Congratulations on becoming a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)! You're about to embark on a rewarding career journey to make a significant difference in the lives of individuals with autism. We’ve compiled the ultimate advice from the Powerback Pediatrics clinical team to help you excel in your new role as an RBT.
“One of the most rewarding parts of the Client Advocate role is helping to support the RBTs and hear their wins with the clients. We are there to support them and they work to support the clients.” -Meagan Matthews, Client Advocate
Throughout your time as an RBT, you’ll encounter clinicians at various stages in their career. For example, your supervising clinicians were once in your shoes as a behavior technician. They uniquely understand the requirements of your role, and are there to support your development and growth. As behavioral therapists, we rely heavily on trust and rapport between peers to help our clients thrive– fostering relationships amongst your peers is heavily encouraged!
Here are some tips on how to best give and receive support for your peers, clients, and their families:
“Ask questions! All the time! The behavior analyst will want to help and support you. The desire to learn is the best foundation.” – Regan Fitzgerald BCBA, LBA
Small adjustments in your thought processes can create the biggest rewards when it comes to behavioral therapy. It’s also important to note that these adjustments take time, and patience to help your client achieve their goals. Persistence is key!
Check out our top tips to maintain the bigger picture as an RBT:
“Going from 4 to 5, or from 9 to 10 is pretty cool. But going from 0 to 1 is the best thing you can ever do for the kiddo.” – Andrew Prine EdS, BCBA, NCSP
Real talk: working as an RBT can be demanding, both physically and emotionally. While managing expectations is important for your client’s success, it’s crucial to ground yourself to avoid burnout. It’s best to avoid attempting to pour from an empty glass!
Here are our favorite hacks to help you realign your self care routines:
“When you feel like you're doing nothing or accomplishing nothing, that feeling could not be further from the truth. You are impacting so many lives in indescribable ways every day just by showing up. You may feel like you're just with the same kiddo to practice learning the same things day in, week in, even month in and out and things aren't changing. Reflecting on one tough moment, one tough day, or even one tough week is a blip... a dot (or a few) on a graph that paints a much bigger picture of life changing progress and success that our clients cannot make without our RBTs!”
– Erin Sottile, MSW, BCBA, LBA
RBTs excel at reading between the lines, staying keenly aware of finer details.
This skill can present itself in many ways during and after a session with a client, such as:
Data is the foundation of everything we do in ABA therapy, which is a data driven science. The first bit of data starts with the session notes taken by the RBT.
Ethics are imperative to effective ABA practice. RBTs should always adhere to the BCBA Code of Ethics.
Our top tips:
“If you find yourself in a situation you are unsure of, make the best and most ethical decision with the information you have for the situation, and proceed with confidence. The BCBA will consult with them post-situation and decide if we will proceed the same way next time, or if we need to write a protocol specific to the situation. I understand it is a little scary making those professional judgment calls in the moment but I want them to know they are supported, and everything can be a learning opportunity.” — Amy Reese, BCBA
The field of Applied Behavior Analysis is dynamic and ever evolving. Staying up-to-date with research, techniques, and best practices will benefit you and your client.
Here are some ways to keep learning:
“It's okay to be a little uncomfortable. If you're not uncomfortable, you're not learning.” — Andrew Prine, EdS, BCBA, NCSP
Regular self-reflection is crucial for personal and professional growth.
Ask yourself questions like:
Keeping a journal can help track your progress and identify areas for improvement.
“The RBT role can be so challenging, yet so rewarding. I get to see first hand not only the growth of the clients, but also the growth of our staff members through their tenure at Powerback. It is amazing to see those lightbulb moments or significant breakthroughs for staff.” – Paige McComas, Regional Vice President of Powerback Pediatrics
Starting your career as an RBT is an exciting and impactful journey. By embracing the tips we’ve described above, you'll not only excel in your role, but you will also take great strides to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those you serve. Welcome to the world of ABA therapy – your dedication and passion are truly valued!
The team at Powerback Pediatrics is here to support you as an RBT, whether this is your first position in the field, or if you are looking for a change. We structure our program on two foundational words—Thoughtfulness and Professionalism. We firmly believe that if our team is making decisions and implementing therapy with those elements in mind, we will create a successful environment for both staff and clients alike.
Make an impact in your community with a career as an RBT at Powerback Pediatrics!
Stay connected and informed with our latest updates, events, and blog posts.
As Powerback Pediatrics works to provide your child with a comprehensive support plan, here are a few things you might want to know about what schools can do to support your child while we work to partner with them.
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An important aspect of ABA therapy is ensuring that the individual is in the right state to learn and benefit from these interventions. This is where the concept of Happy, Relaxed, and Engaged (HRE) comes into play.
The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Second Edition assessment, or ADOS-2, is one of a handful of tools for diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Powerback Pediatrics is your therapy partner for comprehensive child development services.
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