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What’s This RBT Thing I Keep Hearing About?

58 blog avatar What’s This RBT Thing I Keep Hearing About?
Expert Name: Krystal Larsen, BCaBA
Expert Title: RBT Program Manager
Company Name:  Special Learning, Inc
Company URL: www.special-learning.com
Short Bio: Krystal Larsen, BA, BCaBA is a Board Certified assistant Behavior Analyst born in New York and raised in Florida where Mickey Mouse was her neighbor.

She has been practicing Behavior Analysis for over 10 years, where she started out as a behavior technician. She has experience working in family homes, schools, group homes, foster care, and facilities. She specializes in Natural Environment Training, maladaptive and aggressive behaviors- with children and adults whom have ASD, developmental delays, and/or mental health diagnoses. As an RBT Program Manager for Special Learning, she is responsible for overseeing and provide behavior analytical coaching to those seeking RBT training , clinical supervision, and RBT credentialing. She received her Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of South Florida and her BCaBA training from Florida Institute and Technology.

What’s This RBT Thing I Keep Hearing About?

Have you ever wondered how you can make a positive social impact in this world and be financially stable at the same time? I know I did, and I have been blessed to work in the field of ABA where I can live out this dream every day. My journey started as a behavioral technician- where I worked directly with children who had an Autism diagnosis , to now as a BCaBA (Board Certified assistant Behavior Analyst). I want to share with you how you can live this dream out as well, by becoming a Registered
Behavior Technician (RBT).

What is an RBT?
Registered Behavior Technician ( better known as an RBT) is a credentialed entry-level professional who works with children and/or adults with Autism or other special needs. The RBT works under the direction of a behavior analyst using ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) techniques to teach a child/adult with special needs to be better prepared for Life! As an RBT, you will work directly with the client one-on-one in implementing programs created by a behavior analyst to teach the client how to be most
successful.

Who can become an RBT?
Practically anyone who is 18 years or older, possesses a High School diploma, G.E.D. or equivalent. After you have these prerequisites then you can start your journey to becoming an RBT.

The journey to become an RBT!
After you have the prerequisites, the journey to working and adding the RBT credential behind your name is as easy as 1-2- 3-4.

1. Complete a 40-hour RBT Training
a. This training will educate you on how you can teach and have a positive social
impact with people having special needs using ABA techniques.

b. The training will cover all areas outlined on the RBT Task List by the
international credentialing body for ABA practitioners called the BACB (Behavior
Analyst Certification Board)
c. A great part about this training is that you will be able to apply the information
the first day you start the course.

2. Pass a Competency Assessment
a. This is a verbal and performance assessment conducted by a Supervising
Behavior Analyst (a.k.a Responsible Certificant) with the perspective RBT
b. This assessment will measure how you implement ABA techniques from what
you have learned in the 40-hour RBT Training.

3. Apply for the RBT Examination with the BACB
a. You will need the following to apply:
i. Successfully completed the RBT 40-hour training
ii. Pass the RBT Competency Assessment
iii. Completed a Background Check
iv. H.S. Diploma, G.E.D. certification, and/or transcript
v. Identify the Responsible Certificant who will do on-going Supervision

4. Take the BACB Exam
a. Schedule a date and time to take the exam
b. Take the RBT Exam at the testing site
c. And at the completion of the exam, you will know immediately if you have been
credentialed as an RBT. (Talk about Positive Reinforcement at its finest!)

For me, working as an entry-level behavioral technician was my foot-in-the-door to work with children with autism and have financial stability.  It will only take 4 steps for you to make a positive social impact and have the appropriate training to successfully work with children with autism or special needs.  In turn, you can make your dreams a reality too!

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Being an RBT for me was extremely fun because where were you going to find a place where you can be completely silly without having to worry what people thought about you? This was the only job that made me feel like I could make a dramatic difference while being myself.

I also liked to be surrounded by people that had the same goals of wanting to help kids and the teamwork made the job much easier and more enjoyable.

Change and progress was the ultimate goal for our kiddos. The early intervention program was seriously only a miracle because I saw changes in the kiddos that from day one, you wouldn’t even recognize who they were.

Changes from being able to utter 3-4 words where they can only make a syllable from when they started, the behavior decreases in which kiddo that used to engage in 30-40 0 self-harm to only half, learning how to wait during games, table work where they use to swipe and drop to the floor if they had to.

My favorite was when the parents would tell us what amazing progress they were making at home. I used to tear up and felt for these parents so much because it was already difficult for them and now, they can trust and rely on ABA and the therapists knowing their goal was ours.

By Emma Rogers, BA, RBT

Mother Child
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