Miami Behavior Analyst

The teacher is an indirect consumer of the child’s ABA therapy- therefore we have a professional relationship with the teacher, similar to the relationship we would have with the parent. We can be friendly but we are crossing that multiple relationship line if we are “friends”, which would not be in the best interest of our client and against our ethics code. Reported violations can result in the loss of your certification.

We have seen RBTs split their time for their client with other students in the classroom! This is not only unethical but can be illegal if insurance is paying for those services. Often times, RBTs don’t know this and they are trying to be helpful but this is an ethical violation, BCBAs and ABA companies should inform RBTs and teachers on these guidelines.

An RBT and BCBAs job is to put yourself out of a job by getting your client independent in the classroom! Schools being open to transferring interventions to the teacher are key for this to happen! Getting out of the school means your client can use valuable hours in their 1:1 therapy after school, these 1:1 therapy sessions are necessary for meeting developmental milestones.

If we want to change the idea that RBTs are babysitters then ABA companies need to educate RBTs on when they should and should not be providing services. Your client’s precious hours can be used elsewhere and should benefit them - not wasted on babysitting. If a therapist is going to be in the classroom during movie day then the BCBA should make sure the RBT has goals they can work on with the child at that time, if not, then get out of the classroom because you are not doing your client any good and you definitely are not demonstrating what ABA should look like.

Skills worked on during an Easter Egg Hunt: scanning, sharing, counting, and having fun!