Posted 1 day ago Author: 3 Pie Squared Marketing Team

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Chris Robinson, BCBA

Looking after your RBTs, Part 2: Knowing Your Worth

Most ABA business owners say they support their RBTs. But in this powerful follow-up episode of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast , April and Stephen sit down again with the team from AByay!—Chris, Liz, and Rebecca—to explore what “support” actually looks like in the real world, based on honest confessions from RBTs. It’s a long overdue conversation, but one that’s often overlooked.

Together, they explore some of the hardest questions ABA leaders need to be asking:

👉 When is it time for a tech to walk away?
👉 What do RBTs...

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genuinely want in their work environment?
👉 And why are so many burning out—despite their passion and purpose?

The Reality Check Every ABA Leader Needs

This episode shines a light on the invisible weight RBTs carry, and the subtle (but serious) ways that poor communication, unclear expectations, and lack of transparency lead to burnout.

“We know our worth. Our mission is to provide the highest quality services that we can.” – Chris

It's a mic-drop that should make every BCBA, clinical director, and owner pause.

Here’s What You’ll Learn:

Knowing When It’s Time to Leave

The AByay! team share personal moments and red flags that told them a workplace was no longer healthy—and how they made the call to move on. Their insight can help leaders reflect on what their own culture might be signalling to staff.

What RBTs Really Want

RBTs crave clear expectations, consistent feedback, mutual respect, and a voice in decision-making. There’s a definite correlation between how a practice treats their RBTs, and the speed at which patients and clients receive and benefit from services.

The Root Causes of Burnout

It’s not just the workload. Burnout often comes from emotional exhaustion, feeling unheard, and lacking the tools or support to do the job well. RBTs are sometimes spending 35 hours a week in a stranger’s home, and positive feedback loops are essential to maintaining morale in tough conditions.

Real Strategies That Work

From team-wide communication rhythms to leadership transparency, AByay! shares practical systems they’ve built to ensure techs are respected, informed, and empowered.

The Investment Case

Stephen drops the numbers: It costs over $7,000 to train a tech. If you’re not building a workplace they want to stay in, you’re not just losing people—you’re hemorrhaging time and money.

What Can ABA Leaders Do Differently?

✔️ Ask your techs what they need—and listen.
✔️ Create systems of feedback, not just one-time surveys.
✔️ Reframe support as infrastructure, not just encouragement.
✔️ Be transparent about business decisions that affect clinical teams.
✔️ Don’t assume someone’s still doing okay just because they’re showing up.

RBTs Deserve Better—And It Starts With Us

If you're building an ABA Business, your frontline staff are your company. The strength of your culture, your client outcomes, and your long-term sustainability all rest on how well you support the people delivering care.

Whether you're an RBT navigating your next step or a leader rethinking your systems, this episode is your reminder: You don’t have to settle for broken workflows. You can build something better.

We’re right here with you.