At Kids First, we believe great care for kids starts with great care for the people providing it. When therapists feel supported, kids and families feel the difference.

If you work in ABA, you already know the field is full of heart. You also know that not every ABA workplace is set up to help you do your best work. Whether you're an RBT just starting out or a BCBA looking for your next team, here are five green flags we think every good ABA workplace should have, and how we try to live them every day.

1. Real supervision and support

Good supervision is more than a box to check. It means having a BCBA who knows your clients, shows up, and is easy to reach when a session gets tough.

In a supportive workplace, you never feel like you're figuring it out alone. Questions are welcome, feedback is helpful rather than harsh, and someone always has your back.

How we live it: Our BCBAs stay closely involved with every case, so our RBTs have real guidance, not just a signature on a form.

2. Clear communication and expectations

You should never have to guess what's expected of you. A strong ABA workplace culture is built on clear schedules, clear goals, and honest conversations, from your first day of onboarding to your hundredth session.

When something changes, like a schedule shift, a new treatment goal, or a family update, you hear about it early and from the right person.

How we live it: We keep our ABA therapy team in the loop with regular check-ins and an open door for questions, big or small.

3. Room to learn and grow

The best ABA professionals never stop learning. A great workplace invests in that growth with ongoing training, mentorship, and a clear path forward, whether that means sharpening your skills as an RBT or working toward becoming a BCBA.

If an employer sees you as a long-term part of the team, they'll show it by helping you build your ABA career, not just fill your schedule.

How we live it: We support our team's professional development and celebrate every milestone along the way.

4. Respect for your time and well-being

ABA work is meaningful, but it can also be demanding. A healthy ABA workplace understands that burnout helps no one, least of all the kids we serve.

Green flags here include manageable caseloads, reasonable schedules, flexibility when life happens, and leaders who actually ask how you're doing.

How we live it: We work with our team on schedules that fit their lives, because rested, supported therapists provide better care.

5. You're treated like a person, not a number

This is the one that ties everything together. In the best ABA workplaces, you're seen as a whole person, not just a set of billable hours. Your ideas are heard, your wins are celebrated, and your voice helps shape how the team works.

You'll feel it in the little things: a thank-you after a hard week, a leader who remembers your name and your goals, and a team that feels more like a community than a job.

How we live it: At Kids First, our people are the heart of everything we do. When our team feels valued, it shows up in every session, every family, and every child's progress.

Ready to join a team that sees you?

Looking for ABA jobs where these green flags aren't just promises? Kids First is always looking for caring RBTs and BCBAs who want to make a difference in kids' lives and be supported while they do it.