Key Takeaways

• Objective session notes are essential for every RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) and align with the RBT Task List.
• Our RBT 40-Hour Training covers the basics of objective note-taking. The checklist by Luna and Rapp (2019) builds on those skills for practical use.
• Clear, actionable notes guide therapy progress, help communicate with teams and families, and ensure smooth coordination across settings.

Objective note-taking is a crucial skill for every RBT and plays a key role in the RBT Task List. Effective notes ensure accurate documentation and inform the therapy process in the right direction. While our RBT 40-Hour Training helps trainees apply the foundational ideas of objective session note-taking, this checklist from Luna and Rapp (2019) can help build upon what they have learned. They tested it with 17 special education staff, and it’s designed to increase the clarity and objectivity of session notes. Let’s explore their helpful list:

Session Note Checklist

• Write what task was completed during the session (e.g., hand-writing, taking turns).
• Write the reward earned/earning during the session (e.g., 10 minutes of outside play).
• Write the level of prompting needed for the child to complete the task (e.g., vocal prompt, gesture prompt).
• Avoid using subjective terms (e.g., avoid saying "in a great mood", "bad mood", or "not feeling it"). By the way, our online training has trainees directly apply this concept through an activity of replacing subjective phrases with objective ones!
• Pair positive statements with a specific behavior (e.g., They did excellent sorting with silverware.)
• Write the next steps: Will you continue working on the same skill or a new skill? (e.g., the phrase "Want ____" is mastered, tomorrow we will work on "I want ____.")
• Write if there are other concerns (e.g., the child said he was sleepy, did not eat today, possible sickness).
• If severe behavior occurs, touch base with the teacher, supervisor, or administrator (teachers only) prior to writing the note.
• Ensure the note is sent home as soon as possible.

Please note that items 6-9 apply primarily to educational settings where notes are sent home to parents. Adjust them as needed for your specific environment.

If you’re focused on improving objective note-taking from a supervision perspective, you might also consider Dr. Jamie Hughes-Lika’s CEU topic! She provides practical tips for note-taking and references this insightful article in her presentation. Additionally, if you’re planning to add new trainees to your team, our RBT 40-Hour Training from Behavior University provides active response opportunities to develop strong note-taking skills. We hope you found this checklist useful; it’s another excellent way to expand the skills of your current behavior technicians!