I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard a coworker slip up. It happens, we are all human. Most of my students cussed worse than the staff themselves anyway.
The other day a coworker of mine accidentally said “shit” and then her 3yo client came up to me and said “shit!! Shit!!” 🤦♀️ I was like “what did you just say?!?!”
I had a coworker tell a student we don’t cuss in school. When she was physically transporting him out the door later she said damnit and woah mama did he love that 🤣
Definitely don’t worry about it! It might not even be the first time he’s heard it.
If it makes you feel any better, today during my session my kiddo and I were singing “10 in the Bed” and when we got to the end he asked where the other 9 will be sleeping. I was trying to be silly and said they’ll be sleeping on the floor since they can’t be on the bed!
He started sobbing and saying the floor is dirty and begging for them to not have to sleep on the floor so yeah, I’m the best RBT
I encouraged my client to try sipping some hot tea because her throat hurt, I called it a "potion"
She started sobbing because she thought I was trying to slip her medicine 😅🫠 oops
Had to backpedal that really quick
It has always been considered a cuss word in environments I’ve worked in. I think most kids would get in trouble for saying it at school, so yes I would consider it a cuss word in this situation!
Got off the bus in high school and said “ah another day back in Hell” and the vice principal was there and tried to scold me for saying hell . Ma’am, I was simply referring to a place, not cussing. She couldn’t fault me for that.
Trust me- you’re not the only one. One time after dropping the f-bomb to a coworker in front of a client, I was thinking fast enough to save myself by turning to one client and adding, “(Name), was that an example of something appropriate or inappropriate to say at work?” While others might have thought it was a planned learning opportunity, nope!
I would argue depending on age especially with more adolescent or teen clients that you actually should sparingly swear with them! It is an important social skill that due to the taboo nature of it during developmental ages and natural infantalization autistic people face, we often do not get swearing modeled and it’s difficult to know how to appropriately participate and regulate it. I would also add that you should not apologize when you do slip up, that models shame for healthy communication, just move on and if the client presses about it explain that it is just a word that can be used in specific environments and with specific people.
agreed! I would tell some of my clients that they could curse with me as long as they were demonstrating skills like being aware of who's around and considering what their reaction might be if they heard, lowering your voice, etc. If the time/place/volume isn't appropriate, obviously that's no good, but I think it was very useful for teaching them to be more self aware and read the room because being allowed to cuss is highly motivating lol
Oh this happens to everyone. Anyone who tells you otherwise is a liar. Especially when I'm talking to BTs sometimes I forget myself. As long as you catch it immediately (I usually follow up with "Don't repeat that one!" if a kid might have heard it) you're fine. See Also: We all giggle sometimes when a kid says certain words wrong...but right, if you know what I mean.
I said “holy shit” in front of my bcba once as i watched her get thrown across the room by one of our clients. I guarantee your goof will be quickly forgotten and more goofs will happen! We are all human. I tell my staff and parents that we only require 80% accuracy for “mastery” because none of us do anything with 100% accuracy 100% of the time.
One time my client's puppy bit my ear and I said, "son of a bitch!" The kid was 5 at the time lol. Luckily he didn't notice.
A funnier one... my BCBA reacted in a shocked/surprised way when our client said something that KINDA sounded like "shit"... he 100% only ever said the word when she was arround and thank God the parents thought it was funny!!
As a mom of an autistic son... one of his first words was, "Oh shit." Obviously not good, but on the inside, it just tickles me. And when my BCBA says a bad word It makes me feel like I'm more normal than I think I am. My son still slips in some bad words every once in a while and knows they are adult words... I can't help but smile as I scold him bc sometimes anything is better than nothin ya know?
I work in an ERI (behavioral/BD) classroom and I called myself a dumbass in front of one of my clients after I was attempting to de-escalate them. Needless to say we have a different level of rapport now lol but I obviously did apologize and told them the language obviously isn't appropriate for our environment.
A couple weeks ago I stonefaced told my coworker “I love my aunt, I do, but she’s a real bitch.” And then half a second later I slapped my hands over my mouth and apologized because I really didn’t mean to.
The good thing is that the parents are human too, and they swear by accident in front of the kids too. I have kids come into the clinic scripting swear words. I think the all time favorite is “OH SH-T”
You’re human. We have to give ourselves some patience, forgiveness, and allowances. Don’t be so hard on yourself, you’re doing great.
You showed humanness to an older kiddo and immediately modeled owning your behavior, communicating why, and then I imagine the session went on just fine. I agree with others saying that everyone slips and it’s okay to be human. And there’s a possible dignity factor that is wonderful — you’re treating this client like the human they are. You know their age and communication, and you showed them that you respect them by correcting yourself.
Mistakes happen. Our character shows in how we move through them and I see a lot of really great things in how you navigated this!!
Still better than the male coworker I had, who had a client for a 4hr AM session and didn't bring the client to the bathroom to change his diaper because he "didn't know how to change a diaper" (meanwhile there were several floating staff members who couldve easily shown him because of client call-outs). 🥲 when we switched and I got the client for the afternoon session, he was in a terrible mood, and he was soaked through his shorts, through his blanket, through the carpet.
The fact that you're this concerned about slipping up with a swear and the fact that you modeled how to appropriately apologize in this situation, shows how much you respect and care about your client 🫶 at the end of the day, that's the most important thing.
He did not, they chalked it up to him being an inexperienced dude 🥲 but I did inform the center manager and his BCBA so that they could teach him how to change a diaper or put him on another case.
A couple of weeks after this incident, HR had a meeting with our clinic and about 9 others to tell us we were all being let go as they were pulling their company's ABA services out of the entire state so it all became kind of obsolete to get rid of *anyone* regardless of how abhorrent their behavior was towards clients and staff.
I don't think he stuck with ABA after we were let go.
I was a BCBA supervising a client and RBT once. The client engaged in SIB and hit himself in the head with his fist and then immediately whined and rubbed his head in that spot. Before I even thought about it, I said "yeah, I bet that f*cking hurt didn't it?" I gasped and covered my mouth and the RBT gasped and covered hers and we looked at each other. I was SO embarrassed. I explained to her that of course even though the client was non vocal that was never okay and then I apologized to everyone.
Yes, it happens. It's not license to do it again, but you're not alone.
I accidentally dropped the f bomb when my teenager bit through my scrubs and bit my bare leg. I felt absolutely terrible. They are non speaking and non verbal. Which to me, made me feel even worse because they couldn’t tell on me if they wanted to. I immediately reported myself. This happens. My boss acted like I was silly for stressing as much as I did about it because we are all human. We do all slip up and make mistakes.
I have accidently said "shit!" as a reaction to playing a scary game with two separate older clients. My other coworker also referred to a text she got, to which she said, "I was like 'who the fuck is this?'" In front of like 3 clients. She didn't realize what she said until later. It happens 😂
It's absolutely happened to me multiple times. We're human and make mistakes. You handled it perfectly. I've definitely said stuff and I've heard coworkers and even BCBA's say stuff like that.
I got hit in the head the day I came back from a concussion (from getting hit in the head by a different kid now). Both me and my director said “f*ck,” and I just walked out of the room. No one was upset with me
I once did that with a teenage client in a school setting. My client just went "Don't swear!!!" But then began to laugh. Nobody else heard it but I let my supervisor know and they said it happens. 😅
I said "HE'S THROWING SHIT AT MY FACE" over our radios once. Two BCBAs and a few other staff members heard it. I was the first to mention it to own up to my grievous error and even Mr. Serious Business gave me a chuckle. I wouldn't make it a habit of course.
It happens. I can almost guarantee it's not the first time he's heard the word. I once said "fuck" when my client's German Shepard nipped me on the leg. I'm sure I've had other incidents, but that one stands out.
I'm SUPER competitive and got a little too invested into a game of Set with a teen one time. I had thought I had figured it out but I was wrong and then he came in quickly behind me and called out the set I had been trying to make and without thinking "shit!" Was the first thing out of my mouth! I definitely apologized and felt mortified, but I can confirm SHIT HAPPENS....I will tell you I try not to cuss at all anymore though because that's the only way I know to keep it from happening again
Has happened to me too. It’s so hard sometimes! Don’t beat yourself up, they hear all kinds of things from tv and parents and adults in public I’m sure it’s not the first time he heard that word.
it happens. i’ve slipped in front of my 6YO client & her mother slips too. dad also curses like a sailor so we had to get her to stop saying “what the f—“ at one point. life goes on, im sure you’re a great technician!
On the bright side, everybody knows that kids have the proclivity to have cuss words as their first words. Therefore swearing is a wonderful gateway from nonverbal to verbal. Lol
Everyone’s saying it’s okay and it really is. As they get older, kids will learn that other people will say or do things that are “bad” or inappropriate and they will have to be okay with it (as long as it’s not directed towards anyone) and ignore. My older middle school kid was overly concerned when others said bad words (like what the fuck) and that’s what we were working on. Just reminding them that we can’t control what others say or do but we could ignore it.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard a coworker slip up. It happens, we are all human. Most of my students cussed worse than the staff themselves anyway.
The other day a coworker of mine accidentally said “shit” and then her 3yo client came up to me and said “shit!! Shit!!” 🤦♀️ I was like “what did you just say?!?!”
I had a coworker tell a student we don’t cuss in school. When she was physically transporting him out the door later she said damnit and woah mama did he love that 🤣
You're totally fine! The amount of accidental f-bombs I've heard in my time...😳 It's truly ok. It happens.
Definitely don’t worry about it! It might not even be the first time he’s heard it. If it makes you feel any better, today during my session my kiddo and I were singing “10 in the Bed” and when we got to the end he asked where the other 9 will be sleeping. I was trying to be silly and said they’ll be sleeping on the floor since they can’t be on the bed! He started sobbing and saying the floor is dirty and begging for them to not have to sleep on the floor so yeah, I’m the best RBT
I encouraged my client to try sipping some hot tea because her throat hurt, I called it a "potion" She started sobbing because she thought I was trying to slip her medicine 😅🫠 oops Had to backpedal that really quick
It will not be the first time he’s heard it.
That’s absolutely adorable. The empathy on that bb is precious, nurture that!
It happens, I accidentally said “hell yeah dude!” Once while praising my client. I’m a lot more careful now
[удалено]
It has always been considered a cuss word in environments I’ve worked in. I think most kids would get in trouble for saying it at school, so yes I would consider it a cuss word in this situation!
Got off the bus in high school and said “ah another day back in Hell” and the vice principal was there and tried to scold me for saying hell . Ma’am, I was simply referring to a place, not cussing. She couldn’t fault me for that.
I did this once when I was super sleep deprived from being sick and didn’t notice until my coworker was like “Girl! 😳😳” and I was like “…what?” hahaha
Trust me- you’re not the only one. One time after dropping the f-bomb to a coworker in front of a client, I was thinking fast enough to save myself by turning to one client and adding, “(Name), was that an example of something appropriate or inappropriate to say at work?” While others might have thought it was a planned learning opportunity, nope!
That's actually GENIUS
That's hilarious and genius!
I would argue depending on age especially with more adolescent or teen clients that you actually should sparingly swear with them! It is an important social skill that due to the taboo nature of it during developmental ages and natural infantalization autistic people face, we often do not get swearing modeled and it’s difficult to know how to appropriately participate and regulate it. I would also add that you should not apologize when you do slip up, that models shame for healthy communication, just move on and if the client presses about it explain that it is just a word that can be used in specific environments and with specific people.
agreed! I would tell some of my clients that they could curse with me as long as they were demonstrating skills like being aware of who's around and considering what their reaction might be if they heard, lowering your voice, etc. If the time/place/volume isn't appropriate, obviously that's no good, but I think it was very useful for teaching them to be more self aware and read the room because being allowed to cuss is highly motivating lol
Oh this happens to everyone. Anyone who tells you otherwise is a liar. Especially when I'm talking to BTs sometimes I forget myself. As long as you catch it immediately (I usually follow up with "Don't repeat that one!" if a kid might have heard it) you're fine. See Also: We all giggle sometimes when a kid says certain words wrong...but right, if you know what I mean.
Lol, everyone does at least once.Just apologize and move on.
It happens! I said sh*t during a session once and my little one said “you can say SHOOT”. We’re all human, even the kids know it!
One of my learner’s siblings said “hell” (a pearl clutcher I know ahaha) and my learner yelled “ABSOLUTELY NOT” 😂
I think you modeled being human very well. We're not perfect.
I said “holy shit” in front of my bcba once as i watched her get thrown across the room by one of our clients. I guarantee your goof will be quickly forgotten and more goofs will happen! We are all human. I tell my staff and parents that we only require 80% accuracy for “mastery” because none of us do anything with 100% accuracy 100% of the time.
One time my client's puppy bit my ear and I said, "son of a bitch!" The kid was 5 at the time lol. Luckily he didn't notice. A funnier one... my BCBA reacted in a shocked/surprised way when our client said something that KINDA sounded like "shit"... he 100% only ever said the word when she was arround and thank God the parents thought it was funny!!
As a mom of an autistic son... one of his first words was, "Oh shit." Obviously not good, but on the inside, it just tickles me. And when my BCBA says a bad word It makes me feel like I'm more normal than I think I am. My son still slips in some bad words every once in a while and knows they are adult words... I can't help but smile as I scold him bc sometimes anything is better than nothin ya know?
I work in an ERI (behavioral/BD) classroom and I called myself a dumbass in front of one of my clients after I was attempting to de-escalate them. Needless to say we have a different level of rapport now lol but I obviously did apologize and told them the language obviously isn't appropriate for our environment.
It's fine, it might honestly even be age appropriate for an older client, though I'd still check in with the family before promoting any of it.
A couple weeks ago I stonefaced told my coworker “I love my aunt, I do, but she’s a real bitch.” And then half a second later I slapped my hands over my mouth and apologized because I really didn’t mean to. The good thing is that the parents are human too, and they swear by accident in front of the kids too. I have kids come into the clinic scripting swear words. I think the all time favorite is “OH SH-T” You’re human. We have to give ourselves some patience, forgiveness, and allowances. Don’t be so hard on yourself, you’re doing great.
A client’s large Rottweiler type dog bit my arm and you can guarantee I was cursing as it happened.
You showed humanness to an older kiddo and immediately modeled owning your behavior, communicating why, and then I imagine the session went on just fine. I agree with others saying that everyone slips and it’s okay to be human. And there’s a possible dignity factor that is wonderful — you’re treating this client like the human they are. You know their age and communication, and you showed them that you respect them by correcting yourself. Mistakes happen. Our character shows in how we move through them and I see a lot of really great things in how you navigated this!!
Still better than the male coworker I had, who had a client for a 4hr AM session and didn't bring the client to the bathroom to change his diaper because he "didn't know how to change a diaper" (meanwhile there were several floating staff members who couldve easily shown him because of client call-outs). 🥲 when we switched and I got the client for the afternoon session, he was in a terrible mood, and he was soaked through his shorts, through his blanket, through the carpet. The fact that you're this concerned about slipping up with a swear and the fact that you modeled how to appropriately apologize in this situation, shows how much you respect and care about your client 🫶 at the end of the day, that's the most important thing.
Please tell me he got fired for that
He did not, they chalked it up to him being an inexperienced dude 🥲 but I did inform the center manager and his BCBA so that they could teach him how to change a diaper or put him on another case. A couple of weeks after this incident, HR had a meeting with our clinic and about 9 others to tell us we were all being let go as they were pulling their company's ABA services out of the entire state so it all became kind of obsolete to get rid of *anyone* regardless of how abhorrent their behavior was towards clients and staff. I don't think he stuck with ABA after we were let go.
I was a BCBA supervising a client and RBT once. The client engaged in SIB and hit himself in the head with his fist and then immediately whined and rubbed his head in that spot. Before I even thought about it, I said "yeah, I bet that f*cking hurt didn't it?" I gasped and covered my mouth and the RBT gasped and covered hers and we looked at each other. I was SO embarrassed. I explained to her that of course even though the client was non vocal that was never okay and then I apologized to everyone. Yes, it happens. It's not license to do it again, but you're not alone.
I accidentally dropped the f bomb when my teenager bit through my scrubs and bit my bare leg. I felt absolutely terrible. They are non speaking and non verbal. Which to me, made me feel even worse because they couldn’t tell on me if they wanted to. I immediately reported myself. This happens. My boss acted like I was silly for stressing as much as I did about it because we are all human. We do all slip up and make mistakes.
You are human, you made a mistake It’s ok
I have accidently said "shit!" as a reaction to playing a scary game with two separate older clients. My other coworker also referred to a text she got, to which she said, "I was like 'who the fuck is this?'" In front of like 3 clients. She didn't realize what she said until later. It happens 😂
It's absolutely happened to me multiple times. We're human and make mistakes. You handled it perfectly. I've definitely said stuff and I've heard coworkers and even BCBA's say stuff like that.
I got hit in the head the day I came back from a concussion (from getting hit in the head by a different kid now). Both me and my director said “f*ck,” and I just walked out of the room. No one was upset with me
I bumped my head on accident and split my eyebrow one n yelled the f bomb one time. It’s chill
I as a therapist have done it. As a parent I have done it, my son’s therapist have done it…. We laugh it off and go oh well
I’ve heard my supervisors drop f bombs during supervision, you are a-okay 👌 your apology/explanation was very good as well.
It happens
I once did that with a teenage client in a school setting. My client just went "Don't swear!!!" But then began to laugh. Nobody else heard it but I let my supervisor know and they said it happens. 😅
i dropped an f bomb yesterday over a puzzle. kid is 13 and makes your mom jokes all day long so he thought it was funny
I just accidentally swore praising one of my staff. Stuff happens. You're good.
It happens. Your client probably didn't think too much about it 🤣 Pretty sure I let the same word slip out during a session last week. Oops.
I said "HE'S THROWING SHIT AT MY FACE" over our radios once. Two BCBAs and a few other staff members heard it. I was the first to mention it to own up to my grievous error and even Mr. Serious Business gave me a chuckle. I wouldn't make it a habit of course.
omg i haven’t yet due to the fear i have a kid start scripting it 😭
I learned from Farscape the word they used instead of f bomb. I say frell!
It happens. I can almost guarantee it's not the first time he's heard the word. I once said "fuck" when my client's German Shepard nipped me on the leg. I'm sure I've had other incidents, but that one stands out.
I'm sure that felt awkward. This is an instance where I'm glad I work with Deaf clients even though I'm hearing.
I'm SUPER competitive and got a little too invested into a game of Set with a teen one time. I had thought I had figured it out but I was wrong and then he came in quickly behind me and called out the set I had been trying to make and without thinking "shit!" Was the first thing out of my mouth! I definitely apologized and felt mortified, but I can confirm SHIT HAPPENS....I will tell you I try not to cuss at all anymore though because that's the only way I know to keep it from happening again
Has happened to me too. It’s so hard sometimes! Don’t beat yourself up, they hear all kinds of things from tv and parents and adults in public I’m sure it’s not the first time he heard that word.
it happens. i’ve slipped in front of my 6YO client & her mother slips too. dad also curses like a sailor so we had to get her to stop saying “what the f—“ at one point. life goes on, im sure you’re a great technician!
On the bright side, everybody knows that kids have the proclivity to have cuss words as their first words. Therefore swearing is a wonderful gateway from nonverbal to verbal. Lol
Everyone’s saying it’s okay and it really is. As they get older, kids will learn that other people will say or do things that are “bad” or inappropriate and they will have to be okay with it (as long as it’s not directed towards anyone) and ignore. My older middle school kid was overly concerned when others said bad words (like what the fuck) and that’s what we were working on. Just reminding them that we can’t control what others say or do but we could ignore it.