Real Talk for RBTs: Advocacy, Burnout & Building a Better Workplace

Posted 14 hours ago      Author: 3 Pie Squared Marketing Team

Meet Our Guest

Chris Robinson, BCBA

Featuring Chris, Liz, and Rebecca from AByay!

Special thanks to our sponsor: Silna

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    In one of our most insightful episodes to date, we welcomed Chris, Liz, and Rebecca from AByay! to the ABA Business Leaders Podcast to talk about something that doesn’t get nearly enough attention: the real, day-to-day experience of being a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) in the ABA field.

    Let’s be honest—RBTs are often the unsung heroes of ABA. They’re the ones in homes, schools, and clinics, putting in the time, building the relationships, and helping clients make meaningful progress. And yet, they’re frequently left out of bigger-picture conversations, under-supported, and emotionally drained.

    This episode is for them, and for the people responsible for supporting them better.

    What Advocacy Looks Like for RBTs

    We kicked off the conversation with a powerful discussion on self-advocacy. What does it mean for an RBT to speak up in a field where power dynamics can be steep? The AByay! team shared strategies for setting boundaries, asking for feedback, and pushing for the support RBTs deserve—without burning bridges or burning out.

    The Role of Joy and Preferred Stimuli

    One of the most practical (and joyful!) takeaways from the episode was a conversation around integrating preferred stimuli into sessions. April touched on how this is often overlooked, but also an important part of practice. Even though this varies from tech to tech, Rebecca shared helpful insight on how to motivate engagement.

    The Emotional Weight of RBT Work

    If you’ve been an RBT—or managed a team of them—you already know how heavy this work can get. Long days, high emotional labor, and often little time to process. This episode dives into how RBTs can sustain themselves emotionally and how businesses can stop treating RBT turnover as a part of the process.

    Culture Check: Is Your Workplace Communicative and Supportive?

    We also unpacked what makes a truly communicative workplace. Too often, RBTs are stuck in top-down systems with little room to share ideas, give feedback, or even ask questions. The AByay! crew offered powerful insight into what a healthy, effective ABA company should actually feel like for the frontline team.

    Final Thoughts

    If you're an RBT: this episode is your permission to take up space and advocate for your needs.

    If you're a BCBA or business owner: this is your call to examine your systems, your culture, and your leadership style. Supporting RBTs isn’t a "nice to have"—it’s foundational to client outcomes and business sustainability.

    Resources Mentioned

    Listen to the full episode of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast wherever you get your podcasts—and don’t forget to leave a review if this one resonated!