Hi lovely people!
Today, I wanted to share more about becoming an RBT and what led me to that choice! I’ve always had a hard time picking a career because so many different things interested me. I thought about being a doctor, genetic counselor, teacher, and mental health therapist. So, I started out as a biology and education major.
Part of me wanted to be in the medical field, while another part of me wanted to teach. Knowing how tough it is to be a teacher nowadays (and of course having so much respect for all that they do!), I decided to drop the education part of my dual major and take a minor in painting. This way, I still had a creative outlet while pursuing my passion in science. However, I still had a passion for teaching.
I ended up being a Intro to Biology Discussion Group Leader and taught discussion group classes for 3 years. In my last semester of college, I kind of had a full circle moment and applied for an internship where I was paired up with an education major. We taught science lessons to a second grade class at a local elementary school! I absolutely loved working with kids, but I still wanted a job that incorporated science into the practice itself.
Long story short, all of my experiences in college led me to becoming a Registered Behavior Technician! It is the perfect balance of using behavioral science, therapy, creativity, and teaching! As an RBT, we use applied behavior analysis (ABA) in our therapies. This is an evidence based practice that helps kids with autism live the best life they can. This job has everything I wanted. I get to work with a population that is greatly underserved. Plus, I get to work with the coolest kids.
Below, I talk about more reasons why I chose to be an RBT and tips on when you’re just starting in the field!
Every Day Looks Different
As you can probably tell, I am someone that needs variety in their life. I have never seen myself at an office job, so being an RBT already checked that off the list. Also, being an RBT keeps you on your toes because of how different every day looks. I feel like this is a really exciting part of the job especially for those that dread the idea of a 9-5 where you do the same thing every day.
There are three different environments that most RBTs work in: clinics, schools, and homes. I’ve had the opportunity to work in all three! On M/W/F, I am in the clinic with two clients. On T/Th, I am in school or in home with my third client. This is really nice because I love the variety in settings. I get to learn about how to approach behaviors in different environments. Plus, I feel less burn-out since I have more variety in my weekly schedule.
Every day is also different because our clients are simply kids! They may be having better days than others. Sometimes, there are new behaviors or goals to work towards, so the programs we do can change just like that. I understand that this may not be the most ideal day for some, but if you’re looking for a job that really challenges you in the best ways, being an RBT could be for you!
Flexible Schedules
A great benefit to being an RBT is that you have a say in your clients and hours that you work! I work 8.5 hour days on M/W/F and 6 hour days on T/Th with three clients total. I personally really love this aspect because I still get full-time benefits without feeling burnout. On T/Th, I get to use the rest of my day running errands or going to doctors appointments that I wouldn’t be able to go to if I worked the same schedule every day.
Good Job Growth Opportunities
I was also really intrigued with the different ways you can grow in the field of ABA. Registered Behavior Techs are the starting position. Then, you can go on to be a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) or even a Clinical Director! The number of Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnoses are increasing every year. This means that there are more families out there looking for these services, and the field is always looking for people passionate enough to provide those services. There are also many different jobs you can have with experience in behavior analysis, which is a bonus!
I am personally planning on applying to an ABA masters program this year and hope to become a BCBA one day!
Decent Starting Pay
I started my 40-hour training right when I graduated college. Nowadays, it is pretty difficult for new grads to find decent paying jobs without a masters degree. I’m lucky enough that my company pays pretty well ($25 with no experience, $27+ with prior experience as an RBT). I know this isn’t the the greatest hourly pay out there, but it definitely allows me to pay for all of my life necessities!
Get to Understand More About Behavior
ABA doesn’t just help with gaining more understanding for people with autism. It helps you understand other people’s behavior as well as your own! There are so many practices in behavioral analysis that help me approach interactions with other people with a better understanding as to why we act the way we do. Behavior is so fascinating because there are so many reasons as to why we do what we do.
Working with Kids
I feel like one of the biggest reasons why I chose to be an RBT is because I get to work with kids. As an RBT, you get to play all day while also helping shape the minds of some of the best kids you’ll meet. The kids I work with also have such genuine intentions that it’s honestly such a breath of fresh air compared to some adults I know that may not. Early intervention is so important when it comes to an autism diagnosis. With the right services, you can help these families reach a point where they feel confident in helping their kids live the best lives they can on their own.
Tips for Starting Out
Being a first-time RBT can be super intimidating. You can have a really great impact on these kids lives, and you want to make sure you are caring for them to the best of your ability. Plus, adjusting to any full-time job has its own set of difficulties. I go more into what that’s like on my blog post How I Adjusted to my First Full-Time Job. Here are some of my tips for starting out as an RBT:
- Don’t take on too many clients
- It’s really easy to feel burn out with this job because it can be really difficult working with kids all day! You are showing up for these kids every day, and you are a sense of stability for them especially if they aren’t having the best day. I would take 1-2 clients in the beginning and slowly add more once you feel comfortable. Plus, you want to be able to give the best quality service you can, and you can’t do that if you are feeling drained all the time.
- Try not to take work home with you
- This one is something I am still struggling with, so have some grace with yourself. As an RBT, you tend to form deep connections with your clients because you spend so much time with them every week. I used to go home and think of other things I could have done or wonder how they’re doing after the session. You can only the best you can, but once you get home, try to do something for yourself and well-being. The mental toll of this job can be tough, so don’t forget to take care of yourself!
- Don’t be afraid to be silly
- Funny enough, I grew up very introverted, so it seems odd that I would take a job that requires me to be silly all day with my clients. However, this is one of the best parts of being an RBT. It’s so fun making your kids laugh, and it’s nice being in an environment where our goal is to make ABA therapy a safe and fun place for them to be.
- Ask questions!
- One of my biggest tips as a new RBT is to ask questions!!! There is always so much more to learn, especially in this field. I ask my BCBAs questions every day. It’s really important to be as consistent as possible with how you run programs because that’s where you really start seeing progress with your clients. If you don’t ask questions and risk making big mistakes, that can greatly impact the growth of your client!
I’ve been an RBT for a year now, and I genuinely love my job. It definitely can be hard when your client has really tough behaviors. Sometimes, you might be having a rough day yourself. Nevertheless, being an RBT is one of the most fulfilling jobs I’ve ever had. There are so many kids with autism out there that benefit from ABA therapy. It’s definitely a career worth checking out! In the future, I for sure want to post more about being an RBT. Stay tuned for those! I hope you found something on this post that resonated with you today. See you on the next post <3