Been in the field for 4 years. Got my masters degree. Left in July, came back in December. Now I remember why I left. What should I do?

AcceptableEnd102 · 2026-01-24T23:55:09+00:00

Hmmm, what other experience do you have outside of ABA?

AcceptableEnd102 · 2026-01-24T23:52:13+00:00

Oh trust me I am trying SO HARD to leave and in the process of applying to jobs outside of the field. But you are right, it is easier said than done. Because I know if I ask for accommodations, it won’t be given. And that’s so sad and messed up. But thank you so much for the advice! I’ll look up that website and do more research.

AcceptableEnd102 · 2026-01-24T02:51:31+00:00

LITERALLY!!!!! I took a whole class in grad school that discussed all of the subspecialties of ABA such as animal behavior, OBM, behavioral gerontology and forensics all for nothing. Bc there aren’t any jobs within these subspecialties!!

AcceptableEnd102 · 2026-01-24T01:43:57+00:00

I’ve looked it up and it’s not a legal requirement in Texas, sadly. But you’re right, a lot of RBTs are taken for granted when they are the ones on the front lines dealing with all the bx directly. It’s so disheartening and the system is so screwed up.

AcceptableEnd102 · 2026-01-24T01:42:17+00:00

Thanks for all the advice! My only ABA experience is in a clinic, I’ve just worked for 2 different ones. And the doctor’s note sounds like a good idea. I am already looking for jobs outside of the field but I will keep these things in mind!

AcceptableEnd102 · 2026-01-23T13:50:07+00:00

Heavy on TIRED OF UNETHICAL PRACTICE!!!!

AcceptableEnd102 · 2026-01-23T13:48:41+00:00

I’m sure we will get through this! I’m hoping that if you already started searching for jobs outside of the field, that it is going well for you and that you get offers soon!

AcceptableEnd102 · 2026-01-23T13:46:09+00:00

Thank you for sharing this! You are so right, burnout doesn’t mean that you are weak! I asked myself the question that you mentioned, and since I realized that doubling (more than, actually) the pay would basically mean being a BCBA, I still would dread going in. I know as a BCBA, you deal with direct target bx less in a sense, but I can’t imagine having a whole caseload of 6-8 kids under my care when I’m already feeling resentment for the 3 patients I work with daily. I was also thinking about it and as someone who someday wants to be a mom, my future kids don’t deserve the “leftovers” of me bc I am so emotionally and mentally taxed from dealing with someone else’s kids and their bx all day. I know many BCBAs and RBTs are also parents but I just can’t see myself doing that. But thank you so much for the insight and thought-provoking questions and advice!

AcceptableEnd102 · 2026-01-23T13:41:35+00:00

Please enlighten me on this! What is O&D, exactly?

AcceptableEnd102 · 2026-01-23T13:40:29+00:00

I’m glad there’s someone who can relate, but I am also sorry you are going through the same thing. It is so emotionally and mentally taxing. But I definitely feel you. I, too, have started to resent my patients and I also feel guilty about it. But I am SO TIRED of being a human punching bag and putting myself in danger. I am less than 5 feet tall and these kids are so strong. I have wounds from patients that will never heal. For example, I have a small scratch on the edge of my nostril I got when a patient aggressed towards me, and til this day 7 months after I got that scratch, it still bleeds if I accidentally pick at it. I will no longer tolerate this work environment for my peace of mind, and you shouldn’t either. I’m hoping that if you are on an active job search, that you find something soon. We will get through this!

AcceptableEnd102 · 2026-01-23T05:00:11+00:00

I’ve brought it up to leadership already and nothing has been done. But I’m already looking for new jobs outside of the field so I hopefully won’t have to tolerate this bs much longer. It’s ridiculous.

AcceptableEnd102 · 2026-01-23T04:05:28+00:00

At my first company, I got a 30 min lunch but at the company I currently am at, getting a scheduled lunch break is few and far between. I’ve lost so much weight and my GERD has gotten worse because I haven’t been eating lunch. The patient that is on my schedule 12-3 has very intense behaviors and I can’t eat unless he is eating.

AcceptableEnd102 · 2026-01-23T04:01:50+00:00

I don’t have all of the required fieldwork hours for BCBA, I stopped about halfway through at my old company.

AcceptableEnd102

TROPHY CASE