Crystal Miller Lay
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theonecrystalhere.bsky.social
Crystal Miller Lay
@theonecrystalhere.bsky.social
DFW 🔁 STL. My Thoughts, Slightly Filtered. | 👩‍💼 CEO, GBS | EB for Zoom & NW | MBA UWTSD 🎓MSc Candidate| #Neurodivergence Researcher | #IOPsych | next 🆙 #phdlife | CASA | Board Member | 💕my big family, plants 🌿, good, civil conversation, and writing.
Agreed. One of the many reasons I’m interested in being there.
March 5, 2025 at 3:26 PM
It sure feels that way.
February 19, 2025 at 2:31 AM
Oh, fair - I meant more like what is a comparable role for a Registered Behaviour Technician in Europe. Does that role translate over or is that ABA specific?
February 18, 2025 at 8:29 PM
That is very helpful. He’s a RBT. How does that translate?
February 18, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Fair, though the initial point of this post is actually about my son-in-law who was inspired to move into this field because of the caring practitioners that helped my bonus son. As we look to move into the UK, he has to get a job in the field he works (skilled worker visa), so there’s that…
February 18, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Please allow me to fix this: “the former is how SOME people practice ABA and that is not acceptable. The latter is acceptable and we should advocate for all practitioners to work in this way.”
February 18, 2025 at 8:07 PM
And he has Loop earplugs, which help him with being able to bowl, which he loves.

The eye bit I knew about, so we’ve not forced that and taught him alternatives that look like you’re looking people in the eye but allow him to not for when he needs it with others who may not get it.
February 18, 2025 at 8:00 PM
He does. These are all accommodations his ABA BCBA fought the school for (with us) + others we didn’t know would help him, like being able to listen to phone sounds to focus and drown out background noise, hats to help with fluorescent lighting that was triggering for him and more.
February 18, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Also, I am sorry that you experienced people who were content with abusing you. I agree, no one should have to experience that and we should work to reform the areas of psychology and sociology that promote harmful practices/behaviour.
February 18, 2025 at 7:26 PM
For my bonus son, having access to those tools was the difference between staying in public school or not, having friends or not, being able to express himself in a way others could understand—and that he could understand them. That’s huge.

Let’s not paint the whole canvas with one colour or brush.
February 18, 2025 at 7:24 PM
The best practitioners I know use it to reinforce identity, not suppress it. ABA, as a field, is still evolving. The tools themselves aren’t the enemy—it’s how they’re used. When applied positively, I’ve seen them make a real, meaningful difference.
February 18, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Understanding behavior isn’t the problem—it’s how that understanding is applied. When done ethically, ABA (or any behavioral support) can help autistic individuals develop social and emotional tools to express themselves in ways that feel authentic to them, not just palatable to others.
February 18, 2025 at 7:24 PM
In the U.S., “Autism Coach” isn’t really a thing—it’s all about what insurance companies will pay for. While ABA has a complicated history (and yes, there are still harmful practitioners), I don’t think it is all bad. Just like there are bad therapists, psychologists, & teachers, there is also good.
February 18, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Ok, so let’s dive into this: A) I’m not a practitioner. I am an IOPsych and Branding- business. I think you may have missed where I said this was for my SIL and daughter. 1/6
February 18, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Corey, that is your opinion and you’ve a right to it. However, that is my son-in-law’s profession and that is not how he practices it, so I’m going to refrain from engaging in what is a biased conversation from jump.
February 18, 2025 at 6:46 PM
I appreciate it is not appreciated by everyone, and respect your dissenting view.
February 18, 2025 at 6:45 PM
RBT = Registered Behavior Technicians. They execute the ABA treatment plans made by BCBAs (Board Certified Behavior Analysts). :)
February 17, 2025 at 1:06 PM
ABA = Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy. This is typically used to support those with Autism and Intellectual Developmental Disorders learn and reinforce socially significant norms, as well as how to manage their own behaviours in a healthy way. 1/2
February 17, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Now, if you know of any ABA providers willing to sponsor/hire RBTs from the US so my SIL & daughter can get their skilled worker visas, that would also be helpful! :p
February 16, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Sent her a connection request, thanks. Yeah, it’s definitely a bit complicated because we need to keep the business intact. :) Plus, the adult dependent questions… lawyer makes sense. Thanks!
February 16, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Do you really think we are going to be allowed another Presidential election, Mark? Asking with all sincerity. Watching Trump’s moves, the White House plans, refusal to discuss successors… I don’t know.
February 16, 2025 at 12:47 AM