Pros
The staff at helix were amazing, with RBTs and BCBAs passionate about the work, training, clients, and people.
Deeply rewarding work with children on the autism spectrum
Kind, supportive coworkers (BCBAs and RBTs who took time to train and uplift others)
Strong sense of purpose and emotional connection to the job
Fast learning curve for clinical and relational skills
Cons
Leadership decisions were often unclear and abrupt, with emotions running high
Raises and advancement appeared to be based more on favoritism than merit or skill (i.e. — we had employees who were more open about being young parents or struggling more financially, who would be first in line for a raise because the clinic owner(s) felt an emotional stake in helping them, rather than evaluating them the same way they would other staff)
Lack of objectivity in measuring promotions & raises due to lack of professional boundaries
Lack of formal recognition for staff going above and beyond (i.e. “shoutouts” over raises.)
Emotional toll of the work not always acknowledged or supported
Clinic owners advocated for parents concerned about “safety” rather than advocacy for RBTs and clients. RBTs would get blamed for toddlers falling a scraping their knee, and helicopter parents would be reinforced in their overarching attitude towards their lack of belief in staff and anxiety-driven parenting styles
Multiple staff terminated abruptly, terminations would be swept under the rug with an implied closed-door policy to ask or receive clarification on employee separation and expectations moving forward
No company-offered insurance but clinic owners implemented sick policies for RBTs requiring doctor’s notes for being out sick (left as “unexcused absence” and added onto your staff file to be counted against you otherwise)