rbt E.2 Seeking Supervision

By RBThub February 23, 2026

Many new RBTs are afraid to ask questions. They worry they will look "stupid" or "incompetent."

The truth is: Not asking questions is unethical. If you don't know how to run a program, and you guess, you are practicing outside your scope of competence. Seeking supervision is not a sign of weakness; it is a requirement of the job.

Executive Summary

While the previous lesson covered reporting incidents, this lesson focuses on Seeking Supervision. This is about being proactive. You will learn how to prepare before contacting your supervisor so you don't waste their time, how to overcome the fear of judgment, and why keeping a personal supervision log is a smart career move.

⏱️ Video Timeline

13:34
How to Prepare
Don't just say "Help." Gather data, write down specific details (dates/times), and list the steps you have already tried.
14:09
Barriers to Supervision
Fear of judgment ("Imposter Syndrome") and not wanting to "bother" the BCBA. Remember: Supporting you is their job!
14:43
The Session Log
Keep a personal notebook of when you asked for help and what the answer was. This protects you and helps you learn.

🔑 Key Insights

Be Specific: Vague questions ("He was bad") get vague answers. Specific questions ("He hit me 3 times during the puzzle task") get solutions.
Scope of Competence: If you are asked to do something you haven't been trained on, you must say "I need training first."
Proactive > Reactive: Don't wait for the monthly check-in. If you are confused today, ask today.
Documentation: If a parent asks you to change a program, do NOT do it. Tell them, "I need to ask my supervisor first."

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: My supervisor seems busy. Should I wait?
A: No. Send an email or leave a message. Delays in supervision lead to delays in client progress.
Q: What if I disagree with my supervisor?
A: You can discuss it professionally ("I noticed X happened when we tried Y"). But ultimately, you must implement the plan as written unless it is unethical/dangerous.

1. The "Before You Call" Checklist

Supervisors love RBTs who come prepared. Use this checklist to look like a pro.
Supervision Prep What happened? (Objective Facts) When did it happen? (Date & Time) What did I try? (Interventions used) Specific Question ("What should I do if...?")

2. Overcoming "Imposter Syndrome"

Mindset Shift

Wrong Thinking: "If I ask a question, they will think I'm bad at my job."
Right Thinking: "If I ask a question, they will know I care about doing it correctly."
BCBAs worry about RBTs who remain silent. Silence usually means mistakes are being hidden.

📝 Knowledge Check

Are you ready to ask for help?

Q1: You realize you don't understand how to run the new "Token Economy" program. What should you do?

Answer: Contact your Supervisor immediately.
Do not guess. Do not "try your best." Ask for training before you run it again.

Q2: Which is a better way to ask for supervision?

Answer: Option B: "Client hit me twice when I presented the math worksheet. I tried blocking, but it continued. What should I do next?"
(Option A was likely "Client was aggressive, help.") Specifics allow the BCBA to solve the problem.
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