WWYD?

Not sure where to post this b/c it could fall under many topics...

I've been working with a boy who has autism for almost a year now. I'm leaving them in another couple of weeks b/c I'm going back to work full-time and our schedules won't work. Several months ago, my friend asked me for the name of the agency I work with b/c she knew ABA and was looking for some part-time work. I gave her the number but nothing ever came out of it until now. It seems that she is actually going to be placed with the boy I am leaving. However, the more I talk to her about it, the less and less it seems that she knows ABA. She's asked me a million questions about it and I truly get the feeling that she really doesn't know how to do ABA. Now I feel like I'm in a bad situation. Should I tell the boy's parents what I think? I don't want them getting stuck with a teacher that isn't going to help their son or worse, have him regress. But I also don't want to sell my friend short either. Maybe I'm wrong and she's just nervous. She hasn't done ABA in awhile, she said, so maybe once she's back in the swing of things, it'll be fine. (She hasn't met the boy yet and I offered once she "officially" gets placed with him, to have her sit in on a few sessions with us, which I guess would better determiine how much she does know.) So...wwyd? TIA!

Re: WWYD?

I would strongly suggest to have her sit in on as many sessions with you as humanly possible. Let her see exactly what you do. I would also shadow her as she interacts with him during a session with the parent in close proximity. I would privately ask the parent how they feel about her and if the response is positive, know you did right by the family. If not, tell them that they are well within their rights to request another person to treat your son. It is very hard to let go when you have invested so much time with particular kids. I teach special education. I usually have a class for 2 years. After those two years, when they are in the care of a new teacher, its very hard for me to keep my thoughts to myself. Its refreshing to see someone care so much. Good for you!

Re: WWYD?

Didn't the agency interview her and observe her skill level?

Do the parents know that your friend will be placed with them in your absence?

If the parents know, then I totally agree with the above poster----ask the parents permission to have her come and shadow you as much as possible and slowly have her take over more of each session as time goes by. Explain to the parents how beneficial this is for a smooth transition.

Are you the only ABA therapist in the house or do they have additional ABA therapists that she could maybe also go in and observe?

Also, I would explain to your friend that even though she wont be getting paid to shadow you, this is in her benefit since she has not recently been working in the field.

I am an occupational therapist and when I get a new case with "new" or "challenging" circumstances, I always ask to shadow another therapist that has been on the case for an extended amount of time to either watch their technique with the child and speak with the parents. This can only benefit the child in the long run!

Re: WWYD?

Re: WWYD?

Re: WWYD?

I would shadow her.

I will tell you that as a parent, it's hard to know sometimes if someone is doing their job. Especially if you have no other therapist to compare it too. I really expect my ABA therapists to know their stuff. That's their job! I am not ABA trained. I have tried to get involved as much as possible. Learn as I go so I am not completely clueless but honestly I am not the specialist, they are and I expect them to know what they are doing.

I do know our former OT was not what I wanted. She was not working the goals that were set and I know enough of the OT stuff to know better. Have I not known, I would have been stuck with someone wasting my son's time and who would not addressed HIS issues and use whatever protocol she wanted and not change from it.

There is friendship and business.

2 of my ABA therapists brought in their friends. They happen to be good therapists. I made sure from the get go that any "referral" was really appreciated to find therapists but it was assuming that they were good at what they were doing.

Re: WWYD?

As a special education teacher, I definitely would not address with the parent the skill level/knowledge of your friend. I agree with having the teacher come and shadow. Unfortunately, if they were replaced with someone you didn't know, this may have been an option as well. As an ABA therapist for many years, I have seen many agencies definitions of "trained therapists" and they all do not agree. I have had aba supervisors who had no idea what shaping chaining and fading was. If you have done your job, the parent should know what to expect and how to question anything they do not know. Just remind the parents of their rights, but it is extremely unprofessional to discuss another therapist with the parent. (just so you know, if you happen to take the aba test atleast for Nassau, this actually may be one of the questions/scenarios on it).