Podcasts about bcbas

Nothing says “summertime” like visiting friends. And what's the podcast equivalent of a summer get together? Why a whole month devoted to guest episodes! This July we're doing a world tour of topics from all over the ABA map. We kick things off with Dr. Roseanne Lesack and Dr. Jillian Wilson updating us on some of the best practices in improving social validity of parent training planning before crossing the country to discuss many of the questionable practices lurking in single-case experimental design with Dr. Matthew Tincani. Next we take a quick trip back home in our ongoing series on professional collaboration with special education teacher/BCBA, Carolyn Beaumier. Finally, , we travel to the other side of the topic world to listen to Dr. James Meindl on his work regarding a hypothetical functional account of mass shooting behavior. It's a podcast vacation for the ages, and you're invited to join us for free! The only thing missing is the little bag of pretzels. Articles for July 2025 Social Validity of Parent Training w/ Dr. Roseanne Lesack + Dr. Jillian Wilson Allen, K.D. & Warzak, W.J. (2000). The problem of parental nonadherence in clinical behavior analysis: Effective treatment is not enough. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 33, 373-391. doi: 10.1901/jaba.2000.33-373 Wilson, J.B. & Lesack, R.S. (2024). Parent perceptions of behavior analytic interventions. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 17, 1050-1073. doi: 10.1007/s40617-024-01010-3   Identifying Questionable Research Practices w/ Dr. Matthew Tincani Tincani, M., Gilroy, S.P., & Dowdy, A. (2024). Extensions of open science for applied behavior analysis: Preregistration for single-case experimental designs. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. doi: 10.1002/jaba.2909 Tincani, M., Travers, J., Dowdy, A., Slocum, T.A.,& Dietrich, R. (2025). Questionable and improved research practices in single-case experimental design: Initial investigation and findings. Perspectives on Behavior Science. doi: 10.1007/s40614-025-00441-9   Professional Collaboration (Special Education Teachers) w/ Carolyn Beaumier Giangreco, M.F., Pennington, R.C., & Walker, V.L. (2023). Conceptualizing and utilizing board certified behavior analysts as related services providers in inclusion-oriented schools. Remedial and Special Education, 44, 73-85. doi: 10.1177/07419325211063610 Squires, M., Cutrer-Pãrraga, E.A., Morris, J.R., Miller, E.E., & Hansen, B.D. (2024). Navigating collaboration: Factors influencing special education teachers' relationships with BCBAs in diverse school contexts. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 17, 1033-1049. doi: 10.1007/s40617-024-010009-w Reilly, A.M., Crowell, G.E., Thoele, J.M. et al. School-Based Transdisciplinary Teaming to Maximize Behavioral Supports. Behav Analysis Practice (2025). doi: 10.1007/s40617-025-01054-z   Predicting and Preventing Mass Shootings w/ Dr. James Meindl Meindl, J.N., Ivy, J.W, Delgado, D.M., & Swafford, L. (under review). Towards a functional account of mass-shooting: Prediction and influence of violent behavior. Meindl, J.N. & Ivy, J.W. (2018). Reducing media-induced mass killings: Lessons from suicide prevention. American Behavioral Scientist, 62, 242-259. doi: 10.1177/0002764218756918

Enjoy a short preview of our latest full-length Book Club episode.  Want to hear the whole thing and get 2.0 CEs for FREE? Subscribe to our Patreon today at the premium $10+ levels for that plus other bonuses! It's the ginormous book that got Book Club Guy, Alan Haberman, to travel to Massachusetts to talk about. But did we have a good time reading the tome that is synonomous with "trauma care"? Our Summer 2025 Book Club choice is the best-selling "The Body Keeps the Score", a go-to reference for anyone interested in learning more about trauma and its treatment. But, because it's us, if you think we're just going to do a happy-little review of what's between the hippy-dippy cover art and fawning back cover references, you really don't know our style. In between describing our favorite examples of "that's really a therapy?" we discuss the controversy over Dr. van der Kolk's work, how much trauma-informed practice has come since the book's publication, and answer the question, "Is this book really appropriate for behavior analysts?" Whether you're looking for other BCBAs to discuss this book with you or because you just don't have time for another 400-page doorstop right now, get your ear buds in and enjoy the discussion! The full episode is available for 2.0 LEARNING BACB / 2.0 TRAUMA-INFORMED QABA CEUs. Patrons at the $10 and up level, as part of your subscription, you'll be able to earn these CEs for no charge! Subscribe to our Patreon today! Content discussed in this episode: Van der Kolk, B. (2015). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Penguin Books. Nietfeld, E. (2025, January/February). What the most famous book about trauma gets wrong. Mother Jones. https://www.motherjones.com/media/2024/12/trauma-body-keeps-the-score-van-der-kolk-psychology-therapy-ptsd/

Michal Pollack joined me to discuss how she uses her training in Behavior Analysis to help her with her personal health and fitness goals. Michal is a Clinical Director at Apollo Behavior. In this episode, we talk about: How she got her start in Applied Behavior Analysis. How she found her way to Apollo, and what she enjoys about working there. How she realized that getting fit doesn't require playing team sports, or being an athlete more generally. How spending time abroad during a gap year motivated her to adopt a healthier lifestyle. How going to the gym regularly helped her improve her emotional wellbeing. How she developed grocery shopping habits that helped her eat healthier meals. How she doesn't weigh herself frequently, and the rationale for this practice. We both talk about the pros and cons of wearable devices, and how I use The Whoop Strap (note, this is an affiliate). I want to make clear that during this podcast, it's important to note that neither of us are health or fitness professionals. We're not attempting to provide specific advice for listeners that's outside of our scopes of expertise. Instead, a better framing of this episode is to consider this a conversation between two BCBAs talking about how they apply behavior-analytic principles in their own lives. As such, if you're looking to make changes to your fitness, please consider working with a credentialed professional, with the input of your primary care provider. You can follow Michal on TikTok or LinkedIn here and here. If you'd like to learn more about working at Apollo, you can read about them here. Articles and resources mentioned: Camp and Hayes (2012). Assessing and Increasing Physical Activity. Donaldson and Normand (2009). Using goal setting, self-monitoring, and feedback to increase calorie expenditure in obese adults. Hustyi, Normand, and Larson (2013). Behavioral assessment of physical activity in obese preschool children. The aforementioned Whoop Strap. This podcast is brought to you by: Frontera. Consider taking a demo of Frontera's Assessment Builder and see how the ethical application of AI technologies can help you serve clients and save you time! Your first assessment report is free. And if you use code BOP25 you'll get an additional five assessments for just $100. So head to fronterahealth.com to check it out! CEUs from Behavioral Observations. Learn from your favorite podcast guests while you're commuting, walking the dog, or whatever else you do while listening to podcasts. New events are being added all the time, so check them out here.  HRIC Recruting. Cut out the middleman and speak directly with Barbara Voss, who's been placing BCBAs in great jobs all across the US for 15 years. Behavior University. Their mission is to provide university quality professional development for the busy Behavior Analyst. Learn about their CEU offerings, including their 8-hour Supervision Course, as well as their RBT offerings over at behavioruniversity.com/observations. Don't forget to use the coupon code, PODCAST to save at checkout! Apollo Behavior. If these Apollo Series podcasts have you wondering about what it's like to work there, check out their current job openings in the greater Atlanta area and beyond!

Responding with “Where's the research for that?” may be quick, but it can strain professional relationships. Today, we're diving into a simple framework you can start using in your school or clinic—starting tomorrow!So, how do we navigate disagreements when our training and backgrounds differ? The truth is—our way isn't the only way.Consider this quote from the article Maintaining Professional Relationships in an Interdisciplinary Setting: Strategies for Navigating Nonbehavioral Treatment Recommendations for Individuals with Autism:“An interdisciplinary collaboration for individuals with ASD involves combining the strengths of multiple disciplines in order to maximize client outcomes.”As we walk through the decision-making flowchart featured in the article, remember: keep an open mind, take time to understand the treatment in question, and always prioritize the client's outcome and safety.Stay tuned for more of my 10-minute episodes, where I answer the most commonly asked questions.#autism #speechtherapy What's Inside:A simple framework for avoiding conflict in collaboration.The importance of a multidisciplinary approach.10-minute summer series.Mentioned In This Episode:Maintaining Professional Relationships in an Interdisciplinary Setting: Strategies for Navigating Nonbehavioral Treatment Recommendations for Individuals with Autism - PMCJoin Our Ethics Course! Speech Membership - ABA Speech  ABA Speech: Home

Send us a textABA on Tap is so proud to spend some time with the illustrious Portia James. (Part 2 of 2)As a visionary, a powerhouse of a leader, and a pioneer for women and people of color in her field, Portia James has been shaking conference room tables for nearly two decades. She shares bold perspectives on the lack of representation for black leadership in the workplace and how it impacts decision-making and strategic execution at the executive level. She is one of few Behavior Analysts to have been featured in both Forbes and Harvard Business Review.Portia is a sought-after Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Organizational Behavior Management specialist who helps black Behavior Analysts launch and scale companies that thrive. As the founder and CEO of Behavior Genius, she has served hundreds of staff and families impacted by Autism.Portia is a wife to an MMA fighter (of course she is!)  and mother of 3 dynamic children, a travel junkie, and a red wine enthusiast. Portia serves up a flight of bold and complex flavors. Sip this one slowly and carefully. Don't forget to swirl, take in the bouquet, and always analyze responsibly. iLearn-ABA --- your CEU source!iLearn-ABA is a learning platform designed by BCBAs, for BCBAs and related professionals. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Behavior Analysis Meets Artificial Intelligence In the second installment of Behavioral Observations' Frontera Series on AI, I had the pleasure of speaking with Sydney Holmes, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and master's level psychologist. Sydney is also the Clinical Product Lead at Frontera, where she's helping bridge the gap between behavior analysis and artificial intelligence in some really exciting ways. Did you miss the first Frontera Series interview with CEO and Founder, Amol Deshpande? Check it out here! We covered everything from using AI tools for clinical work and content creation, to how machine learning is reshaping supervision, diagnostics, and parent support. From Marine Biology to Behavior Analysis Sydney has a unique background. She started in marine biology and eventually found her way to psychology and behavior analysis. Today, she's at the forefront of tech innovation in her role at Frontera, where she combines clinical insight with product development. What is Digital Phenotyping? One of the more fascinating parts of our conversation was about digital phenotyping. Frontera is using AI to analyze real-world video data in order to track, measure, and interpret client behavior—helping clinicians make faster, more informed decisions. Teaching AI to Understand Behavior Sydney described the challenges of teaching machines to detect nuanced behaviors like crying or vocal stereotypy. It takes close collaboration between BCBAs and engineers to develop AI tools that are truly clinically useful. Enhancing Diagnostics and Supervision with AI We talked about how Frontera is helping BCBAs with autism diagnostics, supervision, and quality assurance through smart automation. Their platform supports more efficient monitoring of RBT sessions and helps maintain fidelity to treatment protocols. Real-Time RBT Session Review and Feedback Frontera's video tools allow for recording of every RBT session, making it possible to provide objective, real-time feedback. The goal is to support staff in a way that's consistent and non-punitive, which aligns with what we know about effective supervision. Improving Parent Engagement with Mobile Apps Sydney also discussed how their mobile app allows caregivers to submit short videos of their interactions with their child. This enables BCBAs to provide timely, video-based coaching and collect meaningful data outside of traditional session settings. Advice for Behavior Analysts Embracing AI Her advice for clinicians? Stay curious but skeptical, lean into collaboration, and look for ways to use technology to enhance—not replace—the human side of behavioral healthcare. Learn More To learn more about Frontera's tools and mission, visit frontera.health. You can also connect with Sydney and the team on LinkedIn and other social platforms. Thanks for listening and supporting the podcast. If you found this conversation helpful, be sure to subscribe and share it with a colleague!

ABA Business Leaders Podcast – Episode: How to Improve ABA Supervision with Allyson Wharam of ‘ABA in the Field' In this episode of the ABA Business Leaders Podcast, April and Stephen sit down with Allyson Wharam of ‘ABA in the Field' to dive deep into the challenges and opportunities around ABA supervision. Whether you're a new BCBA stepping into a supervisory role or a seasoned leader looking to sharpen your skills, this conversation sheds light on how to build stronger, more effective supervision practices that support growth.They explore why self-assessment is critical, how to identify and close knowledge gaps, and why supervision is more than just oversight—it's intentional coaching. Plus, they discuss the importance of creating spaces for advocacy, reinforcing positive feedback loops, and redefining the BCBA credential as a starting point for lifelong learning.Inside the episode:

In this episode of Safe Space, host Michelle Zeman is joined by special guest Nichole Mark, BCBA, a passionate mentor and the founder of Behavior Mastered. Nichole shares her journey into the field of ABA—from initially pursuing pediatrics to discovering her calling while working alongside RBTs as a speech therapist.Nichole offers a firsthand look at how the field has evolved from compliance-driven practices to a more values-driven approach centered on empowerment and ethical mentorship. She reflects on her early experiences as an RBT, the impact of poor training standards, and the rise of unprepared practitioners entering the field under the assumption that the role is “easy.”Throughout the conversation, Nichole emphasizes the critical role BCBAs play in shaping competent, confident RBTs. She shares actionable insights on mentorship, supervision, and what companies and clinicians must do better to ensure quality care. Her story about a three-hour power struggle session offers a raw, real example of how power dynamics and training intersect—and what it means to truly support both clients and staff.This episode offers 1.0 Supervision CEU for Board Certified Behavior Analysts. Behavior analysts, be sure to listen for the two code words mentioned during the episode to claim your free CEU.

When it comes to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), much of the focus is often placed on data collection, program goals, and measurable outcomes for the child. But what about the parents? Supporting caregivers is a critical, and sometimes overlooked, component of effective ABA services. In a recent podcast episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Valencia Harper, a seasoned clinician from Apollo Behavior, to talk about her thoughtful approach to working with families. Long-time listeners may remember Valencia from our Apollo Case Study Series, where she and her colleagues discussed mentoring new practitioners. This time around, we shifted gears to focus on her insights into caregiver collaboration—and the conversation did not disappoint. From Smoothies to Strategy: Valencia's Journey Valencia opened up about her own career beginnings, including a memorable (and messy) first day involving a smoothie spill. That moment, though humbling, marked the start of a journey that led her to become the confident and effective BCBA she is today. Through years of experience, she has developed a deep appreciation for the unique challenges parents face—and a toolkit for meeting them with empathy, clarity, and respect. What Parents Really Need from ABA Providers Throughout the episode, Valencia shared key insights into how BCBAs can better support the families they serve. Here are a few highlights from our discussion: 1. Listening Builds Rapport Rather than jumping into solutions, Valencia emphasizes the power of active listening. Parents often come to the table with a wealth of experience and emotion. Taking time to truly hear them builds trust and sets the tone for collaboration. 2. BCBAs Don't Have to Know Everything It can be tempting to feel like we have to have all the answers. But Valencia reminds us that being transparent about what we don't know—while showing a commitment to learning—can strengthen relationships rather than weaken them. 3. Prioritize Parental Concerns Instead of sticking strictly to what the data says, Valencia encourages clinicians to take parent priorities seriously. If bedtime battles or sibling conflicts are top of mind for the family, addressing those concerns can lead to more engagement and faster progress. 4. Clarify ABA Jargon Parents may struggle with technical terms or misunderstand the purpose of certain procedures. Valencia discusses how breaking things down into digestible language helps reduce frustration and builds empowerment. 5. Combat Learned Helplessness Some caregivers come into services feeling defeated or disconnected. Valencia talks about how to gently challenge that mindset and offer small, achievable strategies that rebuild parental confidence. 6. Teach How to Set Limits Supporting families doesn't stop with behavior plans. Valencia shares tips for coaching parents on how to set clear, developmentally appropriate limits without escalating the situation. 7. Responding to "We've Already Tried That" This common phrase can be frustrating for clinicians, but Valencia reframes it as an opportunity to validate parents' experiences and reintroduce strategies with better context or support. Inside Apollo's Approach to Caregiver Training Valencia also gave us a behind-the-scenes look at how Apollo Behavior structures its caregiver support. From structured training sessions to informal check-ins, their model integrates parent collaboration as a core component of service delivery—not an afterthought. Resources Mentioned in the Episode If you're looking to dive deeper into the themes we discussed, here are a few recommended reads and links from the show: Apollo Behavior Valencia Harper on LinkedIn Tiny Humans, Big Emotions: How to Navigate Tantrums, Meltdowns, and Defiance to Raise Emotionally Intelligent Children―An Essential Guide for Caregivers of Children from Infancy to Age Eight. Managing Meltdowns and Tantrums on the Autism Spectrum. Clinical Interviewing, 7th Edition. AIM: Accept, Identify, Move. This podcast is brought to you by: Frontera. Consider taking a demo of Frontera's Assessment Builder and see how the ethical application of AI technologies can help you serve clients and save you time! Your first assessment report is free. And if you use code BOP25 you'll get an additional five assessments for just $100. So head to fronterahealth.com to check it out! CEUs from Behavioral Observations. Learn from your favorite podcast guests while you're commuting, walking the dog, or whatever else you do while listening to podcasts. New events are being added all the time, so check them out here.  The Behavioral Toolbox. Check out our courses for school-based and other behavioral professionals, including our newest one, Motivational Interviewing: Getting Educator Buy-In.  

Since time immemorial BCBAs have looked at their seven-item array of candies and asked, “Why can't I do a preference assessment with huge items or unavailable activities?” Well, now you can with pictorial and/or video-based preference assessments! But don't take my word for it. Or, do take my word for it, but my word paired with the word of all the research on the subject. And if you're already using this technology in your preference assessments, shouldn't you better double-check that you're actually following the evidence-based guidelines. Or did you just assume that the picture of hanging out with friends playing on the iPad must be equivalent to the real thing? This episode is available for 1.0 LEARNING CEU. Articles discussed this episode: Heinicke, M.R., Carr, J.E., Pence, S.T., Zias, D.R., Valentino, A.L., & Falligant, J.M. (2016). Assessing the efficacy of pictorial preference assessments for children with developmental disabilities. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 49, 848-868. doi: 10.1002/jaba.342 Brodhead, M.T., Al-Dubayan, M.N., Mates, M., Abel, E.A., & Brouwers, L. (2016). An evaluation of a brief video-based multiple-stimulus without replacement preference assessment. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 9, 160-164. doi: 10.1007/s40617-015-0081-0 Wolfe, K., Kunnavatana, S.S., & Shoemaker, A.M. (2018). An investigation of a video-based preference assessment of social interactions. Behavior Modification, 42, 729-746. doi: 10.1177/0145445517731062 If you're interested in ordering CEs for listening to this episode, click here to go to the store page. You'll need to enter your name, BCBA #, and the two episode secret code words to complete the purchase. Email us at abainsidetrack@gmail.com for further assistance.

As someone who goes to yoga a few times a week, I was intrigued at the possibility of integrating it into my therapy practice. Lindsay Watkins is a BCBA and Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200) with a passion for blending wellness and applied behavior analysis. Lindsay teaches continuing education (CEUs) to BCBAs on this topic on BehaviorLive (her next training is scheduled for June 2, 2025).Here, Lindsay shares her journey from burning out as a special ed teacher to discovering yoga therapy and figuring out how to apply it to her own clients. We take a look at research studies that show the benefits of using yoga to modify behavior and discuss examples of the techniques in action.Lindsay also shares how she advocates for this outside-the-box approach to therapy, the benefits of yoga across the lifespan, and tips to level up your own yoga practice. #autism #speechtherapy What's Inside:Integrating yoga into therapyResearch on the impact of yoga on behavioral healthBenefits of yoga across the lifespanTips to improve your personal yoga practiceMentioned In This Episode:Lindsay Watkins on Instagram Membership - ABA Speech ABA Speech: Home

What do you get when you mix true crime obsession with behavioral science? A badass criminologist BCBA like Presley Wanner. In Part 1 of this two-part banger, Liat sits down with Presley to hear how her love of crime and behavior led her to blend criminology with ABA (yes, it's as cool as it sounds). Presley shares her journey into the world of criminal behavior analysis, how she uses behavior-analytic principles in forensic settings, and why she believes BCBAs need a seat at the true crime table. Whether you're a crime junkie or just obsessed with behavior, you won't want to miss this one.Behavior Concepts Covered:Motivating OperationStimulus GeneralizationPhilogenic Ontogenic Environmental conditioning Private EventsConnect with Presley:CrimeandBehavior.com Crime & Behavior Analysis Academy ABAI Special Interest Group LinkedInConnect with Behavior BitchesInsta: @behaviorbitchespodcastFacebook: Behavior Bitches PodcastWebsite: BehaviorBitches.comPatreon: Patreon.com/BehaviorBitchesPodcastContact Us: For podcast inquiries, episode ideas, or just to say hi, email us at behaviorbitches@studynotesaba.com Leave us a 5-star review in the Apple Podcast App so we can read it to everyone during our episodes and make us super happy!Looking for BCBA Exam Prep or CEUs?• Whether you need help passing the BCBA exam or are looking to earn CEUs, Study Notes ABA has you covered. Check out our website for comprehensive exam prep materials, prep courses, and CEUs• Test Prep: StudyNotesABA.com• CEUs: CEU.StudyNotesABA.com

In this conversation, Dr. Buket Kısaç Demiroğlu discusses the development and current state of autism services in Turkey, focusing on behavior analysis (ABA). She highlights the progress made in training special education teachers, the limited number of certified BCBAs, and the challenges faced in implementing effective ABA practices. Cultural perspectives on autism, family dynamics, and the importance of community support are also explored, along with future goals for improving autism services in Turkey.   Watch the video of this conversation here!: https://youtu.be/LrPRF6iPZdg Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop) BACB: 1.0 Ethics IBAO/AUABA:  1.0 Cultural QABA: 1.0 Ethics We also offer certificates of attendance! Follow us! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behaviourspeak/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/benreiman.bsky.social.bsky.social LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/behaviourspeak/ Contact: Buket Kısaç Demiroğlu https://www.instagram.com/buketkisac/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/buket-kisac-5b17a062/ Links: Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University  https://w3.beun.edu.tr/   Related Behaviour Speak Podcast Episodes Episode 3 Parent Coaching with ESDM with Maria Sample https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-3-parent-coaching-with-esdm-and-the-balance-program-with-maria-sample-ma-bcba/ Episode 15 Behavior Analysis in Egypt with Radwa El Tenab https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-15-bringing-behaviour-analysis-to-a-nation-with-radwa-eltanab-msc-bcba/ Episode 78 where Abdullah Bernier discusses the lived experiences of syrian refugee parents of autistic children  https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-78-the-lived-experiences-of-syrian-refugee-parents-of-autistic-children-with-abdullah-bernier/ Episode 94 Behavior Analysis in Qatar and Lebanon with Rola El-Annan https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/ep-94-behaviour-analysis-in-lebanon-and-qatar-with-rola-el-annan-med-bcba/ Episode 149 Behavior Analysis in Saudi Arabia with Dr. Shahad Alsharif https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-149-behaviouranalysis-in-saudi-arabia-with-dr-shahad-alsharif/

Kristen McNeely joins me for an informative discussion about the challenging topic of School Refusal and Chronic Absenteeism. If you are in any way connected to a school community, you've probably heard about this difficult and growing problem. As we discuss in this episode, school refusal is an ever-growing concern, and it manifests itself in numerous ways. Kristen is both a BCBA and a Licensed Marital and Family Therapist in California, and she spends nearly all of her time working with parents who have children who engage in school refusal. In this episode, we cover: The distinction between the terms Chronic Absenteeism and School Refusal. How School Refusal can be thought of as a continuum of attendance patterns. The role of anxiety in these response patterns. Assessing the function of School Refusal behaviors. Helping parents intervene with School Refusal. The importance of wrap around supports for severe cases. How School Refusal can turn into what's known as Failure to Launch. You're going to want to listen all the way through to the end because she closes the show not only some awesome advice for the newly minted, but a poignant personal story. Resources mentioned in this podcast: The School Avoidance Alliance. Kearney and Silverman (2010). Measuring the Function of School Refusal Behavior: The School Refusal Assessment Scale. SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions). Episode 58 of ABA Inside Track (Interview with Christopher Kearney). Kristen's website. Kristen's Instagram. This podcast is brought to you by: Frontera. Consider taking a demo of Frontera's Assessment Builder and see how the ethical application of AI technologies can help you serve clients and save you time! Your first assessment report is free. And if you use code BOP25 you'll get an additional five assessments for just $100. So head to fronterahealth.com to check it out! HRIC Recruting. Cut out the middleman and speak directly with Barbara Voss, who's been placing BCBAs in great jobs all across the US for 15 years. CEUs from Behavioral Observations. Learn from your favorite podcast guests while you're commuting, walking the dog, or whatever else you do while listening to podcasts. New events are being added all the time, so check them out here. The Behavioral Toolbox. Check out our courses for school-based and other behavioral professionals, including our newest one, Motivational Interviewing: Getting Educator Buy-In.

While Jackie's away (and stuck in an elevator) Rob and Diana will play…podcast hosting duties for the month. This month last spring's Book Club choice, “Activity Schedules for Children with Autism” gets released to the free feed (with free CEs for Patreon subscribers!) with new episodes on preference assessments and practicing within a school context. And speaking of pairs of awesome behavior analysts, special guest, John Staubitz, gives us the rundown on special education laws and what BCBAs really need to know about the scope of schoolwork. Now's the time on podcast when we dance! Articles for May 2025 (UNLOCKED) Activity Schedules for Children with Autism Book Club McClannahan, L.E. & Krantz, P.J. (1999). Activity schedules for children with autism: Teaching independent behavior. Woodbine House. McClannahan, L.E. & Krantz, P.J. (2010). Activity schedules for children with autism: Teaching independent behavior. (2nd ed.). Woodbine House. Rehfeldt, R.A. (2002). A review of McClannahan and Krantz's "Activity schedules for children with autism: Teaching independent behavior": Toward the inclusion and integration of children with disabilities. The Behavior Analyst, 25, 103-108. doi: 10.1007/BF03392048   PIctorial and Video-Based Preference Assessments Heinicke, M.R., Carr, J.E., Pence, S.T., Zias, D.R., Valentino, A.L., & Falligant, J.M. (2016). Assessing the efficacy of pictorial preference assessments for children with developmental disabilities. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 49, 848-868. doi: 10.1002/jaba.342 Brodhead, M.T., Al-Dubayan, M.N., Mates, M., Abel, E.A., & Brouwers, L. (2016). An evaluation of a brief video-based multiple-stimulus without replacement preference assessment. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 9, 160-164. doi: 10.1007/s40617-015-0081-0 Wolfe, K., Kunnavatana, S.S., & Shoemaker, A.M. (2018). An investigation of a video-based preference assessment of social interactions. Behavior Modification, 42, 729-746. doi: 10.1177/0145445517731062   Practicing Within a School Context w/ John Staubitz Stevenson, B.S. & Correa, V.I. (2019). Applied behavior analysis, students with autism, and the requirement to provide a free appropriate public education. Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 29, 206-215. doi: 10.1177/1044207318799644 Stevenson, B., Bethune, K., & Gardner, R. (2024). Still left behind: How behavior analysts can improve children's access, equity, and inclusion to their entitled education. Behavior Analysis in Practice. doi: 10.1007/s40617-024-00992-4 Copeland, S.R., Duffie, P., & Maez, R. (2025). Preparation of behavior analysts for school-based practice. Behavior Analysis in Practice. doi: 10.1007/s40617-024-01028-7  

Leanne Page is a mom, a BCBA, and the founder of Parenting with ABA. When she became a mother, Leanne realized how her training and education in behavior analysis gave her a leg up on discipline issues. She's worked as a special education teacher in self-contained to inclusive settings, from elementary to high school. She also managed a center providing ABA services to children in 1:1 and small group settings. Through Parenting with ABA, Leanne leverages her extensive experience in school and teacher training, therapist training, parent training, and providing direct services to children and families in a center-based or in-home therapy setting. Today, she spends a lot of time writing and creating trainings to help disseminate ABA and make it easy for all parents to digest and apply in their own lives. Leanne's goal is to save parents' sanity every day!Here, Leanne shares her strategies for working with parents and her thoughts on emotional regulation. We discuss the risks of not acknowledging parents in our work as BCBAs, common mistakes we make, and tips for supporting parents better. Leanne also shares the benefits of incorporating mindfulness techniques with parents, the importance of self-compassion, and advice for newly minted BCBAs.What's Inside:How Leanne works with parents through Parenting with ABABCBA tips to better support parentsAdvice for newly minted BCBAsMentioned In This Episode:HowToABA.com/joinHow to ABA on YouTubeFind us on FacebookFollow us on Instagram Parenting with ABA 

Brandon Franklin returns to the podcast after a very long hiatus. You'll have to go back to Session 36 to hear his first appearance as a matter of fact. It turns out that he's been doing a lot of innovative clinical work in that time. Currently, he is the Chief Behavior Analyst for the Lee Specialty Clinic and a Behavioral Consultant at Kramer Behavioral Health. In these roles, Brandon has implemented various interventions to help individuals with intellectual disabilities access routine medical and dental care. If you're not familiar with this topic, it might sound pretty mundane, but as you'll hear, these populations really struggle to attend and participate in routine medical appointments, which, not surprisingly, has downstream negative health consequences. As such, interventions that improve on the current statistics can truly be considered life-saving. In this podcast, we get into the following: Common phobias associated with medical treatments. Brandon's personal experience with aerophobia (the fear of flying), and what he did to improve it. The basics of desensitization strategies. How he and his team members use these strategies to improve the rate of successful medical appointment visits. And finally, the research on this topic that he is doing for his dissertation. Brandon has generously compiled a list of references, which you can find here. He's passionate about this topic and is willing to talk with anyone about it, so feel free to hit him up on LinkedIn. Here's all of Brandon's contact info. Here's all the desensitization resources you could ask for. This podcast is brought to you by: Frontera. Consider taking a demo of Frontera's Assessment Builder and see how the ethical application of AI technologies can help you serve clients and save you time! Your first assessment report is free. And if you use code BOP25 you'll get an additional five assessments for just $100. So head to fronterahealth.com to check it out! The Profound Autism Summit. The Profound Autism Summit is a two-day conference taking place on April 10th and 11th in Boston, MA. Following on the massive success of the 2024 Summit, the 2025 event brings together leaders from the areas of research, medicine, treatment, advocacy, and education to discuss the needs and support of those with Profound Autism across disciplines and throughout the lifespan. HRIC Recruting. Cut out the middleman and speak directly with Barbara Voss, who's been placing BCBAs in great jobs all across the US for 15 years.  CEUs from Behavioral Observations. Learn from your favorite podcast guests while you're commuting, walking the dog, or whatever else you do while listening to podcasts. New events are being added all the time, so check them out here.  The Behavioral Toolbox. Check out our courses for school-based and other behavioral professionals, including our newest one, Motivational Interviewing: Getting Educator Buy-In.

Emotional regulation is a foundational skill that influences how we manage stress, handle challenges, and connect with others. Here, we define emotional regulation and dive into all the reasons why it's so important for our development and well-being. We also discuss how we, as BCBAs and practitioners, can help our learners strengthen this essential skill.The term emotional regulation refers to the ability to recognize and manage one's emotions in a way that supports appropriate behavior and well-being. We talk about the importance of uncovering the function of behavior and how to choose reinforcement strategies. We also share why we typically start with teaching co-regulation, how to use modeling and visuals, and the importance of consistency and practice.What's Inside:Why emotional regulation is necessary for our development and well-beingHow to teach emotional regulation skills to our learnersHow to choose the right teaching strategies Mentioned In This Episode:HowToABA.com/joinHow to ABA on YouTubeFind us on FacebookFollow us on Instagram CEU: Teaching Emotional Regulation Strategies to Reduce Anxiety

Amanda Wilson is a school psychologist, BCBA, and the founder of Navigating Behavior Change. She has over 18 years of experience within the public school setting, and as a military wife, she has had the opportunity to work in various regions across the United States. She also has significant experience in conducting assessments, developing comprehensive, individualized behavior intervention plans, and ensuring compliance with special education law. Amanda is well versed in assisting school teams in implementing positive behavior intervention frameworks, regularly provides professional development, training, and support in implementing classroom management strategies, and is a leader both within her educational setting and her role as an educational consultant. Here, we dive into Amanda's work through Navigating Behavior Change and how she empowers and teaches educators across the country. We discuss how to use preventative strategies with students and how to bridge the gap between teachers and BCBAs. Amanda shares some quick classroom wins for teachers to implement and tips for BCBAs to build positive relationships with educators.  What's Inside:How Amanda empowers educators through Navigating Behavior ChangeQuick classroom wins for teachersTips for BCBAs who work with educatorsMentioned In This Episode:HowToABA.com/joinHow to ABA on YouTubeFind us on FacebookFollow us on Instagram Navigating Behavior Change Website

Drs. Ilene Schwartz and Beth Kelly joined me to discuss the never ending conundrum of navigating ethical dilemmas. As Ilene points out in the podcast, most people know right from wrong, but the types of dilemmas BCBAs encounter are what she calls 'right vs. right' dilemmas... Therefore, ethical practice requires a continuous decision making process. And in my guests' view, this is not a matter of decontextualized rule-following. In this podcast, we get into these nuances, using Ilene and Beth's newly published book, Ethical Decision Making in Applied Behavior Analysis. We also discussed a framework for articulating one's values and principles that you might find helpful in your work setting. Resources for this podcast: Ethical Decision Making in Applied Behavior Analysis. Rosenberg and Scwhartz (2018). Guidance or Compliance: What Makes an Ethical Behavior Analyst? Kelly, Greeny, Rosenberg and Schwartz (2020). When Rules Are Not Enough: Developing Principles to Guide Ethical Conduct. Dr. Schwartz's faculty page. Dr. Kelly's faculty page. BOP's CEUs, with many Ethics events. This podcast is brought to you with the support of: The Profound Autism Summit. The Profound Autism Summit is a two-day conference taking place on April 10th and 11th in Boston, MA. Following on the massive success of the 2024 Summit, the 2025 event brings together leaders from the areas of research, medicine, treatment, advocacy, and education to discuss the needs and support of those with Profound Autism across disciplines and throughout the lifespan. CEUs from Behavioral Observations. Learn from your favorite podcast guests while you're commuting, walking the dog, or whatever else you do while listening to podcasts. New events are being added all the time, so check them out here.  The Behavioral Toolbox. Check out our courses for school-based and other behavioral professionals, including our newest one, Motivational Interviewing: Getting Educator Buy-In. The Verbal Behavior Conference. Whether you attend in-person in Austin, TX, or online via BehaviorLive, you're going to love this year's Verbal Behavior Conference! Click here to get all the details! Behavior University. Their mission is to provide university quality professional development for the busy Behavior Analyst. Learn about their CEU offerings, including their 8-hour Supervision Course, as well as their RBT offerings over at behavioruniversity.com/observations. Don't forget to use the coupon code, PODCAST to save at checkout!

Join us as we break down the pros and cons of being a BCBA in a school vs. clinic setting, covering collaboration, job stability, workload, and more!

Welcome back to the All About Kids Podcast, this time I sit down with Gabrielle Carmody. Gabrielle is a BCBA and sleep specialist dedicated to helping children on the spectrum improve their sleep. In this episode, we get into what drew Gabby into the world of BCBAs and sleep. We discuss the key elements of creating a bedtime routine for a child with autism, common mistakes parents make when getting their kids ready for bed, the importance of “setting” events, the biggest misconceptions about sleep hygiene, and more.  GABRIELLE CARMODY LINKS:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sleeptight_gabby/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8rjT9o9t44NGooWW0m9-LAWebsite: https://bit.ly/3R3CUID Sleep Products: https://bit.ly/4kN4mYT ALL ABOUT KIDS LINKS ALL ABOUT KIDS LINKSApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-about-kids-podcast/id1522359220Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3I6qWwwdeJnlJg8Mx94He9?si=A7ieoF8yQJeqi_JnS6tXrg&dl_branch=1Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1522359220/all-about-kids-podcastWebsite: https://aakcares.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aakcaresTwitter: https://twitter.com/aakcaresLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/all-about-kids 

In this episode, Michelle Zeman sits down with Miranda Irvin to explore her unique journey toward becoming a BCBA, including her experience working with four different companies during her supervision. They discuss the varied supervision styles, how these experiences shaped Miranda's professional growth, and the skills she developed along the way. From balancing clinical work with administrative duties to navigating virtual supervision, Miranda shares valuable insights that will resonate with aspiring and newly certified BCBAs. Tune in for practical advice on mentorship, assessment tools, and how to create a meaningful supervision experience that sets you up for long-term success in the field. Plus, earn 1.0 free Supervision CEU!

Many years ago, a wise principal once told me that good instruction is the best classroom management tool teachers have at their disposal. In Session 293, Dr. Todd Haydon joins me to discuss the practice of increasing the rate of students' opportunities to respond (OTR), which is an instructional practice that has been shown to improve classroom behavior. In doing so, Todd and I did a deep dive on his dissertation work, which culminated in the study, Haydon, Mancil, and Van Loan (2009). This study began with a referral to help students who engaged in disruptive and off-task behaviors. Rather than conduct several individual FBAs, Todd and his colleagues coached the teacher to increase the rate of posing academic questions to the class. The results spoke for themselves, and the rest is history. So tune in to learn how this practice works, and maybe it can be something that will help you in your practice! Oh, and by the way, he concludes the podcast with a very memorable story, so be sure to tune into the entire episode! Resourced discussed in this podcast: Today's ABA (Hanley, Session 160, CEU Available). How to Improve Classroom Management with the Good Behavior Game (Donaldson, Session 171, CEU Available). Pat Friman, No such thing as a bad boy (Inside JABA 7, CEU Available). Deconstructing Compassionate ABA (Hanley, Session 183, CEU Available). How to Use Group Responding (Heward, Session 260, CEU Available). Clinical Interviewing book (How to get "permission" to give advice). Classroom improvement courses from The Behavioral Toolbox. Using Opportunities to Respond in a General Education Classroom: A Case Study (Haydon, Mancil and Van Loan, 2009). Managing Negative Countertransference when Working with Children Exhibiting Externalized Behaviors: A Single-Case Design (Guest et al., 2025). Key and Peele substitute teacher skit. Remedial and Special Education. Tootling: current research and future considerations for school practitioners (Whitefield and Harry, 2024). PAX: The Good Behavior Game. Todd's Research Gate page. Numbered Heads Together. Todd's UC Faculty Page. This podcast is brought to you with the support of: Frontera. Consider taking a demo of Frontera's Assessment Builder and see how the ethical application of AI technologies can help you serve clients and save you time! Your first assessment report is free. And if you use code BOP25 you'll get an additional five assessments for just $100. So head to fronterahealth.com to check it out! The Profound Autism Summit. The Profound Autism Summit is a two-day conference taking place on April 10th and 11th in Boston, MA. Following on the massive success of the 2024 Summit, the 2025 event brings together leaders from the areas of research, medicine, treatment, advocacy, and education to discuss the needs and support of those with Profound Autism across disciplines and throughout the lifespan. HRIC Recruting. Cut out the middleman and speak directly with Barbara Voss, who's been placing BCBAs in great jobs all across the US for 15 years.  CEUs from Behavioral Observations. Learn from your favorite podcast guests while you're commuting, walking the dog, or whatever else you do while listening to podcasts. New events are being added all the time, so check them out here.  The Behavioral Toolbox. Check out our courses for school-based and other behavioral professionals, including our newest one, Motivational Interviewing: Getting Educator Buy-In. The Verbal Behavior Conference. Whether you attend in-person in Austin, TX, or online via BehaviorLive, you're going to love this year's Verbal Behavior Conference! Click here to get all the details!

Maranda Argiros, BCBA and Jenny Barcellona, BCBA provide Behavior Training and Support for Caregivers and Families which consists of Family Focused Treatments and Interventions that equip families with the tools they need to foster behavior change in their natural environment. In addition, they provide Behavior Consulting Services for schools, daycares, and other providers by implementing realistic strategies and techniques to increase skill acquisition while decreasing and managing challenging behaviors. What The Function also provides IEP Advocacy Services and BCBA supervision for students seeking certification. They work to expand the reach and increase public knowledge of how the science of Behavior Analysis is used to help individuals outside of what ABA is typically known for. Marand and Jenny are passionate about the success they have had in using Behavior Analysis across all environments regardless of age, socioeconomic status, and diagnoses.LINKSWe'd love to answer your questions on the podcast! Fill out this form - https://harkla.typeform.com/to/ItWxQNP3 All Things Sensory Podcast Instagram Harkla Website Harkla YouTubeHarkla InstagramWhat The Function Website

I'm thrilled to announce a new special series for Behavioral Observations! I've partnered with Frontera to bring you a series of podcasts on using AI to support and enhance ABA therapy. To be candid, I've been a bit behind the curve on learning about AI. Sure, I've played around with ChatGPT, but unless you've been living under a rock, you've likely seen many AI solutions that have been brought to bear to Behavior Analytic services. And while I've been wanting to produce content in this area for a while, I've struggled to find an outlet to do so. Until now. In this inaugural series, I interview Amol Deshpande. Amol is an engineer, an entrepreneur, and an autism dad. He also is the founder and CEO of Frontera. What does Frontera do? They develop AI technologies that help BCBAs work efficiently, creating more access for their patients. In doing so, Frontera helps clinics see more patients through improved operations and better productivity, all while reducing turnover and burnout. As you'll hear in this interview, Frontera's technologies accelerate the time to treatment for children and families. And they believe AI, applied correctly at the right time, can create more precise and personal treatment plans that improve children's outcomes. Along the way, you'll learn about Amol's personal commitment to the field, as well as the values of transparency and open-access that Frontera delivers. If you've been skeptical of AI in the ABA space, this podcast is for you. Speaking of transparency, I want to disclose that Frontera will be sponsoring several upcoming BOP episodes. I hope that long time listeners know that I do not undertake these relationships lightly. I've not only spoken with Amol, but also with many other of Frontera's clinicians and staff. To a person, they are committed to making ABA treatment more efficient, effective, and person-centered. If you're interested in learning more about Frontera's technologies, you can explore their easy-to-use Assessment Builder and Diagnosis Builder features at fronterahealth.com. What do these tools do? For starters, they'll help you cut down the time it takes to complete initial client assessments from 8-10 hours to 3-4 hours. This saves time and lets you begin treatment and help your clients sooner rather than later. Your first assessment report is free. And if you use code BOP25 you'll get an additional five assessments for just $100. So head to fronterahealth.com to check it out! Here are some links if you're interested in learning more about Frontera: Business Wire press release announcement of Frontera's funding (see here also). Frontera on Instagram. Frontera on LinkedIn. Frontera on Facebook. Reach out to Amol on LinkedIn. Demos available here (don't forget to use promo code BOP25).

Welcome to Session 290 of The Behavioral Observations Podcast. In this episode, I'm joined by Armando Bernal and Andy Bondy. Andy is a known entity both in the field, and to the audience as well, and therefore needs little in the way of introduction. Armando is the founder of Autism International Consulting, which is the only Autistic-owned ABA provider in the Houston, TX area. He shares a truly inspiring story of how he went from not speaking at all, up through the present day, where he and his team provide ABA services. In this show, we discuss: Armando's family's response to his diagnosis.  How his mother single-handedly directed his early treatment. His work as a special education teacher. A surprising story - to me at least - of how he first learned about ABA. His work at Autism International Consulting. How he and Andy began collaborating. How Armando's unique perspective informs his practice. Current topics in ABA, including assent and compassionate care. How Armando learned to accept his diagnosis. Navigating controversies in the field and the related role of social media. Links to resources discussed: Armando's company, Autism International Consulting. Reach out to Armando on LinkedIn. Autism International Consulting's IG account. Lestremau Allen, Mellon, Syed, Johnson & Bernal (2024). Neurodiversity-Affirming Applied Behavior Analysis. Armando's appearance on Dr. Mary Barbera's podcast. This podcast is brought to you with the support of: The Profound Autism Summit. The Profound Autism Summit is a two-day conference taking place on April 10th and 11th in Boston, MA. Following on the massive success of the 2024 Summit, the 2025 event brings together leaders from the areas of research, medicine, treatment, advocacy, and education to discuss the needs and support of those with Profound Autism across disciplines and throughout the lifespan. HRIC Recruting. Cut out the middleman and speak directly with Barbara Voss, who's been placing BCBAs in great jobs all across the US for 15 years.  CEUs from Behavioral Observations. Learn from your favorite podcast guests while you're commuting, walking the dog, or whatever else you do while listening to podcasts. New events are being added all the time, so check them out here.  The Behavioral Toolbox. Check out our courses for school-based and other behavioral professionals, including our newest one, Motivational Interviewing: Getting Educator Buy-In. The Verbal Behavior Conference. Whether you attend in-person in Austin, TX, or online via BehaviorLive, you're going to love this year's Verbal Behavior Conference! Click here to get all the details!  

At the Marcus Autism Center, Dr. Kathleen Edmier, BCBA, and Karen Guerra, SLP, work together to bridge the gap between their fields, demonstrating the power of collaboration in supporting individuals with autism. Their work showcases how speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and board-certified behavior analysts (BCBAs) can align their approaches to maximize positive outcomes.For professionals looking to collaborate, the key lies in relationship building and mutual respect. Shifting from a multidisciplinary to an interdisciplinary model allows for deeper integration of tools and strategies, creating a unified approach to intervention. This partnership also enhances the generalization of procedures and plans, ensuring that individuals and their families receive cohesive and effective support.One of the most impactful areas of collaboration is in addressing complex topics such as verbal imitation and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Despite differences in terminology, both disciplines focus on developing essential social skills. Open dialogue between professionals helps them recognize shared goals and complementary strategies, fostering a more effective and comprehensive support system.For SLPs and BCBAs, embracing collaboration means building a synergistic approach that enhances family support. Prioritizing understanding, flexibility, and mutual respect creates a stronger network of care. By adopting the mindset of "having grace for one another," professionals can work together to drive meaningful progress and improve outcomes for those they serve.#autism #speectherapyWhat's Inside:Bridging SLP-BCBA CollaborationInterdisciplinary vs. Multidisciplinary WorkAligning Goals and StrategiesCollaborating on hot button topics in the field. Mentioned In This Episode:ABA Speech: HomeJoin the aba speech connection membership 

In this episode of 3 Pie Squared - ABA Business Leaders, we play a fun yet insightful game of "Would You Rather?" with Jennifer Holton, BCBA of Unique Pathways and Mallory Stinger, BCBA of Mallory Stinger ABA. We dive into tough hiring decisions for ABA practices in 2025, discussing the balance between hiring for experience versus cultural fit, the value of schedulers versus adding more BCBAs, and the impact of technology on onboarding and practice management. We also explore the challenges of paid time off in ABA, how to prevent burnout while ensuring client coverage, and the evolving role of AI in ABA business operations. If you're an ABA business owner or leader, this episode is packed with thought-provoking scenarios to help guide your practice management decisions.

DeTerrence Allen, a dedicated behavior scientist, comes from a family of Board-Certified Behavior Analysts, including his wife. His passion for ABA is rooted in a heartwarming “love story” for the field. A dynamic speaker, DeTerrence recently delivered an inspiring talk on soft skills at the Black Men of Behavior Analysis Conference.So, what are soft skills? DeTerrence highlights critical communication skills rooted in kindness and respect, understanding the function behind your words, and ensuring you've built rapport with those you engage with. Soft skills are essential for effective collaboration and creating meaningful change.Passing the BCBA exam is just the beginning. DeTerrence emphasizes the importance of continuing to learn and refine your approach. For new BCBAs, he advises seeking out supportive supervisors and mentors, building a professional network, and having regular discussions with colleagues. ABA also needs to be thoughtfully defined across different contexts, as its application varies.To connect with DeTerrence Allen and learn more about soft skills and professional growth in ABA, visit his LinkedIn profile. He's passionate about supporting clinicians in their development and helping them thrive in the field.#autism #speectherapyWhat's Inside:What are soft skills?The importance of building rapport for communication.How new BCBAs can increase soft skills.Mentioned In This Episode:DeTerrence Allen on LinkedInABA Speech: HomeJoin the aba speech connection membership Eye-Opening Moments PodcastEye-Opening Moments are stories of adversity, encounters, and perspectives. They are...Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

In this episode, Dr. Megan and Joe interview Callie Plattner about Motivational Interviewing! AI SUMMARY FROM FATHOM Key Takeaways - Motivational interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based communication approach that can significantly enhance therapeutic relationships and outcomes in behavior analysis - MI skills (OARS: Open-ended questions, Affirmations, Reflections, Summaries) require intentional practice but can be transformative for client interactions - Recent research shows strong social validity for integrating MI into ABA training and practice, addressing known skill deficits in therapeutic alliance building Topics Background and Relevance of MI in ABA - Multiple recent studies (2018-2023) highlight BCBAs' lack of skills in building therapeutic relationships - Less than 6% of surveyed BCBAs had practical training in MI-related skills during education - MI has extensive evidence base in other helping professions (e.g., addiction treatment, healthcare) - Key MI outcomes align with ABA needs: increased treatment adherence, goal clarity, session attendance Core MI Skills (OARS) - Open-ended questions: Elicit detailed responses beyond yes/no (e.g., "Tell me about your weekend") - Affirmations: Recognize client strengths and efforts (e.g., "You're clearly a dedicated parent") - Reflections: Demonstrate active listening and check understanding (e.g., "It sounds like you're worried about...") - Summaries: Synthesize key points and transition topics Implementing MI in ABA Practice - Pause before offering solutions; ask additional questions and reflect to ensure full understanding - Use OARS flexibly, not necessarily in order - Practice in various contexts (e.g., emails, casual conversations) to build fluency - Adjust approach based on individual client communication preferences Research and Training Developments - 100% of BCBAs in a study agreed MI skills should be developed in the field - Organizations like Mosaic Pediatric Therapy integrating MI into staff training and onboarding - Growing number of ABA-specific MI resources and conference presentations emerging Next Steps - Attendees encouraged to explore MI resources shared during session (articles, books, recorded trainings) - Consider attending upcoming MI workshops (e.g., Stone Soup Conference, Maryland ABA in December) - Potential future Do Better workshop on MI with Callie Plattner in 2025 - Field to continue work on incorporating MI into ABA coursework, fieldwork, and continuing education

In this episode of ABA Business Leaders, April and Stephen dive into one of the most persistent challenges facing the ABA field—retention. From attracting top talent in a highly competitive market to building meaningful systems for employee support, they tackle the tough realities of hiring and retaining BCBAs and RBTs. Key topics include: The difficulties of finding qualified BCBAs in certain states. The pros and cons of "growing your own" BCBAs by fostering in-house training and development. Practical strategies to improve communication, onboarding processes, and staff support. Innovative tools, including training platforms, to empower teams and reduce turnover. The importance of providing RBT certification and clear growth opportunities. Join us for actionable insights, real-life examples, and the tools you need to create a supportive environment where employees thrive and clients benefit. Whether you're just starting your ABA practice or looking to refine your operations, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways! Tune in now to learn how to build a stronger, more resilient team in 2025. If you are interested in joining our ABA Business Leaders Membership and Training Platform, click here -> https://3piesquared.com/productDetails/ABA_Business_Leaders_Platform

As Juliet asks, "what's in a name?" in that Shakespeare play every 9th grader reads, I too ask the put the same question to today's guest, Dr. Caio Miguel. Welcome to Session 287 of the Behavioral Observations Podcast! Literary allusions aside, in this episode, Caio walks us through the concept of Bidirectional Naming, and its implications for research and practice. In this conversation, we use his 2016 paper, Common and Intraverbal Bidirectional Naming, from the Analysis of Verbal Behavior, as a springboard for this discussion. One of the things that I took away from this conversation is to be more careful using terms like tacting, naming, and labeling interchangeably. In this podcast, you'll learn why these distinctions are important. We also talk about why terms like receptive and expressive labeling aren't conceptually systematic, and should be avoided in the Behavior Analytic literature. If that sounds like a hot take to you, please tune in to hear the rationale. Caio is also presenting at this year's Verbal Behavior Conference, which is taking place March 27-28, 2025, both in Austin, TX, as well as virtually through BehaviorLive. If you like to nerd out on all things verbal behavior, this is your event. And during our conversation, Caio provides a preview of what he plans to talk about at the VBC. Here are some links to resources that came up during this episode: Verbale - Consult with Drs. Miguel and LaFrance. Miguel (2016). Common and Intraverbal Bidirectional Naming. Miguel (2018). Problem-Solving, Bidirectional Naming, and the Development of Verbal Repertoires. Miguel (2021). Jack and Me. The Verbal Behavior Research Lab. Sacramento State's ABA Ma Inside JABA Series #2: Big Idea Papers and Their Impact (CEU available). Horne and Lowe (1996). On the origins of naming and other symbolic behavior. Preventative Systems, Assent, and The Naming Experience: Session 278 with Jim Moore. Sivaraman et al. (2023). Verbal behavior development theory and relational frame theory: Reflecting on similarities and differences. Session 282: A Behavioral Analysis of Problem Solving (CEU available). Carbone et al. (2010). The Role of the Reflexive-Conditioned Motivating Operation (CMO-R) During Discrete Trial Instruction of Children With Autism. Palmer (2016). On Intraverbal Control and the Definition of the Intraverbal. Schlinger (1995). A Behavior Analytic View of Child Development. Endicott's Ph.D. in ABA Program. Sacramento State's MS in ABA Program. This podcast is brought to you with the support of: HRIC Recruting. Cut out the middleman and speak directly with Barbara Voss, who's been placing BCBAs in great jobs all across the US for 15 years.  CEUs from Behavioral Observations. Learn from your favorite podcast guests while you're commuting, walking the dog, or whatever else you do while listening to podcasts. New events are being added all the time, so check them out here.  The Behavioral Toolbox. Check out our courses for school-based and other behavioral professionals, including our newest one, Motivational Interviewing: Getting Educator Buy-In. The Verbal Behavior Conference. Whether you attend in-person in Austin, TX, or online via BehaviorLive, you're going to love this year's Verbal Behavior Conference! Click here to get all the details! If you'd like to get BOP episodes a little earlier than everyone else, with no ads... just the interview itself, consider supporting the show with a Patreon subscription.

Emily Varon is a BCBA, a sleep educator, and the founder of Ready Set Sleep. Ready Set Sleep is also home to the Sleep Collective, the first sleep certification program for BCBAs. Emily returns to the podcast to share more of her passion for sleep and give us an update. Since we last spoke, Emily's certified 111 behavioral sleep specialists and is coming up on the first recertification cycle!No matter how experienced you are as a BCBA, sleep can be an intimidating task to tackle, and Emily provides a place to receive proper training and guidance. Here, Emily shares some of the current research she's involved in and details on a new tool she's developing for BCBAs. She also shares how to take a sensitive approach with parents, tips for breaking down barriers to progress, and advice for new BCBAs just starting to explore sleep.What's Inside:An update on Ready Set Sleep and the Sleep CollectiveHow to take a sensitive approach to sleep with parentsAdvice for new BCBAs Mentioned In This Episode:HowToABA.com/joinHow to ABA on YouTubeFind us on FacebookFollow us on Instagram Ready Set SleepThe Sleep Collective

VERSE Should old research articles be forgot, and never brought to ABA podcasts? Should old research articles be forgot, and auld bag syne? CHORUS For auld bag syne, my BCBAs, for auld bag syne, we'll take a cup of dissemination yet, for auld bag syne.   This episode is available for 1.0 LEARNING CEU. Articles discussed this episode: Graham, S., Keenan, M., & Dillenburger, K. (2024). All for one and one for all: The good inclusion game. Behavioral Interventions. doi: 10.1002/bin.2048 Migan-Gandonou Horr, J. & Campos, C. (2024). Effects of a technology‐based self‐management intervention on social media use in a college student. Behavior Analysis in Practice. doi: 10.1007/s40617-024-00977-3 Schmidt, J., Krantz, J., King, H., Vetter, J., & Maruska, C. (2024). Using a brief experimental analysis for writing speed intervention identification. Behavioral Interventions, 39. doi: 10.1002/bin.2019 If you're interested in ordering CEs for listening to this episode, click here to go to the store page. You'll need to enter your name, BCBA #, and the two episode secret code words to complete the purchase. Email us at abainsidetrack@gmail.com for further assistance.

Individuals with trauma histories often feel on edge or misunderstood. As practitioners, it's important to take trauma into account when designing behavior interventions for our learners. It's our job to ensure we're not only shaping behavior but taking an approach that focuses on long-term healing and empathy. Here, we discuss trauma-sensitive behavior interventions and how to incorporate trauma-informed care in our roles as BCBAs. We talk about the difference between trauma-informed care and trauma-specific services and why the first step in our approach should be acknowledgement. We also discuss the importance of building rapport with our clients and creating a safe environment, real-life examples of a trauma-informed approach in action, and the importance of focusing on skill building. What's Inside:How to incorporate a trauma-informed approach when designing behavior interventionsHow to build rapport with clients and create a safe environmentReal-life examples of a trauma-informed approach in actionMentioned In This Episode:HowToABA.com/joinHow to ABA on YouTubeFind us on FacebookFollow us on Instagram Applying Universal Protocols Cheat Sheet Compassionately Targeting Challenging Behavior with ABA 

Dr. Camille Kolu is a behavioral scientist from Cusp Emergence in Colorado. Dr. Kolu has about 20 years of autism treatment experience and has collaborated with or worked for nonprofits, families, diverse educational facilities, and groups in Texas and Colorado to provide effective autism treatment and support for those affected by developmental or other disabilities. Dr. Kolu brings together creative service, best practices, and a background in both behavior analysis and behavioral neuroscience to strengthen community fabrics through education, relationships, and behavioral support. She also focuses on TIBA, or trauma-informed behavior analysis, and Shayna recently took Dr. Kolu's course on trauma sensitivity. Here, Dr. Kolu shares her career journey and what led her to the work she's involved in today. We discuss how trauma impacts behavior and the six “buffers” in behavior analysis. Dr. Kolu also shares tips for preventing and managing staff burnout, how the field has evolved around the concept of trauma-informed care, and her advice to new BCBAs in the field.We're also hosting a webinar with Dr. Kolu on January 22nd at 3:30pm EST. Head to our website to sign up!What's Inside:The six “buffers” in behavior analysisTips for preventing and managing staff burnoutAdvice for newly minted BCBAsMentioned In This Episode:HowToABA.com/joinHow to ABA on YouTubeFind us on FacebookFollow us on InstagramCusp Emergence Website

In this episode, we chat with Sasha Long, M.A., BCBA, and founder of The Autism Helper. Sasha shares her journey from teacher to BCBA and how her teaching background shapes her practice today. We discuss the "icks" she sees in Special Ed classrooms, ways to improve teacher-BCBA collaboration, and how behavioral knowledge could transform classrooms. This episode is packed with insights, laughs, and tips for teachers, parents and BCBAs!Behavior Concepts Covered: ScheduleReinforcementPairing Want to connect with Sasha? Website: theautismhelper.comInstagram: @theautismhelperFacebook: facebook.com/theautismhelperConnect with Behavior Bitches• Instagram: @behaviorbitches• Facebook: facebook.com/BehaviorBitchesPodcast • Website: BehaviorBitches.com• Patreon: Patreon.com/BehaviorBitchesPodcast• Contact Us: For podcast inquiries, episode ideas, or just to say hi, email us at behaviorbitches@studynotesaba.com Leave us a 5-star review in the Apple Podcast App so we can read it to everyone during our episodes and make us super happy!Looking for BCBA Exam Prep or CEUs?• Whether you need help passing the BCBA exam or are looking to earn CEUs, Study Notes ABA has you covered. Check out our website for comprehensive exam prep materials, prep courses, and CEUs• Test Prep: StudyNotesABA.com• CEUs: CEU.StudyNotesABA.com

In this episode of 3 Pie Squared - ABA Business Leaders, we're joined by Martin Myers, BCBA and Chief Strategy Officer at Grateful Care ABA. Martin shares valuable insights on building strong ABA leadership, establishing meaningful relationships with staff, and driving progress in ABA practices. We discuss strategies for ABA practice management, setting clear expectations for staff, and aligning company values with actionable goals. Martin also highlights his passion projects, including BXMastery.com, a goal library offering structured resources for BCBAs. About Martin Myers Martin Myers is a BCBA with nearly 15 years of experience in the ABA field, focusing on leadership, strategy, and caseload management. He is the Chief Strategy Officer at Grateful Care ABA and the creator of BXMastery.com, a resource for sequencing goals and supporting BCBAs in skill development. Martin is also the author of the Flat Rock Weekly blog, where he shares insights on managing caseloads and improving practices for BCBAs. Key Topics Covered: Managing ABA Practices Effectively: How leadership, training, and relationships drive sustainability. Setting Expectations for Success: Improving compliance and documentation through proactive strategies. The Value of Relationships: Why prioritizing meaningful connections supports staff retention and practice growth. Building Core Values: Identifying what you won't compromise to strengthen company culture.

As we do every year at this time, my friends at ABA Inside Track joined me to review the year that was. This is a fun tradition, and this year, we did something a little different: We looked at the 10 most downloaded episodes from both of our shows, and counted them down. Along the way, we added some commentary as to why these shows might have resonated with you, the listener. If you're a consistent listener to both of our shows, try to see how these episodes matched up with the ones you liked the best! If you want to cheat, you can check out how the shows ranked here, along with links to the episode pages themselves. As always, this is the raw audio feed, direct from ABA Inside Track (so you'll have their intro music). That said, in the publicly available feed, I talk at length about how much I appreciate each and every listener, and that goes especially for you, the Patreon subscriber! Your support helps to keep the lights on at the BOP, so thank you so much! This podcast is brought to you with the support of: HRIC Recruting. Cut out the middleman and speak directly with Barbara Voss, who's been placing BCBAs in great jobs all across the US for 15 years.  CEUs from Behavioral Observations. Learn from your favorite podcast guests while you're commuting, walking the dog, or whatever else you do while listening to podcasts. New events are being added all the time, so check them out here.  The Behavioral Toolbox. Check out our courses for school-based and other behavioral professionals, including our newest one, Motivational Interviewing: Getting Educator Buy-In. The Verbal Behavior Conference. Whether you attend in-person in Austin, TX, or online via BehaviorLive, you're going to love this year's Verbal Behavior Conference! Click here to get all the details! If you'd like to get BOP episodes a little earlier than everyone else, with no ads... just the interview itself, consider supporting the show with a Patreon subscription.

As one of our favorite holiday traditions, Matt Cicoria from the Behavioral Observations podcast, joins us for an annual review of what's up in behavior analysis. And this year we're shaking up the format to look at our own years in dissemination. We'll discuss what topics were the most interesting (i.e., downloaded) to BCBAs and hypothesize as to what this might mean to the field. Don't worry: In between sipping egg nog and looking at data, we also take the time to celebrate how old our shows (and therefore us hosts) are. Here's to 2025!

Burnout doesn't discriminate—it hits practitioners across all fields. In this episode, Liat sits down with two incredible trauma-informed BCBAs, Robyn Gutierrez and Jessica Woolson, to dive into the heart of self-care and anti-burnout strategies. Robyn, founder of Reflect & Refine, and Jessica, founder of The Wellness and Behavior Collective, share their personal and professional journeys in creating holistic, accessible approaches to wellness that empower practitioners to care for themselves, their coworkers, and their employees.Whether you're a BCBA, teacher, healthcare worker, or anyone in a demanding role, this episode is packed with insights on how trauma-informed care, mindfulness, and self-compassion can transform your life and work. Listen in for a raw, relatable, and inspiring conversation about beating burnout and putting yourself back on your priority list—you matter too. Behavior Concepts Covered:Motivating OperationsMagnitudeIndependent Group Contingency Respondent ConditioningACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)PunishmentReinforcementWant to learn more about our guests?You can find Robyn at https://reflectandrefine.net or on Instagram @reflectandrefine_You can find Jessica at https://www.wellnessbehaviorcoach.com or on Instagram @thewelljessjourneySupport us at patreon.com/behaviorbitchespodcastInsta: @behaviorbitchespodcastFacebook: Behavior Bitches Podcast

In this episode of 3 Pie Squared - ABA Business Leaders, we sit down with Jennifer Heidt, Director of Training at Above and Beyond Therapy. Jennifer shares her insights on fostering leadership, promoting transparency, and building collaboration within ABA organizations. We discuss challenges faced by RBTs and BCBAs, strategies for empowering staff, and the importance of creating supportive workplace cultures. Jennifer's extensive experience in clinical practice and leadership roles has equipped her with a deep understanding of mentorship, training, and the value of connection and empathy in ABA. Connect with Jennifer Heidt: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-heidt-8746b938 Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by MarginKeepers. Concentrate on the science, leave the accounting to us! We have in-depth knowledge of the Applied Behavior Analysis field. Affiliate link: https://3piesquared.com/business-affiliate/MarginKeepers

Though many of us likely think of ourselves as talendted clinicians, do we honestly consider our work with others to be considered art? Well, Richard Foxx did and so, apparently, do a lot of behavior analysts who think its high time we operationalize and train folks in the field on some of the skills that make creating a therapeutic alliance seem so effortless (at least, for some of us!). Thanks to our fabulous patrons, we're digging into the topic of behavioral artistry. Are there really skills that separate the artist BCBAs from the jobbers? And if so, how does one become an artiste de behavior analysis? This episode is available for 1.0 LEARNING CEU. Patrons, don't forget to get your code for a free CE for listening to this episode. Articles discussed this episode: Foxx, R.M. (1985). The Jack Tizzard Memorial lecture: Decreasing behaviours: Clinical, ethical, and environmental issues. Australia and New Zealand Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 10, 189-199. doi: 10.3109/13668258508998639 Callahan, K., Foxx, R.M., Swierczynski, A., Aerts, X., Mehta, S., McComb, M., Nicols, S.M., Segal, G., Donald, A., & Sharma, R. (2019). Behavioral artistry: Examining the relationship between the interpersonal skills and effective practice repertoires of applied behavior analysis practitioners. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49, 3557-3570. doi: 10.1007/s10803-019-04082-1 Bukszpan, A.R., Anderson, A., Moon, E., Kaplan, A., & Leaf, J.B. (2024). Training behavior technicians to become behavior artists through the teaching interaction procedure. Behavioral Interventions, 38, 1-17. doi: 10.1002/bin.1963 Lugo, A.M., King, M.L, Lamphere, J.C., & McArdle, P.E. (2017). Developing procedures to improve therapist-child rapport in early-intervention. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 10, 395-401. doi: 10.1007/s40617-016-0165-5 Anonymous. Confessions of a Previous ABA Technician - Part 2: The Problem with Pairing. Therapist Neurodiversity Collective. https://therapistndc.org/the-problems-with-pairing/ If you're interested in ordering CEs for listening to this episode, click here to go to the store page. You'll need to enter your name, BCBA #, and the two episode secret code words to complete the purchase. Email us at abainsidetrack@gmail.com for further assistance.

It sure does seem like no matter how much we learn about ethics, there are always new ethical problems cropping up with complex solutions. At times like these, it's great to have resources to fall back on and, with the help of Shayna Gaunt and Shira Karpel from How to ABA, there aren't many conundrums that can get past us. This week, we discuss ethical systems, the best BCBAs, and possible solutions to real-life ethical problems from listeners. Because it's always good to have ethics friends! This episode is available for 1.0 ETHICS CEU. Articles discussed this episode: Britton, L.N., Crye, A.A., & Haymes, L.K. (2021). Cultivating the ethical repertoires of behavior analysts: Prevention of common violations. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 14, 534-548. doi: 10.1007/s40617-020-00540-w Glodowski, K.R., Hockenberry, N.L., Anthony, D., & Hinckley, C. (2024). Disseminating ethical applied behavior analysis within a human-service organization: A tutorial. Behavior Analysis in Practice. doi: 10.1007/s40617-024-00966-6 Zayac, R.M., Van Stratton, J.E., Ratkos, T., Williams, M., Geiger, A., & Paulk, Amber. (2021). A preliminary assessment of the qualities and behaviors of exemplary practitioners: Perspectives from U.S.-based behavior analysts. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 14, 342-351. doi: 10.1007/s40617-020-00522-y If you're interested in ordering CEs for listening to this episode, click here to go to the store page. You'll need to enter your name, BCBA #, and the two episode secret code words to complete the purchase. Email us at abainsidetrack@gmail.com for further assistance.