Exploitative, harmful and demeaning policies/working conditions - Behavior Technician Soar Autism Center Employee Review

1.0
12 July 2024
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The type of therapy delivered at Soar is much more play-based and naturalistic than traditional ABA, and it’s also more effective—the progress you see your clients make is incredible. The kiddos and the other BTs are what kept me going for as long as I was there.

Cons

When I started at Soar I was very impressed by their approach and how it seemed to maintain each client’s dignity and autonomy. While this remained true, it was due to the care delivered on the floor by those of us paid the very least, and taken advantage of the most; I quickly learned that my clients’ well-being would be at the expense of my own. There are so many specific issues with the company that I don’t even know where to start, but a pretty big one is that NO ONE ENSURES BTs GET THEIR FULL, LAWFULLY REQUIRED (30 min) LUNCH BREAK. The schedule was created to have no gaps between sessions so handoffs happened 1 to ten minutes late every single time, especially since transitions are difficult for majority of young children with ASD. So too often we shorted ourselves and went back to work hungry, because it would take too much time and energy that we did not have to figure out who would watch your client. Clinicians on the other hand were paid well, given hour-long lunch breaks and had fifteen minute gaps between each session to write insurance notes, which we were expected to submit during session or if that wasn’t possible (almost never was), we wrote our notes on our personal UNPAID TIME. They allowed ONE hour of PTO for every 40 hours worked. NO HUMAN RESOURCES department was made known to us. That speaks for itself. Overall I think everyone knew how exploitative and unhealthy the environment was for BTs, but supervisors and clinicians knew to keep their mouths shut if they wanted to keep their jobs. Decisions were always made in the best interest of the corporation—they wouldn’t even send sick clients home, even if they vomited, because that would have meant a loss of profit. There are many, many more woes I could share, but the last thing I will say is this: the founders and higher-ups of Soar know, and take advantage of the fact, that clients/families do not have a better option.

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Soar Autism Center Response
1y
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We value the insights of our team members, both past and present, as they help us continuously improve. First, we are glad to hear that you found the therapy we provide to be effective and meaningful for the children and families we serve. Our focus on a naturalistic and play-based approach is a core aspect of Soar’s mission, and we are proud of the progress we see in our clients’ development. We take the concerns you’ve raised very seriously and would like to address them directly: Breaks: We adhere to Colorado's labor laws, including those regarding breaks and meal periods. However, we understand there are challenges related to scheduling and transitions. It is something we are actively reviewing and working to improve, especially as we recognize the importance of ensuring that our Behavior Technicians have sufficient time for breaks. Session Notes: Writing notes during sessions is a standard practice across the industry, for both clinicians and RBTs, and we understand that it can be difficult. We are evaluating ways to ensure that all staff, especially BTs, have the support they need to complete their work in a sustainable and efficient way. Paid Time Off (PTO): Our current policy grants one hour of PTO for every 40 hours worked. Higher PTO accruals are available by advancing through the RBT career progression. In addition to PTO, there is both paid and unpaid sick time that all employees have access to. We understand that paid time off is a crucial part of maintaining work-life balance, and we are always open to feedback on how we can improve our policies to better support our team. HR and Support: We do have an HR department in place to support our team members, and we regret that this was not clear during your time with us. We will make sure to better communicate the availability of these resources to our current staff. Health and Safety: The health and safety of both our clients and staff is a top priority. We have strict policies in place to send clients home when they are sick, in accordance with the Colorado Department of Health standards. Given this feedback, we will re-emphasize these policies and the importance of following them to all of our team members. Your feedback is incredibly valuable, and we are focusing on addressing these challenges as part of our broader efforts in the end of this year. Thank you again for sharing your experience, and we wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Explore other reviews about Soar Autism Center

5.0
18 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Ongoing training opportunities Supportive leadership for complex cases

Cons

Fast-paced environment with frequent changes

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Soar Autism Center Response
1mo
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re glad to hear that you found leadership supportive, especially when navigating complex cases, and that the ongoing training opportunities were valuable during your time at Soar. We also understand that a fast-paced environment with frequent change can be challenging. As Soar continues to grow and improve how we serve children and families, we know it is important to support team members through change with clear communication, thoughtful planning, and strong leadership presence. We appreciate the time you spent with Soar and are grateful for the care you provided to the children and families we serve.
2.0
22 May 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Awesome RBTs and clinicians that truly care about the clients

Cons

Company is so focused on expanding to other locations and states that they let existing centers deteriorate Constant turnover, one person a week No consistent schedule even though availability changes guaranteed one Bathroom breaks are extremely limited if working with 1:1 clients Don’t take feedback from staff surveys Removed baby locks and baby gates, allowing clients to elope into office building and outside building Even when AC stops working, staff and clients are expected to stay in 90 degree rooms

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Soar Autism Center Response
1mo
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re glad to hear that you worked alongside RBTs and clinicians who care deeply about the children and families we serve. That commitment is central to Soar’s mission. We’re sorry to hear that your experience has felt frustrating and unsupported. Concerns related to staffing stability, schedules, breaks, facility conditions, safety, and responsiveness to feedback are serious, and we understand how these issues can affect both team members and the quality of care they feel able to provide. As we continue to grow, we know that expansion cannot come at the expense of supporting our existing centers and teams. We are actively working to strengthen communication, improve center operations, and ensure staff concerns are heard and addressed. We appreciate you taking the time to share this feedback, and we encourage team members to continue raising specific concerns through their center leadership or People Team so they can be reviewed and addressed appropriately.
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