Tell me about a time that a patient's behavior confused you, or didn't make sense. What did you do?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Entry Level Example
Answer Example
Experienced Example

Many factors could make you uncertain about the reason behind a patient's behavior. For instance, it could be that the patient is experiencing emotional or physical distress, causing them to act out. Alternatively, the patient may be struggling to understand the expectations of the therapy sessions, or they may be feeling overwhelmed or frustrated by the process. Whatever the cause, it is essential for you to remain patient and compassionate and to work closely with the patient to help them understand and manage their behavior in a healthy and productive way. Discuss a situation that confused you and what you did without breaking confidentiality barriers.

"While completing my practicum hours, I came across a lot of patient behavior that I was not familiar with through my classroom education alone. These situations were often surrounding eating and behaviors around food. I observed the ABA therapists' methods and made notes after each session so I could be prepared if I were to come across similar behavior in my career."

"I recall one specific situation where my patient continued covering her ears and screaming as though she were in pain. This didn't happen all the time, which made me believe the behavior was related to sound sensitivity but not entirely responsible for it. I used a variety of tools to break down what was happening and found that she was, in fact, very sensitive to particular pitches and not others. There have been times that I've left a session scratching my head, and that was one of them. I regularly consult with my coworkers when I need a second opinion. Sessions that leave me thinking are the best ones because they push me to dig deeper for answers."

"One of the great things about being an ABA therapist is the various ways we can work with a patient. One circumstance that stands out to me is when I had a patient with major mood instability issues. It was the most severe case I had ever seen, and it taught me that there is no 'one size fits all' when treating patients. Sometimes it might take a little longer than expected to determine why patients act the way they do."