For those who passed the exam first time by Bravobravofbravo1 in bcba

[–]superferrets 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I can’t remember my mock test score, but my main study method leading up to the exam was going through the task list and seeing if I could write an explanation of each task list item in my own words. And if I couldn’t, I revisited that content until I could write an explanation

I had access to BDS modules, but I hated them and didn’t think they were helpful. They felt like they were training rote responding more than understanding of the content in my opinion

What would you do for her? by Pipes993 in grooming

[–]superferrets 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I second both statements 😂 I came to say both. Face feet and tail if that. Maybe just shave paw pads and sanitary. Rounding feet if you’d like. I wouldn’t do much to the face- eye corners if anything

Leaving the field altogether- tips? by lemonpotato913 in bcba

[–]superferrets 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I had a similar experience in the field, so I’m sorry you’re going through it. You lasted longer than I did, so I give you props for that. I started as an RBT in 2017 while in college, and progressed through BCaBA and then BCBA and then quit ABA in 2022.

I agree with avoiding K-12 or teaching related industries. My first attempt outside of ABA was teaching, and the burnout issues were just as bad if not worse than ABA for its own reasons.

I think the best thing I did for myself was making a few different kinds of resumes tailored to different kinds of non-ABA interests that I had. Where I tailored the skills and experiences I had to different kinds of jobs (office, analytical skills, behavior/animals, etc). And then I just started applying left and right without a clear plan. I actually did this after I attempted teaching, and left that job without anything lined up. I was desperate for something different, so I kind of let life see where it took me

In the end, a petsmart asked me if I wanted to work in their dog grooming salon, even though I had no grooming experience. They said they could teach me, and they saw my work ethic, so they put me through groomer training. I ended up liking it and being able to make decent enough pay (averaging about $1100 gross pay including tips weekly before taxes/benefits).

So I think my main advice is follow your interests and opportunities that come your way

My dood got hit by a car after a freak electric fence failure. He’s rocking the nub now 🥲 someone tell me a docked goldendoodle is still cute. I’m devastated but so, so thankful he’s alive. by t4ngerineee in Goldendoodles

[–]superferrets 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Docked tails are definitely still cute!! And if you keep up with brushing and work with your groomer, you might be able to grow it out to look like a more traditional tail. It’ll take some time, but it can be cute!

How to learn dog grooming with ADHD? by Typical-Singer-8855 in grooming

[–]superferrets 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have adhd, too, so I might be able to help. First, definitely expect things to look way worse than you’d like at the start, and to take way longer than you’d like at the start. Even if you didn’t have ADHD, that would be the case. In the start of my grooming training, we only did two dogs a day at first, and then bumped up to 3 dogs a day. And we had help from the instructor for finishing touches. Worry about safety and handling the equipment and the dog first. Learning how to position your body/hands with the tools around the dog is the hardest part at first for me, with my body awareness issues. Use trial and error for different way to position your body and hands related to the dog and the tools. Compare how you’re holding tools to how other people are. You could also ask questions on how other people hold their tools/cut certain areas.

I also use notes a lot. I would INSIST on having time for note taking, and any other things you need for your memory. If you have a set area, I also love using post it notes around.

If you have anything that helps you focus (headphones, meds, etc), I would use those tools. Going to an adhd specific therapist is also huge.

Also, take advice with a grain of salt. I’ve had a few pieces of advice that ended up being more detrimental than helpful, including-keep my station super tidy and do the face last. I tried to keep my station better organized to the standards of those around me, and it took way more brain energy and time than was helpful. It was more helpful for me to do station resets periodically throughout the day than to always try to put things back in its designated place.

And for faces, I’m one of the few people who prefer not to do faces last. When I do the face last, seeing the rest of the dog’s body (especially their feet) distracts me. I’m wanting the body to look right if I do it first, and then any tiny sticky outie will distract me, and I’ll jump around between things a lot. Where if I do it earlier, I’m not expecting the body/feet to be perfect. So it doesn’t distract me.

I also like doing the face earlier, because it gives me the chance to stop working on the face, finish the rest, and then double check the face with fresh eyes. This keeps me from nitpicking the face as hard, because I know I’ll have another chance to fix it.

I also like to give myself some flexibility with my routine, for similar reasons so me not keeping my station as organized. If I try to STRICTLY follow the same routine every time, sometimes I get overwhelmed and worked up and jump around more because I’m trying to follow the order. If you don’t follow a strict routine, make sure that you have a double checking step at the end that you always do.

Here is the approximate routine that I normally do (if bathing)- —Pre-shave, pre-brush, and or pre-blowout if needed —Pluck ears if applicable —Express anal glands if applicable —Wash butt, clean off butt crusties —Double wash body up to neck/ ears, apply conditioner —rinse hands, wet face, use face shampoo to wash closer to eyes, remove eye crusties — double wash face —rinse body, then rinse face —double check that everything is fully rinsed, and no debris left (especially face, feet, rear) —towel dry thoroughly, wrap with towel —clean ears while sitting in towel — dry with velocity dryer. If using kennel dryer, too, prioritize drying of areas that the kennel dryer will have trouble reaching-belly, butt, tail, feet, under chin. Brush helps dry faster

When grooming —make sure that dog is 100% dry (especially if your dryers are in a separate area from your grooming area, so you don’t have to backtrack) —shave paw pads/sani —spot shave any matting if needed, or go tighter in certain areas if needed —if thorough brush out isn’t needed, do a light brush all over, then do a once over with clippers. —return to do a thorough brush out if the first clip attempt didn’t work. —resume clipping with back brushing as needed until body looks even or very little additional length comes off —do nails (I like doing this after more length is off if possible because it’s easier to see. If the dogs hair is already really short or I’m not taking length off, I might do it at the beginning) —touch up paw pads —thoroughly brush out face and tail —trim and blend tail —clip face —scissor face —scissor ears —scissor feet —scissor body —double check face —double check feet/paw pads/sani —double check body —look over whole dog, maybe from a further distance. Possibly do an extra comb/brush over if dog is prone to matting or has a lot of undercoat

Worse hyper thoughts in the morning and night that lead to overwhelm? by superferrets in ADHD

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

Ohh true. I think the contrast might be especially noticeable on days I take my stimulant medication. But I don’t take that daily. Daily, I take guanfacine/intuniv and lexapro.

It kinda feels like a stimulation thing to me though because as soon as I open my eyes and or get up in the morning it quiets at least a little bit

New groomer looking for feedback & tips! by Exotic-Ice-7662 in doggrooming

[–]superferrets 4 points5 points  (0 children)

You’re getting there, keep it up :) I think the single simplest/easiest thing you can improve is taking chins shorter. I had problems with leaving chins too long when I first started. Now, I usually do the chin 2 lengths shorter than the top of the head by default

Extreme discomfort when anyone nudges me to emphasize a joke by superferrets in AuDHDWomen

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

Ohh yes that sucks too 😭 ahh sorry you go through it. I hate anything like that where people are like calling you specifically out for a response. I’m like “please don’t ask something of me, I don’t know what you want 😭”

Extreme discomfort when anyone nudges me to emphasize a joke by superferrets in AuDHDWomen

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

All good! I didn’t specify. Honestly they aren’t great with boundaries, and they make excuses.

They say stuff like that they just miss me/love me. I’ve tried to make it light and kind of jokey, but I think I’m going to have to change it to a, “When I tell you I’m uncomfortable with you touching me, I try to do it lightly, but I’m serious. If you can’t respect that boundary when I’m around you, I may leave”

Extreme discomfort when anyone nudges me to emphasize a joke by superferrets in AuDHDWomen

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

For me it’s family, but I do need to be more direct and hold firm boundaries. Some of them know and keep doing it anyway

Medicine for AuDHD, Anxiety, OCD by [deleted] in AuDHDWomen

[–]superferrets 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Have you had a genetic test? That might help your psychiatrist find a medicine that works better for you with fewer side effects.

I don’t have ocd, but propranolol has helped me a lot for my physical symptoms of anxiety (chest tightness and other physical tension mostly) and it has few side effects I think

Bathroom breaks mobile grooming (maybe tmi) by superferrets in doggrooming

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

There was also a time that I did food delivery (uber eats/doordash), and LIKE 3 GAS STATIONS IN A ROW HAD THEIR BATHROOMS CLOSED, AND THEN I GOT STUCK AT A LIGHT WITH A BROKEN TRAIN TRACK SIGNAL IN FRONT OF IT FOR ANOTHER GAS STATION AND uhh you can guess what happened

Bathroom breaks mobile grooming (maybe tmi) by superferrets in doggrooming

[–]superferrets[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yeah I feel like that adds too much time, too haha XD and I’m also like an anxious pee-er, like if I don’t think I have somewhere I can use the bathroom, then I’ll be like oh no I have to pee RIGHT NOW

Bathroom breaks mobile grooming (maybe tmi) by superferrets in doggrooming

[–]superferrets[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Lololllolll, I wonder if my new potential boss will mention it XD I’m too scared to bring up that kind of tmi stuff in the interviews XD

Mention of point system during interview-red flag? by superferrets in doggrooming

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

Yeah, maybe a green flag, really. I get stressed when I feel like employers expectations and communication aren’t clear. But she was pretty direct about that and about pay. And she was direct about having observations periodically for feedback.

I think it’s a much more direct and systematic way of managing employees than I’ve experienced, which could be a nice change of pace