Episode 332 - Motivational Interviewing w. Dr. Monica Gilbert
ABA Inside Track
When working with clients to support their behavior change goals, does it ever feel like you’re the one doing all the convincing that the change is worth the effort? Rather than spending your energy cajoling clients that your plan is “right”, wouldn’t it be better to support their own belief in engaging in behavior change? Well, that’s just what motivational interviewing techniques can do. And since this well-studied process is only just getting interest in behavior analysis, we’re joined this week by , clinical psychologist, mental health counselor, AND BCBA, to get a crash course...
info_outline
Atomic Habits Book Club (PREVIEW)
ABA Inside Track
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 today at the premium $10+ levels for that plus other bonuses! Could this best-selling self-help book actually be the best introduction to behavior analysis for a mainstream audience? Though many of us expected James Clear’s “Atomic Habits” to share some lightly-spiced tips for changing behaviors, we were all impressed with the level of research and personalization that Clear put into his program for analyzing and building new behavioral...
info_outline
January 2026 Preview
ABA Inside Track
Happy New Year, everyone! We kick off the (almost) 10th year of ABA Inside Track with a review of our recent holiday activities then get right back into our podcast research discussion with a bevy of amazing guests. First up we delve into the new (for behavior analysts) work of motivational interviewing with . Then we have three-guests-for one with Dr. Stephanie Peterson, Dr. Rebecca Eldridge, and Dr. Neil Deochand to learn about risk assessment and their development of the . Then we take pity on the least popular experimental design, the changing criterion, by giving it its own episode. Still...
info_outline
Stone Soup Conference Registration Discount!!!
ABA Inside Track
If you've never been to the , you've been missing out. It's a full day of amazing speakers hitting all the topics you want to hear about. And, as a special discount for ABA Inside Track listeners, use the code ABAIT26 to get $20 off your registration. See you there in the chat!
info_outline
Bonus Episode 38 - The Year in ABA (2025)
ABA Inside Track
We wrap up another year with our podcasting buddy, Matt Cicoria, from by looking at some of our favorite ABA trends of 2025 as well as discussing some of our most listened to episodes and opining on how we’re both about to enter a full decade of behavior analytic podcasting. Plus a whole bunch of other seasonal rigamarole and foofarra. But NO POLITICS! Happy Holidays to all! See you in 2026.
info_outline
Episode 331 - Operationalizing Assent
ABA Inside Track
Since the 1970s the scientific field has been steadily improving in its use of meaningful consent practices. But how are we doing when it comes to the related practice of gaining client assent? This week we discuss the similarities and differences between both and take a pulse check as to how behavior analysis is doing to ensure only the best of practices when it comes to benefiting our clients whether in the research lab or clinic setting. If you think of assent practices as just willingness to enter the classroom, you definitely need to listen to this episode. This episode is available for...
info_outline
Episode 330 - Culturally Responsive Leadership Practices w. Denisha Gingles
ABA Inside Track
Special guest, Denisha Gingles, returns to the show to update our perceptions of good leadership with a decidedly non-Western traditional mindset of culturally responsive practices. For example, did you know that some cultures appreciate a greater sense of unity from their leaders? Apparently one giant know-it-all doesn’t necessarily make for the best boss—looking at you, American CEOs! Learn how embracing a more diverse workforce can also benefit goals of meaningful mentorship and growth in our field with some examples from the medical world and how much we really should learn from rugby....
info_outline
Episode 329- Tutorial: PECS w/ Judy Southey
ABA Inside Track
In our newest episode in our Tutorial series, we’re joined by special guest (and SLP), Judy Southey to get the ABCs of PECS. Like, did you know saying, “Hand me a PEC” demonstrates a total misunderstanding of the acronym? Or, more importantly, the steps involved in training the usage of PECS for increasing verbal behavior? What comes first, second, last and what common misconceptions about PECS can interfer with the development of functional language? More questions, we’ve got the answers! This episode is available for 1.0 LEARNING CEU. Articles discussed this episode: Robertson, M....
info_outline
December 2025 Preview
ABA Inside Track
Much like the amount of time the New England sun stays up, enjoy a short preview of what’s coming out in the darkest days of December on the podcast. This month we’ve got three special guests including SLP, Judy Southey leading us through the new “How To” all about PECS; Denisha Gingles to lead us through a discussion of leadership practices in ABA, and Matt Cicoria leading us into the new year by reviewing what happened in ABA in 2025 in our yearly special episode. And, to round things out, a discussion about exactly what makes up assent practices. Yule love it all! Articles for...
info_outline
Episode 328 - Water Safety Skills
ABA Inside Track
So, we already covered safety skills on land. But what about safety in the water? Drowning is one of the most common causes of death in children and those numbers increase significantly for autistic children. In this episode we review the research on how to teach water safety skills. Would you believe, a lot of them include teaching how to swim? That plus other skills that every child should learn and the most effective ways to teach them. This episode is available for 1.0 LEARNING CEU. Articles discussed this episode: doi: 10.1007/s40489-019-00166-x doi: 10.1177/215416471705200208 doi:...
info_outlineHappy New Year, everyone! We kick off the (almost) 10th year of ABA Inside Track with a review of our recent holiday activities then get right back into our podcast research discussion with a bevy of amazing guests. First up we delve into the new (for behavior analysts) work of motivational interviewing with Dr. Monica Gilbert. Then we have three-guests-for one with Dr. Stephanie Peterson, Dr. Rebecca Eldridge, and Dr. Neil Deochand to learn about risk assessment and their development of the FARADT tool. Then we take pity on the least popular experimental design, the changing criterion, by giving it its own episode.
Still not enough learning for your behavior analytic resolutions? Why not head over to the Stone Soup online conference with a $20 discount. Just register with the code ABAIT26 and enjoy a whole day of learning.
Articles for January 2026
Motivational Interviewing w/ Dr. Monica Gilbert
Plattner, C. & Anderson, C. (2024). Creating a therapeutic alliance with caregivers: An introduction to motivational interviewing. Behavior Analysis in Practice. doi: 10.1007/s40617-024-00948-8
Christopher, P.J. & Dougher, M.J. (2009). A behavior-analytic account of motivational interviewing. The Behavior Analyst, 32, 149-161. doi: 10.1007/BF03392180
Risk Assessment w/ Dr. Stephanie Peterson, Dr. Rebecca Eldridge, + Dr. Neil Deochand
Wiskirchen, R.R., Deochand, N., & Peterson, S.M. (2017). Functional analysis: A need for clinical decision support tools to weight risks and benefits. Behavior Analysis: Research and Practice, 17, 325-333. doi: 10.1037/bar0000088
Deochand, N., Eldridge, R.R., & Peterson, S.M. (2020). Toward the development of a functional analysis risk assessment decision tool. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 13, 978-990. doi: 10.1007/s40617-020-00433-y
Schroeder, A.C., Peterson, S.M., Mahabub, M.B., & Dresch, M.K. (2025). A pilot evaluation of expert and novice use of the functional analysis risk assessment decision tool. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 18, 811-825. doi: 10.1007/s40617-020-00433-y
The Changing Criterion Design
Klein, L.A., Houlihan, D., Vincent, J.L., & Panahon, C.J. (2017). Best practices in utilizing the changing criterion design. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 10, 52-61. doi: 10.1007/s40617-014-0036-x
De Luca, R.V. & Holborn, S.W. (1992). Effects of a variable-ratio reinforcement schedule with changing criteria on exercise in obese and nonobese boys. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 25, 671-679. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1992.25-671