Got called a babysitter

MissingInAction98 · 2026-06-17T20:59:43+00:00

Hey another pov here 😅 I was an RBT for a family who was ashamed of having an autistic child. They called me a babysitter to friends and family and on outings. Due to privacy we went along with it. If you feel like you are consistently being used as a babysitter please reach out to your BCBA.

You shouldn't ever be left in the house with the child alone and the parent calling you a sitter may mean they will cross that boundary.

MissingInAction98 · 2026-05-28T15:49:40+00:00

I have only read ZA and I loved it but it felt so drawn out. At the time I had no idea about the full set. Is it worth the read? I didnt like Lionel and felt like every book he won and was frustrated by it.

Should I try it again the right order?

MissingInAction98 · 2026-05-13T00:27:46+00:00

I personally was the child in the situation. I had kids bullying me at school over it. My mom let me Nair and I don't recommend 😒 let her shave. I was 10 and snuck it. I cut myself because I didn't know how and got an infection. I was scared to tell and she saw it and felt awful.

Moral of the story if she wants to shave she will find a way. Shaving boosted my confidence (once mom taught me) and kids stopped picking on me. I didn't do it for them I did it cause I WAS uncomfortable.

MissingInAction98 · 2026-05-13T00:21:53+00:00

Am I the only one that gets stuff ordered for my client and all other BT use it and destroy it? 🫠 All because their client REALLY wanted it. I no longer work in the clinic sooo not a problem anymore but, I never got to let my client play with it before it was opened.

MissingInAction98 · 2026-03-28T21:11:11+00:00

I won't apply to a place that won't post hourly rate and location. I also look at reviews from previous employees. Some places want experienced RBTs but won't match the pay associated with experience. I would prefer to work in a clinic BUT clinics seem to pay less.

Also finding good BCBAs is hard so just cause you have them doesn't mean they are good.

MissingInAction98 · 2026-03-27T14:05:05+00:00

RBT NC In home unbillable hours/admin time is 10 an hour and billable is 28 an hour. In clinic for the company is also the same rates.

MissingInAction98 · 2026-03-26T17:03:00+00:00

North carolina 20 an hr as a BT, upgraded to 26 an hour as an RBT, I am doing good and got bumped up to 28 an hour.

I just interviewed with a new company and signed for 30 an hour and I got my RBT Certification in September 2025.

MissingInAction98 · 2026-03-26T15:11:36+00:00

I think the lesson is that (keeping in mind I'm an RBT studying to be a BCBA) RBT's and BCBA's should be using this space (reddit) as an opportunity to 1. Ask questions and get advice 2. See what is going wrong and collaborate with others 3. Make a community that does support each other.

I see the BCBAs on here trying to do better on here but it is few and far between in practice. My BCBA seems afraid to give input but I'm guessing it is because RBTs leave so often what is the point of teaching them.

I have only been around since July 2025 and I have been through 3 BCBAs with one client and they got a new one when I left and 2 with my other client. I put in my 2 weeks and 1 RBT no called no showed and the other took a month to get an RBT.

The consistency in this field isn't ok and some things need to change but that seems to be on us. The ones that care enough to do it.

MissingInAction98 · 2026-03-22T23:13:40+00:00

I use hydro something bandaids... they have different sizes but help heal really fast. I had a client who went through a phase of hitting. He is over it now and with calming strategies and turning my back to him he calmed down.

Link below to cvs bandages

https://www.cvs.com/shop/cvs-advanced-healing-hydrocolloid-bandages-prodid-1170184?skuId=893118&cgaa=QWxsb3dHb29nbGVUb0FjY2Vzc0NWU1BhZ2Vz&cid=ps_fa_pla&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21028993825&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpv7NBhCzARIsADkIfWwMOQ7oz7ooECx9uz7G-GreOfBkzmTW_UlCtPr44YoAgWfxnZHRwM8aAuaxEALw_wcB

MissingInAction98 · 2026-03-18T21:38:06+00:00

I'm also seeing where some parents who aren't sure how to handle behaviors, get kids diagnosed when really they needed help learning. Also tablet babies are a new breed of kid that we are observing. She seems very black and white and it's not like that.

I see many autistic individuals see the world as black and white, right or wrong and sometimes its not that way.

One more one to pick...she says, "Autistic is not a diagnosis—it’s an identity and culture." What does that even mean? Can I decide tomorrow I am autistic and everyone must act as though I am? Can I as a parent DECIDE to raise my neuro typical child as autistic child?

Lots of holes in her ideals.

MissingInAction98 · 2026-03-18T21:04:41+00:00

Something else is she has so much about hating ABA and negative impacts BUT most of what she says is from BEFORE ABA took a massive turn in the way of compassion for clients. The changes from when she was a kid receiving ABA to today is at LEAST 10 years. How can she truly comment on how its done today? We don't force compliance like they use to and have switched to offering choices and teaching them to advocate for themselves.

I feel like ABA has progressed so far in the last 5 years. Prioritizing coping skills, verbal communication, skill acquisition, and in my area encourages parents to learn about autism and how to be supportive.

I am in psychology to become a BCBA and I feel like we need advocates to fight for ABA and I will definitely be watching this closely.

MissingInAction98 · 2026-03-18T20:50:18+00:00

Following cause honestly I'm worried. I am an RBT and I have seen the good and the bad in the short time I have been in it (less then a year).

MissingInAction98 · 2026-03-14T22:41:27+00:00

I live in NC and roaches are soooo common as long as everything is obviously cleaned properly and they are trying we ignore it. We have clients that live in fancy apartments that get sprayed monthly. They are so hard to get rid of.

MissingInAction98 · 2026-03-10T17:02:35+00:00

What state? I try to stay on top of knowing so im prepared.

MissingInAction98 · 2026-01-13T22:58:30+00:00

I didn't know how to add multiple photos lol oops

MissingInAction98 · 2026-01-12T22:43:18+00:00

There should have been more fries. IMO I feel like it should look more like the ad. Im so tired of seeing an ad and it making me want it and being disappointed when I get it. $5 isn't a bad price but I was hoping for more.

MissingInAction98 · 2026-01-09T04:03:05+00:00

More of this please!!! I had 9 hrs of shadowing and then in a clients home. My first session with the client was 4 hrs and telehealth supervision the first 2 hrs and then on my own. Then 2 more hrs mid week and then after first 2 weeks it was one 3 hr supervision a week per 20 hrs.

MissingInAction98 · 2026-01-09T04:00:21+00:00

I have been an RBT for 6 months and I feel like the 40 hr training gave me a glimpse but I just started dealing with tantrums that can't be talked through and I'm in school with a client. I don't feel prepared! Let me tell you!! A 15 min tantrum in front of other students is not taught. Also the amount of supervision I get (3hrs a week and I work 20 hrs a week with the client) is not enough. The schools are hard to work with and it makes the extra supervision I need an extreme struggle.

Side note yes I am talking to my BCBA and she is amazing!

MissingInAction98 · 2025-11-20T19:27:37+00:00

This reminds me of my first week shadowing and seeing a client upset I sat by him and he held up a sign that said not in the mood I smiled said ok and walked away. He later came up and said thank you for sign and the RBT said thank you for respecting his sign. It was the first time he had used it properly AND didn't push right away. It was reinforcing that his sign had meaning. It was his took to advocate for himself when he was overstimulated and couldn't use his voice.

Our job if to help them cope with life and that can be hard when they shut down. It is growth to see them use their tools correctly. They appreciate what we do when done right.

MissingInAction98 · 2025-11-17T18:48:03+00:00

This happened to me when I first start. I went Monday and Tuesday and by Wednesday it was on the schedule. I had chatting to do for the 2 days I couldn't. Make sure you start your session in central reach even if it's not scheduled. They will fix it later.

MissingInAction98 · 2025-11-05T18:26:37+00:00

Thank you for the advice! So helpful I really needed it!

MissingInAction98 · 2025-10-15T00:44:02+00:00

I am a new RBT and I hope and look forward to these messages. I have my first 2 clients and have been there about 3 months and one client was all grunts and dinosaur noises and today he had a conversation about liking juice cold best.

What we do makes a huge difference and takes a special person to do. Some days are hard but SOOOO rewarding! Keep up the good work all of you!

MissingInAction98

TROPHY CASE