I am a RBT, NOT a Professional Wrestler

Can someone explain why every job posting says “must be able to lift 50 pounds” but DOES NOT mention “must be able to dodge flying objects”?! I have been: Bitten (too many to count), Scratched, Kicked, Head-butted, Sneezed on…and even slapped with a laminated PECS card And I still show up. But when I report injury and hear, “Well, aggression is part of the population,” something in me short-circuits.

Yes, I understand behavior, I understand functions, I understand escape maintained aggression. What I don’t understand is acting like staff safety is optional. If a behavior plan is not reducing aggression, we need to adjust it, not normalise it. I should not be afraid to wear short sleeves to work. And if I request additional support and hear, “Let’s see if it improves,” I just want to say: I HAVE A BRUISE THAT LOOKS LIKE A CONTINENT!!

I am here to help a child build communication and self-regulation skills; I am not here to absorb impact indefinitely. We preach reinforcement, we preach compassion, we preach trauma-informed care. Let’s apply that to staff too, because burned-out, injured ABA therapists are not sustainable. I love this field, I don’t love icing my forearm every night like I’m training for a contact sport.