The Importance of Clear Program Instructions for RBTs/BTs: Why BCBAs Can't Skip This Step
Heyyy BCBA Ruby here,
Let’s talk about something that shouldn’t be happening but still does—BCBAs writing programs without clear instructions for RBTs/BTs.
Imagine walking into a session, seeing a new program, and thinking, “Okay… but how do I actually run this?” No prompt levels, no mastery criteria, no clear expectations—just a goal sitting there, leaving you to guess your way through. Frustrating, right?
If you’re a BCBA (or on your way to becoming one), this is your sign to STOP leaving out program instructions! And if you’re an RBT/BT dealing with this, let’s talk about why it’s a problem and how to advocate for the guidance you need.
🚨 Why It’s a HUGE Mistake
✅ Consistency Matters – Without clear instructions, every therapist might run the program differently, which slows down progress for the client. ABA is built on data, but if the implementation is inconsistent, how accurate is that data?
✅ RBTs/BTs Deserve Support – Your team isn’t made up of mind readers. They need to know what prompting strategies to use, what to reinforce, and how to correct errors to ensure the client actually benefits from the program.
✅ It Creates Ethical Issues – If a BCBA isn’t giving clear instructions, they aren’t providing adequate supervision, which goes against our ethical responsibilities. Leaving RBTs/BTs to figure things out on their own can lead to misuse of ABA techniques or even harm to the client.
✅ More Stress for Everyone – When programs aren’t clear, RBTs feel frustrated, the BCBA gets overwhelmed with corrections, and progress stalls. A well-written program should eliminate confusion, not create it!
❌ Why Does This Happen?
So why do some BCBAs leave out instructions? A few common reasons:
🚩 They’re rushing – They might have too many cases and aren’t taking time to properly individualize programs.
🚩 They assume RBTs already know what to do – But every client and goal is different, so this is never a good excuse.
🚩 They don’t realize the impact – They might not recognize how much unclear programs affect implementation and client success.
Whatever the reason, it’s not okay—and it needs to change.
💡 How to Fix It
🔹 BCBAs: Take the Time!
If you’re writing a program, write it fully—including prompting procedures, mastery criteria, error correction, reinforcement strategies, and troubleshooting tips. It takes a little extra effort up front but saves time (and frustration) later.
🔹 RBTs/BTs: Speak Up!
If you don’t have clear instructions, ask for them! A simple, “Hey, I noticed this program doesn’t have prompt levels or a clear mastery criterion—can we clarify that?” goes a long way.
🔹 Companies: Set the Standard
Agencies should require detailed programs and hold BCBAs accountable for providing clear implementation guidelines.
Final Thoughts
A strong BCBA-RBT relationship is built on clear communication and proper guidance. No RBT/BT should have to guess their way through a program. If you’re a BCBA, take the time to set your team up for success. If you’re an RBT/BT, don’t be afraid to advocate for the tools and instructions you need to do your job effectively.
Have you ever run into this issue? Let’s chat about it in the comments! 💬💙
