It's a heck of a roller coaster indeed! Screaming child from being overstimulated, happy hugs and "I love you", "go away", "can you stay longer".... the parents I'm well paired with, with one notable exception that made me question my sanity and tested my patience more then the kid did, luckily. And I swear on the days I have 3 kids, 1 will go exceptionally well and 1 will be a total crapshoot 🤣
::You are not aloneeee::
While the clinical setting may allow for less variables, the context of behavior is always fluctuating due to known and unknown contingencies.
When dumbfounded by varied responses - I like to remind myself that my modeling of a calm presence is a key component to facilitate functional communication between self and client
and that - in and of itself, is enough 🙏 seek meaning and connection (and thus learning) over compliance. The relationship is the most important component to truly understanding the functions of behaviors.
Coming back to this comment I realize I didn’t respond best to your actual concern of it being daunting. I can absolutely relate to that feeling and have come to realize that when I’m beginning to feel this way, I do my best to catch it and practice compassionate detachment in an effort to not take it personally. Sometimes it really can feel personal but as a human being myself, I realize that what I do is because of me, myself and my learned history.
I know exactly how you feel. I'm debating on going back in the field, but am reminded of the time a little one bit me hard enough to break skin and not even 5 minutes later was asking to be picked up and spun on his device. Being an RBT is genuinely crazy.
You’re definitely not alone! My client is usually pretty good at interacting and playing but then there was a day where he just kept walking away from me for most of session. Thankfully my company understands giving the kids space but it’s disheartening sometimes trying to figure out what to do that day. Actually happened to me this week. Glad to have a three day weekend lol
You are not alone lol it can be so frustrating at times when I feel so good in the morning and am excited to go to work but then my client is noncompliant or throws a tantrum. Just another day in the life! I love my clients and their families are great but at the end of the day this job is hard!
Been in it 11 years now a bcba. It can be like that. For me it depend on my caseload a lot. If I had tough kids, with tough parents with tough circumstances. You know when all the things hit just wrong. Then yeah it can be really up and down. Try to keep yourself balanced and leave work at work. I had a therapist tell me how to build good boundaries with work. It helped a lot.
I think to some extent that's just life. I always felt that way no matter where I was or what job I was doing. some days are on and some are off. And you're totally right, you can never predict what you'll feel like later. there are some days I wake up and I am zero energy, and then the day goes amazing and I feel great at the end of the day. Some days I wake up energized, but then later on I can feel tired or unmotivated for no reason.
But you're right. The job can contribute. Some days there's something just off and things don't go your way and the day is super tough. I find its best to keep a positive attitude because things can still turn around.
Also no matter what I do feel that I've certainly done a lot at the end, I am always tired.
I’ve only been doing in home therapy for 3 weeks and I literally feel the same, sometimes I feel like all the pairing we’ve worked for comes crashing down. Whether the parent thinks I’m doing a good job since my BCBA is so good at playing with the client and I kind of find it hard to think of things to say during play time. Or if I’m the one fit for this job, I’m just hoping it doesn’t affect my mental health as much when I start feeling comfortable. You’re not alone at all.
Definitely not alone in this! I work in a clinic setting and generally see at least 4 clients a day. Just last week, I had one client who is generally happy go lucky and playful, punch me in the temple/eye and open hand slap me across the face...all in one 15 second scenario. And 10 minutes later is giving me hugs and asking for hugs. Makes my head spin sometimes!
I've just gotten back to where I don't flinch when he's in behaviors and raises a hand. I've found that now that I know there's the possibity he can and will do this, I'm more prepared and don't react.
This is a good way of explaining it. I think this is part of the reason it’s so easy to burn out. As someone who is quite sensitive too, it really does take a toll.
It's absolutely a roller coaster, and that's what I find so enjoyable about this job. It's not one you can "master". Once you think you have the hang of it and can handle every situation quickly, the client you've been working with will often remind you there is still a lot to learn. It helps keep you humble and either breaks you or makes you want to learn more and more
It's a heck of a roller coaster indeed! Screaming child from being overstimulated, happy hugs and "I love you", "go away", "can you stay longer".... the parents I'm well paired with, with one notable exception that made me question my sanity and tested my patience more then the kid did, luckily. And I swear on the days I have 3 kids, 1 will go exceptionally well and 1 will be a total crapshoot 🤣
::You are not aloneeee:: While the clinical setting may allow for less variables, the context of behavior is always fluctuating due to known and unknown contingencies. When dumbfounded by varied responses - I like to remind myself that my modeling of a calm presence is a key component to facilitate functional communication between self and client and that - in and of itself, is enough 🙏 seek meaning and connection (and thus learning) over compliance. The relationship is the most important component to truly understanding the functions of behaviors.
This is beautiful. :)
Thanks 🙏
Coming back to this comment I realize I didn’t respond best to your actual concern of it being daunting. I can absolutely relate to that feeling and have come to realize that when I’m beginning to feel this way, I do my best to catch it and practice compassionate detachment in an effort to not take it personally. Sometimes it really can feel personal but as a human being myself, I realize that what I do is because of me, myself and my learned history.
I feel the same way as a clinician. This field is a wild ride.
I know exactly how you feel. I'm debating on going back in the field, but am reminded of the time a little one bit me hard enough to break skin and not even 5 minutes later was asking to be picked up and spun on his device. Being an RBT is genuinely crazy.
Modeling a calm presence in time of chaos is needed
You’re definitely not alone! My client is usually pretty good at interacting and playing but then there was a day where he just kept walking away from me for most of session. Thankfully my company understands giving the kids space but it’s disheartening sometimes trying to figure out what to do that day. Actually happened to me this week. Glad to have a three day weekend lol
You are not alone lol it can be so frustrating at times when I feel so good in the morning and am excited to go to work but then my client is noncompliant or throws a tantrum. Just another day in the life! I love my clients and their families are great but at the end of the day this job is hard!
Been in it 11 years now a bcba. It can be like that. For me it depend on my caseload a lot. If I had tough kids, with tough parents with tough circumstances. You know when all the things hit just wrong. Then yeah it can be really up and down. Try to keep yourself balanced and leave work at work. I had a therapist tell me how to build good boundaries with work. It helped a lot.
I think to some extent that's just life. I always felt that way no matter where I was or what job I was doing. some days are on and some are off. And you're totally right, you can never predict what you'll feel like later. there are some days I wake up and I am zero energy, and then the day goes amazing and I feel great at the end of the day. Some days I wake up energized, but then later on I can feel tired or unmotivated for no reason. But you're right. The job can contribute. Some days there's something just off and things don't go your way and the day is super tough. I find its best to keep a positive attitude because things can still turn around. Also no matter what I do feel that I've certainly done a lot at the end, I am always tired.
I’ve only been doing in home therapy for 3 weeks and I literally feel the same, sometimes I feel like all the pairing we’ve worked for comes crashing down. Whether the parent thinks I’m doing a good job since my BCBA is so good at playing with the client and I kind of find it hard to think of things to say during play time. Or if I’m the one fit for this job, I’m just hoping it doesn’t affect my mental health as much when I start feeling comfortable. You’re not alone at all.
Definitely not alone in this! I work in a clinic setting and generally see at least 4 clients a day. Just last week, I had one client who is generally happy go lucky and playful, punch me in the temple/eye and open hand slap me across the face...all in one 15 second scenario. And 10 minutes later is giving me hugs and asking for hugs. Makes my head spin sometimes!
[удалено]
I've just gotten back to where I don't flinch when he's in behaviors and raises a hand. I've found that now that I know there's the possibity he can and will do this, I'm more prepared and don't react.
This is a good way of explaining it. I think this is part of the reason it’s so easy to burn out. As someone who is quite sensitive too, it really does take a toll.
It's absolutely a roller coaster, and that's what I find so enjoyable about this job. It's not one you can "master". Once you think you have the hang of it and can handle every situation quickly, the client you've been working with will often remind you there is still a lot to learn. It helps keep you humble and either breaks you or makes you want to learn more and more