These are the session note standards needed on all notes in order to
pass an audit:
Make the session content paragraphs longer (required 2 sentences per hour). For a 4 hour session you
need 8 sentences. For a 2 hour session you need 4 or more sentences. For a 7 hour session you need
14 sentences.
Make signature more legible (sign your full first name and full last name). Clearly written in cursive with
date written under signature.
Write session date underneath your signature
Add your NPI # (i.e. Alexa Biggs NPI 1215768825, BCBA 1-26-89627, ran a session with ____) .
Add your RBT #, BCAT#, BCaBA #, BCBA #, etc. (credential/ license #)
Add activities worked on this session to target skills goals and materials used this session during running
trials.
List out all interventions used this session in sentence form. For example, to target making poor choices
I used DRA, to target throwing objects I taught a replacement behavior: throw the ball instead of
throwing crayons. To target the tantrum I used calming strategies, taking deep breaths to deescalate the
tantrum. To target elopement we practiced taking a walk and staying with me within arms reach.
Add specific goals targeted this session (i.e. intraverbals and tacting)
Best practice: type the session note in a Google doc or similar program first. Then cut
and paste the paragraph into aba desk after you run it through a spelling and grammar
check. Fix grammatical errors/ run it through grammarly &/or spell check before pasting it into the session
content paragraph box.
List progress towards goals and trends. Ascending, descending, variable, stable trend.
Example,(i.e. Today he performed at 80% with his listener responding: prepositions goal,
ascending trend, on track to master soon by the end of the week.) Another example, today he had only 3
tantrums which is a decrease from yesterday in which he had 5,
descending trends. You don’t have to discuss every target but a top 2, bottom 2 of the
day would be sufficient.
Not enough skill acquisition goals ran this session (ie. Should run 4 goals per hour each
session).
All targets should be worked on every session. Do not skip running goals. Do not pick
and choose which goals you want to work on and which ones you want to skip. All goals
should be attempted daily. Data should be collected at a rate of 1 set of 10 trials per
every 15 minutes of the session. For example, if a client attended 7 hours and you only ran 2 goals we have
a problem. You should be able to realistically sit at the table for DTT &/or work on targets using NET and
get through 4 targets an hour if not more. Some people can get on a roll and get through 6 targets in an
hour. If a client is here for 7 hours realistically you should be able to record data for 28 goals that
session. A huge red flag when we see clients not even averaging 1 set of trials per hour. If a goal is not
worked on in a session then you absolutely need to begin on that target the following day. Do not go
more than 1 day without running a goal.
Not enough skill acquisition goals worked on this session. For instance, (4 sets of 10
trials per 15 minutes of service).
Data and session notes are to be submitted daily before you leave the building for the
day. Do not try to save it for home or later. Record data as close to real time as possible.
This is an ethics code, RBT task list and insurance requirement. Consequences will
include: employee corrective actions including remediation and termination. You are well
paid to do your job with us here. Please do not take advantage of us.
Thank you for your effort to make your session notes and data collection to industry standards!