Ivy Tech Community College has partnered with LittleStar ABA Therapy to offer an RBT® training program to prepare you for the RBT® Board Certification Exam.  This training program is based on the RBT® Task List (2nd ed.) and is designed to meet the 40-hour training requirement for RBT® certification.  The program begins March 30, 2021.  To learn more about the training program and to register visit ivytech.edu/bloomington/workforce.

Q1: Why should I take the Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) Training course through Ivy Tech?

• You will receive the training and assessments necessary to enter a highly marketable career.
•  Having the RBT credential at employment will make you more desirable since you won’t need any advance training before getting started.
• The small-group format will allow you to establish a professional network prior to entering the field.
• Discussion and engagement will help ensure you are prepared for your new career.
• The instructor has been working in the field for over 20 years.

Q2: What is a day in the life of an RBT at LittleStar like?

RBTs are trained to implement Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy.  Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) write the patient’s programs and then the RBTs work 1:1 with the patient.  BCBAs regularly observe therapy sessions with the patient and provide instruction, feedback, and support to the RBTs.

Therapy sessions typically last between four and eight hours per day, and most patients receive between 20 and 40 hours a week.  Therapy may occur in different locations depending on the needs of the patient.  Locations can include one of our therapy centers, the patient’s home or school, or another site within the community.  We work on a variety of skills to help our patients become more independent and to improve the quality of their life.  Each patient’s program is individualized to meet their specific needs.  Some examples of the types of skills include communication, social, and activities of daily living.  Some specific examples for each type of skill include teaching functional communication, appropriately interacting with others, following directions, attending, using the restroom independently, dressing, hygiene, and safety rules.  Reducing non-preferred or challenging behavior is another component of therapy.

Therapy sessions can have some challenging moments, but they are typically a lot of fun!  RBTs engage their patients in activities that are fun and rewarding for the patient.  RBTs should enjoy running around and playing, being silly, and interacting with their patients!

Q3: What are the career opportunities for a RBT?

RBTs typically work in the field of ABA therapy which is most commonly used to help individuals with autism or other developmental disabilities.  However, the skills an RBT learns are beneficial in many helping professions; including teaching, speech and language pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, social work, etc.  In addition, the same concepts of ABA therapy are used in many animal training programs as well.

Q4: What are the opportunities to advance your career in the field of behavior analysis?

Behavior analysis is a rapidly growing field with career opportunities across different levels of education, from the RBT credential which requires a high school diploma (or equivalent) to the BCBA-D that requires doctoral training in behavior analysis. Demand for individuals certified at the master’s (BCBA) or doctoral level (BCBA-D) has grown by 4,209% over the past 11 years (Behavior Analyst Certification Board, 2021).  The RBT credential is an entry point for advancement in this highly sought-after career.

Q5: Who can become a RBT?

Anyone 18 years or older with a high school diploma or equivalent can become an RBT.  It just takes proper training and supervision from a BCBA, and the ability to pass the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s RBT exam.

Successful RBTs are passionate about helping others.  They are also empathetic and compassionate; and enjoy learning, overcoming challenges, and seeing their patients succeed.  Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well as a team are also extremely important.