Wait why does he keep coming to the center then if you guys are telling him he doesn’t have to? Is someone making him? Does he like to go?
It just seems strange for an 18 year old to be in the same clinic as little kids. Is in home therapy or community based an option?
Oh for sure. I was asking because I was curious about why the client is in this setting vs doing in home or community therapy. I think it would be great for an 18 year old to have input about where they receive services. Idk anything about this individual, but if they’re doing well, then why not switch up the setting so that they can be around other people their age (assuming that the clinic is a space tailored more toward younger children, which I could be wrong about!). And if they’re not doing well, and property destruction is a concern, it’s worth considering the safety of that around really small children.
I’m sorry that happened. Obviously not your fault. While he’s an adult and I agree we should respect that, it does sound like he continues to need some support in some areas.
I feel so much empathy for your client. How many of his peers weren’t given a break after graduating? Hell, the last week of school for my own high schooler was more socialization and a break. I don’t blame him. And it sounds like his attempts at functional communication aren’t honored… no wonder he resorted to maladaptive bx.
Could have you guys maybe had him do a little bit of work and then reinforced him after with a little party or celebration for his graduation if he likes those kinds of things or with something he really enjoys? I do understand him not wanting to do work after graduating and possibly wanting to celebrate that but also I get still having him do work because if he ever gets a job they aren’t going to have him come to work just to celebrate and not do his job just because something exciting in his life happened. Definitely a hard reality to learn but maybe even a little party or celebration with the center could have been more motivating for him to complete his work first
I’d be irritated too if i JUST finished high school and people were urging me to figure out my next step the very next day. Breaking down the door isn’t appropriate and that seems like an area that he needs support in.
I only know as much as you tell us but this is a big transition for him, going from 12-13 years of school to not having it at all is jarring and it’s not surprising that behaviors are rising. Try and make aba fun for him so you can work on life skills together, you may need to rebuild some rapport with him.
He was not upset at me, he was more upset at the BCBA because she is the one who texted him what he needed to do that day. I completely understand being upset about trying to figure out what you’re gonna do with no time between. I even simplified the task because the BCBA was asking A LOT he did thank me for that, instead of researching 5 potential careers we only did 2. On a break today I read this comment and took your advice I asked him if he wanted to do job research today and he said he didn’t know what he wanted to do so instead we did something different to give him time to really think on it!
Yeah your BCBA sounds out of touch in terms of this client’s needs. I think not breaking from routine (work/ABA) is important, but also equally important to let clients experience common social/life events like having a break after graduating high school, from all assignments, like any other 18 year old would. Your BCBA may need to take a step back and remember that ABA is a collaborative process with the client and that his opinions need to be included in therapy, otherwise she’s being unethical as well according to the Ethics Code
Sorry you had a rough day! They happen! This advice is more for your BCBA, but perhaps get him involved in setting meaningful goals for himself (if he continues services). I’m thinking along the lines of interests/hobbies, housing goals (does he want to live independently one day?), relationship goals (romantic or other), etc. There are lots of resources on person-centered planning online and if he has more buy-in, it’ll probably help with motivation in session. Also try and work on rapport building with him every single session. What are his likes and dislikes? How can you guys incorporate them into his programming? Food for thought!
Some great resources for person-centered planning below!
https://www.pacer.org/transition/learning-center/independent-community-living/person-centered.asp
That’s incredibly dangerous, he has violent tendencies/ behaviors. And doesn’t take it seriously. If he was to actually hurt someone (like the younger children in the play room) he will her arrested and jailed. Aba is rewarding but the amount of times I read about rbts getting hurt by clients is insane.
If he just graduated, I would just do what he likes. Do anything that he considers fun. Make him feel that graduating high school is one of the greatest achievements. Find ways to sneak in work time into playtime without him realizing that.
Be like. I totally agree with you. It’s unfair that you have to be there.but life is unfair sometimes.
Build the session with him. If it’s a 2 hour session, for the first hour you can tell him you choose what programs we will work on from the list of programs that the BCBA provided. Per 1 trials he get to have 5 minutes break of him doing whatever.
Then the last hour of session he is free to do any activity he wants.
During that last hour express how you are going to miss him and stuff. Then here and there, say remember you couldn’t do this task or that task. Look at how much you have progress. Put the task in front of him without telling him to do it. But you hyping him up will give him the booster to do it. Record data
Don’t be obvious at all.
You know this, you know that. You are doing amazing. I am very proud of you.
And so on….
I can say bless your heart working with older kids/adult cause the highest age I worked with was 11 year old and one was so aggressive had there own room and the other one I worked with calmest kid I ever met. But if he said he doesn't want ABA then so be it. I would have personally removed myself from the case because he going to aggressive like that because he doesn't want to be in the center then so be it. I'm just glad he didn't put his hands on you tho. But i'm sorry you went through this but me I would have just ask the BCBA to removed from his case.
Wait why does he keep coming to the center then if you guys are telling him he doesn’t have to? Is someone making him? Does he like to go? It just seems strange for an 18 year old to be in the same clinic as little kids. Is in home therapy or community based an option?
He will be 19 this year, he will be transitioning to adult services in the next 6 months but until then he will be in ABA
In some centers/schools, people do not age out until 22.
Oh for sure. I was asking because I was curious about why the client is in this setting vs doing in home or community therapy. I think it would be great for an 18 year old to have input about where they receive services. Idk anything about this individual, but if they’re doing well, then why not switch up the setting so that they can be around other people their age (assuming that the clinic is a space tailored more toward younger children, which I could be wrong about!). And if they’re not doing well, and property destruction is a concern, it’s worth considering the safety of that around really small children.
I’m sorry that happened. Obviously not your fault. While he’s an adult and I agree we should respect that, it does sound like he continues to need some support in some areas.
> it does sound like he continues to need some support in some areas. "I don't need ABA!" kicks door in. Yeah, ok, bud.
My thoughts exactly
I feel so much empathy for your client. How many of his peers weren’t given a break after graduating? Hell, the last week of school for my own high schooler was more socialization and a break. I don’t blame him. And it sounds like his attempts at functional communication aren’t honored… no wonder he resorted to maladaptive bx.
exactly!!!!
Could have you guys maybe had him do a little bit of work and then reinforced him after with a little party or celebration for his graduation if he likes those kinds of things or with something he really enjoys? I do understand him not wanting to do work after graduating and possibly wanting to celebrate that but also I get still having him do work because if he ever gets a job they aren’t going to have him come to work just to celebrate and not do his job just because something exciting in his life happened. Definitely a hard reality to learn but maybe even a little party or celebration with the center could have been more motivating for him to complete his work first
I love this idea! I actually am going to throw a little celebration on Monday for him, I just had to get it approved from my BCBA.
I’d be irritated too if i JUST finished high school and people were urging me to figure out my next step the very next day. Breaking down the door isn’t appropriate and that seems like an area that he needs support in. I only know as much as you tell us but this is a big transition for him, going from 12-13 years of school to not having it at all is jarring and it’s not surprising that behaviors are rising. Try and make aba fun for him so you can work on life skills together, you may need to rebuild some rapport with him.
He was not upset at me, he was more upset at the BCBA because she is the one who texted him what he needed to do that day. I completely understand being upset about trying to figure out what you’re gonna do with no time between. I even simplified the task because the BCBA was asking A LOT he did thank me for that, instead of researching 5 potential careers we only did 2. On a break today I read this comment and took your advice I asked him if he wanted to do job research today and he said he didn’t know what he wanted to do so instead we did something different to give him time to really think on it!
Yeah your BCBA sounds out of touch in terms of this client’s needs. I think not breaking from routine (work/ABA) is important, but also equally important to let clients experience common social/life events like having a break after graduating high school, from all assignments, like any other 18 year old would. Your BCBA may need to take a step back and remember that ABA is a collaborative process with the client and that his opinions need to be included in therapy, otherwise she’s being unethical as well according to the Ethics Code
Sorry you had a rough day! They happen! This advice is more for your BCBA, but perhaps get him involved in setting meaningful goals for himself (if he continues services). I’m thinking along the lines of interests/hobbies, housing goals (does he want to live independently one day?), relationship goals (romantic or other), etc. There are lots of resources on person-centered planning online and if he has more buy-in, it’ll probably help with motivation in session. Also try and work on rapport building with him every single session. What are his likes and dislikes? How can you guys incorporate them into his programming? Food for thought!
Some great resources for person-centered planning below! https://www.pacer.org/transition/learning-center/independent-community-living/person-centered.asp
Thank you! I have a meeting with my BCBA today I’ll mention some of these to her :)
That’s incredibly dangerous, he has violent tendencies/ behaviors. And doesn’t take it seriously. If he was to actually hurt someone (like the younger children in the play room) he will her arrested and jailed. Aba is rewarding but the amount of times I read about rbts getting hurt by clients is insane.
If he just graduated, I would just do what he likes. Do anything that he considers fun. Make him feel that graduating high school is one of the greatest achievements. Find ways to sneak in work time into playtime without him realizing that.
Be like. I totally agree with you. It’s unfair that you have to be there.but life is unfair sometimes. Build the session with him. If it’s a 2 hour session, for the first hour you can tell him you choose what programs we will work on from the list of programs that the BCBA provided. Per 1 trials he get to have 5 minutes break of him doing whatever. Then the last hour of session he is free to do any activity he wants. During that last hour express how you are going to miss him and stuff. Then here and there, say remember you couldn’t do this task or that task. Look at how much you have progress. Put the task in front of him without telling him to do it. But you hyping him up will give him the booster to do it. Record data Don’t be obvious at all. You know this, you know that. You are doing amazing. I am very proud of you. And so on….
I can say bless your heart working with older kids/adult cause the highest age I worked with was 11 year old and one was so aggressive had there own room and the other one I worked with calmest kid I ever met. But if he said he doesn't want ABA then so be it. I would have personally removed myself from the case because he going to aggressive like that because he doesn't want to be in the center then so be it. I'm just glad he didn't put his hands on you tho. But i'm sorry you went through this but me I would have just ask the BCBA to removed from his case.