[FEAT BC Admin]

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[Tyla Frewing]

Re: Therapist wages and evaluation.

I have been working as a therapist for about 2 years now, and I would like to say that I appreciate, beyond all belief, parents who are organized and "picky." As far as evaluations go, therapists should be willing both to take and give constructive feedback. Evaluation (in what ever form it is implemented – be it overlaps, or more formally) is not only neccessary to help therapists continue to improve their skills, but it is critical to maintaining a high level of consistency accross therapists and the home environment. This consistency is crucial if a child is to be set up for success. Mocking you, and whining about the way things are done at another family is incredibly unprofessional, and to put it bluntly – childish. It is akin to a child saying "but Joey's mom lets us so it." As a note to other therapists (she steps on to her soap box); we as therapists, assuming of course that we are in this for more than money should be looking for every possible opportunity to develop our skills and expand our knowlege. I cannot imagine ever, EVER getting to a point where I felt like I knew enough, that I could just stop learning about aba, stop training. There is such a diversity in children, in teaching methods, behavioural intervention strategies, that any feedback or learning opportunities, will be taken, as far as I am concerned.
With regards to other staffing issues, I am with Michelle one hundred percent – let your therapists know that they are appreciated, with a card, a picture of the kids, a pot luck dinner, anything like that. For me, those things (along with a organized, well run team lead by a qualified consultant) go a long way. Yes, I do have school to pay for etc etc…so I do need to get paid, but I would work harder and longer for those things mentioned above than some excessively high wage.
Just my two cents
Tyla

[Deleted User]

re: therapist pay etc.

First of all I would like to address the disrespect you are receiving from your team. Heads need to roll to put it crassly. Once respect is gone, it is hard to get back. You are in charge, you the "boss" and your team MUST respect you. Particularly since it sounds as though you take on at least part if not all of the sr. therapist responsibility (my guess from your post).

You should continue to do job reviews but perhaps take more of an approach of I am reviewing you. Always be open to feedback but make sure they understand it is feedback. You run the show because it is your child.

And if they were professional, which it sounds as though they are lacking in this, they would not be discussing how things operate on another team. tHe runnings of a team are CONFIDENTIAL and not to be discussed idly by therapists. As parents we open up the doors to our private lives, and while I understand these therapists were comparing working situations, a therapy team operates in a world of professional confidentiality. But regardless, it doesn't matter how so and so runs it on such and such team. THis is your team, run it how you like as long as it is ethical and fair.

They come to work at your house, with your child, and as independent contractors they have a right to decide whether they like the way you run things. THey can give FEEDBACK and offer suggestions but ultimately if they don't like how you run things and so and so is so much better than they should move on.

And may I add that I hope your team did not call you picky, demanding or too organized?!?! I will also tell you that I am EXTREMELY picky, demanding and strive to be organized and would argue that this is why my teams are considered by my team and others who sit in to be excellent. I just would prefer the terms high standards, constructive criticism, hard working, informative, highly involved… efficient!

As for pay. I think Avery hit it on the nose when he said you pay what you can afford and what they are worth. We start at $9 an hour but we also give periodic raises. Others in our remote neck of the woods pay $10 an hour to start, and one family I know of pays $11. I have less of a problem recruting therapists than they do and in fact most of their team has come from my passing names on to them when I am full. In most cases, the wage isn't what attracts a good therapist.

None of my therapists are in it for the money. I am very fortunate to have some incredible people who do this because they want to make a difference, because it is good experience. Now this isn't to say that they dont' have lives to pay for, they do, they aren't purely good samaritans… so this is why I try to reinforce them with pay raises.

its all about ABA – the consequence (pay raise) can increase the likelihood of a behaviour reoccurring (them sticking around and working hard).

I pay my sr. therapists $14 – 15 depending on experience but started them at $12 back when they were not so experienced. I once had a sr. whom I paid $25 an hour but she was of a caliber that is few and far between. My sr. take on a big level of responsiblity hence the higher pay.

As for extreme behaviour. I don't think you need to pay more, although you probably shouldn't pay below others. It is harder to work with a child who is physically challenging but I think if your consultant is dealing with it and your therapists are trained in the intervention being used, they will be able to manage.

Reinforcement does not have to be financial. We try to remember to buy a heartfelt card when a therapist graduates university, or when they seem too bogged down by life. We occasionally throw potluck staff parties. When I bake things like cookies, I am sure to give them some. Back when my garden was thriving (who has the time?!) I used to fill their arms with zucchinis and the like. And I tell them, wow, I love the way you are doing that… or Great meeting today, you kept things on the ball. I like the way you handled that… If you truly mean and it comes from your heart then chances are it will mean something more to them than money.

And finally, if your therapist is in it ONLY for the money then chances are they aren't going to be good for your child. Your child deserves someone who wants to improve their life just because they are a good person. And if you find someone like that – DON'T LET THEM GO!!! they are more precious than gold!

Michelle (please no grammatical checks please, I type fast but inaccurately to get all of my ramblings out!;-)

[Deleted User]

In responce to A Concerned Parented…..
Speaking AS a therapist I will give you my opinion.

If your therapists call in sick, and you give them that sweet freedom, I think you should be granted the same freedoms. If anyone scoffs at your requested reviews, or any suggestion you have, then you might have somthing to be worried about, in my opinion of course :)You, as a parent, are in so many ways our " boss", or one of them depending on specific teams. This is your child and you have every right to demand such reviews. I am sorry you had problems with them. But like I said, if you grant your therapists days off (which im sure theyre greatful for ) you are giving them enough, no raise is neccesary.
I have talked to my boss recently about factors that might effect your power to hire and fire your therapists accordingly. I do agree with an agency that checks references ect ect. But when you were called " picky, organized and demanding", dont be shamed by that, be proad you have stood firm in your childs treatment!
As for wages, I think they should be raised according to their direct performance with your childs therapy. Try and keep an eye on data sheets and sit in on a session, and reward the therapist if deserved. Wages should go up with performance and creative input. Also your opinion on their personality at hiring is crucial, this is where your parental authority steps in.
Basically, Anyone can read the facts and studies on behavioural theories and ABA. Its actual direct experience with autism that counts when it comes to wages.
I hope I made a little sence here, I stayed away from certain issues that Im sure were meant for parents.
Please understand that I meant no harm. Only opinion.
Sincerely
Respondent Therapist
PS I think people are posting annonymously because its almost like allowing yourself to be attacked. These are very passionate issues and some people respond to posts in a very aggressive manor, that is why Im posting annonymously. I dont know WHO ill offend!!!

[Deleted User]

Hi Barb,
Thanks for sharing this with us. Excellent idea. How easy was it to get pool staff on board and what is the Autism Education Society? Also thinking this may be a good way for our local parent support group to raise awareness of autism and possibly do some fund raising as well.

Thanks,
Cheryl
Mom to Allie and Angel

[Maureen St. Cyr]

Regarding therapist wages and employment, I do understand your pain, and I guess most of us who have been at this for a while share it as well. It's unfortunate that government's ignoring of our children's rights leaves us not only picking up the pieces of running proper science-based therapy, but also being managers and employers and accountants. But that is the reality.

So what do you pay therapists? You pay them what they are worth, tempered with what you can afford. There are two reasons why people go into ABA therapy as a profession — to earn a living and to help make an unbelievable difference in the lives of our children. We hope they always do it for the latter reason, and it's completely reasonable that they do it for the former as well. It's true there are those few for whom the main reason is mercenary, but I truly believe those are few and far between.

So, are your wages too low? Hard to tell without knowing what they are. Yes, if your child is particularly physical, it's going to be a strain on therapists and you will go through more of them. This is unfortunate but not unexpected — it's as hard for them as it is for us — harder probably, because they're not their kids. Throwing more money at that kind of problem is unlikely to really help…I hope your consultant is dealing with the physical stuff, as that is probably the most primo behavior to get under control, for your child's sake as well as everyone else.

Progress reviews for therapists? I ask my consultant to do them, informally as part of her overlaps with the team. I prefer a continuous process of growth, rather than a "checkup", but everyone has their own techniques and you're entitled to them. Of course the flip side of that is that everyone is entitled to their own hiring and etc. technique — neither I nor anyone else has a corner on how to do it.

Finally, as for the idea of a "therapist agency," while I certainly can appreciate that it sounds good to not have to go through the interview and hiring process ourselves, who exactly would we trust to do this for us? I would trust my consultant, because I know them and I respect their procedures and training programs. But then I certainly wouldn't allow some government-appointed "service" provider to tell me who was going to work with my daughter. Forget that.

The above are as always just my opinion. As the old saying goes, "your mileage may vary."

Oh, one more thing, just for my two cents — I think there are two many anonymous postings here these days. I understand people bringing up things the government may try to use against us would like to keep their names off the net. For the rest, I'd like to think people would stand up and sign their name to their opinions.

[David and Barbara McLeod]

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to share a happy story for our family. Our son just turned 9 years old. We have been involved in an ABA program for 6 years now. Our son is far from recovered but continues to make progress and we are proud of his hard work and continued growth.

After a number of years of planning just the right birthday party with peers and all the hoopla that goes along with it and everyone of them ending in an emotional let down because Alex didn't care about peers or presents (although he has learned to LOVE birthday cake!), we decided to take a totally different focus. Thus our happy story.

Alex loves to swim so we decided to turn his birthday into an event that would fulfill a number of goals. Alex would have fun at his birthday party, his birthday would involve school and neighbourhood children in a fun-filled event that they would associate with him, we would raise the awareness of autism in our community and we would raise some money for the Autism Education Society.

Last weekend was our fourth annual Happy Birthday, Alex swim. We rented the local pool for one hour and invited all of Alex's classmates and families as well as neighbourhood friends and families and friends and families of our older son. In all between 50 – 60 people attended. The lifeguards at the pool organized a number of activities from pool mats and boats to the rope swing and a huge inflated toy called the snake. Family members from ages 2 to adult had a great time together. Cupcakes and snacks rounded out the event with lots of laughs and supportive comments by kids and adults alike. And we raised $370 for A.E.S!

Our goals have been accomplished. We know this will continue to be an annual event for our family. Just wanted to share a positive story.

The McLeods – A, B, C & D

[Deleted User]

I forgot to mention….please reply to this post and I will read them all.
Thanks again

[Deleted User]

Hello!!
I think this is my second post regarding my conerns, but oh well, here goes another!!
I would like to know when the next workshops concerning Therapists, Generalization, and Data Collection will be.
I am eagerly awaiting any news on said topics, as I would like to attend.
Thanks

[Deleted User]

WHAT IS ASBC ?

I was just recently introduced to FEAT and I have seen all these angry parents discussing it. I don't have time to read threw all these letters.

[Deleted User]

RE: THERAPIST WAGES/EMPLOYMENT

I would like to know what everyone is paying there ABA therapists so as to pay my therapists fairly.

Do the wages depend on the childs 'level' or behavior problems?

My child is school age and has been doing the ABA program for almost two years. Skills are high and verbal is fairly good too. But there are alot of behavior issues to deal with. My child hits, bites, spits, screams, kicks, etc. if presented with an unwanted demand. If my therapist is dealing with such extreme physical abuse is the wage expected to be higher?

As many other families, I have experienced alot of therapist who are just not responsible and don't seem to treat this as a job.(IE. not showing up for shifts, calling in sick at least once per month, changing their availablity at last minute, etc.)I'm begining to wonder if it's due to my wages being too low. Yet, I don't want to raise my wages only to find the same problems arrise.

I'm also wondering if other families do regular progress reviews with their therapists? I tried this once and was pretty much mocked by my therapists as being so extreme. I felt that it was a good time for us to both sit down and give some honest feed back on how we felt their relationship in our team was and how it was with our child. I put alot of work into the review sheets only to be mocked and felt like a fool. I no longer have the therapist who I reviewed working for me (fortunately) and I would like to do another with my current team but wanted to see if this is what other families are doing?

I read Michelle Karen's lengthy write up on how she deals with therapists/teams and found it very informative. Thank you Michelle for taking the time to write such a note.

I think there should be some sort of agency that we could go through to get these therapists. This way alot of this kind of work would be done for us. I find it very tiring, I have another child besides to care for, plus work outside the home. It's too much.

Until such an agency is formed I think it is important that we ALL give details of how they deal with employing therapists. So there is some consistancy.

On several occassions I have had therapists suggest that I was too picky, organized and demanding. TRUST ME I'M NOT !!! They then refer to there other family as not doing this, or that. I have put on a happy face and tried to be fair, but now I wonder how much of what they have said is true. I'm tempted to say, "Well, can I have your other families phone number. Maybe I can get some pointers." Just to see how much of it was true. ??????????????????????????

Anyway, I've babbled long enough. I just want some clarity on this. I want my therapists to be treated fairly and paid an equal wage. I don't want to feel like the bad guy, always questioning if this is what other families do.

Please reply accordingly.

Thanks for reading.
A Concerned Parented

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