19 ABS Kids Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, preparation is key. And when you’re interviewing for a position at a specific company, it’s important to do your research and be prepared to answer questions about the company itself.

If you’re interviewing for a position at ABS Kids, a nationally recognized behavior modification consultation firm, you can expect to be asked questions about the company, its history, its approach to behavior modification, and its clients.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of sample questions and answers about ABS Kids. With these questions and answers in hand, you’ll be ready to take on any interview question that comes your way.

ABS Kids Interview Process

The interview process at ABS Kids is fairly simple and straightforward. It generally consists of two parts: a one-way video interview, in which you record your answers to various questions posed by the hiring staff, and a second, two-way virtual interview with a current member of the ABS staff. Both interviews are relatively short, lasting no more than 15-20 minutes each. The questions asked during the interviews are mostly related to your experience working with children with ASD and your reasons for wanting to work with this population. Overall, the interview process is relatively easy and fast, making it a great option for those who are looking to start their career in ABA therapy.

1. Describe a time where you had to handle an agitated child.

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you handle challenging situations. They want to know that you can remain calm and use your problem-solving skills to help the child regain their composure.

Example: “I had a student who was very anxious about going to school, so he would often cry when I arrived in his classroom. He would also throw tantrums during circle time. One day, I noticed that he seemed more upset than usual. When I asked him what was wrong, he told me that he missed his mommy. I took him aside and talked with him for a few minutes until he calmed down. Then, we went back to class where he participated in circle time without throwing another tantrum.”

2. What is your experience working with children?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your experience working with children and how you interact with them. You may want to include any special training or certifications you have, as well as what makes you qualified for this position.

Example: “I’ve worked in childcare centers for five years now, where I developed my skills working with kids of all ages. In my last role, I was promoted to lead teacher after only two years on the job, which required me to develop new strategies for managing behavior and motivating students. I also completed an online course through ABC Behavior Strategies that helped me learn more about positive reinforcement techniques.”

3. How would you provide structure and guidance when re-directing negative behavior?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to provide structure and guidance when working with students who have behavioral issues. Use examples from previous experiences where you helped a student develop positive behavior by providing them with clear expectations, consequences for misbehavior and encouragement.

Example: “I find that it’s important to establish clear rules and expectations for the classroom as well as individual goals for each student. For example, I worked with a fifth-grade student last year who had difficulty following directions in class. We created a list of classroom rules together, which he could refer to if he forgot what was expected of him. He also set personal goals for himself, such as remembering his name tag and raising his hand before speaking. When he met these goals consistently, we celebrated his success.”

4. Why do you think you would be a good fit for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you think they relate to the job. Before your interview, make sure you read through the job description so that you can reference specific requirements in your answer. You should also do some research on the company itself to see if there are any unique aspects of the role or organization that you can mention as well.

Example: “I believe I would be a great fit for this position because my previous experience working with children has taught me how important it is to find alternative ways to help them succeed. In my last position, I worked with a child who had severe behavioral issues. After doing some research, we found that he was actually gifted in math but struggled with reading comprehension. We developed an individualized education plan that helped him overcome his challenges.”

5. Tell me about a time that you were able to help someone achieve a goal.

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your interpersonal skills and ability to motivate others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific details about how you helped someone achieve their goal and what steps you took to do so.

Example: “I worked with a student who had a hard time focusing in class. He was very smart but would often lose focus during lectures or while reading. I met with him one-on-one and asked him what his goals were for school. He told me that he wanted to make an A on his next test. We then created a plan together where we set small goals each week leading up to the big test. Each week, we would meet again to discuss his progress and adjust our plan as needed.”

6. Have you ever worked in the education field before?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s experience and background. If they have, you can ask them what their favorite part of working in education was. If they haven’t worked in education before, you can ask them why they are interested in this particular role.

Example: “I’ve never worked in education before, but I am passionate about helping children succeed. In my last job as an administrative assistant, I noticed that many teachers were stressed out and overwhelmed with paperwork. So, I started offering to help them organize their files and create lesson plans. It made me feel good to be able to help others.”

7. Do you have any certifications or licenses?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you are committed to your career and have taken steps to improve yourself. If you do have certifications or licenses, be sure to mention them in your answer.

Example: “I am currently working on my certification as an ABS Kids consultant. I also hold a certificate for being a CPR instructor. In addition, I am licensed to drive both a car and a truck.”

8. How would you deal with a difficult parent?

Parents can sometimes be challenging to work with, especially when they disagree with a teacher’s methods. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the skills necessary to handle parents and keep them happy. In your answer, explain that you would try to understand their concerns and find ways to address them. Show that you are willing to compromise and help the parent feel more comfortable about their child’s education.

Example: “I think it is important to listen to what parents have to say. I would take time to hear out any concerns they had about my teaching style or classroom management. If they were unhappy with something, I would do everything in my power to fix it. For example, if a parent wanted me to use a different behavior chart, I would do whatever was necessary to accommodate them.”

9. What would you do if a child was aggressive towards you?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle challenging situations. It’s important to show that you have the ability to remain calm and use your problem-solving skills in these situations.

Example: “I would first try to deescalate the situation by using my voice, body language and facial expressions to make sure I’m showing the child I am calm. If this doesn’t work, I would remove myself from the situation as quickly as possible. I would then take a few minutes to think about what happened and why it happened. Then, I would talk with the child one-on-one to find out what they are feeling and see if there is anything I can do to help them.”

10. What are some of your strengths and weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest. Interviewers want to know what you’re good at and how you can improve your weaknesses. When answering this question, think about the skills that helped you get through school and work.

Example: “I am very organized and detail-oriented, which has helped me succeed in my previous roles. I also have excellent communication skills, so I’m able to explain things clearly to others. My weakness is that sometimes I take on too much responsibility. I would like to learn how to delegate more tasks to other people.”

11. If hired, what would be your approach to handling disruptive behavior?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a challenging situation with students. It’s important to show that you have the skills and experience to manage disruptive behavior in the classroom. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to address this issue.

Example: “I believe it’s important to first identify why a student is acting out. If I notice a child is disrupting class, I will ask them to come speak with me privately. During our conversation, I’ll try to find out what they’re feeling or thinking about that may be causing their behavior. Once I’ve identified the root of the problem, I’ll work with teachers and parents to develop an action plan for addressing future disruptions.”

12. Give us an example of a time when you took initiative on a project.

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work independently. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example of how you used critical thinking skills to solve a problem or challenge.

Example: “In my previous role as a behavior specialist, I was tasked with creating a new curriculum for the school district. The district wanted to implement more hands-on learning activities that would help students retain information better. I started by researching different curriculums and programs that were already in place. Then, I created a list of what we liked about each program and what we didn’t like. From there, I developed a plan to combine the best parts of each curriculum into one that would benefit our students.”

13. Do you have experience following directions from your supervisor?

This question can help the interviewer determine your ability to work with others and follow instructions. It’s important to show that you’re willing to take direction from a supervisor or manager, even if it’s not always easy to do so.

Example: “Yes, I have experience following directions from my supervisors. In fact, when working on projects in school, I would often ask for clarification if I didn’t understand what was being asked of me. This helped me avoid any misunderstandings about assignments and allowed me to complete them correctly.”

14. What would you say is your greatest strength and weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest. Interviewers want to know what your greatest strengths are so they can see how you will use them to benefit their company. They also want to know about any weaknesses that you’re working on improving or have improved upon.

Example: “My greatest strength is my ability to remain calm when I’m faced with challenging situations. This skill has helped me diffuse many conflicts between students and teachers and even among students themselves. My weakness would be my patience. I sometimes find myself wanting to rush through lessons because I get excited about the material. However, I’ve learned to take deep breaths and count to 10 before speaking to help me slow down.”

15. Do you work well under pressure?

This question can help an interviewer determine how you handle stress and pressure. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a time when you had to work under tight deadlines or stressful situations and how you handled them.

Example: “I have worked with many families who are in crisis situations where they need immediate assistance for their child’s behavior. In these cases, I try my best to provide the support needed as quickly as possible so that parents can feel more at ease about their situation. This is why I always make sure to keep up-to-date on current research and resources so that I am prepared to offer solutions to any problem.”

16. What would you consider to be your biggest accomplishment?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand what motivates you. It also helps them determine if your skills match those required for the position. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a time when you faced a challenge or obstacle and overcame it.

Example: “My biggest accomplishment was getting my degree in psychology. I had always wanted to go into the field of psychology but didn’t have the money to pay for school. So, I worked two jobs while going to school full-time. I graduated with honors and got a job at an ABS Kids facility right after graduation.”

17. What steps would you take if you received a comment/complaint from a client?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills. They want to know that you are willing to take responsibility for any issues and make sure they don’t happen again. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to resolve the issue and ensure it doesn’t happen again.

Example: “If I received a complaint from a client, I would first apologize for their experience. Then, I would find out exactly what happened so I could address the situation appropriately. If there was an issue with my services, I would offer them a discount on their next visit or free consultation. If the problem was due to something else, such as transportation issues, I would try to help in any way I can.”

18. When did you start using technology? Are you comfortable using it?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s comfort level with technology. It can also help you determine how much experience they have using it and what kind of software or programs they’re familiar with.

Example: “I started using technology in my classroom when I was in college, where I took an online course for teaching special education students. The class required us to use technology extensively, so I learned how to use many different types of software and apps that helped me manage my classroom effectively. I’m comfortable using most computer programs and applications.”

20. Provide an example of a time when you went above and beyond for a customer.

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you are a dedicated employee who cares about the quality of your work. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a time when you helped a customer solve a problem or provided exceptional service.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job as a sales associate, I had a customer who was looking for a specific type of shoe. After searching through our inventory, we didn’t have any in stock and couldn’t find them anywhere else either. Instead of giving up, I called several other stores in the area to see if they had any in stock. Eventually, I found some shoes at another store and was able to deliver them to my customer.”