Podcasts about operant

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Cold OpenCBT…? Never worked for autistic me.So, look, we KNOW masking doesn't work. Or FEAR. Or PAIN. We're dying from them already.That's all the words we need.[Music]IntroYou're listening to AutisticAF Out Loud. One voice. Raw. Real. Fiercely Neurodivergent. Since 1953.Season 5, Episode 6. “Doc? You Got Us All Wrong, Pt 2: CBT…? Never Worked for Autistic Me.”Abelist agendas. Bad research subjects. Bad data. Bad therapy.There's the whole story.An experimental multi-part series… around 10 minutes each. Cuz some autistic listeners tell me they like to binge in small bites. Others say they listen in the car… so you can also download the complete series as one file.Just one autistic elder's truth. I'm Johnny Profane.Content Note: trauma discussion, medical system critique, institutional discrimination, psychiatric hospitalizations, systemic oppression + experiences & opinions of one autistic voice... in my 70s.[Music]I've been struggling with an article on CBT & Autism for years.Sigh. Spoons. A lot of reading. A lot of thinking…To come to my opinion… my thesis…that any therapy based on purely cognitive techniques… even if pros throw on some Behavioral rubber-band-snapping special sauce on the side…?It's inherently ableist… attacking the very way our autistic brains are wired. Demanding abilities many neurodivergents just weren't born with.Here's a snapshot. A quick personal story from when autistic-as-fuck me turned for help…“I'm sorry… What did you just say?”“I said…” He looked nervous. “I said… I always recommend aversive therapy for my autistic kids. My clients.”Me. In a dead-cold voice. “Snapping a rubber band.”“Y-e-s-s.” He seemed torn. Was I gonna get positive reinforcement… Or that weird, hostile, defensiveness professionals get. When you ask questions.Into that hesitant silence, I say, “Snap it hard. Hard as they can. Against their wrist.”“Yes. The sting is important.” Now, he's eager to share. “When they repeat the aversive stimulus, they…”Again I interrupt with my ashen, Clint-Eastwood voice. “During a meltdown.”“Well… actually… just before.” He's beaming, proud. “They learn to snap the band at the earliest hint they'll lose control. It's operant conditioning.”A kid having a meltdown on Aisle 3. Likely overwhelmed by sensory overload.Let's just add a little sharp pain… and see what happens…As if by giving it some science-y name… it's not self-inflicted torture.Brief CBT BackgroundCognitive Behavioral Therapy emerged in the 60s. A kind of forced marriage. Between Beck's cognitive therapy… focused on internal thoughts. And Skinner's behavioral therapy… focused on observable behavior. Both developed studying neurotypical minds.Change your thoughts, change your feelings, change your behavior… change your life. Simple, right?Unless your brain doesn't work that way…Sometimes…? Research… Ain't.How could COGNITIVE Behavioral Therapy not be inappropriate for autistics?Research Problem #1. It's based on studying neurotypical populations. But we autistics think differently by definition.Problem #2? For the foundational studies, CBT researchers used white, university student subjects… for the most part. They're easy and cheap to find. But maybe 3% are autistic? Maybe? ALL with decent IQs and functioning student skills… even the few autistic subjects?And Problem #3 is a doozy. Many autistics survive by people-pleasing. Kids and grownups. We're likely to mask our true experiences to appear "better"... or please therapists. Plus we may have trouble perceiving and communicating our own experience. Self-reported data might not reflect our reality.,Then there's one that's rarely discussed. Problem #4… the "waitlist relief effect." Most neurodivergent folks endure months or years waiting for therapy, suffering intensely. When we finally get accepted into therapy? There's overwhelming relief… elevating our mood and behavior. Which distorts everything a therapist will hear.We may dial up our masking. Cuz we're scared shitless we'll lose this lifeline.Meanwhile, researchers publish, buff their nails…. and attribute any self-reported improvement as proof their technique works.The Cognitive Part…? A Stopper.Substitute "executive functioning" for "cognitive." As in the thing they say is largely missing from my autistic forebrain.The entire technique? One cognitive process after another.. First you must notice. Then you must reflect.Then decide.Then review.Then judge context.Then review…Finally… Act.Then regret.Let that sink in. All of cognitive therapy is about monitoring individual thoughts for "cognitive errors." Then replacing them with correct ones.Hundreds of decisions, distinctions, social cue processings. Executive functioning. A process that NEVER became automatic for me. As clinician after clinician cheerfully reassured me it would.Many autistic individuals have memory differences. Working memory differences that make it nearly impossible to hold the kind of information cognitive work requires. Much less manipulate it on the fly…Now… About Behavior.Now, the "Behavioral" part of CBT? The Skinnerian special sauce?Rewards… and punishments… for the action you choose. Hoping you'll build automatic, correct responses.Basically rat training. If you shock me enough times. Sure. I won't go through that door. AND I will struggle mightily to only have an internal stroke... rather than an external meltdown.But the researcher... or teacher... gets to check the box, "Cured." Cuz we're no longer a nuisance to them. And we continue to quietly die. Invisibly. Politely...Inside.That kind of aversion... to fear or pain? True for every living thing at an evolutionary level above a paramecium.Like rats. Or kids. Cuz... FEAR works. PAIN works. Just not the way they think.These Practical Implementation Failures…Should sound pretty familiar. To autistic folks. Keenly aware of the nightmare effort Autistic Masking demands around Straight Society.So, look, we know masking doesn't work. Or fear. Or PAIN. We're dying from them already.That's all the words we need.Add to this our difficulty forming new habits, maintaining routines, and processing cognitive information differently. Under stress… which therapy itself can induce… we often revert to previous behaviors. Any “improvements” from “techniques”? Not bloody likely they're ingrained as permanent muscle memory.Requiring frequent refresher sessions to maintain the illusion of change… and progress.As one commenter wrote: "To me, CBT has always felt inherently surface-level. It's like closing a few tabs on your browser as opposed to doing a factory reset."Biggest problem of all? Neurodivergent Diversity.Autistic, ADHD, AuDHD, dyslexic, dyspraxic… all different cognitive profiles.Sure, we're all different from the typical population. But an autistic who also experiences ADHD thinks and acts differently than a dyslexic one. At least to my trained observation. I was a mental health social worker for 10 years…Despite these complexities… Maybe because it is complex… It seems to me that CBT treats us all as if we're standard-model humans. With a few bugs to fix.We require GENERATIONAL studies of representative populations to sort this spaghetti pile out. Before we should be recommending these techniques.On living humans. Adults. And especially kids.ABA and Its Relatives: An Even Deeper Hole.Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) deserves special mention. It's the behavioral therapy most parents hear about in grammar schools.What most don't know? ABA shares roots with debunked, torturous gay Conversion Therapy. Outlawed in many states. Both were developed by O. Ivar Lovaas in the 60s.Both aim to eliminate "undesirable" behaviors. Using “aversive” techniques. From snapping rubber bands in the nice clinics. To cattle prods in the not-so-nice facilities.Punishing and suppressing behaviors that are natural to our nervous systems. Behaviors that protect us from a society not built for us.ABA may have volumes of "data." But it's all shaped by behaviors researchers and parents want, not what autistic children or adults need. The outcomes measured? Eye contact. Sitting still. Verbal responses. Not internal autistic wellbeing.It's important to understand one simple point. Data is not science.How you frame your research or experiment How you gather your data How you choose how many subjects and whom When you choose to gather data How you interpret your data How you present your dataAll impact its validity and value. ABA and all its camouflaged cousins fall down on this core scientific truth.Bottom line? When former ABA children grow up, many report trauma. PTSD. Anxiety. Depression. Self-harm.ConclusionFuck #ABA. Fuck #CBT.Everybody in the therapeutic-industrial complex from clinic receptionist to billionaire pharmaceutical CEO makes money. From your kid's pain. Caused by treatments that don't address neurodivergent needs. As far as I… and better-known neurodiversity-affirming authorities… can tell.Strong words? Yes. Because minds… and lives… are at stake.We need therapies that work WITH our neurology, not against it. That build on our strengths instead of calling us coolly, professionally, pathologizing names.In Part 3, we'll really bring this all home. How labeling our intrinsic differences as disease is about as anti-therapeutic as you can get.We'll explore "PDA… Not Every Difference Is a Disease." And really raise a ruckus.OutroFor your deeper diving pleasure, the transcript contains references and footnotes for most points I raise. From a variety of views.Hey, don't forget, you can download Part 1, “Autistic Resilience.” Or download both parts as one file.More coming in this series exploring how neurodivergent folks can build sustainable, authentic lives… with or without professional intervention. With 2 more parts coming…AutisticAF Out Loud podcast is supported solely by listeners like you. If you have a friend or family member touched by neurodiversity? Why not turn them on to us with a quick email?By the way, we believe no one should have to pay to be autistic. Many neurodivergent people can't afford subscription content.Your Ko-Fi tip of any amount helps keep this resource free for them. Or join our paid subscriber community at johnnyprofaneknapp.substack.com for ongoing support. I put both links in description.References & Further Reading1: Ableist: Discriminating against people with disabilities by assuming everyone's mind and body work the same way. Like designing a world only for the "standard model human" and then blaming us when we can't navigate it.2: Operant conditioning: A learning process in which behavior is shaped by rewards or punishments.3: Beck, A. T. (1979). Cognitive therapy and the emotional disorders. Penguin.4: Bottema-Beutel, K., & Crowley, S. (2021). Pervasive Undisclosed Conflicts of Interest in Applied Behavior Analysis Autism Literature. Frontiers in Psychology, 12.5: Cage, E., Di Monaco, J., & Newell, V. (2018). Experiences of Autism Acceptance and Mental Health in Autistic Adults. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 48(2), 473-484.6: Masking: The act of concealing one's autistic traits to fit in or avoid negative attention.7: Meta-analyses show that waitlist control groups often overestimate the effect sizes of psychotherapies for depression and anxiety, and that changes occurring during waitlist periods are typically small, making waitlist-controlled trials a less strict test of effectiveness.Cuijpers, P., Karyotaki, E., Reijnders, M., Purgato, M., de Wit, L., Ebert, D. D., ... & Furukawa, T. A. (2024). Overestimation of the effect sizes of psychotherapies for depression in waitlist-controlled trials: a meta-analytic comparison with usual care controlled trials. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 33, e10.8: Patterson, B., Boyle, M. H., Kivlenieks, M., & Van Ameringen, M. (2016). The use of waitlists as control conditions in anxiety disorders research. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 41, 56-64.9: Boucher, J., Mayes, A., & Bigham, S. (2012). Memory in autistic spectrum disorder. Psychological Bulletin, 138(3), 458-496.10: Happé, F., & Frith, U. (2006). The weak coherence account: detail-focused cognitive style in autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 36(1), 5-25.11: Rekers, G. A., & Lovaas, O. I. (1974). Behavioral treatment of deviant sex-role behaviors in a male child. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 7(2), 173–190.See also: El Dewar (2024), "ABA: The Neuro-Normative Conversion Therapy," NDConnection; and the Lovaas Institute's 2024 statement regarding conversion therapy.12: Sandoval-Norton, A. H., & Shkedy, G. (2019). How much compliance is too much compliance: Is long-term ABA therapy abuse? Cogent Psychology, 6(1).13: McGill, O., & Robinson, A. (2020). "Recalling hidden harms": Autistic experiences of childhood Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). Advances in Autism, ahead-of-print.14: Xie, Y., Zhang, Y., Li, Y., et al. (2021). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review. Pediatrics, 147(5), e2020049880.81015: Weston, L., Hodgekins, J., & Langdon, P. E. (2016). Effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy with people who have autistic spectrum disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 49, 41-54.16: Miguel, C., Harrer, M., Cuijpers, P., et al. (2025). Self-reports vs clinician ratings of efficacies of psychotherapies for depression: a meta-analysis. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 34, e9.Note: Links are provided for reference only. Views expressed may differ from my own experiences and observations. Sources affiliated with Autism Speaks are controversial in the neurodiversity community. Their research may be included for completeness. But perhaps be cautious.Binge on the most authentic autistic voice in podcasting.7 decades of raw truth, real insights, zero yadayada.#AutisticAF Out Loud Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. Click below to receive new posts… free. Tosupport my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnnyprofaneknapp.substack.com/subscribe

Cold OpenYou wanna pathologize me? Knock yerself out. Faithfully counting every leaf marked "deficit"…But missing the whole damn forest we know locally as "Survival."[Doc? You Got Us All Wrong, Pt 1: Autistic Resilience]IntroYou're listening to AutisticAF Out Loud. One voice. Raw. Real. Fiercely Neurodivergent. Since 1953.Season 5, Episode 5. “Doc? You Got Us All Wrong, Pt 1: Autistic Resilience.”Deficits… or strengths? Survival… or thriving? Pathology… or inborn, natural autistic behavior? We turn the diagnostic telescope around. Let's focus on the forest of resilience behind every leaf labeled "deficit."An experimental multi-part series… all around 10 minutes. Because some neurodivergent listeners like to binge in small bites. Or you can download Part 1 and Part 2 at once… for listeners who crave the whole enchilada in one sitting.Just one autistic elder's truth. I'm Johnny Profane.Content Note: trauma discussion, medical system critique, institutional discrimination, psychiatric hospitalizations, systemic oppression + experiences & opinions of one autistic voice... in my 70s.[Music]What I tell any therapist… any caregiver… first session:I have survived physical and sexual abuse from family and schoolmates.Bullying by teachers and fellow students… 2nd grade through high school.Multiple professional crashes… in multiple careers.At least a dozen firings.2 evictions.1 bankruptcy.Dozens of major household moves.Few friends, and…2 divorces, 3 "living togethers," and a couple of "serious" relationships that, well…, weren't?Ain't this resilience?Resilience. Ya know, that cap-and-gown term pros use for getting knocked down seven times. Stubbornly getting up… eight...I'm still alive. Still creating. Still getting published. Still speaking to thousands of autistics a year.Never attempted suicide... despite three hospitalizations.AND I'm still autistic. Cuz there ain't no cure for something that ain't wrong. Unless you base your "medical model" on some statistical "normal"… which is just a made up story. Cuz not one living person is summed up by a Bell curve normal… not even within a standard deviation.Yes, yes… yes. Some professionals are evolving. Pros who listen more than lecture. But face it. In the grand scheme of things… they're rare.Let's get clear right now, right here. It's not being autistic that creates our trauma. It's living autistic in a society that inflicts trauma on us. Refusing to accept, adapt… support… us.Why do "helping" pros focus on my deficits, my lacks, my pitiful performance of “Activities of Daily Living”…? Like, did I shower today…? No.Rather than the sheer strength of will I demonstrate every time I take my next breath?Why do they offer to fix me,inform me,guide me, andcharge me for sessions,mentoring,workshops,best-selling books,SYSTEMS they've just invented…based on… at best… incomplete research?[Music]You know social media… if you like and share this podcast, a lot more people will check it out. You can do a lot of good with just one click.You wanna pathologize me? Knock yerself out.Turn my every inborn neurodivergent characteristic into a disease. You do have powerful diagnostic tools…But you're looking through that diagnostic telescope backwards. Faithfully counting every leaf marked "deficit"… But missing the whole damn forest that we know locally as "Survival."Like my "failure to maintain eye contact.” A “social deficit.” Right... completely missing how that survival skill lets me process your words… without painful sensory overload. My form of my respect… for you.Go ahead and use professionally, objectively disempowering terms, like "comorbidity"... betraying your bias that my very way of Being is… in your eyes… a disease. And then riff on, elaborate away: "pathological demand avoidance," "obsessive-compulsive disorder," "borderline personality disorder,"And on and on… and on.Truth? Every diagnosis? Just another survival mechanism. Not symptoms of autism. Responses to how society treats autism.Behaviors that kept me alive… in your world. While you obsess over what's "wrong" with me…Or… we could build on my autistic strengths.Look, none of us have all of these. And superpowers don't exist. Some have strengths not listed. But if you aren't looking for them? Likely, you're mis-treating us.* Resilience: Just surviving multiple, severe stressors is a biggie. Every autistic adult you meet has adapted to extreme challenges. Most of us… traumatized. Yet we endure. We integrate. We keep going.* Deep Feeling: Pros call ‘em "mood swings." We call it feeling everything… deeply. Depth that drives our creativity… in science, art, writing, becoming lunatic billionaires… or the cool neighbor next door.. It's not a flaw. It's fuel.* Survival Skills: My life, my continued existence… is my proof. Just as any autistic adult's life is. We've survived devastating life events. With inner strength and coping strategies.These aren't skills most professionals understand… not even some neurodivergent practitioners. Because these skills are linked to how our individual autistic minds work. Which is… in fact… different. Not just from most humans. From each other, too.* Creative Persistence: Every autistic person knows this pull. Our passionate focus on our interests. Grabbing us deeper than hunger. We don't just see details… no matter what TV tells you. We work on wide canvases. We create. We build. We solve. That's strength.* Living with Extremes: My knee surgeon was shocked. "You walked two miles a day on a torn meniscus?" Yes, but… a light touch on my face can trigger panic. That's not contradiction. That's how we survive. We may get sensory warnings earlier than most… Yet we handle what breaks others. Daily.* Hidden Adaptability: Look at my life changes—jobs, homes, relationships. Society labels us as "rigid." Truth is, we adapt constantly. We got no choice. Yet we persevere. We keep doing. That's not weakness. That's strength.* Processing Power: We take in everything. Process it deeply. Yet live through emotional and sensory experiences that would derail most people. We keep going. Keep growing. That's not dysfunction. That's determination. Coming directly from… not despite… our neurodivergent cognition.* Spectrum of Strength: Maybe resilience is a spectrum, too. And some of us autistics crank it up past 11. Not weakness from disability. Strength from difference. Turning autistic stereotypes upside down. Yet again.[Music]Just a quickie… this is Part 1 of “Doc? You Got Autism All Wrong?” Why not binge the next part? Or download the long-form version with both parts? Link in transcript.Challenging Normal-izing ModelsMy story? Just one among thousands. Millions.I've worked as a magazine publisher. Functioned as an academic grad student… multiple times. And been homeless… multiple times. I've been privileged to hear many, many similar stories over the decades. At all levels of society, education, age.These stories all share one truth: Autistic traits are not inherently deficits. They can be hidden sources of strength and resilience. In the right environment. In the right community.Take one example: Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). What pros like to label our natural, neurodivergent response to external demands like deadlines. I meet the diagnostic criteria. Always have. But in my opinion, they bulldoze right over my inborn need for autonomy. Leading too often to trauma. PDA… seems to me… a dehumanizing slur. For the nature I was born with.Yet many neurodivergents find comfort and support diagnosed as PDA. In the acknowledgment of our differences the diagnosis does offer. I don't wish to negate their experience. And I'm not arguing neurodivergents do NOT have needs for autonomy. Or that we don't suffer due to these differences. At the hands of Straight Culture.My point: Sensory and social differences are NOT pathologies.It's like dogs noticing that cats are more hyper than canines...So to "help" ‘em, pro dogs decide to forcibly train or torture every cat. To steamroll them into converting to “Dog Normal.”We are human… autistic humans.We need what all humans need: To build on our strengths. To find our nurturing environments. To choose our supportive communities.We just accomplish these things... differently.Look, I'm fighting the whole Normative Narrative. Which demands any difference MUST be "cured." Or at least fixed.And I'm not keen on neurodivergent-based attempts to bandaid the problem. By simply defining a new normal for autistics and other neurodivergents. Just another standard we may fail to live up to.Frankly, I'm calling for a strengths-based, non-normative psychology for all neurodivergents. A theme I develop in this series and future podcasts. How we might replace CBT and similar treatments with more neurodivergent-centered alternatives.So where do we start this revolution?Doc, Stop. Look again…At the big picture this time. See those brilliant sparks of unusual strength? Far more powerful than your "deficits."Reality check: Up to now, you've just been documenting how modern consumer culture fails our neurology. In the office. In our schools. In shopping at freaking Walmart for fuck's sake.Anywhere we're forced to process too much sensory input. Or pretend to read invisible social cues. Pretend we're you… without rest or accommodation.Let's explore a new direction. Simply put?Doc… stop looking through your telescope backwards. Look at us. Right in front of your eyes._____References & Further ReadingNeither exhaustive nor comprehensive. Articles that made me think.* The high prevalence of trauma and adverse experiences among autistic individuals* PTSD and Autism* Trauma and Autism: Research and Resources* How to build resiliency in autistic individuals: an implication to advance mental health* Association Between Autism and PTSD Among Adult Psychiatric Outpatients* The relationship between autism and resilience* Building Resilience – An Important Life Skill* Understanding Resilience in Neurodivergent Adults* Autistic Resilience: Overcoming Adversity Through Self-Care and Strengths* The criticism of deficit-based models of autism* Moving Beyond Deficit-Based Models of Autism* Strengths-First Assessment in Autism* The reality of autistic strengths and capabilities* 6 Strengths (not Weaknesses) of Individuals with Autism* Autism as a Strength* Neurodiversity as a Competitive AdvantageNote: Links are provided for reference only. Views expressed may differ from my own experiences and observations. Sources affiliated with Autism Speaks are controversial in the neurodiversity community. Their research may be included for completeness. But perhaps be cautious.Doc, You Got Us All Wrong, Pt 2: CBT...? Never Worked for Autistic MeCold OpenCBT…? Never worked for autistic me.So, look, we KNOW masking doesn't work. Or FEAR. Or PAIN. We're dying from them already.That's all the words we need.[Music]IntroYou're listening to AutisticAF Out Loud. One voice. Raw. Real. Fiercely Neurodivergent. Since 1953.Season 5, Episode 6. “Doc? You Got Us All Wrong, Pt 2: CBT…? Never Worked for Autistic Me.”Abelist agendas. Bad research subjects. Bad data. Bad therapy.There's the whole story.An experimental multi-part series… around 10 minutes each. Cuz some autistic listeners tell me they like to binge in small bites. Others say they listen in the car… so you can also download the complete series as one file.Just one autistic elder's truth. I'm Johnny Profane.Content Note: trauma discussion, medical system critique, institutional discrimination, psychiatric hospitalizations, systemic oppression + experiences & opinions of one autistic voice... in my 70s.[Music]I've been struggling with an article on CBT & Autism for years.Sigh. Spoons. A lot of reading. A lot of thinking…To come to my opinion… my thesis…that any therapy based on purely cognitive techniques… even if pros throw on some Behavioral rubber-band-snapping special sauce on the side…?It's inherently ableist… attacking the very way our autistic brains are wired. Demanding abilities many neurodivergents just weren't born with.Here's a snapshot. A quick personal story from when autistic-as-fuck me turned for help…“I'm sorry… What did you just say?”“I said…” He looked nervous. “I said… I always recommend aversive therapy for my autistic kids. My clients.”Me. In a dead-cold voice. “Snapping a rubber band.”“Y-e-s-s.” He seemed torn. Was I gonna get positive reinforcement… Or that weird, hostile, defensiveness professionals get. When you ask questions.Into that hesitant silence, I say, “Snap it hard. Hard as they can. Against their wrist.”“Yes. The sting is important.” Now, he's eager to share. “When they repeat the aversive stimulus, they…”Again I interrupt with my ashen, Clint-Eastwood voice. “During a meltdown.”“Well… actually… just before.” He's beaming, proud. “They learn to snap the band at the earliest hint they'll lose control. It's operant conditioning.”A kid having a meltdown on Aisle 3. Likely overwhelmed by sensory overload.Let's just add a little sharp pain… and see what happens…As if by giving it some science-y name… it's not self-inflicted torture.Brief CBT BackgroundCognitive Behavioral Therapy emerged in the 60s. A kind of forced marriage. Between Beck's cognitive therapy… focused on internal thoughts. And Skinner's behavioral therapy… focused on observable behavior. Both developed studying neurotypical minds.Change your thoughts, change your feelings, change your behavior… change your life. Simple, right?Unless your brain doesn't work that way…Sometimes…? Research… Ain't.How could COGNITIVE Behavioral Therapy not be inappropriate for autistics?Research Problem #1. It's based on studying neurotypical populations. But we autistics think differently by definition.Problem #2? For the foundational studies, CBT researchers used white, university student subjects… for the most part. They're easy and cheap to find. But maybe 3% are autistic? Maybe? ALL with decent IQs and functioning student skills… even the few autistic subjects?And Problem #3 is a doozy. Many autistics survive by people-pleasing. Kids and grownups. We're likely to mask our true experiences to appear "better"... or please therapists. Plus we may have trouble perceiving and communicating our own experience. Self-reported data might not reflect our reality.,Then there's one that's rarely discussed. Problem #4… the "waitlist relief effect." Most neurodivergent folks endure months or years waiting for therapy, suffering intensely. When we finally get accepted into therapy? There's overwhelming relief… elevating our mood and behavior. Which distorts everything a therapist will hear.We may dial up our masking. Cuz we're scared shitless we'll lose this lifeline.Meanwhile, researchers publish, buff their nails…. and attribute any self-reported improvement as proof their technique works.,The Cognitive Part…? A Stopper.Substitute "executive functioning" for "cognitive." As in the thing they say is largely missing from my autistic forebrain.The entire technique? One cognitive process after another.. First you must notice. Then you must reflect.Then decide.Then review.Then judge context.Then review…Finally… Act.Then regret.Let that sink in. All of cognitive therapy is about monitoring individual thoughts for "cognitive errors." Then replacing them with correct ones.Hundreds of decisions, distinctions, social cue processings. Executive functioning. A process that NEVER became automatic for me. As clinician after clinician cheerfully reassured me it would.Many autistic individuals have memory differences. Working memory differences that make it nearly impossible to hold the kind of information cognitive work requires. Much less manipulate it on the fly…Now… About Behavior.Now, the "Behavioral" part of CBT? The Skinnerian special sauce?Rewards… and punishments… for the action you choose. Hoping you'll build automatic, correct responses.Basically rat training. If you shock me enough times. Sure. I won't go through that door. AND I will struggle mightily to only have an internal stroke... rather than an external meltdown.But the researcher... or teacher... gets to check the box, "Cured." Cuz we're no longer a nuisance to them. And we continue to quietly die. Invisibly. Politely...Inside.That kind of aversion... to fear or pain? True for every living thing at an evolutionary level above a paramecium.Like rats. Or kids. Cuz... FEAR works. PAIN works. Just not the way they think.These Practical Implementation Failures…Should sound pretty familiar. To autistic folks. Keenly aware of the nightmare effort Autistic Masking demands around Straight Society.So, look, we know masking doesn't work. Or fear. Or PAIN. We're dying from them already.That's all the words we need.Add to this our difficulty forming new habits, maintaining routines, and processing cognitive information differently. Under stress… which therapy itself can induce… we often revert to previous behaviors. Any “improvements” from “techniques”? Not bloody likely they're ingrained as permanent muscle memory.Requiring frequent refresher sessions to maintain the illusion of change… and progress.As one commenter wrote: "To me, CBT has always felt inherently surface-level. It's like closing a few tabs on your browser as opposed to doing a factory reset."Biggest problem of all? Neurodivergent Diversity.Autistic, ADHD, AuDHD, dyslexic, dyspraxic… all different cognitive profiles.Sure, we're all different from the typical population. But an autistic who also experiences ADHD thinks and acts differently than a dyslexic one. At least to my trained observation. I was a mental health social worker for 10 years…Despite these complexities… Maybe because it is complex… It seems to me that CBT treats us all as if we're standard-model humans. With a few bugs to fix.We require GENERATIONAL studies of representative populations to sort this spaghetti pile out. Before we should be recommending these techniques.On living humans. Adults. And especially kids.ABA and Its Relatives: An Even Deeper Hole.Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) deserves special mention. It's the behavioral therapy most parents hear about in grammar schools.What most don't know? ABA shares roots with debunked, torturous gay Conversion Therapy. Outlawed in many states. Both were developed by O. Ivar Lovaas in the 60s.Both aim to eliminate "undesirable" behaviors. Using “aversive” techniques. From snapping rubber bands in the nice clinics. To cattle prods in the not-so-nice facilities.Punishing and suppressing behaviors that are natural to our nervous systems. Behaviors that protect us from a society not built for us.ABA may have volumes of "data." But it's all shaped by behaviors researchers and parents want, not what autistic children or adults need. The outcomes measured? Eye contact. Sitting still. Verbal responses. Not internal autistic wellbeing.It's important to understand one simple point. Data is not science.How you frame your research or experiment How you gather your data How you choose how many subjects and whom When you choose to gather data How you interpret your data How you present your dataAll impact its validity and value. ABA and all its camouflaged cousins fall down on this core scientific truth.Bottom line? When former ABA children grow up, many report trauma. PTSD. Anxiety. Depression. Self-harm.ConclusionFuck #ABA. Fuck #CBT.Everybody in the therapeutic-industrial complex from clinic receptionist to billionaire pharmaceutical CEO makes money. From your kid's pain. Caused by treatments that don't address neurodivergent needs. As far as I… and better-known neurodiversity-affirming authorities… can tell.Strong words? Yes. Because minds… and lives… are at stake.We need therapies that work WITH our neurology, not against it. That build on our strengths instead of calling us coolly, professionally, pathologizing names.In Part 3, we'll really bring this all home. How labeling our intrinsic differences as disease is about as anti-therapeutic as you can get.We'll explore "PDA… Not Every Difference Is a Disease." And really raise a ruckus.OutroFor your deeper diving pleasure, the transcript contains references and footnotes for most points I raise. From a variety of views.Hey, don't forget, you can download Part 1, “Autistic Resilience.” Or download both parts as one file.More coming in this series exploring how neurodivergent folks can build sustainable, authentic lives… with or without professional intervention. With 2 more parts coming…AutisticAF Out Loud podcast is supported solely by listeners like you. If you have a friend or family member touched by neurodiversity? Why not turn them on to us with a quick email?By the way, we believe no one should have to pay to be autistic. Many neurodivergent people can't afford subscription content.Your Ko-Fi tip of any amount helps keep this resource free for them. Or join our paid subscriber community at johnnyprofaneknapp.substack.com for ongoing support. I put both links in description.References & Further Reading1: Ableist: Discriminating against people with disabilities by assuming everyone's mind and body work the same way. Like designing a world only for the "standard model human" and then blaming us when we can't navigate it.2: Operant conditioning: A learning process in which behavior is shaped by rewards or punishments.3: Beck, A. T. (1979). Cognitive therapy and the emotional disorders. Penguin.4: Bottema-Beutel, K., & Crowley, S. (2021). Pervasive Undisclosed Conflicts of Interest in Applied Behavior Analysis Autism Literature. Frontiers in Psychology, 12.5: Cage, E., Di Monaco, J., & Newell, V. (2018). Experiences of Autism Acceptance and Mental Health in Autistic Adults. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 48(2), 473-484.6: Masking: The act of concealing one's autistic traits to fit in or avoid negative attention.7: Meta-analyses show that waitlist control groups often overestimate the effect sizes of psychotherapies for depression and anxiety, and that changes occurring during waitlist periods are typically small, making waitlist-controlled trials a less strict test of effectiveness.Cuijpers, P., Karyotaki, E., Reijnders, M., Purgato, M., de Wit, L., Ebert, D. D., ... & Furukawa, T. A. (2024). Overestimation of the effect sizes of psychotherapies for depression in waitlist-controlled trials: a meta-analytic comparison with usual care controlled trials. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 33, e10.8: Patterson, B., Boyle, M. H., Kivlenieks, M., & Van Ameringen, M. (2016). The use of waitlists as control conditions in anxiety disorders research. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 41, 56-64.9: Boucher, J., Mayes, A., & Bigham, S. (2012). Memory in autistic spectrum disorder. Psychological Bulletin, 138(3), 458-496.10: Happé, F., & Frith, U. (2006). The weak coherence account: detail-focused cognitive style in autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 36(1), 5-25.11: Rekers, G. A., & Lovaas, O. I. (1974). Behavioral treatment of deviant sex-role behaviors in a male child. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 7(2), 173–190.See also: El Dewar (2024), "ABA: The Neuro-Normative Conversion Therapy," NDConnection; and the Lovaas Institute's 2024 statement regarding conversion therapy.12: Sandoval-Norton, A. H., & Shkedy, G. (2019). How much compliance is too much compliance: Is long-term ABA therapy abuse? Cogent Psychology, 6(1).13: McGill, O., & Robinson, A. (2020). "Recalling hidden harms": Autistic experiences of childhood Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). Advances in Autism, ahead-of-print.14: Xie, Y., Zhang, Y., Li, Y., et al. (2021). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review. Pediatrics, 147(5), e2020049880.81015: Weston, L., Hodgekins, J., & Langdon, P. E. (2016). Effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy with people who have autistic spectrum disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 49, 41-54.16: Miguel, C., Harrer, M., Cuijpers, P., et al. (2025). Self-reports vs clinician ratings of efficacies of psychotherapies for depression: a meta-analysis. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 34, e9.Note: Links are provided for reference only. Views expressed may differ from my own experiences and observations. Sources affiliated with Autism Speaks are controversial in the neurodiversity community. Their research may be included for completeness. But perhaps be cautious.#AutisticAF Out Loud Newsletter is a reader-supported publication. Click below to receive new posts… free. To support my work, consider becoming a paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnnyprofaneknapp.substack.com/subscribe

In this Episode: Dr. Jeremy Lucabaugh, Tom Bradshaw, Dr. Deborah Peck, Lee Crowson, Dr. Emi Barresi, Nic Krueger, LindaAnn Rogers, Alexander Abney-King   I/O Job Hunt Course: https://www.seboc.com/job Visit us https://www.seboc.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/sebocLI Join an open-mic event: https://www.seboc.com/events   References: Hamner, C., Luthans, F., & Krietner, R. (2015). Operant behavior and organizational behavior modification. In Organizational Behavior (pp. 114-133). Routledge.   Stajkovic, A. D., & Luthans, F. (1997). A meta-analysis of the effects of organizational behavior modification on task performance, 1975–95. Academy of Management Journal, 40(5), 1122-1149.

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Two of the three co-founders of Operant AI — CTO Dr. Priyanka Tembey and CMO Ashley Roof — joined me to talk about building the first runtime application protection platform and navigating the challenges of cloud-native security. The company announced a $10M Series A in September 2024 — In October, we discussed taking the leap into entrepreneurship, the lessons they learned through customer discovery and education, making early hires count, and the importance of early-stage team dynamics. RUNTIME: 48:14 EPISODE BREAKDOWN (2:28) “ I think it was within six months that we were able to have our first customer conversation.” (3:46) What can customers do with a runtime application protection platform? (9:38) “ What is interesting about our team is we don't come from prior security vendor companies.” (12:59) Ashley explains how her first “real job” at Google eventually led her to Operant AI. (15:51) “ I had many years of imposter syndrome to get over.” (17:57) Why working with design partner teams is key, particularly for stealth startups. (20:43) Priyanka discusses the company's early customer education efforts. (24:23) Ashley on why previous runtime application protection products hit “the trough of despair pretty fast.” (28:26) Turning design partners into paying customers was part of their seed-to-Series A transition. (31:04) Priyanka explains how Operant AI runs proof-of-concept programs for customers. (34:28) Why they decided to start up in stealth. (36:29) “ I honestly don't know how any consumer company could possibly start in stealth.” (38:35) “ We have the technical leadership in place now… to scale the product further.” (41:02) Inside their recruiting strategy and process. (44:35) What's changed since closing the Series A? LINKS Operant AI Dr. Priyanka Tembey co-founder, CTO Ashley Roof, co-founder, CMO Operant AI Secures $10M Series A to Protect the Modern Cloud Across APIs, Applications and AI SOC 2 compliance SUBSCRIBE LinkedIn Substack Instagram Thanks for listening! – Walter.

What is your true identity? In this episode, I share an eye-opening Neville Goddard teaching (in his own voice!) explaining the difference between a slave and an "enlightened" being. Once you get this ... YOU'LL BE EMPOWERED! NEVILLE GODDARD ONLINE COURSE: Law of Assumption Mastery  PRIVATE 1:1 COACHING W/ JOSH: https://joshuatongol.com/coaching/ SUPPORT THIS PODCAST! https://www.patreon.com/JoshuaTongol  

Some tips on using the affirmation, “I am the operant power.”

What is the condition of your head and your heart? From the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks, and from the overflow of the focus our feet move. We are programmed creatures. Psychologist Alfred Adler posits that by the time a child is 5-years old a majority of their map of reality is in place. Programming in the psychological world can also be phrased as Conditioning. Conditioning is a fundamental learning process where certain experiences or stimuli make actions more, or less likely. There are 2 primary types of conditioning: Classical and Operant. Today on Like It Matters Radio Mr. Black wants to help listeners understand that as a Leader, our Number 1 ability is to move people. To maximize our motivational capabilities, we need to understand how most are conditioned. Tune into this hour of power as Mr. Black expands the possibilities of Leadership by having his listeners consider: What is the condition of your Head and your Heart? Inspiration, Education and Application- the Way of the Warrior!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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This episode Rick Hester, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and BehaviorWorks, discusses a free operant approach to behavior management. Rick starts with explaining the practical application of free operant behavior and, in order to get the full scope, also discusses discrete trial training and the relationship between the two. Breaking down some of the science, Rick educates about Lindsley's (1996) Four Free Operant Freedoms and the considerations for providing and maintaining a free operant environment (depletion, satiation, and dosage of resources). Rick finishes the episode with giving advice on how to start curating free operant environments by celebrating each approximation. Stay tuned in for a "dam" great "Training Tale" about creating a free operant environment for beavers using the sound of running water. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email abc@theabma.org and to contact Rick email rph@behaviorworks.org Let's talk some training and banter about behavior! 6:40 Definition and application of “Free Operant”  10:05 Definition and application of Discrete Trial Training (DTT) 14:10 Connecting the dots between environmental enrichment and free operant principles  16:55 The Freedom to Present Stimuli  17:20 The Freedom to Repeat Responses Many Times to Each Signal  17:50 The Freedom to Form Responses  18:20 The Freedom to Slow or Speed Responses  19:15 Considerations for providing and maintaining a free operant environment 20:40 Resource Depletion  23:20 Satiation of Resources  24:50 Dosage of Resources  28:00 Advice for Getting Team Buy-In; Using Approximations  35:35 The balance between free operant and discrete trial training  39:50 “Training Tales” 

Is there a time and a place to intentionally utilize one type of learning over another in dog training? Can you ever be operating in only one learning form? https://sarahstremming.com/products/ Sign up for courses and join the membership here: https://cogdogclassroom.mykajabi.com/ Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cogdogradio Music by AlexGrohl from Pixabay

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Today's guest is Drew Linsley, Co-Founder and CEO at Operant Biopharma. Operant Biopharma's AI-powered robotic microscope learns to design drugs by watching and controlling diseases over time.  Their platform autonomously designs biological experiments, discovering and optimizing disease treatments. The company focuses on high-need areas like neurodegenerative and kidney diseases, aiming to horizontally address multiple indications and out-license discoveries, blending AI and biology for innovative therapeutic development. Drew is also an Assistant Professor (Research) in Computational Neuroscience and AI at Brown University. He studies biological and artificial intelligence, and believes we need artificial vision to create intelligent machines capable of reasoning about the world. However, existing artificial vision systems struggle with many visual challenges that we routinely solve in our daily lives. He looks to biological vision to inspire new solutions to these challenges in artificial vision. In this episode, Drew talks about: Applying AI to analyze disease data and guide therapeutics autonomously, How Robotic microscopy tracks dynamic biology to aid disease treatment advancements, How AI optimizes drug discovery pipeline & manipulates cellular states for treatment, Applying AI to drive horizontal drug development for diverse indications, Their unique staffing needs within AI, biology and neuroscience

You may not know it, but you could actually be standing in your own way. There is a way to change that, too ✨ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/schellingtongrinpod/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/schellingtongrinpod/support

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Free Bonus: Download The Top 7 Mistakes of Manifestation (Free PDF Guide) » Join UNLOCK GOD MODE, an epic reality transformation course. « Resources:  » Unlock God Mode (4-Week Transformation)  » Reality Creation Tribe (2024 Doors Now Open!)  » Infinite Spirit Is Never Too Late (MP3 Meditation)  » Feeling is the Secret (Free eBook + Audiobook) » The Top 7 Mistakes of Manifestation (Free PDF Guide)» 1:1 Guidance Call * * * Unlock God Mode is a transformative 30-day course designed to accelerate your journey towards greater wealth, love, and success through a deeper understanding and manipulation of your reality.  Comprising of 30 audio lessons, this course unfolds as a self-paced, introspective expedition into reality creation, aiding you in elevating your consciousness to what's referred to as the God Mode. Throughout this journey, practical tools will be provided daily to help enrich your life with more love, money, and success by altering your mental models and perceptions. This course combines theory and hands-on experience to create a unique deep dive into manifestation, consciousness, and reality creation. Join me on an extraordinary, 30-day adventure (1 lesson per day) and watch your reality transform. Begin the Unlock God Mode experience today »***"Live as if it were true!" — Neville GoddardSubscribe to the NevilleDaily YouTube channelJoin the Neville tribe at nevilledaily.comResources:• Free newsletter• NevilleDaily Store• NevilleDaily YouTube• NevilleDaily DiscordProducts:• 101 Questions to Change Your Life: Daily Self-Concept Affirmations• Infinite Spirit Is Never Late – Subconscious Meditation• Neville Goddard: 15 Daily Affirmations to Live By• Feeling is the Secret ebook + audiobook• Out of the World ebook + audiobookConnect with James:• My newsletter about manifestation and spirituality• My podcast on manifestation, spirituality, and psychedelics• My YouTube channel where I talk about spirituality and intentionNeville Goddard resources:• Newsletter• YouTube• Twitter• Instagram  * * *UNLOCK GOD MODE » A 4-Week TransformationWe are about to begin 2024. What is your intention for the new year?Where would you like to see your life in 2024? Your bank account? Your relationships? Your self-concept?How do you really want to start this year?Are you ready to experience an incredible 4-week transformation in January 2024?Unlock God Mode is a 30-day course that is designed to transform your self-concept, your self-belief, your persistence, and your faith in the unseen.Are you ready to go on an incredible 4-week adventure of manifestation?» Use the code 'PODCAST' for a special limited time discount «

In Episode 137  Ben talks with Dr. Kat Monlux, a behavior analyst and Associate Professor at Oslo Metropolitan University whose primary areas of study include infants at risk of developmental disorders and behavior-analytic interventions for individuals with Fragile X Syndrome.  In this episode, Ben and Kat dive deep into her research in both areas.    Continuing Education Units (CEUs): https://cbiconsultants.com/shop BACB: 1.5 Learning  IBAO: 1.5 Learning QABA: 1.5 General Links: Loukia Tsami https://www.linkedin.com/in/loukia-tsami-bcba-42538159/ Hayley Neimy https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayley-neimy-phd-bcbad/   Articles Referenced Neimy, H., Pelaez, M., Carrow, J., Monlux, K., & Tarbox, J. (2017). Infants at risk of autism and developmental disorders: Establishing early social skills.Behavioral Development Bulletin, 22(1), 6–22. https://doi.org/10.1037/bdb0000046 Monlux, K.D., Pollard, J.S., Bujanda Rodriguez, A.Y. et al. Telehealth Delivery of Function-Based Behavioral Treatment for Problem Behaviors Exhibited by Boys with Fragile X Syndrome. J Autism Dev Disord 49, 2461–2475 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-03963-9 Neimy, H., Pelaez, M., Monlux, K. et al. Increasing Vocalizations and Echoics in Infants at Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Behav Analysis Practice 13, 467–472 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-020-00413-2 Katerina Monlux, Martha Pelaez & Per Holth (2019) Joint attention and social referencing in children with autism: a behavior-analytic approach, European Journal of Behavior Analysis, 20:2, 186-203, DOI: 10.1080/15021149.2019.1644831   Hall, S.S., Monlux, K.D., Rodriguez, A.B. et al. Telehealth-enabled behavioral treatment for problem behaviors in boys with fragile X syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. J Neurodevelop Disord 12, 31 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s11689-020-09331-4 Pelaez, M., Monlux, K. Development of Communication in Infants: Implications for Stimulus Relations Research. Perspect Behav Sci 41, 175–188 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40614-018-0151-z Martha Pelaez & Katerina Monlux (2017) Operant conditioning methodologies to investigate infant learning, European Journal of Behavior Analysis, 18:2, 212-241, DOI: 10.1080/15021149.2017.1412633   Monlux, Katerina D. MS*; Pollard, Joy S. PhD*,†; Bujanda Rodriguez, Arlette Y. MA*,†; Hall, Scott S. PhD*. Conducting In-Home Functional Analyses of Aggression and Self-Injury Exhibited by Boys with Fragile X Syndrome. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics 43(4):p e237-e245, May 2022. | DOI: 10.1097/DBP.0000000000001019 Vismara, L. A., McCormick, C. E. B., Wagner, A. L., Monlux, K., Nadhan, A., & Young, G. S. (2018). Telehealth Parent Training in the Early Start Denver Model: Results From a Randomized Controlled Study. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 33(2), 67-79. https://doi.org/10.1177/1088357616651064 COPY CITATION    

For the last episode of 2023, we are pulling back the curtain to share some bloopers and outtakes from the last few months of the year! We have a lot of fun creating this podcast, and we hope you enjoy laughing alongside us. Disclaimer: While all clips are taken out of their original context, the purpose of this episode is not to make fun of any person or conversation. Have an idea for 2024 episodes? Share with us operantinnovations@abatechnologies.com Follow us on Instagram! @operantinnovations

NevilleGoddardStore.com ♥️♥️ “You are the Operant power!”

Anna Marie is back for another episode!I am a living example and I owe it to Anna Marie. She got me to embark upon a self-discovery quest for answers and I became obsessed and read every book by Dr. Tony Attwood who is a world-renowned clinical psychologist on autism. In this episode. we covered:autism in boys versus girlssetbacks in late diagnosis of autism for any childWhat are the principles of ABA?Anna Marie shared that the basic principles of ABA consist of environmental variables that impact behavior. These variables are antecedents and consequences. Antecedents are events that happen right before the behavior, and a consequence is the event following the behavior.And, 1 technique is Springer's Operant Conditioning. Operant conditioning occurs when a consequence (positive or negative reinforcement or punishment) is paired or ceases to be paired with a behavior and it increases or decreases the likelihood that behavior will recur.Enjoy this episode!To learn more about Anna Marie:https://affautism.com/about-us/https://www.facebook.com/anna.dorelienhttps://www.instagram.com/adorelienbcba/?hl=enBe sure to subscribe to this podcast to receive new episodes automatically and it is available on Apple, Google, Stitcher, Spotify, Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Deezer and Listen Notes.Support the show

Kayce explores whether operant conditioning is a conscious process. Operant conditioning is a method that teaches animals to change their behavior in order to control their environment. There is a debate surrounding whether this type of conditioning is conscious. 

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This week, Maddie Duke speaks with Joshua Levins, a BCBA who focuses on teaching the behaviors essential for learning. Listen to their conversation about why context is always important in teaching, learning, training, and interacting with others. Questions, comments, or concerns: operantinnovations@abatechnologies.com Follow us on Instagram! @operantinnovations

Zach Shelby, CEO of Edge Impulse, was a recent guest on the BrainChip podcast. Shelby is an IoT pioneer in simplifying development platforms for AI at the edge. He brought his passion for machine learning, embedded solutions and IoT to this lively and enlightening discussion with BrainChip CMO Nandan Nayampally. Hear about Shelby's astounding metrics for developer recruitment, training volume, and adoption; using AI to fill the gap when data sets are small or non-existent; the challenges of bringing AI to manufacturing and real-world use cases. Shelby is a familiar and highly respected leader in the ML community. He founded Sensinode, an enterprise wireless network provider in the early days of IoT that was acquired by ARM, enabling him to develop ARM's IoT business, first as Director of Technology and later as VP of Developers. At ARM, he helped create the non-profit BBC Micro:bit Educational Foundation and served as its CEO. In addition to his activities as a serial entrepreneur, Shelby is an angel investor in Amini.ai, Augmenta.ai, Operant.ai, and Petasense. Shelby serves on the board of TinyML and has won a Nokia Foundation Award for his work on IoT.

Steve Wood, Ph.D. & Bill Kanasky, Jr., Ph.D. discuss part 2 of the operant conditioning topic and how opposing counsel uses operant conditioning to derail witnesses during both deposition and trial testimony. Operant conditioning is the creation of an association between a behavior and the outcome and can include positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, and punishment. It's important to understand that negative reinforcement is not the same as punishment; negative reinforcement is the elimination of a negative stimulus, not punishment.  Witnesses need to educated on how the questioner could use operant conditioning during their questioning, including rewarding answers that opposing counsel likes and delivering negative reinforcement for answers they don't like. This is challenging for an untrained witness's brain to decipher and manage. Bill and Steve discuss how powerful negative reinforcement is and also how positive reinforcement is used to manipulate the witness. Lastly, they discuss the topic of punishment and how opposing counsel can use punishment with witnesses to achieve their objectives. Watch the video of this episode: https://www.courtroomsciences.com/r/Lml

Maddie Duke, Sebastian Jimenez, and Victoria German all completed master's degrees in ABA and OBM in the last two years. Join these recent graduates as they discuss what happened after graduation- including the decision to become certified by the BACB® or not, finding jobs, and dealing with toxic productivity and burnout. Questions, comments, or suggestions: operantinnovations@abatechnologies.com Follow us on Instagram! @operantinnovations Cymbal et al., 2021: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01608061.2021.1910099 Defy: https://www.defy.community

At Animal Training Academy, we understand your passion. You're dedicated to mastering your animal training skills using a force-free approach. You're driven by the desire to handle the myriad of challenges that come your way, equipped with a broad knowledge & experience base. But like all of us, there are times you hit rough patches in your training journey. These challenges can sometimes leave you feeling overwhelmed & helpless. It's disheartening, especially when you have so much love and dedication for what you do. We believe everyone should be empowered to positively impact the lives of the animal and human learners they come into contact with. Enter our guides for this episode: Dr. Susan Friedman and Rick Hester. Rick Hester has extensive experience at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. He's worked with a diverse range of species from penguins to African lions. Collaborating with experts like Dr. Susan Friedman, Rick has deepened his understanding of behaviour analysis. His work at the zoo and his role as an adjunct faculty at Colorado State University showcase his dedication to the field. Dr. Susan G. Friedman, a global influencer in the realm of animal behavior, is a professor emeritus in the Department of Psychology at Utah State University. Her work, translated into multiple languages, has been instrumental in shaping the understanding of animal behaviour across the world. In this episode, they'll guide you to: Understand the concept of the four freedoms: Freedom to Initiate, Freedom to Form, Freedom to Repeat, and Freedom of Pace. Dive deep into real-world examples with penguins and elephants at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado. Brainstorm and strategize on how to integrate this newfound knowledge into your work, enhancing your ability to meet your animals' needs and improve their welfare. So, are you ready to elevate your training skills? Dive in and listen to this enlightening podcast episode. Our goal at Animal Training Academy is to support you in avoiding the pitfalls of embarrassment, overwhelm, and burnout. By equipping you with the right knowledge and tools, we aim to help you build resilience to setbacks, get more organized, and continuously grow your training skills. Ultimately, we envision you confidently navigating your journey, leading a fulfilling life, and making a positive impact on both animal and human learners. Listen to the episode now and embark on a transformative journey in animal training. Links Learn more from Dr Friedman and get in touch with both her and Rick here >>> https://www.behaviorworks.org/

As this is the 30th episode of the podcast we have assembled a panel of guests to answer some of the questions that our listeners have submitted concerning the previous 29 episodes. Tricia Dees, Sarah Dugger, and Justin Garner all join the podcast again to answer and discuss a wide range of questions including: differences between classical and operant conditioning, variable schedules, reinforcement placement, negative reinforcement, and the start of building relationships with an animal. This podcast recording was 3 hours long, so this panel will be back again next episode to finish answering questions. In addition, we ran out of time for a "Training Tale" from the guests so host, Shane, shares a "Training Tale" in honor of the life of Bodega the sea lion that involves a forklift malfunction. For questions or suggestions about the podcast email abc@theabma.org Let's talk some training! 6:30 Introduction to Tricia Dees, Sarah Dugger, & Justin Garner  11:05 Can you explain the difference between operant and classical conditioning?  18:05 If you have an animal that is afraid to approach you for reinforcement, how could you use operant conditioning to help the animal be more comfortable approaching you and to make training sessions reinforcing rather than potentially aversive? 29:25 Does Negative Reinforcement have to include removing something that is aversive to the animal?  36:10 If we are bridging every behavior, how can we really be using variable reinforcement, even if we are only following up with reinforcement variably? 44:35 What would constitute something as being a baiting strategy vs reinforcement placement?  56:30 “Training Tales”

Join Maddie and her husband, Alan, as they discuss creativity. Is it a skill that can be measured and taught, or is this an innate characteristic that you either have or you don't? What does creativity look like in acting, music, or woodworking?   If you have questions, feedback, or suggestions, please get in touch with us at operantinnovations@abatechnologies.com   Follow us on Instagram! @operantinnovations

This week, Maddie talks with Trevor Maxfield about future possibilities for our field and science! Join us as we talk through where our field is heading, how we can expand into new avenues, and more. - If you have questions, comments, feedback, or suggestions, please contact us at operantinnovations@abatechnologies.com - Follow us on Instagram! @operantinnovations

Positive Psychology is the pursuit of identifying what makes people happy in life. We are lucky, at ABA Tech, to employ Student Interns looking to gain non-clinical experience. In today's episode, Adrian Mendoza and Dr. Scott Geller talk about how OBM can be used to help with this pursuit and create a better world for people. Additionally, Adrian and Dr. Geller talk about how OBM can be applied to various industries such as education and the workplace. - If you have questions, comments, feedback, or suggestions, please contact us at operantinnovations@abatechnologies.com 

In our last episode of Operant Innovation's pride month series, Maddie, Kelcie, Abby, and Ari from ABA Technologies discuss their experience researching LGBTQIA+ topics in behavior analysis. They focus on their experiences, findings, barriers, and how others can get involved. - References: https://linktr.ee/operantinnovations Follow us on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/operantinnovations/ If you have questions, comments, feedback, or suggestions, please reach out to operantinnovations@abatechnologies.com 

In this episode of Operant Innovation's pride month series, Ari and Kira from ABA Technologies discuss the framework of cultural humility versus striving for cultural competence. A special focus is given to actionable steps behavior analysts can take to create inclusive environments for traditionally marginalized communities while working within organizations and when serving clients, stakeholders, and supervisees. Listen to learn how behavior analysts can embody cultural humility when considering nuanced ethical issues in their everyday practice. - References: https://linktr.ee/operantinnovations Follow us on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/operantinnovations/ If you have questions, comments, feedback, or suggestions, please reach out to operantinnovations@abatechnologies.com 

Happy Pride Month! We are shifting our focus to the steps that behavior analysts can take to provide compassionate care to their clients. Join Maddie, Kelcie, Victoria, and Kira as they discuss social validity and how to ensure social validity when there is disagreement about what that looks like for individuals. References: https://linktr.ee/operantinnovations Follow us on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/operantinnovations/ If you have questions, comments, feedback, or suggestions, please reach out to operantinnovations@abatechnologies.com 

Happy Pride Month! Here at Operant Innovations, we feel that we need to start Pride Month off by acknowledging the harm our science has contributed to. Join Maddie, Abby, and Kelcie as they discuss the history of ABA and how our science has affected the LGBTQ+ community. - References: https://linktr.ee/operantinnovations  - Follow us on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/operantinnovations/  - If you have questions, comments, feedback, or suggestions, please reach out to operantinnovations@abatechnologies.com

5.02 Classical and Operant Conditioning Psychiatry review for the USMLE Step 1 Exam Classical Conditioning: Pavlovian conditioning discovered by Ivan Pavlov, a Russian physiologist known for his experiments with dogs. Learning through association. Example: Conditioning dogs to respond to a noise the way they would respond to meat. Involves associating an unconditioned stimulus with a new conditioned stimulus to elicit the same response. Process of Classical Conditioning: Start with a stimulus that produces a response (e.g., smelling pizza makes you hungry). Pair the stimulus and response with an unconditioned stimulus (e.g., receiving a text indicating pizza delivery). Eventually, the conditioned stimulus (the text notification) alone elicits the conditioned response (mouth watering). Extinction and Spontaneous Recovery in Classical Conditioning: If the conditioned stimulus (text notification) is presented without the unconditioned stimulus (pizza), the conditioned response (mouth watering) will weaken and eventually extinguish. Spontaneous recovery may occur, where the conditioned behavior briefly reappears after a period of extinction. Terms in Classical Conditioning: Unconditioned stimulus (US): Triggers a response unconditionally. Unconditioned response (UR): The response elicited by the unconditioned stimulus. Conditioned stimulus (CS): Initially neutral stimulus that becomes associated with the unconditioned stimulus. Conditioned response (CR): The response elicited by the conditioned stimulus. Operant Conditioning: Developed by B.F. Skinner. Learning occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior. Three types of responses: neutral operants, reinforcers, and punishers. Examples of Operant Conditioning: Positive reinforcement: Giving a child candy for good behavior. Negative reinforcement: Taking away a child's phone until homework is done to increase desired behavior. Positive punishment: Using physical force as punishment (not recommended). Negative punishment: Taking away a child's phone to decrease unwanted behavior. Different Schedules of Reinforcement: Continuous Reinforcement: Positive reinforcement every time a specific behavior occurs. Fixed Ratio Reinforcement: Reinforcement after a specified number of correct responses. Fixed Interval Reinforcement: Reinforcement after a fixed time interval with at least one correct response. Variable Ratio Reinforcement: Reinforcement after an unpredictable number of responses. Variable Interval Reinforcement: Reinforcement after an unpredictable amount of time. Summary: Classical conditioning involves learning through association of stimuli. Operant conditioning involves learning through rewards and punishments for behavior.

This episode is worth 1.0 BACB CEs: https://abatechnologies.com/products/podcast-ces - Private Equity firms have invested vast sums in ABA service delivery organizations.  Results have varied.  In the current discussion, we will trace the history of this development, discuss pros and cons for entering into such agreements, and describe ways practitioners should protect themselves and their clients if they are going to enter into such relationships. - Learning Objectives: Attendees will describe a service delivery model in keeping with Private Equity backing. Attendees will describe elements of practice that must be maintained by practitioners and never signed away in a contract. Attendees will describe benefits and drawbacks to entering  into such relationships. - If you have questions, comments, feedback, or suggestions, please reach out to operantinnovations@abatechnologies.com

We are lucky, at ABA Tech, to employ Student Interns looking to gain non-clinical experience. In today's episode, Maddie interviews Ph.D. candidate Trevor Maxfield to discuss his experiences pursuing higher education. The discussion covers topics like conducting research in a new area and dealing with disappointment during graduate school.  -For questions:Maddie Duke: mduke2021@my.fit.edu General: Operantinnovations@abatechnologies.com

This week on Operant Innovations Tom Freeman takes over and speaks with Travis Breeding. Travis is an adult diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome (now classified as ASD) who has experienced significant challenges getting insurance to cover the social skills training he needs to live his life to the fullest. Listen as Travis and Tom speak the issues plaguing adults on the Autism Spectrum. - Read Travis' Books Here - If you have questions, comments, feedback, or suggestions, please reach out to operantinnovations@abatechnologies.com

This episode is worth 1 BACB Ethics CEs: https://abatechnologies.com/products/podcast-ces - In a previous segment, Open Educational Resources were defined and common misconceptions were dispersed. Explore why Open Educational Resources are sparse in behavior analysis, barriers to creating more, and ways that you can access them. Given these barriers, breaking them down may feel like an impossible feat. Recommendations on how to create Open Educational Resources is discussed with reference to the impact practitioners and students can be an active part of making behavior analysis accessible. Learning Checklist Describe the systemic factors that impact the availability of OERs in the field. State where to find OERs. Explain the process of creating and disseminating quality OERs. Describe steps behavior analysts can take to promote the publication and use of more OERs in practice. -- If you have questions, comments, feedback, or suggestions, please reach out to operantinnovations@abatechnologies.com

This episode is worth 0.5 BACB Ethics CEs - https://abatechnologies.com/continuing-education/open-educational-resources-in-behavior-analysis-part-1 - A common issue we encounter as practitioners is accessing resources we need to develop effective programs, teach future behavior analysts, and expand on our own understanding within the field. When we hear the term “open educational resources,” there are many different ideas that come to mind, including questions regarding the validity of these resources. After an introduction to what Open Educational Resources are, misconceptions about them and the impact that they have on improving accessibility of education in behavior analysis are discussed. Open Educational Resources are one way we are making the science that is about everyone, for everyone and breaking down systemic barriers in the field. Learning Checklist State the components and definition of open educational resources (OERs). Describe the impact OERs have on fostering accessibility of behavior analysis. Explain how to identify quality OER resources.  -- If you have questions, comments, feedback, or suggestions, please reach out to operantinnovations@abatechnologies.com

We are lucky, at ABA Tech, to employ Student Interns looking to gain non-clinical experience. Join our newest group of interns as they talk about their interests and goals at the start of their ABA Tech journey. - For questions: Maddie Duke: mduke2021@my.fit.edu Kelcie McCafferty: kmccafferty2021@my.fit.edu Arianna Lipton: alipton2018@my.fit.edu Kira Flynn: kflynn2022@my.fit.edu Adrian Mendoza: adrianmendoz2022@my.fit.edu

https://www.solgood.org - Check out our Streaming Service for our full collection of audiobooks, podcasts, short stories, & 10 hour sounds for sleep and relaxation at our website

How much power do YOU really have? In this episode, I share a powerful Neville Goddard teaching (in his own voice!) explaining how God acts through the will of man--no matter what. Once you know this ... YOU'LL BE EMPOWERED! (FREE TRAINING )"How the Law of Attraction REALLY Works" (Click link) NEW ONLINE COURSE  Law of Attraction Mastery ($200 off for Limited Time!) (Coupon Code: save200) PERSONAL COACHING: https://joshuatongol.com/coaching/ SUPPORT THIS PODCAST TO HELP KEEP IT RUNNING! • Please Support This Podcast by Making a Donation (any amount helps!)

Guest: Jeanne Marshall, Ph.D, B Sp. Path - Are you ready to understand the differences between being an SLP in Australia? Then join Michelle and Dr. Marshall as they deep dive into research on operant vs. systematic desensitization treatment for Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) and better understand the invaluable role of simulation for PFD treatment.

Is there a time and a place to intentionally utilize one type of learning over another in dog training? Can you ever be operating in only one learning form? Cog Dog Classroom: https://cog-dog-classroom.teachable.com/ Patreon: www.patreon.com/cogdogradio

In this episode, Jerry Bradshaw discusses: Classical versus operant conditioning.  Recognizing and understanding the emotional states of your dog.  How your emotions and confidence affect the emotional state of your dog.  Understanding the classical effects of your operant conditioning.  The magic in the emotions.    Key Takeaways: Most dog training starts with operant work then folds in classical conditioning.  When training with a dog, you are not working in laboratory conditions. There are other associations happening and that context needs to be taken into account.  Hunting for a toy and hunter for a man are two different things. You will draw more sustained, higher level drive when trailing with a bite at the end rather than hunting a ball or a pipe.  Be aware of what lessons you are teaching when utilizing training tools.They may be learning a classical lesson instead of the intended operant lesson.    "Classical conditioning will always trump operant conditioning, in certain circumstances, if those two things come into conflict." —  Jerry Bradshaw   Get Jerry's book Controlled Aggression on Amazon.com   Contact Jerry: Website: controlledaggressionpodcast.com Email: JBradshaw@TarheelCanine.com Tarheel Canine Training:  www.tarheelcanine.com Youtube:  tarheelcanine Twitter: @tarheelcanine Instagram: @tarheelk9 Facebook: TarheelCanineTraining Protection Sports Website: psak9-as.org Patreon:   patreon.com/controlledaggression Slideshare: Tarheel Canine Calendly: https://calendly.com/tarheelcanine  Tarheel Canine Seminars: https://streetreadyk9.com/      Sponsors:  ALM K9 Equipment: almk9equipment.com PSA & American Schutzhund: psak9-as.org Tarheel Canine: tarheelcanine.com Superior Canine Website: https://superiorcanine.ca/  Aaron's Superior Canine Email: aaron@superiorcanine.ca  Superior Canine Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/superiorcanineinc  Superior Canine Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/superiorcanineinc/    Train Hard, train smart, be safe.   Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.