Alchemy Bx

The first 3 years of my youngest’s life were definitely the hardest. From the moment he was born, I noticed something was different about the way he behaved, from feeding sessions and holding him to the way he interacted with people or sounds. 

When my oldest child was ready to sleep or wanted consoling, it was his natural inclination to be held. For my youngest, he refused touch, could not look you in the eyes and continued to cry despite all attempts to cuddle, bundle, and soothe. 

Many doctors visits and no answers. 

I went to the pediatrician, to the local health departments, to anyone who would double check - why is my child acting so strange? Within the next year, we had been given the suggestion to look into Autism and to do it soon. There was a window before age 3 for successful intervention, we were told. What was this ASD that he could possibly have? I would peruse all the books in the bookstores, search various websites, only to find theories and applications that might help. I wasn’t financially capable of taking him to a specialist so I did whatever I could on my own. We discovered theories on oxygenation, sensory integration therapy, amino acid supplementation, gluten free diets, etc. I made notes and attempted different options. 

THE STRUGGLE

All this pseudoscience might seem crazy to some people, but when you don’t know better, have no other resources to learn from, and noone else who could offer some sound medical advice, an autism parent will do ANYTHING to fix their child. 

At times it felt like I was parenting a Mogwai that transformed into a Gremlin...

The endless nights of crying, the lack of connection with your child you want so desperately to have, the public space tantrums, and impossible family visits. At times it felt like I was parenting a Mogwai that transformed into a Gremlin. Some days were great. Other days, you spent the night on the kitchen floor, trying to hold your writhing, screaming child, while crying yourself to sleep. It was not easy and many parents know that this kind of struggle is the stuff of nightmares. I’ve heard stories of how some find it difficult to keep a marriage together. Many of the client’s parents were going through divorce. Some had given their child up to the grandparents, because they couldn’t take care of them while trying to make ends meet. For whatever reason, this is a condition that can drive a deep wedge into even a very stable and loving home. 

It’s the monster in the closet, the boogeyman brought to life. As a parent who has experienced this, you know the kind of struggles I speak of...

The constant unsolicited advice of family members, friends, and even strangers who have no idea what you are going through. The sense of loss when you realize that you may not get to see your child hit the same life milestones as others’ children. No sports games, first dates, getting married, or pursuing their dreams. Will any of these happen? Will they have a normal life? What can they do as an adult? 

The questions and the pain of it is much like losing a loved one.

THE LATER YEARS

After what seemed like a decade of working as an independent artist, I returned to college to gain a degree. I’d been lucky to be taking a basic course in Psychology where I met a professor who had previously worked with children and teens on the spectrum. His story blew my mind, as this was 10 years later that I’m hearing there were treatments being done for kids like this. My own children had become young teens by now, and luckily were adjusting to their life in miraculous ways. I would later discover my oldest was on the spectrum as well, albeit a form that manifested much differently than the youngest. They’d received some form of support through the school system, which I’m so grateful for, but I’d never heard about this ABA therapy or the field of Behavior Analysis. My professor’s story sparked my search to learn more about this ABA field I never knew about and I immediately began my search to learn how to get into the field. It was later that year that I applied for a job and had my first opportunity to work as an ABA technician. I was trained and within the year had fallen head first in love with the field and specifically working in early intervention based clinical ABA. 

A CALL FOR COMPASSION

While many of us have had the privilege of parenting a child with ASD, and knowing what other parents are going through, many may not truly know. For us parents, it has been confusing and difficult. It’s overthrown all plans of parenting we ever had, driven discord in relationships, made normal daily life really challenging. Some parents are probably emotionally distraught, depressed, confused, deeply frustrated or downright angry. They may not approach ABA with the sense of excitement. Some may approach it with caution or distrust. It’s important as practitioners to remember they are not our enemy in the effort to help their child. They are one of the most important components of our treatment in these cases. They are a client too. We must strive as technicians, consultants, and analysts to be supportive of these parents. 

They want answers and they want help. 

1. The Data Sheet Clipboard Case

While any clipboard is great for keeping the sheets you record on neat and in place during high-energy sessions, it’s the best to have one that has some sort of storage. That way, you can place any smaller items you need to carry along with you throughout the day on hand. Sanitary wipes, chapstick, pens, program cards, office security cards, a calculator etc, could be put in these for safe keeping and availability! It’s been a lifesaver when I’ve been moving from room to room with a client, or from client to client! Storage Clipboards like this one are nice, simple and durable!

2. The Tally Counter

Whether you’re old-school and mark tallies on a sheet, or up with the game and marking them down on an app, a tally counter is going to become your best friend in recording frequency of behavior on the go. I really love the simplicity and unobtrusive nature of these, as you can clip them to yourself, your clipboard or wear over your neck for immediate, inconspicuous data recording. They’re very affordable and compact like this one. 

3. Sanitizer hand wipes. 

While having the gel form may be great for most practitioners in the clinical/medical fields, these can be purchased in small single or handful of packages that can slip easily into that storage keyboard! A lot of times, you will be working with clients who have been sick, wipe their runny nose on you or cause a mess. These are nice to have on hand even if you are working in a facility that has some products within reach. Keeping yourself clean and healthy is key in this field.

4. Hard Candy/Throat Lozenges

No matter your preference, it’s helpful to have something on hand when working as sometimes your throat will get sore in this job from talking/playing. Another good reason is when you are using edibles in a session, it keeps you from temptation of using a client’s treats for a quick taste, right? :P It’s important to keep our throats hydrated and calm so we can provide the best support for our clients.

5. Timer

You’ll find that alot of your work is about measuring and data collection. With that said, a timer will be helpful dependent on the programs you are working on. I love using my own smartwatch, as it’s portable, on hand at all times, and I don’t have to worry about dropping it during sessions. You can use a fitbit, iWatch or some form of stopwatch, which are much more affordable. This is the best route, as you really do not want to have your phones on hand to time everything, which can be a lot to lug around and highly distracting for both you and client. What’s great about digital timers, like this one, is that some clients with transitional issues work best when they are able to see that time is up on things.

6. Google Drive/Dropbox 

Girl (or boy), if you didn’t know, Google Drive and Dropbox are a great option to collect and protect data, supervision materials, project ideas, and collect more data! You will find you will be using Excel sheets, presentation tools, and filing to keep track of all the materials you go through in your day to day. And what is great about Google Drive. Dropbox makes it easy to keep documents safe and share with supervisors and supervisees too!

7. Zoom / Google Hangouts

When doing remote meetings, supervision or training - you’re going to need something that is secure, quick, and generalized in availability across other devices. What I love about these two options is that your colleagues can download the app and use on the go from their smartphone or iPad if they can’t make it to their desk. They are also safe and HIPAA compliant options to keep our client data and information safe.

8. Bluetooth earphones

When you’re working on your reports, taking client calls on the go - having bluetooth earphones is more efficient and safe option. I love that I can have these on hand when I get to the books to put on some downtempo lofi, but it’s also great to keep yourself off your device while driving or moving around the office.

What do I need in terms of education? 

What jobs are available out there? 

Who do we work with in this science?

Hopefully, you’ve already got an idea, though I’ll cover these in a future post. For those who know who we want to work with or are just ready to jump right in, here is what you need to go to get started. Please note that you should still read the direct requirements and guidelines for education + supervision from the official BACB site. This post is only meant as a simple breakdown, coupled with personal experience. I hope to answer questions that sometimes slip through the cracks in this process so it’s easier to understand. But as always, please contact the BACB with serious questions!

1. You need higher education. 📚

RBT Certification (High School level +)

If you are interested in working in a clinical branch of this field (i.e. Early intervention, ABA therapy for children with ASD (autism spectrum disorder), or gerontology), you’re probably going to need to gain RBT certification. This represents Registered Behavior Technician, which is a 40 hour long training program that includes being supervised by a BCaBA (Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst) or a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst). This level of training can be taken by anyone that has acquired a High School Degree or higher, and is typically offered on-the-job by most agencies. In fact, very soon RBT certification may be required at most places you will work at, due to insurance reasons. This is also available for a reasonable price online independently, however you will still require some on-the-job form of supervision as these hours will allow you to sit for the exam to get the cert. 

BCaBA (Undergraduate level / Bachelors level +)

This level of certification allows you to work in higher level behavior analytic services, while under the supervision of BCBAs. You however, are able to supervise those under you (Behavior Technicians/Therapists & RBTs) who are implementing behavior analytical services. This is usually offered at college/universities both online and in-person and require you to acquire a certain number of supervision hours in conjunction with your studies. Some people do this during their bachelors, but it can be done after. Some people will go onto keep their BCaBA even if they later pursue a masters or PhD. A BCaBA can help a BCBA with caseload, offering almost the same work as a BCBA, but must work under the BCBA’s supervision in everything. With that said, this is a great gateway into the field if you are not ready to pursue a graduate level program or want to be able to work at this level only.

BCBA (graduate level / Masters level +)

This is the highest level in the applied field. It requires that you complete a graduate level program or a graduate level degree within the subjects of Psychology and/or Applied Behavior Analysis. (Please see BACB site for specific degrees accepted). Many who go onto become a BCBA may already have a graduate degree in something close to the field (Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Education, Therapy, etc) and take a graduate level certificate program. This level also requires that you complete a program coupled with supervision by another BCBA or BCBA-D level practitioner who is able to supervise.

Can you do an ABA course program completely online?

YES. Many high-quality and even affordable programs exist where you can take the course sequence entirely online. Some course programs are hybrid courses as well, where you can get some on-site courses and take others online. This allows for people who are working full-time or have families to be able to attend. Additionally, many on-site programs offer cohorts that take the program in a sequence at either morning schedule or evening schedule so you can choose according to your work/life/family schedule!

PLACES THAT OFFER ABA PROGRAMS

First off, let’s make sure that the ABA programs that you want to consider are BACB approved course sequences. Luckily, most if not all do have this down pat. But be sure, when you are researching schools’ programs, that you see the approval information on their site. You can also check out approved school programs through BACB’s site. 

Here are on-site and online programs that offer ABA education programs> 

2. You need supervision 👩🏻‍🏫

Here’s the biggin. And this is where most questions and complications begin to happen. You may already had known that supervision hours are required, and this means you will either acquire this one of these ways:

On-Site: On-Site will be at a facility, agency, or in-home company that offers ABA services.

Online/Remote: Working directly with clients in a school, facility, agency, or in-home under the remote (online) supervision of a BCBA or BCBA-D who works with you via video/phone/online.

Depending on your location, your current type of work or where you want to work will determine what kind of supervision you will gain. You will either gain supervision through your on-site university program (they typically have a program to help place you with an on-site facility that will train you/supervise you/and pay you while you work on-site), or through your own job. 

What kind of jobs will you be able to be supervised on?

ANSWER: Anything that is behavior analytical in nature. What do I mean by this? You will learn about the 7 dimensions of ABA soon enough, but to keep to the point - this will be any place in which you ARE indeed implementing ABA services. This means if you work in a school or facility with children or adults who are receiving behavior/therapy programming by a BCBA. If you are a teacher or volunteer who has the opportunity to work with a child or adult who requires/needs these services and are not receiving them currently, you may be able to get the opportunity with a remote BCBA. This will be something you have to discuss with your supervisor/boss, the remote BCBA and the potential client’s family. Note: you cannot get supervision for doing any job. It MUST be behavior analytical in nature.

PRO Tip: When consulting with a remote BCBA about this option, they will explain what is possible. Do not be afraid to ask!

How much supervision will I need? 

This is where you have to look up the guidelines of supervision at BACB. They have a chart and guide that shows you how many hours you must gain and by what time.

How long will getting supervision take me to complete?

It all depends on how many hours you work each week. The minimum hours you can gain a week are 10 hours direct, and the max is 30 hours direct. It can take anywhere from 1 year to 3 years. Some people work on their hours on or off while others wait until they’re done with their ABA programs.

PROTip: Try to gain some amount of hours during your programs, as the coursework will become more applicable and memorable for you. It’s the best way to get training. You need hands-on experience to be a competent practitioner in this field and waiting until after your program will be a terrible waste of quality learning time.

When CAN I start supervision?

You can start after you begin your ABA coursework. Even if you begin one course, you can start. You CANNOT, I repeat, CANNOT gain hours before you start. It can only begin after you start coursework.

PROTip: Start looking at local jobs in your area hiring for behavior technicians, or look for remote BCBA’s in forums or groups on sites like Facebook. Do this once you’ve been accepted into a program or are starting your first course. There are many competent practitioners who can direct you to someone qualified to do this or know of a job that might be offering supervision in your area!

3. You need to get organized 🗂

One of the most important part of your job will be to create systems and programs that create efficiency, learning opportunities, and growth. The best place to start is with yourself. When you begin your ABA program, having a highly organized schedule, calendar, and work routine will be key to keep your supervision on track, your education up to part, and yourself from going crazy. This is especially important if you are already a working adult and/or parent!

PROtip: Get yourself a binder and organize your supervision documents, all study materials, schedules, and important content that you’ll need throughout this process.

4. You need to stay on top of your studies ✏️📆

This field can be overwhelming and at first, the courses may make you feel like your brain is about to melt. Eventually it does in fact not only get easier but very interesting. Problem is, juggling studies with work, supervision (especially if this is being done in addition to your current job), and family life might suffer. To make sure it doesn’t overwhelm you, you need to create a schedule for yourself and set up your devices to remind you when big projects, exams, homework, supervision work and even your family meals are due. My friend, we will delve into this in my next post. For now, find what works for you. What prompts in your real life will help you remember when to study? When your next class is? When your supervisor needs that progress report? Do this and you will very much succeed.

5. You need to take care of yourself  🍷🏝

Throughout this process, there are likely going to be times when you WILL feel overwhelmed, burnt out, or ready to throw in the towel. DON’T. Remember to take moments (schedule this if you have to!) to take care of your own mental and physical well-being. Schedule breaks in between studying. Schedule time in your week to do something you love and pretend you’re not in school and don’t work. This is essential to anyone who wants to work in this field, as you will be obtaining large responsibilities that may involve the care and well-being of others.

6. You need to remember that ABA is a SCIENCE 📉