10 things I wish I knew before starting as a BCBA
- Moe | Scarlet Plus
- Oct 20
- 6 min read
Starting as a BCBA can feel big. You bring strong training and a caring heart. The first months still come with surprises. This guide is written for new BCBAs and for RNs and other clinicians who are moving into ABA. It is also for professionals who want a supportive team in Stafford VA. The tips below mix practical steps with trusted references so you can act with confidence.
10 things I wish I knew before starting as a BCBA:
1. Real life is louder than any textbook
Courses teach the science. Families live real lives with work shifts traffic and tired siblings. Schools change schedules. Clinics fill fast. Your plans must fit the setting you serve. Write targets that are observable and measurable. Keep data tools simple. Plan for practice in the place where the skill will be used. Your plan is strong when staff and families can run it without you.
2. Clinical judgment grows with reps and reflection
You will not feel certain every day. That is normal. Set a weekly block to review data without distraction. Write what worked what did not and what to test next. Invite a colleague to look at a tough case. A second set of eyes often reveals a small change that shifts the curve. At Providence Community ABA you can ask for help through supervision and a collaborative culture that values questions. Providence Community
3. Ethics are your daily compass
Pressure will create gray areas. A family may ask for a quick fix that does not fit scope. A school may push for a restrictive option. Anchor every choice in the Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts. Keep the code close and talk through scenarios in team time. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board publishes the current code and supporting guidance that you can review when making decisions. Behavior Analyst Certification Board+1
4. Documentation will take more time than you think
Assessment reports treatment plans progress notes insurance responses and staff feedback all demand careful writing. Protect writing time on your calendar. Use clear templates. Keep a short library of plain language phrases that match your voice. Ask your employer about secure tools for data and notes. Your site links to HIPAA information in the footer and your team handles protected health information which is covered by the Privacy Rule from the US Department of Health and Human Services. If you ever need a fast refresher on what PHI is and how it can be used and shared review the HHS summaries. HHS.gov Providence Community
5. Data quality is as important as data volume
Better decisions rest on reliable data. Train RBTs and techs with live modeling practice and feedback. Check interobserver agreement on key measures. Watch for drift in definitions. Keep collection methods realistic for the setting so they are used with fidelity. When you change a plan update the training at once. Your future self will thank you at the next review.
6. Cultural responsiveness is not an add on
Culture shapes what a good day looks like. Ask what success means to the family. Learn routines languages and values. Use materials that match age and interests. Write goals that reflect family priorities. When families see their values in the plan buy in grows and generalization gets easier. Providence Community ABA states a commitment to honoring cultural diversity and to partnering with families. Align your daily actions with that promise. Providence Community
7. Collaboration multiplies your impact
Many learners receive services from speech therapists occupational therapists teachers counselors and medical providers. With consent share a one page summary of goals and active strategies. Align prompts and reinforcement across settings. Focus on shared outcomes like communication independence and safety. The US Department of Education provides family partnership resources that can help you frame school meetings and parent training in simple terms that support joint problem solving. U.S. Department of Education
8. Self care is part of clinical quality
Helping roles carry a risk of stress and fatigue. Plan simple resets during the day. Take short walks breathe listen to music and use peer support. Watch for signs of overload such as poor sleep or irritability. The Centers for Disease Control and the National Institutes of Health publish plain language guidance on stress and mental health that you can share with teams and families. Use these resources when you build staff wellness tips or parent handouts. U.S. Department of Education
9. Supervision can speed or stall your growth
High quality supervision is active. It includes live observation targeted feedback and case consults when you need a second opinion. Before you accept an offer ask how often you will receive live feedback and how complex cases are supported. Providence Community ABA promotes a supportive environment and invites applicants to apply on the Careers page. Use that page to start a conversation about supervision structure and growth paths. Providence Community
10. The right workplace changes everything
A healthy culture with ethical leadership fair caseloads protected writing time and access to mentors makes daily work lighter. You deserve a team that invests in you and celebrates wins. Providence Community ABA describes clinic based and school based services and a mission to serve families in Stafford VA. If that aligns with your values consider reaching out to the team. Providence Community
Before You Say Yes: 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a BCBA
What does a typical caseload look like by number of learners and service hoursHow much paid time is set aside for assessment data review and report writing each weekHow often will I receive live supervision and who provides itWhat supports exist for language access such as interpreters and translated materialsHow are RBTs trained and how is fidelity checked over timeHow do you coordinate with schools and medical providersHow do you prevent crises and keep everyone safeWhat is the plan for my continuing education over the first yearHow can I raise ethics concerns and how are they resolvedWhat steps do you take to prevent burnout and protect well being
A simple framework for your first 90 days
Days 1 to 30
Learn systems. Master notes scheduling and data tools. Meet each family and ask what success means to them. Observe often before changing plans. Set two learning goals. For example improve your functional interviews and sharpen your goal writing.
Days 31 to 60
Tighten your plans. Update targets to reflect data and family priorities. Train staff on any change and check interobserver agreement. Start one collaboration project with a partner. Align prompting with a speech therapist or a teacher.
Days 61 to 90
Refine and stabilize. Audit a sample of notes for clarity and completeness. Review progress with families and adjust goals that are not moving. Ask your supervisor for direct feedback on one skill you want to improve next. Enroll in a continuing education activity tied to that skill.
Plain language pointers for stronger plans
Write goals that a non specialist can understandDefine behaviors so two people would score them the same wayChoose measures that fit the setting so they can be usedPlan for generalization by listing where and with whom a new skill will be usedInclude maintenance checks to protect hard won skillsState how you will fade prompts and reinforcement so independence is the destinationClose each plan with a short purpose statement so everyone knows why the goal matters
Communication tips that reduce friction
Use a weekly update that fits on one page. Include wins what to practice and what data to watch. In meetings lead with what is going well to build trust.When a strategy is not working say it and pivot. Families value honest course correction.Turn jargon into plain words. For example say we will teach waiting with a timer instead of a delay tolerance protocol.Confirm understanding by asking the other person to teach back the steps.
A note for RNs moving into ABA roles
Your clinical background is a strength. You bring assessment skills a whole person view and comfort with health systems. Translate that experience into ABA by using clear operational definitions and data based decisions. Map scope differences with your supervisor. Review ethics expectations on the BACB site and privacy expectations on HHS sites. These sources explain duties for behavior analysts and duties for anyone who handles protected health information. Behavior Analyst Certification Board 2HHS.gov
Add trusted facts when you communicate with families
Families ask how common autism is and what patterns look like. The CDC reports recent estimates through the ADDM Network. The 2023 report noted one in 36 among children aged eight for the 2020 cycle and CDC tools now show more recent estimates and visual summaries. When you cite numbers in public facing content link to CDC pages for clarity and context. CDC
How Providence Community ABA supports you in Stafford VA
Mentorship that meets you where you are with leaders who observe model strategies and consult on complex casesProtected time for data review and clear reportingCollaboration with schools and families so plans work across settingsGrowth paths in supervision consultation and advanced assessmentA friendly culture with a mission to serve families in Stafford VA and nearby communitiesYou can begin the conversation on the Careers page on your site. Providence Community+1
If you are starting as a BCBA or ready for a supportive move we want to meet you. Providence Community ABA serves families in Stafford VA. Visit the Careers page to submit your resume and start a conversation with our team today. Providence Community
