How to Advocate for Quality Supervision in ABA
- Mikayla Brown, BCBA, IBA
- Sep 11
- 3 min read
How to Advocate for Quality Supervision in ABA
Supervision is the foundation of growth in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). For RBTs, graduate students, and even early-career BCBAs, the quality of supervision you receive can shape your clinical skills, your professional confidence, and the outcomes you achieve with clients. But what happens when supervision feels rushed, inconsistent, or less than you deserve?
Advocating for quality supervision is not only your right—it’s a professional responsibility. Here’s how to do it effectively.
Why Quality Supervision Matters
For Your Clients: Effective supervision ensures that interventions are ethical, evidence-based, and implemented with fidelity.
For Your Growth: Supervision is where theory meets practice. It’s your opportunity to get feedback, refine skills, and learn how to problem-solve in real time.
For the Field: The future of ABA depends on well-trained professionals. Weak supervision leads to burnout, poor treatment integrity, and, ultimately, harm to the reputation of our field.
Signs of High-Quality Supervision
Regular, scheduled meetings (not just “when issues come up”).
Observation of your direct work with clients, with specific feedback.
Opportunities to ask questions and reflect on cases.
Modeling, role-play, and skill-building, not just paperwork review.
Alignment with BACB standards and supervision requirements.
Barriers You May Encounter
Supervisor Burnout or Overload – Your BCBA may have a heavy caseload and little time to dedicate.
Task-Oriented vs. Growth-Oriented Supervision – Sessions that only check off boxes (e.g., “Did you collect data?”) without deeper skill development.
Power Dynamics – Some supervisees hesitate to speak up, worried about conflict or evaluation.
How to Advocate for Yourself
1. Know the Standards
Familiarize yourself with the BACB supervision requirements. When you know what should be happening, you can spot gaps and frame requests professionally.
2. Ask for Clarity
Schedule a conversation and say:“I’d like to better understand how our supervision time will be structured. Could we review my goals for skill development and how we’ll track progress?”
3. Set Goals Together
Bring up areas you want to grow in—whether that’s graphing data, parent training, or running assessments. This shifts the dynamic from “passively receiving supervision” to “actively shaping it.”
4. Provide Feedback
Supervisors benefit from feedback, too. Share what’s been helpful and what you’d like more of:“I really value the feedback you give when you observe me with clients. Could we do that more often?”
5. Document and Reflect
Keep notes after each supervision session. Not only does this help with your own learning, but it also provides a record if supervision consistently falls short of standards.
When to Take Further Action
If repeated efforts to improve supervision don’t lead to change, you may need to escalate:
For RBTs: Reach out to your agency’s clinical director or HR team.
For Students/Fieldwork Candidates: Contact your university supervisor or practicum coordinator.
For Ethical Concerns: Review the BACB Ethics Code (2022), which emphasizes responsibility to clients, supervisees, and the profession. If needed, you may file a formal concern through proper channels.
Advocating for quality supervision isn’t about confrontation—it’s about collaboration. By clearly communicating your needs, aligning with ethical standards, and staying solution-focused, you not only protect your own growth but also ensure better care for the clients you serve.
Remember: You are entitled to meaningful, ethical, and skill-building supervision. Speaking up is not just allowed—it’s expected of a professional dedicated to doing this work well.
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