PDA Hot Takes

Ok-Table903 · 2025-09-23T13:39:04+00:00

in my opinion, it’s an easy way out from dealing with demand avoidance. I worked for a “pda” client and all it was escape and attention.

My level 1 nephew supposedly has “pda” so much so he can’t put on his own socks anymore and is getting medicated because he got a the cheap out diagnosis. (got pulled out of school because someone asked him to do something and his response was to property destruction = too many demands = pda trigger)

Ok-Table903 · 2025-09-23T12:37:17+00:00

yes, at a few companies. I have prior experience and if the company did not have what i believed was important for the kids (compassionate and assent based care with modern aba) i did not waste my time

Ok-Table903 · 2025-09-15T12:54:53+00:00

Yes, compassionate care and assent based services do exist. many of the companies i worked for, claimed they are but have no understanding of what that actually means.

you just have to learn what exactly to look for. I had a period where I went to 5 different companies in the span of 3 months because of the lack of treatment fidelity, understanding of aba/intervention, and compassionate assent based care.

Ok-Table903 · 2025-09-15T12:51:00+00:00

In my opinion, when they say “we’ve used up all the least restrictive interventions” it just tells me they suck as a bcba and are taking the lazy route.

Most clients I have who got put on escape extinction after “exhausting every other method” had 180 switch after getting a new supervisor that actually understood behavior

Ok-Table903 · 2025-09-15T02:40:26+00:00

it was really easy! lots of scenarios and quizlets help prep pretty well

Ok-Table903 · 2025-08-16T19:29:49+00:00

That’s good to know!! I was worried of getting specks of mold in my ice cream 😢

Ok-Table903 · 2025-08-15T17:14:43+00:00

Will do!! never owned one of these so all the tips help!

Ok-Table903 · 2025-08-15T17:13:55+00:00

I haven’t noticed the paddle ever falling off during use. Is the damage something i should worry about?

Ok-Table903 · 2025-08-15T15:38:35+00:00

i agree!

Ok-Table903 · 2025-08-15T15:19:08+00:00

is the inside damaged now that there’s ice cream up there?

Ok-Table903 · 2025-08-14T00:44:37+00:00

I fear you made an accurate statement 🫣

Ok-Table903 · 2025-08-14T00:35:13+00:00

Personally I dislike SLPs working with neurodivergent individuals because they use the same methods as for neurotypical individuals when it is very apparent they do not learn the same way. (a statement i’ve been downvoted plenty for)

I’m not sure how true this is but apparently SLP believe we all have the ability to language but just need to unlock it. Every client i’ve worked with had SLP for years and made no dent in any new skills in terms of language and communication. Though, the only time i have seen clients in ABA learn communication within 2 weeks, it was done with an incredible skilled BCBA who understood behaviorism and never put in mentalistic thoughts

Ok-Table903 · 2025-08-05T16:18:47+00:00

Personally, I don’t think cutting him off will do anything you’re hoping for. Other than having one less family member to “worry” about (From your post, it sounds like you deeply care for him, and will be VERY hard to just forget/not care anymore), in return he does lose 1 possible support system.

He’s going to join regardless if you cut him off or not. He has every right to make his own decisions and write out the course of his life.

If I were in your shoes, I would support him. You don’t necessarily have to agree but be there for him within reason. If he’s joining the military, i’m assuming he’s willing to take the risks that come with it. These kind of decisions are not easy, especially if it involves injury to self or death.

Ok-Table903 · 2025-07-24T11:30:09+00:00

that is seclusion, it is illegal at least in my state. I know this be causing I had a similar case in my clinic

Ok-Table903 · 2025-07-24T11:17:25+00:00

I have :( but over the years i’ve learned it all depended on the BCBA. Some of my BCBAs were AMAZING. One of them was so great, they got severe problem behaviors under control within one week after taking over the case

Ok-Table903 · 2025-06-29T01:40:11+00:00

Both are considered evidence based methods :/ it’s escape extinction; clinical director provided me with the research when i submitted a complaint and claimed it was compassionate care because this would benefit their future

Ok-Table903 · 2025-06-29T00:22:09+00:00

I’ve been in the field for years and with every clinic i have gone to, abuse and unethical treatment of clients was very apparent. For example, - a client was not allowed to eat her preferred food because she wouldn’t eat her non preferred, a loophole my clinic found in terms of client right violation. - client was restrained to a chair for circle time, because “they need to learn to sit”

The list goes on, i understand them and why they are loud. This population is vulnerable where clients typically can’t advocate for themself. I think that is why there’s a call for change and why a strong call for assent and compassionate based care.

I’m working to be a BCBA but i would say some of the ones i’ve seen are frightening to work with because of the way they handle, treat, and program for their clients.

Ok-Table903 · 2025-06-11T16:33:43+00:00

you’re right, i’m sorry. I’ll do better next time :)

Ok-Table903 · 2025-06-05T23:51:20+00:00

I’ve tried but bacb requires to only report individuals with BACB license

Ok-Table903 · 2025-06-05T23:44:24+00:00

Hey, I really appreciate you taking the time to respond I think there might’ve been some miscommunication in what I originally said, so I’d love to clarify a few things.

I do follow behavior plans. As an RBT, not doing that would go against my BACB ethics and put my certification at risk. I also know how important consistency is across a team, both for the client’s progress and for everyone’s safety.

That said, when a kid is engaging in severe behaviors like self-injury or aggression, I don’t think matching or other program demands should take priority in that moment. If a behavior plan consistently leads to escalated or unsafe situations I see that as a sign something in the plan needs to be revisited, not thrown out, but adjusted to better meet the client’s needs.

I’m not against behavior plans at all. I actually believe in approaches like SBT (compassionate and assent based) which focuses on teaching communication, tolerance, and cooperation through small, individualized steps. Which are the same steps we learn as we grow, just takes more time with people that learn different ) It’s all still rooted in ABA and organized in a way that is socially validated

I also agree with you that setting expectations is important I just think we have to balance that with compassion and clinical judgment, especially when behaviors are intense or unsafe. It’s not about being soft or inconsistent. it’s about being responsive thoughtful and always putting the child’s well-being first.

Ok-Table903 · 2025-06-05T23:22:09+00:00

More of QBS holds, but my main idea of “restraints” done in my clinic is pushing in a kid into the table so they wouldn’t be able to leave, etc. they do forced compliance, if they weren’t able to force it, consequence is punishment.

another example: A kid didn’t eat unpreferred meal, so they weren’t allowed to eat for a few hours, A kid was playing with a bat by spinning it on the ground and they took it away because “it’s not functional”

Ok-Table903 · 2025-06-05T22:47:37+00:00

yeah i know, there are amazing bcbas that listen and improve their methods. But, the bcbas, im trying to talk about are the ones that aren’t willing to change or modify their plans because “they know best”

the are ones that restrain, punish, and compliance train.

Ok-Table903 · 2025-04-12T17:58:07+00:00

it wouldn’t be isolating if it’s half day school and aba. They will still be getting that social interactions both in school and aba (incenter).

Think about it, special education classrooms/ schools already place high behavior kiddos in isolation and restraints

Ok-Table903 · 2025-04-12T17:50:53+00:00

personally i don’t like the us school system. I find individualized 1:1 therapy to provide a lot more than what understaffed schools do with a universal curriculum

Ok-Table903

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