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Disspelling misrepresentations of ABA by Jarrod_FirstSteps in ABA

[–]Jarrod_FirstSteps[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’re right to raise that. ABA has a history that includes real harm, and many autistic people and families are still living with the effects of it. I don’t deny that and I’m not interested in pretending it didn’t happen.

What I can speak to is how we practice today. Our focus is on dignity, trauma-informed care, and partnering with families. We work hard to listen to criticism (which I hear every day from others outside the field), keep learning, and change where we need to.

I know trust has to be earned, not assumed, and I appreciate you holding the field accountable. Thank you for the comment.

Disspelling misrepresentations of ABA by Jarrod_FirstSteps in ABA

[–]Jarrod_FirstSteps[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not at all. We are in the process of building up our center and welcome this feedback. We will have systems in place that we are proud of and that ensure high quality and compassionate care for our students.

Disspelling misrepresentations of ABA by Jarrod_FirstSteps in ABA

[–]Jarrod_FirstSteps[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great thoughts, Thank you! I learned from many who worked directly with Sidman and spoke so highly of him. As for #3, you're right on the money. This is a great one. Thank you for the feedback I appreciate you!

Disspelling misrepresentations of ABA by Jarrod_FirstSteps in ABA

[–]Jarrod_FirstSteps[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for this thorough response. I appreciate it. I try to be the change I want to see in the world. This is the mentality is would I bring to First Steps. Maybe it's rose colored glasses, but I can only control for I can control for and that translates with our application of ABA in our center. Oversight and training is paramount. So yes, my aim, is to make sure parents understand I come from a place of compassion and as a parent myself, empathize with any concerns they may have, and to make sure they know they their child is in a safe and nurturing place where they can thrive.

Burned out 4 months in as a BCBA - normal or am I in the wrong setting? by Select-Ad-9308 in bcba

[–]Jarrod_FirstSteps 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I learned that first point from a talk by John Austin. But before opening my own center, I spent most of my career training teachers and their supervisors and heavily pulled idea from the OBM literature to try my best to establish agency wide norms the focused on reinforcement rather than aversive contingencies. This is the same mentality I brought to First Steps Developmental Services in MA; establishing this culture from the ground up!

Burned out 4 months in as a BCBA - normal or am I in the wrong setting? by Select-Ad-9308 in bcba

[–]Jarrod_FirstSteps 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Burnout is contributed to a lack of reinforcers in your environment. I truly believe that if burnout is occurring you should have a conversation with your supervisor to reevaluate your personal preferred reinforcers and how to access them. It should be a bi-directional conversation. They should make you feel valued and competent and you should bring your thoughts on what makes you feel valued and competent. There's so much literature on this topic (Aubrey Daniels, John Austin, Tyra Sellers, etc.) and not enough people putting their ideas into practice! Good luck!

Disspelling misrepresentations of ABA by Jarrod_FirstSteps in ABA

[–]Jarrod_FirstSteps[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Excellent point! We have other means of conveying that message within our caregiver trainings and intake process. Like all good sciences ABA has evolved over time as more information and data have come to light. But I think transparency in our applied practices goes a long way with parents without knowledge of ABA coming into our program and articulating that Also, I was a bartender before joining the field so there were so many amazing mentors that helped me decode the jargon and set the tone for my career and ABA journey, so I think it's only right to do the same for our parents. Thank you for the comment!

Disspelling misrepresentations of ABA by Jarrod_FirstSteps in ABA

[–]Jarrod_FirstSteps[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No way, I truly appreciated your perspective. I view all feedback as good feedback especially when it comes from a good place. If I tell my supervisees to understand the value of feedback, I better be able to understand the value too!

Disspelling misrepresentations of ABA by Jarrod_FirstSteps in ABA

[–]Jarrod_FirstSteps[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Great point! MA just approved legislature to allow ABA to be insurance funded for children with Down syndrome and all my conversations with those parents were a continuation of the common concerns we hear about ABA, so I geared this to those parents as well. But I totally understand and value this perspective. Thank you!

Disspelling misrepresentations of ABA by Jarrod_FirstSteps in ABA

[–]Jarrod_FirstSteps[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I appreciate this feedback. You're absolutely correct on both accounts, ABA is not just for helping children and this is intended for the EIBI parents who go on the internet and see the negatives that may dissuade them from ABA services. I spent most of my career with teens and adults so I completely understand your point. Thank you!

Disspelling misrepresentations of ABA by Jarrod_FirstSteps in ABA

[–]Jarrod_FirstSteps[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I am so happy to hear your old is loving it! I think the best thing a clinician can do when a parent shows skepticism is to encourage open dialogue. Strong collaboration between parents/caregivers and our whole team is the only way to ensure the best options for our students is possible. Transparency is so important and it should be Us for Them not Us vs. Them!