Most of us are no stranger to physical harm in the profession of behavior analysis. Frequently, we take the cases others do not want to take because we want to help those others have tried unsuccessfully to help. Thankfully, we have the tools and technology to do it.
But can we do it safely?
Outlined below are a few simple pieces of "protective" equipment, that, while not specifically designed maybe with ASD in mind, may be helpful at reducing damage in some circumstances. Just some food for thought - as always, consult with your advisor first and foremost, and see what you can do to reduce risk where you work!
Note: I am not posting an affiliate link / I do not make any money from any relationship with amazon or the linked products.
Also, if you have a good experience with a product listed below (or with something else!) please share in the comments below - I am always looking for ways to improve the safety of staff and my clients
Idea #1: Ear Plugs as Protective Equipment for BCBAs
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Starting off with an unconventional item: ear-plugs. You don't want to be deaf while working with kids, especially kids that might get into mischief if all your senses aren't about you... with that said, you definitely don't want to go deaf working with kids, too.
For a client that was sensitive to certain sounds, I did a (very informal) sound study of the environment she was in, and quickly became concerned with sound myself. The client was occasionally exposed to sounds in excess of 80 decibels, which is reaching thresholds that contribute to hearing loss. That's pretty scary, and something a lot of BCBAs might not consider, especially when young to the field. A loud shriek that you are collecting data on might mean that you and your staff are exposing yourself to close-proximity screams 80 or 100 times a day. That's no good for your hears! Compound that noise with constructive interference from other screaming children, and you have a recipe for deafness.
When working with clients who are loud, it might be in your best interest to wear ear plugs. Talk to your supervisor - often low-cost, "concert grade" ear plugs can make a world of difference at mitigating some sound while still keeping you able to hear your clients quiet / inarticulate mands and the requests of other staff.
Amazon Link: Ear Plugs via Amazon.com
Idea #2: Bean Bags as Protective Equipment for BCBAs
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My "favorite" for a variety of topographies of aggression is a small, non-absorbent (think plastic) child-sized bean-bag (or a big, well-stuffed pillow). On most occasions, I use it to absorb all kinds of things - spit, thrown feces, punches, kicks, thrown shoes, you name it. They are very useful at mitigating the force of the behavior, putting some space between myself and the client engaging in aggressive behavor, and they're not too difficult to clean should something icky happen.
On some (rare) occasions, stimulus control for the aggressive behavior was incidentally transferred to the bean bag itself, which was a nifty side-effect. One could speculate that the response effort / social contingencies for hitting the bean bag shaped the behavior, but honestly, when it occurred I did not spend too much time formaly analyzing the why behind it. Whenever a client would engage in "aggression" toward the bean bag in the same antecedent contexts that had previously occasioned aggression towards myself, I was able to implement reduction procedures (if applicable) more easily and safely for both myself and my clients. Definitely made treatment easier from that point forward!
It's also important to have a tool available for staff should they need to block spitting or other not so nice behavior.
I do love my bean bags when I can use them. They're safer than using furniture and can absorb all kinds of things I'd prefer not to get on myself, and it gives me some distance between myself and the aggressive individual so I can begin to implement the prescribed consequences, etc.
Amazon Link: Bean Bags @ Amazon.com
Idea #3: Kitchen Arm Guards as Protective Equipment for BCBAs
Kitchen Arm Guards @ Amazon.com
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The kitchen / restaurant injury is also filled with individuals who have encountered their fair share of danger, so it's no surprise searching for "kitchen" or "restaurant" as part of a keyword search comes up with some good stuff.
Arm guards can be helpful when working with clients that pinch, kick, or bite arms. While wearing arm guards, I've had people bite / kick / punch me. For the most part, a child's hitting, scratching, pinching, etc. are successfully blocked by these things. Bites are also significantly improved - I rarely have tearing / tissue damage aside from bruises. Bites are always the worst, so anything that can help is welcome. These things do a good job of providing protection without sacrificing mobility, which is also a huge benefit!
Amazon Link: Kitchen Arm Guards @ Amazon.com
Idea #4: Slip-Safe Shoes as Protective Equipment for BCBAs
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My background (prior to ABA) was working in kitchens... and I worked in a lot of kitchens. I came to love non-slip shoes because they give you that extra bit of purchase on the floor that can mean the difference between a nasty fall on your butt and a graceful recovery.
Floors at work can become slippery for all kinds of fun reasons (looking at you, toilet training, or you, that art project that got out of hand).
I feel like my feet are more firmly planted into the ground wearing slip-safe shoes.
If a client pushes, flops, or otherwise tries to disrupt my movement, slip-safe shoes may help make a difference in keeping me on my feet so I can focus on my client.
Amazon Link: Slip-safe Shoes @ Amazon.com
Idea #5: Shin Guards as Protective Equipment for BCBAs
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A bruised shin sucks. The problem with shin guards is they may limit mobility; you'll need to make the decision between being able to get where you need to go and being able to keep your legs safe.
Cloth shin guards might be appropriate if your client exerts minimal force, but kicks frequently. You'd mitigate most of the damage and still be comfortable wearing them over or under scrubs.
Harder shin guards - such as those with plastic or other firm materials - will look awkward and may feel uncomfortable over your work clothes. They're really not designed to be worn over clothing, so that can be a challenge, too.
At the end of the day, getting a little sweaty and feeling a little awkward is probably preferrable to having bruised up legs for weeks at a time.
Amazon Link: Shin Guards @ Amazon.com
Idea #6: Goggles as Protective Equipment for BCBAs
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Goggles are a simple fix for clients that may engage in some not so sanitary behavior, or attempt to gouge your eyes. A corneal abrasion is no fun, and neither is getting pink eye because of a client's spitting behavior. Wearing glasses / goggles can help you focus on your client's procedures and not the problem behavior itself, and may help reduce the risk of something not so pleasant happening, like an infection or damage to your vision.
Amazon Link: Eye Goggles @ Amazon.com