A Day in the Life of an RBT – Tamia Hawkins

Welcome back to a day in the life of a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT). We continue our three-part series as we observe the first of two Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) sessions. For the morning session, I followed our wonderful Tamia Hawkins, who is an RBT currently studying to become a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Tamia begins her session with a brief discussion with her client’s caregiver regarding any concerns they might have about the client’s current state, mood, or behavior. She listens attentively to their concerns and takes detailed notes, making sure to ask follow-up questions to understand the situation fully. Tamia understands the importance of maintaining open and respectful communication with the client’s caregivers to ensure the best care and support for the client. 

After the discussion with the caregiver, Tamia greets her client warmly and assesses their emotional and physical state. She engages them in conversation, allowing them to express their thoughts, feelings, and concerns. Tamia creates a safe and non-judgmental environment, making the client feel comfortable and understood. 

Tamia, a dedicated therapist, spends a few minutes at the beginning of her session pairing with the client. Pairing with a client is of utmost importance as it fosters a strong and productive collaborative relationship. Tamia realizes that, by working closely with the client, she will gain a deep understanding of their specific needs and expectations. This facilitates open communication, effective problem-solving, and a shared vision for successful outcomes. Furthermore, close partnership cultivates trust, empathy, and mutual respect, enhancing the overall quality and efficiency of the service being provided. Ultimately, the significance of pairing with a client lies in forging a solid foundation of understanding and synergy, which can lead to long-term client satisfaction and the achievement of shared objectives. 

While pairing, Tamia informs her client of how much time they have until they move on to doing table work in the therapy room. Setting up clear expectations and a routine with a client with autism is of utmost importance. Individuals with autism often struggle with difficulties in communication and social interactions, making it essential to establish a predictable and structured environment. In setting clear expectations, such as behavioral guidelines and communication protocols, Tamia helps create a predictable and safe space for the client to understand and follow. A routine provides a sense of security and stability, reducing anxiety and promoting greater engagement and participation in activities. Moreover, Tamia knows that it enhances predictability, allowing the client to anticipate events, transitions, and changes, leading to smoother transitions and decreased stress levels. Establishing expectations and routines with a client with autism plays a crucial role in facilitating their understanding, comfort, and overall development, enabling effective learning and positive behavioral changes. 

Once in the therapy room, Tamia creates an environment of cooperation by asking the client to sit at the table. The client is presented with a token board, and expectations are set up once again when Tamia lets the client know that five tokens must be earned to receive time with a favorite toy. Running a DTT (Discrete Trial Training) session with a client requires careful planning and execution to ensure maximum engagement and progress. As the skilled RBT she is, Tamia understands that one crucial aspect of conducting a successful DTT session is to create and maintain momentum throughout the session. Momentum refers to the consistent flow and pace of trials and activities, which aids in capturing and holding the client’s attention. By establishing a smooth and swift rhythm, Tamia can prevent potential distractions or disinterest from the client. This can be achieved by structuring the session with a variety of engaging and appropriately challenging tasks, setting clear expectations, providing immediate feedback, and incorporating reinforcement strategies. The goal is to sustain the client’s motivation and active participation, enabling them to make meaningful progress toward their individualized goals. 

After table time, Tamia transitions the client into the playroom to allow the client to socialize with other children. It is essential to include structured social play with peers in an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) session for a child with autism. Social interaction is a crucial aspect of a child’s development, helping them to acquire and refine various skills such as communication, cooperation, empathy, and problem-solving. For children with autism, who often struggle with social engagement and communication, structured social play provides an opportunity to practice and generalize these skills in a controlled environment. Tamia helps in this process by creating opportunities for the client to interact with peers. By participating in activities like turn-taking games, role-playing scenarios, or collaborative tasks, children with autism learn to navigate social situations, develop friendships, and enhance their social competence. Peer play also encourages the development of imagination and creativity, offers a platform for learning social norms and rules, and promotes the building of self-confidence and self-esteem. Overall, structured social play within an ABA session is instrumental in fostering social skills, emotional growth, and positive social experiences for children with autism. 

Tamia then transitions the client into the Natural Environment Teaching (NET) area to see if the skills she has been teaching can be reproduced in different environments. We call this generalization in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Using the NET approach during an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) session can be highly beneficial for children with autism. NET focuses on teaching skills within the child’s natural environment, such as their home or school, to enhance generalization and promote functional skills. This approach ensures that the child learns and practices relevant skills in real-life settings, which can have a greater impact on their overall development. NET allows Tamia to create learning opportunities within the child’s usual routines, using their interests to engage them in meaningful activities. Tamia engages with her client in pretend play by allowing the client to pretend that they own an ice cream shop. As they play, Tamia gently teaches the client correct responses to customer interaction. By incorporating everyday activities, such as playtime, into the therapy session, the child is more likely to transfer the skills learned to their natural environment, leading to improved independence and social integration. 

Throughout the day, Tamia remains aware of any possible triggers or challenges the client may face. She monitors their behavior closely and intervenes whenever necessary to prevent any distress or harm. Tamia employs various techniques, such as redirection and sensory activities, to help the client regulate their emotions and maintain a sense of stability. 

Tamia states that one of her most difficult tasks during a session is responding appropriately to the problem behavior displayed by her client. It can be strenuous on an RBT not only to remain calm during problem behaviors but to return to a friendly demeanor afterward. In Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), it is essential to recognize the significance of maintaining one’s composure during problem behavior rather than giving it attention. As she is currently studying to become a BCBA, Tamia knows that one of the core principles of ABA is reinforcing positive behavior while decreasing negative or problematic behaviors. Giving attention to problem behavior, whether it is in the form of reprimands, scolding, or even providing reassurance, inadvertently reinforces that behavior. This reinforcement can unintentionally strengthen the likelihood of the behavior reoccurring in the future. However, by responding appropriately to the problem behavior and keeping a calm composure until it subsides, individuals are not rewarded for engaging in undesirable actions, reducing the chances of these behaviors persisting or escalating. By using this approach, Tamia promotes the cultivation and reinforcement of desirable behavior, leading to more positive outcomes in behavior management and overall well-being. 

Being a skilled and thorough therapist, Tamia documents her interactions, observations, and progress made by the client throughout the day. This information is crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of the interventions and developing strategies for the client’s future growth and development. 

At the end of her session, Tamia once again meets with the client’s caregiver to debrief them, discussing the client’s day and any notable progress or setbacks. She emphasizes the importance of consistency and a supportive environment for the client’s overall well-being. 

Tamia understands that her role is not just about focusing on the client’s immediate needs but also supporting their long-term development and independence. She continuously seeks professional development opportunities to stay updated with the latest research and techniques in her field. This dedication helps her in providing the best possible care and support for her clients. 

For more information on ABA therapy, check out these articles from

Autism Speaks:

What Is Discrete Trial Training

How to ABA:

Natural Environment Teaching: Exploring Natural Environment Teaching (NET) in ABA