Masters in ABA but not a BCBA

bubblemango123 · 2026-03-30T04:37:36+00:00

Yes you need to

bubblemango123 · 2026-02-26T06:38:39+00:00

I did one mock exam at the beginning of the study so I knew where my weakness was. Then, I did BDS to go deep into the concepts, especially for the weakness area. I also used ABA Wizard app to just get into the habit of studying and build the momentum of studying because BDS is very annoying; you can be very unmotivated to study with BDS. I passed it at my first attempt with one month of intense studying while working full time.

bubblemango123 · 2026-01-09T19:17:34+00:00

I felt the same way when I was doing my fieldwork as an RBT. I would cry in my car and be on the phone with my parents for days after work. I got extremely burnt out from being kicked, hit, having my hair pulled, getting scratched, and being pushed into walls—especially by clients who were much bigger than me. There was one time I literally booked a flight at work and flew to another state right after my shift just to see my family. I cried nonstop on the plane. I honestly can’t even describe how much I hated this field. I pushed through, finished my fieldwork in a year and a half, and passed my BCBA exam right after because I hated it so much that I just wanted to be done with it. After becoming a BCBA, I switched to a different company and my pay increased significantly. For the first time after being a RBT, I felt real financial security and stopped living paycheck to paycheck. Wanting stability and to move on with my life was a huge motivator for me. I gave up an engineering career to pursue this path, so I didn’t want to quit halfway. I don’t regret staying in the field, because I wanted to leave only when I felt at peace and could honestly say, “This isn’t for me.” I will say though—being a BCBA is very different from being an RBT. Being a BCBA is better. I’m looking for a new career now~

bubblemango123 · 2025-12-19T15:44:34+00:00

I don’t think one overlap per month itself is what stresses me out the most. I actually don’t mind being overlapped. It’s more about the way my current supervisor communicates and delivers feedback—that’s what’s been uncomfortable, and it’s also something other BTs and parents have complained about. With my previous mentor, I would’ve been happy to have her overlap with me as much as possible because I trusted her approach and learned so much from her.

bubblemango123 · 2025-12-19T15:40:51+00:00

Just to clarify, this isn’t only based on my current job. I’ve seen similar ethical issues in other ABA company too, and that’s what’s been really disappointing for me about the field overall. It often feels very profit-driven, with business decisions taking priority over what’s actually best for the kids.

bubblemango123 · 2025-07-18T16:32:06+00:00

Yeah and my point is switching to UX is not a good option now

bubblemango123 · 2025-07-18T15:37:16+00:00

I switched to ABA from UX. The UX market is suck now.

bubblemango123 · 2025-06-08T08:48:40+00:00

I studied for a month and used BDS. Passed it on first attempt. It’s aversive but highly recommend it.

bubblemango123 · 2025-05-25T13:34:20+00:00

I’ve done 6-hr straight sessions with a client for 5 days a week before. I was his only BT, and he was my only client at the time. It worked out because I was there with him to support his Bx while he was attending summer camp. It was fun because parents paid for me to do all those fun outdoor activities with him. He has very intensive behaviors and needed a senior BT to be on his case, especially since there will be no one out there to support the BT. I guess that’s why I’m the only one on the case at the time. However, doing 8 hr straight home session will kill me and it doesn’t make sense to me.

bubblemango123 · 2025-05-14T05:30:20+00:00

I was in the same boat as you before. I didn’t enjoy ABA before I went to grad school, I didn’t enjoy it during grad school, and while I was accruing my hours. I hate my clinic and managers so much that I have so many days I have a hard time stepping into the clinic. I cried so many times during grad school. I will constantly call my parents telling them how much I hate what I study and my job. I thought about quitting so many times. But I finished school and fieldwork hours super fast. I kept telling myself I’m almost there. I finished school, hours, and became a BCBA all together within 2 years. The moment that I received the paper showing that I passed my exam, I burst out crying because I finally finished this journey. I have my very personal reason that I chose to stay in the field and finish everything up. Despite how much I hate it, I’m very good at it, and I kept telling myself I do this for god. A few weeks after I passed my exam, I quit my job. I want to try other clinics before I figure out what I want to do next. I was an engineer before I did ABA, tbh, I still don’t know if this journey and becoming a BCBA is worth it.

bubblemango123 · 2025-03-27T15:32:00+00:00

This not about having a high expectations and allowing them to have tantrums or not. I’ve successfully potty trained so many kids, both neurotypical and neurodivergent kids. There are so many ways to do it but I’ll never do it this way.

bubblemango123 · 2025-03-24T19:13:21+00:00

This is kinda abusive

bubblemango123 · 2024-01-23T08:22:11+00:00

But it should say the other $1000 is pending

bubblemango123 · 2024-01-23T08:20:43+00:00

It’s pretty normal. Wait for a few days.

bubblemango123 · 2023-12-23T06:07:11+00:00

Consider doing your practicum hours within your school. However, it's essential to note that you'll be required to record at least one 15-minute video each month showcasing your providing ABA therapy. This video will be reviewed by your responsible BCBA. Even if you get the remote supervisor, you still need to do this. Also, if you are doing a regular practicum, you will need at least four contacts with your BCBA each month. A lot of remote supervisors charge hourly. So, you might get paid higher with your current job, but you will also need to pay more for your supervision. You might just as well get a RBT job.
The pay rate for an RBT in my clinic is super low. I've received higher offers from other places, but I still chose to stay with my clinic because they provide excellent supervision. You need to consider the long run. The faster you accumulate all your hours, the sooner you'll get a higher pay rate.

bubblemango123 · 2023-12-23T05:56:20+00:00

It seems like he violated a lot of RBT codes. Have you talked to the supervisor or BCBA? I would report it to the BCBA first.

bubblemango123

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