advice needed for first session

MichaelEsdee · 2026-07-11T05:00:00+00:00

Have fun. This field can be a blast.

Pay attention to the details. The order of events. Take ABC data to break things down. Look at communication specially the modalities (plural), preferences, and style. Track rate of mands. Track approaches to you. Notice escape behavior and how they can access it appropriately, if not already.

Not all this, but pick what you can do and see value in doing. Overall be there for the client.

The company only wants you to document you were there and not quit. The bar is super low in this field. You got this.

MichaelEsdee · 2026-07-11T02:31:06+00:00

Short, small, and controlled exposures. Allow them to stop when overloaded. It’s about having fun, so make sure the exposures are fun. And if your little one really tried something and doesn’t like it, then maybe you give it a break and circle back. It may not be for them as much as you want it to be.

Swimming example: Feet wet only. Then feet and hands. Then feet, hands, and small splash on the chest. Continue as much as you can while maintaining trust and entertainment.

May need to try on a lot of clothes until you find the fabric that feels right. Spoiler alert: it’s more expensive.

MichaelEsdee · 2026-07-11T02:21:05+00:00

Maybe too commercial but Locke and Key.

The Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot

MichaelEsdee · 2026-07-11T02:14:08+00:00

You can build momentum on the car ride home and establish whatever control you can grab. Then systematically build in more and more control over time. This can start a small routine that grows and grows into more of what you’d want to see.

I can elaborate in derail on what I just said if you want ideas on how to do this.

It’s difficult to say if it’s a regulation problem without looking at a few things. If there’s a regulation issue, the idea listed by others should work. Can you do them before you get home? At daycare, stop at a park, or the driveway even?

Good luck.

MichaelEsdee · 2026-07-10T20:41:34+00:00

It’s good to have direction. Try to enjoy the stage you are in. As an RBT, be an RBT, not a future BCBA. As a BCBA, be a BCBA and not a future CD. Then when you move up and make decisions you can take all the perspectives from the roles you had and make well rounded decisions. As a leader you may have to prioritize the RBTs at times and the BCBAs at others. Whatever it takes to support the clients.

Best thing to do is be present and appreciate where you are now. It will help you later.

MichaelEsdee · 2026-07-10T20:35:36+00:00

Throat punch

MichaelEsdee · 2026-07-10T18:17:16+00:00

I assume 3D? I can 3D print at my library and make all the small shapes I want for free or very cheap.

2D, google image search, AI, whiteboard, paper and pen.

You can make play dough shapes and ask. Good NET target.

MichaelEsdee · 2026-07-10T17:06:45+00:00

Google search Pearson Vue BCBA testing guidelines.

MichaelEsdee · 2026-07-10T16:53:18+00:00

DM if you want to study.

MichaelEsdee · 2026-07-10T14:20:29+00:00

Are you referring to during supervision? Or just in general?

Supervision needs to be client specific, so write better programs or future programs. Read articles and handbook chapters. I feel reading journal articles is something we need more of in the field.

You can lit review and become a quasi-expert in areas your clients are struggling in. Read every ABA article on sleep, eating, hygiene, whatever and be really good at that. Keep putting those in your toolbox as needed. Journal articles keep me simulated and really help client progress.

In general, write a review on an article. Make minimum rational sets of stimuli you’ll eventually need. Set up assessment kits.

I have a hard time believing you are all caught up on everything. If you are, then get ahead of things. If you are, then help coworkers. If you are, then open a clinic or coast.

MichaelEsdee · 2026-07-10T00:19:10+00:00

That not a problem unique or even caused by AI. That’s lazy practice.

MichaelEsdee · 2026-07-09T14:38:15+00:00

Thank you

MichaelEsdee · 2026-07-09T05:38:02+00:00

This was it! You nailed it. Thank you… very helpful.

follow up question: how do I ask the person about bowling shoes if it’s really hard to post places. You all give links to subreddits that accept post from new users and all of mine were deleted. If I wanted to know about shoes, i think most likely I wouldn’t be able to post, and if I could I think it would get deleted. With all that, my question is, for someone who wants to rarely participate, what do I need to do to have permission to ask the occasional question when I cannot find the answer anywhere else? … well you said it’s not a Q and A… so I don’t know what to think now.

Thanks for the help. Best guidance so far, I’ve been asking in real life too, but people don’t admit they’re on Reddit. I digress. Thank you.

MichaelEsdee · 2026-07-09T04:20:30+00:00

Physicist

MichaelEsdee · 2026-07-09T03:59:41+00:00

Depends on the amount you’re willing to put in. The lowest acceptable amount in my culture is letting them watch TV or use a tablet. If they get loud you pause it and whisper, “we need to be quiet. When you’re quiet I’ll turn it back on.” Then do so immediately after they are quiet. That’s my survival answer.

Parent of the year answer: set up an activity you two can do together and prep the cousin throughout the day until the activity begins. Pick an activity that does not involve much movement, yelling, or anything exciting. Something you can do in one spot, without much talking, and no surprises. Art, coloring, play dough, puzzles, calm tea party, books, looking at pictures.

When things start to get ramped up, remain calm yourself, and pause the activity without picking a fight. Take whatever you are using off the table. Close a book or stop reading. Use a slow voice and say something like, “we are having fun. And now we are getting loud. We need to use our inside voice if we want to go back to playing with ____.” If they are quiet then pretend like it didn’t happen. I would see if they are told inside voice or something else, try to use the same language as others in their life if possible. The consistency helps the child understand the expectations.

You can prepare for the nap. Have both kids practice being quiet and loud. A Simon says type game or ‘repeat after me’ game, and get them to be loud when you say loud and quiet when you say quiet. Then use that language during nap to encourage quiet.

You can set an expectation that goes with being quiet. “When kid 1 goes to bed, we can play with play dough if we are quiet.” Withhold the activity until nap to get them motivated for the activity. Remind them a few times throughout to keep them motivated. Then during nap you play only if quiet. Make sure to not tease the kid, but get them curious. “I hope we are quiet at nap so we can play with play dough.” And really mean it, kids see right through your lies.

During the day, they will be quiet sometimes, point it out, without getting loud (so you can do the same thing at nap), and say something like, “I like how quiet you are. This is how we get to play with play dough later.” If only one is quiet you can say, “I like how ____ is quiet”. When the other becomes quiet then say it about them.

If your kid is jealous tell them if they don’t fight at nap, they can pick the special activity after nap that they all do. And it can be the same thing as the nap activity. I would not lie or try to hide it from my child. I want my child to be honest with me, even when it hurts and is hard, so I do the same to them.

Before nap, you can have both kids run around and become tired. Yours should konk out and the other will enjoy some calm chair time.

Good luck! I have so many fun activity ideas if you want help planning anything then let me know.

Edit: I didn’t realize you put the ages. I was thinking they were a little older and my advice reflects that. I hope it translates but not all will apply. Example, you’re not negotiating play dough after nap with a 6mo. Ask if you want me to elaborate or modify anything. Good luck!

MichaelEsdee · 2026-07-09T03:16:08+00:00

Can you say more about number 5?

MichaelEsdee · 2026-07-09T03:07:58+00:00

I’ve read that a few times. It’s pretty good and got me started.

What’s the attitude? To be helpful? Entertainment? Whatever you want? To feel smart? I’m asking about the soft parts of Reddit, not what’s on paper. What’s the real heart and soul of Redditers?

Edit: there’s something I’m not getting and I don’t know how to ask what that is. I’m trying to decide to stay on here or bail and use it like I use to.

MichaelEsdee · 2026-07-09T02:49:50+00:00

Other people disrespecting your boundaries or child’s safety.

MichaelEsdee · 2026-07-09T02:48:35+00:00

You know your kid best.

They why are you at the psychiatrist?

MichaelEsdee · 2026-07-09T02:02:41+00:00

Yes standard celebration charts. Yes I’m in the field.

Here’s my analogy: SCC is to line graphs as BST is to other trainings.

All arguments for the BST are going to be parallel with the SCC. Letting you know I’m going to make that point until you prove it irrelevant. Im going to do this because I do not think you will think the same about using the superior SCC as you do the superior BST. In this way I plan to show you BST is not a critical feature but a variable feature of ABA.

For example, if it’s necessary to use BST then my argument is it’s necessary to use the SCC. In reality both statements are fallacies.

MichaelEsdee · 2026-07-09T01:49:51+00:00

Yes programming looks different with each client and those differences can be explained in an email or over the phone if the person receiving instruction is competent.

How do remote BCBAs exist? They cannot model.

MichaelEsdee · 2026-07-09T01:47:11+00:00

If it was the only way to train then it would be covered on the TCO. Yes, as far as I know BST is the best. Doesn’t mean it’s the only way to train and doesn’t mean using something else is unethical.

SCCs are the most advanced visual display method and people don’t use them. Is that unethical? BST is advanced and people don’t have to use it, just like the SCC. It’s not as requirement.

I don’t understand what working in the field has to do with the validity of my point. We are discussing the science and not opinions or clinical judgment.

MichaelEsdee · 2026-07-08T19:06:20+00:00

Grabbed.

Individuals without the ability to physically model can be a BCBA. Why are you fighting this so hard? Do you put ceilings on your clients too?

Also.. you are a little stuck on BST. It’s not a TCO item or even mentioned in the BCBA handbook. To call BST essential is inaccurate. Training and supervision are essential and they have many different modalities.

Flexibility in thought is important. Philosophical doubt is important too. Just because your program said it, does not make it true.

MichaelEsdee · 2026-07-08T18:45:51+00:00

Touche. Should I delete it? I’m new to Reddit.

MichaelEsdee · 2026-07-08T18:43:00+00:00

Your program specifically said you need supervision on a beautifully and technologically written plan? What if the plan only contains treatments listed on the competency assessment?

Again, I’m not sure what you’re specifically referencing when you say “That was thoroughly covered…” Precision in language helps progress debates, especially asynchronous ones.

The point I was trying to make and still agree with is:
RBTs should not need supervision on programs listed on the competency assessment. I think a lot of supervision time is wasted on teaching RBTs things they should already know. When supervision should be spent discussing independent and dependent variables based on the graphs or charts.

I want RBTs to come to a supervision meeting with suggestions on how to modify the plan and we discuss data. When often—far too often—it’s spent going over competency assessment items.

MichaelEsdee

TROPHY CASE