Training Future BCBAs to Track Their Hours with Less Stress

Streamlined Supervision: Master Hour Tracking with Asynchronous Training

Host: Matt Harrington

1. Introduction

Matt shares personal frustration with supervision paperwork and reflects on the need for better training systems for graduate students in ABA fieldwork.

2. Why Better Documentation Training Matters

• “Five minutes a day” isn’t realistic for tracking hours.
• Poor documentation tools increase stress and risk burnout.
• Supervisors often forget how confusing tracking once was.

3. Featured Article

Citation: Atkinson, E., Lingras, D., Lerman, D., & Valentino, A. (2023). Behavior Analysis in Practice.

Purpose: Test asynchronous video modules with mock scenarios to teach fieldwork documentation skills.

4. Participants & Setting

• 22 grad students, no prior experience
• Training via Excel, Word, and Zoom
• Two groups: Tracker Training and Monthly Forms Training

5. Training Package Components

1. Video Lessons: Step-by-step instructions with common error tips
2. Written Guides: Color-coded PDFs matched to Excel forms
3. Mock Scenarios: Realistic entries with troubleshooting built-in
4. Feedback: Written corrections; optional Zoom coaching
5. Mastery: 85% accuracy on tracker/forms + retention and generalization probes

6. Results

• Baseline accuracy: ~50%
• Midpoint mastery: 16 of 18
• Post-coaching mastery: 12 of 18
• Maintenance: 18 of 18 retained skills
• Generalization: 16 of 18 passed novel tasks

7. Key Takeaways

• Asynchronous video + mock scenarios works well
• Feedback is essential for error correction
• Some learners still require live support
• Training reduced stress (6.2/7) and rated highly useful (6.3/7)

8. Broader Context in ABA Supervision

Supports findings from Behavioral Skills Training (BST) literature and supervision bootcamp models—especially for non-clinical tasks like paperwork.

9. Supervisor Recommendations

• Develop or adopt asynchronous training before fieldwork
• Include screencasts and mock entry tasks
• Use written guides with aligned formatting
• Provide feedback and offer optional coaching
• Check retention with generalization tasks

10. Scalability & Social Validity

• Videos and mock scenarios = scalable
• Zoom coaching = resource-intensive but impactful
• Participants reported reduced stress and greater confidence

11. Limitations

• Coaching demands resources
• Only tested Excel/Word workflows
• Single-site participant sample

12. Matt’s Reflections

• Plans to build a similar asynchronous module
• Wants to explore AI or chatbot feedback options
• Will audit current form-completion accuracy among supervisees

13. Additional Resources

• BACB Supervision Requirements (2023)
• Cooper, Heron, & Heward (2020) – BST
• Leaf et al. (2016) – Supervision alternatives

14. How You Can Apply This

• Share notes with supervision teams
• Create your own six-module training
• Track social validity with your own learners

15. Wrap-Up

Next episode: group supervision and telehealth feedback. Subscribe and share to help build a more ethical and effective BCBA pipeline.