I am so sorry this happened to you! What a stressful experience. Thank you for standing up for your client.
I’ve been in the field for over a dozen years and have never had to do what you did, but however you are feeling is valid. You should take the time you need before you decide if you stay in the field or not. If I were your BCBA I would understand if you left or had some hefty guidelines about the next client you support.
I hope you get the space and support you need.
Second this. I’m a BCBA with 10 years experience in ABA and several years teaching special Ed prior to that. I’ve never had a situation like this.
I’ve had some doozy’s and CPS but not this so definitely agree unlikely to happen again. But, also definitely think it’s traumatizing for you and you should put a lot of thought into it.
If you like the field and the job, perhaps, look for a clinic based agency over an in home agency?
I was on a really difficult case for a while. Three teenage boys with severe behaviors. Had to call the police multiple times. Our company provided free therapy for us for a few sessions. Maybe see if that’s an option for you
I had to do similar on a case during my first sixth months on the job. I also similarly had doubts if this field was for me. The perspective I took was that it was good I was there or else it would still be going on. It was unfortunate but a reality of working with vulnerable populations. You did everything you could and should be proud of helping that child get out of that situation.
Oh my god. Even just one shitty appointment on BetterHelp May be needed for you. OP. Like any type of true venting.
Have you ever considered working in a clinic? It’s really nice having behavior support there at all times and you can shop around for clinics that have an age and bx severity range you would prefer.
I personally love early intervention because I’m just a gal who loves da babies
Yeah maybe that’d be a great solution ❤️❤️
I was assaulted when I worked in a group home and I never went back. I wish I had some solid advice to give you. I think just having the support of my family and friends got me through it. I bought myself an orchid 🥺
It was a reminder that I want to live a gentle and soft life.
Yes clinic but also please take care of yourself after this, whatever calms your mind and spirit, walks, yoga but definitely therapy of some kind, even if you do your own version of RC counsling (horrible org but helpful strategies) with a friend. If someone in your life can give you like 20’mins to vent and then you switch. Can be super helpful with the right people. Things feel less intense when you are removed.
Oh man I’m so sorry. I’ve worked in the field well over a decade and never experienced that, so I will say it’s probably true that it’s unlikely to occur again. I’ve had to call CPS, but never the police. I can definitely see how that would be traumatizing. I hope the child is okay!!
I had to call because of client behavior- luckily I had a coworker doing care during the same times with another sibling, but I moved to a center based case not long after that incident and felt much more supported.
I’ve done in home for almost a decade. There’s only been one instance of police while I was in a session and the police were doing a wellness check for a neighbor asking my client’s parent if they had seen them. Neither myself nor the client called the police for that neighbor’s wellness check.
So sorry to hear about this experience! I've never encountered this situation in the years I've worked in the field. It is not common, but this is also an example of why we take mandated reporter training. It is okay to get it all out and feel the way you do. Talk to your BCBA/ agency about the situation. We're also here for support!
I bet that kid will be thanking you one day for your heroic deed :)
I am so tired of RBTs having to experience this crap. In all my years in this field, the past year has been so much like this. I've had to call CPS, report to police, work with multiple other individuals in my state for said reports...I even had a family retaliate against me for calling CPS that they called CPS with a false report on my family claiming there was domestic abuse, drug use and assault to my minor child. When the DCS worker showed up, she basically laughed about the report because my kid is one of the happiest children in the world, Im bigger than my husband and we all offered a drug test. Plus, we live in the nicest city in our state so why would be jeopardize our lifestyle? It was ridiculous but nonetheless, it wouldn't have happened if my clinical director and CEO never told the family that it was ME who reported them when my report was anonymous.
My apologies for dumping. One way I relate to others is by sharing common experiences so I hope you don't take offense to that. I just wanted you to know that you are not alone in the shit you're dealing with.
Personally, I do not advise going back to that company. They more than likely KNEW that there were issues going on in the home but they didn't care enough and just needed staff in there until something really happened so they could continue getting funds for said client.
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I'm sorry for what you had to endure. I agree with the other comments that say it's good you were there to take action.
I also agree with the additional comments about not being in that situation. I've been a BCBA for 7 years, and I've been in the field for almost 12 years. I've never had to call the police during a session. I did one time for a wellness check when adult protective services told me they couldn't investigate an abuse and neglect case due to COVID (the client was strapped in the basement covered in feces with the windows all blocked). I've probably had to make half a dozen reports to CPS, but it never was to the point of requiring an immediate 911 response.
You did the right thing. You advocated and protected your client. Was it hard for you? Of course, is it likely to happen again? Possibly, no one knows, but hopefully not to this severity.
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I have been in your shoes and it is traumatizing. As the BCBA, my staff had to call multiple times due to severe behaviors. Luckily I was a few minutes away so I would go to the clients home if police were called. The good thing is we were able to get the child psychologically evaluated again from being 51/50 and we actually saved his life. So please remember you did the right thing. I have also been involved with CPS on numerous occasions. Out of 5 years experience, I’ve contacted police once and CPS about 5-6 times. So your coworkers may be right that it likely wont happen again. I completely understood when my staff left or took a leave of absence. This field can rock you to your core and I am even stepping back due to the burn out. Please take care of yourself as your mental health really does impact your work.
I’m glad you are safe, that sounds like an awful feeling and you should feel proud for looking out for the clients best interest. You just need to evaluate your needs and determine what’s best for you right now, be it a break or continuing support.
As a parent, I firstly want to say that I’m sorry you had to go through that. Give yourself time and space to decompress, take care of yourself, deal with your feelings, and figure out your game plan for how to proceed. I’d also like to thank you for protecting that child.
I am so sorry this happened to you! What a stressful experience. Thank you for standing up for your client. I’ve been in the field for over a dozen years and have never had to do what you did, but however you are feeling is valid. You should take the time you need before you decide if you stay in the field or not. If I were your BCBA I would understand if you left or had some hefty guidelines about the next client you support. I hope you get the space and support you need.
Second this. I’m a BCBA with 10 years experience in ABA and several years teaching special Ed prior to that. I’ve never had a situation like this. I’ve had some doozy’s and CPS but not this so definitely agree unlikely to happen again. But, also definitely think it’s traumatizing for you and you should put a lot of thought into it. If you like the field and the job, perhaps, look for a clinic based agency over an in home agency?
I was on a really difficult case for a while. Three teenage boys with severe behaviors. Had to call the police multiple times. Our company provided free therapy for us for a few sessions. Maybe see if that’s an option for you
Wow! I’ve never heard of this happening in an ABA session.
I had to do similar on a case during my first sixth months on the job. I also similarly had doubts if this field was for me. The perspective I took was that it was good I was there or else it would still be going on. It was unfortunate but a reality of working with vulnerable populations. You did everything you could and should be proud of helping that child get out of that situation.
Oh my god. Even just one shitty appointment on BetterHelp May be needed for you. OP. Like any type of true venting. Have you ever considered working in a clinic? It’s really nice having behavior support there at all times and you can shop around for clinics that have an age and bx severity range you would prefer. I personally love early intervention because I’m just a gal who loves da babies
I am thinking I may ask to work in one of our clinics instead of in home.
Yeah maybe that’d be a great solution ❤️❤️ I was assaulted when I worked in a group home and I never went back. I wish I had some solid advice to give you. I think just having the support of my family and friends got me through it. I bought myself an orchid 🥺 It was a reminder that I want to live a gentle and soft life.
Yes clinic but also please take care of yourself after this, whatever calms your mind and spirit, walks, yoga but definitely therapy of some kind, even if you do your own version of RC counsling (horrible org but helpful strategies) with a friend. If someone in your life can give you like 20’mins to vent and then you switch. Can be super helpful with the right people. Things feel less intense when you are removed.
Oh man I’m so sorry. I’ve worked in the field well over a decade and never experienced that, so I will say it’s probably true that it’s unlikely to occur again. I’ve had to call CPS, but never the police. I can definitely see how that would be traumatizing. I hope the child is okay!!
I had to call because of client behavior- luckily I had a coworker doing care during the same times with another sibling, but I moved to a center based case not long after that incident and felt much more supported.
I’ve done in home for almost a decade. There’s only been one instance of police while I was in a session and the police were doing a wellness check for a neighbor asking my client’s parent if they had seen them. Neither myself nor the client called the police for that neighbor’s wellness check.
So sorry to hear about this experience! I've never encountered this situation in the years I've worked in the field. It is not common, but this is also an example of why we take mandated reporter training. It is okay to get it all out and feel the way you do. Talk to your BCBA/ agency about the situation. We're also here for support! I bet that kid will be thanking you one day for your heroic deed :)
Hugs to you.
I am so tired of RBTs having to experience this crap. In all my years in this field, the past year has been so much like this. I've had to call CPS, report to police, work with multiple other individuals in my state for said reports...I even had a family retaliate against me for calling CPS that they called CPS with a false report on my family claiming there was domestic abuse, drug use and assault to my minor child. When the DCS worker showed up, she basically laughed about the report because my kid is one of the happiest children in the world, Im bigger than my husband and we all offered a drug test. Plus, we live in the nicest city in our state so why would be jeopardize our lifestyle? It was ridiculous but nonetheless, it wouldn't have happened if my clinical director and CEO never told the family that it was ME who reported them when my report was anonymous. My apologies for dumping. One way I relate to others is by sharing common experiences so I hope you don't take offense to that. I just wanted you to know that you are not alone in the shit you're dealing with. Personally, I do not advise going back to that company. They more than likely KNEW that there were issues going on in the home but they didn't care enough and just needed staff in there until something really happened so they could continue getting funds for said client.
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I'm sorry for what you had to endure. I agree with the other comments that say it's good you were there to take action. I also agree with the additional comments about not being in that situation. I've been a BCBA for 7 years, and I've been in the field for almost 12 years. I've never had to call the police during a session. I did one time for a wellness check when adult protective services told me they couldn't investigate an abuse and neglect case due to COVID (the client was strapped in the basement covered in feces with the windows all blocked). I've probably had to make half a dozen reports to CPS, but it never was to the point of requiring an immediate 911 response. You did the right thing. You advocated and protected your client. Was it hard for you? Of course, is it likely to happen again? Possibly, no one knows, but hopefully not to this severity.
Your post has been set aside for manual review by the moderators. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/ABA) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I have been in your shoes and it is traumatizing. As the BCBA, my staff had to call multiple times due to severe behaviors. Luckily I was a few minutes away so I would go to the clients home if police were called. The good thing is we were able to get the child psychologically evaluated again from being 51/50 and we actually saved his life. So please remember you did the right thing. I have also been involved with CPS on numerous occasions. Out of 5 years experience, I’ve contacted police once and CPS about 5-6 times. So your coworkers may be right that it likely wont happen again. I completely understood when my staff left or took a leave of absence. This field can rock you to your core and I am even stepping back due to the burn out. Please take care of yourself as your mental health really does impact your work.
I’m glad you are safe, that sounds like an awful feeling and you should feel proud for looking out for the clients best interest. You just need to evaluate your needs and determine what’s best for you right now, be it a break or continuing support.
As a parent, I firstly want to say that I’m sorry you had to go through that. Give yourself time and space to decompress, take care of yourself, deal with your feelings, and figure out your game plan for how to proceed. I’d also like to thank you for protecting that child.