RBTs work under the direction of a BCBA or BCaBA and are expected to keep them informed. Beyond routine data, this includes anything that could affect a client’s plan, safety, or progress.
Example
A client stops responding to a reinforcer that used to work well. The RBT should flag this to the supervising BCBA rather than choosing a new reinforcer independently.
Key points
- Data trends: noticeable changes in progress, whether improvement or regression, should be communicated.
- Plan not working: if a procedure isn’t producing the expected result, that’s for the BCBA to address, not the RBT to redesign.
- Safety concerns: anything affecting client or staff safety should be reported right away.
- Questions about scope: if a task feels outside an RBT’s role, that’s a conversation for the supervisor, not a judgment call alone.
Common mistake
Saving up observations for the next scheduled supervision meeting when something needs to be flagged sooner.
Quick check
An RBT notices a behavior plan seems to be making a target behavior worse. What should they do? Report it to the supervising BCBA as soon as possible, not wait for the next scheduled check-in.
Keep studying
Session notes for RBTs · Supervision requirements · RBT glossary
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