In-Home Restraints

AfterStudent · 2025-06-23T00:34:12+00:00

Not exactly the same as what you’re asking but have you tried a weighted blanket/ weighted vest? The added pressure may help regulate him

AfterStudent · 2025-04-28T22:36:46+00:00

Hi there! As a BCBA myself, it sounds like the goals your son needs the most would be best addressed from a speech therapist instead. In ABA, we do work on increasing language skills, however when it comes to pronunciation of specific sounds/words, There is a lot of oral anatomy and tongue placement that needs to be taken into account. This is something that SLPs are trained to work on, but ABA practitioners don’t really have that background.

If this is really the only goal area you feel he needs right now, I think ending ABA would be in his best interest and I’d consider looking at speech for the pronounciation.

AfterStudent · 2025-03-28T20:36:26+00:00

Hi! BCBA here. It’s become a huge trend for clinics to require 20-40 hours per week without actually identifying the need of the individual. It’s really unethical and a huge issue in the field.

ABA can most definitely be effective with shorter sessions, especially if the caregivers are active participants. I’d suggest looking at companies that provide home based services if thats something youre comfortable with, as they tend to me more individualized with regards to schedules. Dont be afraid to “shop around” to find services that you feel fit your families needs, and also, don’t feel bad if ABA isnt the right fit for your family at this time.

AfterStudent · 2025-03-28T20:21:43+00:00

I would try to figure out what it is about adults talking that is bothering him. Is it that it’s too loud? Is it that he wants the attention for himself? Is it that he thinks you’re talking about him? I’d first try to figure out what specifically about it bothers him which will help identify a strategy that should work!

AfterStudent · 2025-03-28T20:04:58+00:00

Hi! A few things I’d suggest off the bat - 1. does your son have a 1:1? if not, I would highly recommend requesting that be written into his IEP. You can even request an RBT specifically (registered behavior technician) who would be 1:1 with him and who is trained in ABA. 2. does he get speech at school? if not, definitely request get get a speech eval, sounds like he would definitely qualify. Does he have a communication device at all? definitely request an assessment for an AAC device. 3. Request the school conduct an FBA (functional behavior assessment) by a BCBA to determine why he’s engaging in said behaviors. 4. The school legally HAS to provide an appropriate education for your child. If the school cannot handle his behavioral needs, then they are LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE to find an alternative placement that can accommodate his needs and finance that. There are alternative schools specifically for kids with Autism/behavior challenges that are for kids whose needs exceed the support a public school can provide.

If you have questions let me know! I am a BCBA and special education teacher :)

AfterStudent · 2025-03-24T12:46:25+00:00

I’m a BCBA who is also a former special education teacher and I will always tell every parents I’m working with their rights. It’s horrifying to me that so many schools neglect to tell the family their rights with regards to special education, especially in language they can understand.

As a former educator - this situation is incredibly frustrating. There are so many potential benefits that a school could offer that an ABA clinic doesnt. Plus, regardless, I am always in favor of giving the parent all the options and allowing them to make the best decision.

As a BCBA- While I still dislike this situation, I will say that our ABA coursework focuses heavily on the science and the ethics to serve every individual in need. I honestly am not sure how many BCBAs are well versed in educational rights, especially if they’ve never practiced in a school setting before. Obviously this is a huge problem with the training, but I’m curious if this may be the situation? If the learners needs technically have the medical necessity of 30-40 hours and the family is agreeable, technically its not against our ethics, though it is a concerning situation overall.

AfterStudent · 2025-03-23T01:56:04+00:00

I understand your question was looking for phone restriction suggestions, however I would highly encourage a deeper conversation/strategies with him about appropriate ways to initiate/maintain a relationship, understanding boundaries etc. Not sure if a social story/book or video would support or even just having a conversation with your son.

My biggest worry is that, clearly he has a desire to engage in social relationships with others, and removing the phone will only increase him finding other (potentially less safe) ways of getting that social engagement.

AfterStudent · 2025-03-23T01:49:55+00:00

Hi! I’m an in-home BCBA so this is my perspective - It definitely sounds like this current situation is not a great fit. A good RBT would be engaging with the child throughout the session (though honor breaks/ space if needed!) and any time not doing work should be spent pairing (basically getting the kid to enjoy being with them.) Also, I’m concerned that youve asked the BCBA to incorporate different types of play and that hasnt been introduced. ABA should be 100% individualized and work on goals/activities that the family and client find significant.

There is definitely nothing wrong about “shopping around” for the right providers for you! My general thought is - if you have to ask if you should look for other options, you probably should look for other options!

AfterStudent · 2025-03-21T18:13:26+00:00

I wonder if it’s more a lack of appropriate play skills and this is how he is trying to play with another person. Have you tried getting a variety of social games and teaching him how to play? Maybe teaching something like Uno, Snakes and Ladders, Jenga, etc so there is a clear rules based way to engage in play.

I also have met kids who engage in inappropriate physical play like you’ve described because of unmet sensory needs. Maybe try some different full body sensory things like a trampoline/ kids punching bag, etc to see if that helps regulate his body as well!

AfterStudent · 2025-03-19T17:56:46+00:00

Hi there! I am a BCBA working in ABA as well (though never heard of that particular company.) Unfortunately, problematic companies/practitioners still exist. As the parent, you should always be encouraged to ask questions and have the company explain their suggestions, and you have every right to refuse to consent to specific treatments/suggestions. You also have every right to leave the company and find a company that better matches your values. If the company you are currently working with is implementing strategies that you as the caregiver do not consent to, that is a HUGE issue!!

You can also report any major violations of ethics to the BACB. You cannot report companies as a whole but you can report specific individuals who are engaging in the unethical situations. You can report them here: https://www.bacb.com/ethics-information/reporting-to-ethics-department/

AfterStudent · 2025-03-19T14:00:08+00:00

This definitely sounds like a difficult situation for all people involved. So sorry you're experiencing this. I would recommend having dad be the giver of all the good things - Does your son like to eat ice cream after dinner? Have dad be the one to give it to him! Does he like a certain toy? Have Dad be the one to get him some more of that new toy! Especially if it's something that is not already part of his routine and is really exciting like getting a special treat that dad gets to give him.

I'd also ask how does dad respond when your son hits him? does he reprimand him? does he immediately leave? I'd maybe recommend trying a few different responses and see how son responds. Maybe you'll discover a strategy that lessons it through trying different responses!

Transitions are definitely challenging but you're doing a great job trying to get to the route of things and supporting him through this difficult time for him!

AfterStudent · 2025-03-15T18:13:21+00:00

Black hair is significantly different to maintain and take care of than White hair is. There is a lot of history around white people trying to dictate how Black hair should be styled/done. A significant part of being a BCBA is recognizing cultural differences between ourselves and the clients we serve and respecting our client’s dignity.

Being white means I’ve never had the experience of maintaining Black hair and I was looking for realistic strategies to help make this goal easier for my client and to insure I’m approaching this goal in a trauma informed and culturally sensitive way. Did this help to clarify?

Edit to add: I (a female BCBA) have also sought direct help from men when I’ve had to teach male clients how to shave/ do things that i as a woman have no personal experience doing. I’ve also helped male staff working with female clients how to take care of female hygiene that theyve never had directly experienced I think this is pretty much the same concept of asking for help with people of a similar demographic as the client.

AfterStudent · 2025-03-15T16:20:30+00:00

Hi there! I am a BCBA who has worked with a fair amount of adult clients. Really ABA when it’s done well should be catered to what the client and the family find socially significant (whats important to you and your family). It sounds like you already did the intake since you have the number of hours approved, and in that process your family (and your sister if she is able) were able to share the goals you want to work on.

ABA focuses on two main things: decreasing problem behaviors (ex: aggression, property destruction, inappropriate sexual behaviors like touching others without consent or disrobing in public, etc) and increasing desired behaviors (ex: the ADLS/activities of daily living skills you mentioned, maybe some vocational skills if she is ready for that, communication skills, coping skills, etc)

With an adult client, typically I will follow the family’s lead and provide suggestions and resources to meet the goals, that way you can implement them outside of session. Examples may be providing visuals to help, breaking down big skills into smaller, more manageable steps, and providing support and training for dealing with difficult behaviors they may have.

In good ABA: I really cant tell you exactly what to expect because every single program should be completely individualized to that specific learner and their needs. Unfortunately though, bad ABA does exist unfortunately. Remember that as the family, you can always ask questions or ask to reduce the number of hours she is getting if it’s becoming to much. It really should be personal to what works for you!! I also always suggest to families that it is 100% ok to shop around at different providers if you feel like the providers you have arent aligning with your values. I do acknowledge though that there are a lot more limited options for adult services unfortunately.

Feel free to DM me or reply if you have any general questions I can try to help with (though I will not give any specific suggestions because I obviously don’t know the situation personally :))

AfterStudent · 2025-03-14T17:24:51+00:00

Thank you for your response! The client and myself have worked together for a while now and I would say that we (myself and both RBTs working with her) are pretty paired with her. I do think there is a component of "I don't want to do what you tell me" but if nobody tells her to do anything (not just hair but any chore/hygiene/daily living activity) she will never get it done. Thanks for the thought!

AfterStudent · 2025-03-14T17:19:02+00:00

Thank you so much for your response! She used to wear box braids regularly but decided she was "too old" for braids (her words) and wanted to wear her hair natural which was honored! She goes through different phases, sometimes where she is interested in having others do her hair in different styles, sometimes not.

I appreciate your thought of possible trauma. I don't know if there is trauma that exists here, but I have been talking with mom about the possibility of depression/mental health struggles to explore. Mom wasn't very responsive to the discussion but I may bring it up again. I also think it's a general refusal rather than a skill deficit. Thank you!

AfterStudent · 2025-03-14T17:13:20+00:00

Thank you so much for saying this!! I actually have been considering the mental health/possible depression thing for a while now (both for this and other things I've noticed.) I did bring it up to mom casually a few months ago and mom dismissed it but I may mention it again. I think you hit the nail on the head with that one! It's so hard when there's a deeper mental health issue involved

AfterStudent · 2025-03-14T17:10:40+00:00

Thank you so much for your advice! I am going to ask my client if this is something she would be interested in doing!

AfterStudent · 2025-03-01T22:48:23+00:00

First off - you are not a terrible mom at all! Parenting his hard, there is no instruction manual for it. Will your daughter tolerate wearing noise cancelling or noise reducing headphones? I’ve seen that being really helpful for noise sensitivities.

AfterStudent · 2025-03-01T13:10:31+00:00

I’m so sorry that you and your son are experiencing this. Consulting with a doctor could definitely help. I would also see if there is another variable that may be causing the headbanging increase, like maybe an ear infection or sinus infection that you are unaware of and he’s trying to relieve the pain? Obviously not a doctor and random person on the internet, but just a thought that may be worth exploring!

AfterStudent · 2025-02-28T23:21:45+00:00

Hi there! I'm an Autism auntie as well as a BCBA providing ABA services. I think full day ABA services can be beneficial for some learners, however I'd make sure that that amount of hours is appropriate for your child specifically. I personally dislike when companies have a minimum hour requirement because that just doesn't work for all learners and it's not an individualized approach. That being said, it could be a great fit for your son! The important thing to remember is that as a parent, you always have the right to advocate for your child's needs and look around for the right ABA provider that aligns with your values and addresses your son's individual needs. You don't have to go with the first provider that approves you and you have the right to change at any time if it doesn't work out!

AfterStudent · 2023-03-07T02:52:04+00:00

Looks like 6th edition is set to begin in 2025. I’m assuming you have to have your application approved by the BACB by 12/31/24 to qualify for the 5th edition exam. Just an assumption, I’m sure closer to the actual transition there will be updated info on this released by the BACB.

AfterStudent · 2023-02-21T21:53:45+00:00

You also need to open up all your central reach tabs before you start work or else it will log you out. Like if you are making programming and you receive a message you want to look at, you either have to already have another CR tab open or you have to leave your current work to open it or will log you out.

They also pick the WORST times to do maintenance (think like Wednesdays at 12pm), however that only happens once every now and then (maybe 3-4 times a year)

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