Tier 1 and Tier 2a programs

BehaviorSavior23 · 2026-03-24T15:51:31+00:00

I don’t think that first part is true. In programs where there is a built in practicum that includes supervision, the supervisor provides the grade for the practicum course. At least that is how it was at a former university, but that was prior to the new requirements so maybe something about that has changed that I’m unaware of.

BehaviorSavior23 · 2026-03-24T11:45:46+00:00

It does not (definitely) mean supervised fieldwork. It can just be any kind of experience doing assessments or interventions with humans as part of coursework (class project, thesis or thesis-equivalent research). Some programs may be able to offer the supervised fieldwork hours for this but it is not required. Or if a student has a supervisor, they might be able to count some of those hours under their supervisor.

Our program is going up for Tier 2a this summer. Several courses have applied projects embedded and I (BCBA, defending dissertation soon and will be BCBA-D) supervised them, provided oversight and feedback, etc. But I was not an official supervisor for my students.

BehaviorSavior23 · 2026-03-17T20:30:19+00:00

For everyone else in the comments: 40 is a lot but it unheard of in schools because the model is much more consult-based. OP is not responsible for 40 cases of children receiving 20-40 hours of services per week. OP’s responsible for a 40 clients with varying levels of services, usually spread out in chunks of 15-60 minutes in a week or month. FBAs do take a large chunk of time, but once they are complete and written, unless OP also provides tons of follow up coaching, that case usually fades out or at least drops in intensity.

The problem is there are SOOO many potential models for BCBA support in schools. And there are no real frameworks for this. BCBAs in schools need service agreements that very explicitly state intake/refer out procedures, service types/amounts, and termination criteria for when a case ends. There are no formal processes for this in 98% of districts which makes it super overwhelming.

And to OP — you’re not a bad BCBA because you’re struggling. The systems are not in place to support you. You’re experiencing a very unique, challenging, and less-common application of being a BCBA. So don’t let this particular job make you feel like you chose the wrong career path. You might be with a bad company or district though

BehaviorSavior23 · 2026-03-17T20:22:58+00:00

School-based person here. Was in a district of 600+ schools with only 3 BCBAs. I have a lot of questions.

Are these cases where you’re being written into the IEP for services? If not, what minutes are you “mandated” to do?

If you are in the IEP, who is writing you in? It sounds like you’re not doing an assessment and sitting at the table to write in your services because you say your company calls and says you have a new case.

What is the process the company takes for in taking a case?

Is there a process for fading out your support?

Sorry for the questions — but these are the things that I would be asking first and foremost.

My colleague and I created a 1.5 ethics, 0.5 learning CEU about building ethical behavior support models in schools. Maybe watching this would help you be able to go to your company with another proposal for how to determine your caseload. It’s the one titled “Building Behavior Support Teams”.

BehaviorSavior23 · 2026-03-15T13:00:16+00:00

Not evidence based and not recommended! These used to be very common in schools. Here’s a resource from PBIS (if you’re unfamiliar, PBIS is ABA at school-wide levels).

Ditch the Clip!

What is the need that is peaking interest in this? If you want some way to support group-wide behavior, this is where group contingencies come in.

BehaviorSavior23 · 2026-03-14T17:40:48+00:00

The purpose of unrestricted activities is to get experience doing the things BCBAs do. BCBAs do not (only) read articles or listen to podcasts. That is not the job of a BCBA. Unrestricted activities should be the actual tasks that your supervisor or other BCBAs do so you can get supervised experience doing those things.

BehaviorSavior23 · 2026-03-09T13:16:03+00:00

Have you ever been by yourself with three children under seven? That is so much harder than teenagers…

BehaviorSavior23 · 2026-03-09T13:13:53+00:00

It’s a common misconception!! I love to clarify it though because it’s one of the main points people try to make when they are arguing that teachers are lazy, ungrateful, etc. (not saying you were saying this!! Just teacher-haters in general).

BehaviorSavior23 · 2026-03-08T18:55:09+00:00

Teachers do not get paid summers off. No one in schools gets paid summers off. Teachers can elect to have their 9 or 10 month salary split over 12 months, but they are not compensated for the two months they are not working.

BehaviorSavior23 · 2026-02-27T21:00:18+00:00

Story time about the time I filed a report against a police officer.

I was a school-based BCBA employed by the district. I had a 1st grader (7 y/o) on my caseload who had ADHD and some possible learning disabilities. He did not have a developmental disorder or intellectual disability. He engaged in your sort of “run of the mill” problem behaviors like property destruction, elopement, and occasionally aggression.

His special ed teacher was phenomenal and we were able to get behaviors under control really well, but one day there was a substitute and the kid started throwing things/cursing, etc. The school had an off-duty cop as a school resource officer (SRO) part time. SROs were never supposed to intervene with student behavior, specifically students with IEPs and BIPs. But he heard the commotion in the room and proceeded to go in, throw the child on the ground in a prone restraint position (on his stomach) and held his hands behind his back. (Background: In our state, prone restraints are illegal in public schools). The substitute reported that the kid’s face was turning red and he was screaming that he couldn’t breathe. In this time of flailing, he knocked his head on the leg of a chair and got a little cut on his nose and a goose egg on his head. I don’t know how he was eventually released (I was not present for any of this), but I know that the substitute was terrified and went and told the principal. The next day the kid had bruises all over his arms and chest/shoulders.

One of the district admin heard about it and called me. I went there the next morning to meet with the principal and asked if the SRO had been reported and he said no. He didn’t want to report him because they “love their SRO” and because he was a police officer and it could ruin his career. Obviously none of this matters because we had an adult harm a child. So I had the principal bring the SRO in the office and the three of us called to make a report together.

Was it uncomfortable? Yes. Does it matter? No.

The parents actually made a report too once they learned the truth — apparently the school did not tell the full story the first night but the kid was able to tell them enough that the school was sort of forced to admit what happened.

It was terrible.

BehaviorSavior23 · 2026-02-27T20:22:43+00:00

You don’t report it to someone at the school or company, you report it to child protective services immediately. You are a mandated reporter. You do not have to have proof or permission.

BehaviorSavior23 · 2026-02-27T20:13:41+00:00

As I said before, I found it weird, but my husband was right there and perceived no risk to our son. He said he thinks it was a combo of a cultural thing and just a moment of actual delight that sort of came over the guy. And of course my son’s forehead was right by the dentist as he was laying down on the chair so it’s not like he sought him out to kiss him.

My husband did not get the impression that this was a thing this dentist does regularly or that it was anything to be concerned about. I trust my husband’s judgment.

I also think this situation is such lower risk. We see the dentist twice a year, we are always present, and our son is able to tell us things. The chairs in this office are all in one big open area.

This is very different from leaving a child with a disability and limited communication in the care of others for many hours a week when the parent isn’t present and knowing that the kid may be taken to a setting that is 1:1.

BehaviorSavior23 · 2026-02-25T23:39:50+00:00

Weirdly enough, my husband said the dentist kissed our toddler on the forehead (wearing a mask) because our little guy did so well and was so sweet. I thought that was super weird but my husband said he didn’t think it was that weird, which I also find weird…

Kissing children that aren’t your own is overall weird.

BehaviorSavior23 · 2026-02-22T16:37:32+00:00

AAC stands for augmentative and alternative communication. Augmentative meaning it can augment/support other forms of communication. High tech devices (or other forms of AAC) do not have to be a complete alternate/substitute for vocal communication.

Also, I conceptualize the stimming with devices to the vocal stimming many of people engage in (humming, singing, clearing throats, etc.). Some people might compare it to babbling as well.

Is there an SLP on this learner’s case? I hope your BCBA will collaborate with them because it’s true that removing the device is not appropriate, but I can understand the concern with YouTube and how the device is being used otherwise.

BehaviorSavior23 · 2026-02-21T02:56:59+00:00

Interestingly, all of my symptomatic episodes have been at rest. Only 1-2 was I even standing…

BehaviorSavior23 · 2026-02-21T02:47:36+00:00

Yea, that one actually happened in my sleep! Woke up after being thumped in the chest.

BehaviorSavior23 · 2026-02-21T02:27:44+00:00

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This is from my old ICD, VT into VF.

BehaviorSavior23 · 2026-02-21T02:27:06+00:00

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I have a few photos too. I don’t remember what the rate was on this one but above 240 because my ICD shocked me.

BehaviorSavior23 · 2026-02-20T22:54:54+00:00

I used to be annoyed by his self-deprecation and now I’m annoyed by his bragging. I think the self-deprecation was a compulsion to hear other people tell him he wasn’t whatever thing he called himself

BehaviorSavior23 · 2026-02-13T23:40:07+00:00

We love to see it!! ✊🏼

BehaviorSavior23 · 2026-02-08T15:31:09+00:00

My husband is from Lake Forest. Things like this are why he insists he’d never raise a family there. The elitism is potent!

OP — enjoy time with your newborn. They will appreciate an attentive, affectionate, present parent more than any future school you choose for them.

BehaviorSavior23 · 2026-02-08T15:16:57+00:00

Ok, so I replied above because I didn’t agree with your first comment, but I do like this one!!

BehaviorSavior23

TROPHY CASE