/Kind-Ad4622 4d ago

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 😅

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u/bkingslake BCBA 4d ago

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!

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u/Kind-Ad4622 4d ago

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. 💜