The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt Cicoria
This is a podcast about the field of Behavior Analysis. Each episode will feature an interview with a Behavior Analyst where we discuss a specific topic in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. Some of these topics include functional behavioral assessment, treating severe behavioral disorders such as aggression and self-injurious behavior, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), behavioral ethics, autism treatment, parenting, and the history of Applied Behavior Analysis.
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El Estado del Análisis de la Conducta en Puerto Rico con la Dra. Yaniz Padilla Dalmau: BOP en Español 14
04/28/2025
El Estado del Análisis de la Conducta en Puerto Rico con la Dra. Yaniz Padilla Dalmau: BOP en Español 14
El Estado del Análisis de la Conducta en Puerto Rico con la Dra. Yaniz Padilla Dalmau En este episodio, tuve el honor de conversar con la Dra. Yaniz Padilla Dalmau, una de las voces más comprometidas y visionarias en el desarrollo del análisis de la conducta en Puerto Rico. A través de una charla llena de realidades, aprendizajes y esperanza, exploramos el estado actual de la práctica de ABA en la isla, los desafíos sistémicos que enfrentan las familias y profesionales, y el impacto de barreras lingüísticas, económicas y estructurales. Yaniz comparte no solo el panorama de necesidades, sino también el poder de la acción colectiva, el liderazgo comunitario y la importancia de diseminar ABA de manera ética, culturalmente sensible y alejada de mentalidades colonialistas. Aprendimos sobre iniciativas locales inspiradoras, el nacimiento de PRABA, y recomendaciones esenciales para quienes desean construir cambios reales y sostenibles en nuevas comunidades. Un episodio que nos invita a reflexionar sobre cómo practicamos, para quién practicamos, y cómo podemos hacerlo mejor, siempre honrando la cultura y el valor de las comunidades que servimos. The State of Behavior Analysis in Puerto Rico with Dr. Yaniz Padilla Dalmau In this episode, I had the honor of speaking with Dr. Yaniz Padilla Dalmau, one of the most committed and visionary voices advancing the field of behavior analysis in Puerto Rico. Through a conversation filled with realities, lessons, and hope, we explore the current state of ABA practice on the island, the systemic challenges faced by families and professionals, and the impact of language, economic, and structural barriers. Yaniz not only highlights the needs but also shows the power of collective action, community leadership, and the importance of disseminating ABA ethically, with cultural sensitivity, and free from colonialist mindsets. We learn about inspiring local initiatives, the formation of PRABA, and essential recommendations for those who wish to build real, sustainable change in new communities. This episode invites us to reflect on how we practice, for whom we practice, and how we can do better—always honoring the culture and the value of the communities we serve.
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Altering the Relative Efficiencies of Responses for Behavioral Improvement: Session 297 with Steve Ward
04/16/2025
Altering the Relative Efficiencies of Responses for Behavioral Improvement: Session 297 with Steve Ward
Steve Ward returns to the podcast to talk about a paper he recently published with co-author Teresa Grimes, titled, "." In this conversation, we review the highlights of this paper, and discuss things like The Matching Law, making desired behavior more efficient in generating reinforcement, making problem behaviors less efficient, and how altering reinforcement parameters like delay, magnitude, and schedules can enhance learner progress. We also talk about the work that Steve does with his company, , as well as a Q & A he will be doing on this topic that's coming up on . Steve is the author of , , and other popular texts relevant to Behavior Analysts working in a variety of settings. If you'd like to work with Steve or find supplementary materials on the things he likes to talk about, check out his website, . Resources discussed in this podcast: . 50 Practical Ways to Alter the Relative Efficiencies of Behaviors. . Task as Reinforcer: a Reactive Alternative to Traditional Forms of Escape Extinction. . The Negative Effects of Positive Reinforcement. Steve's earlier appearances on the BOP in and . (Steve's Behavior University webinar, use promo code PODCAST at checkout to save $$$). Please note that we had some internet disruptions during our recording but I don't think they detracted from the overall intelligibility of the conversation. This podcast is brought to you by: . Consider taking a 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 to check it out! . 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 . The Behavioral Toolbox. Check out our courses for school-based and other behavioral professionals, including our newest one, . . Their mission is to provide university quality professional development for the busy Behavior Analyst. Learn about their CEU offerings, including their , as well as their over at . Don't forget to use the coupon code, PODCAST to save at checkout!
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Improving Access to Medical Care for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities: Session 296 with Brandon Franklin
04/07/2025
Improving Access to Medical Care for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities: Session 296 with Brandon Franklin
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 and a Behavioral Consultant at . 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 . Here's all of Brandon's . Here's all the you could ask for. This podcast is brought to you by: . Consider taking a 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 to check it out! . 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. . 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. . 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 . The Behavioral Toolbox. Check out our courses for school-based and other behavioral professionals, including our newest one, .
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Response to Name Interventions for Staff and Caregivers: Inside JABA 22
03/31/2025
Response to Name Interventions for Staff and Caregivers: Inside JABA 22
This is not a show about teaching eye contact. We'll get to that in a bit. First though, I should note that the 22nd installment of the Inside JABA Series is coming out comically late. I apologize for getting us off schedule. The good news is that we already have a great paper to discuss for the 23rd Inside JABA episode that I think you're going to love, so I hope to have that one out later on in the spring. Back to this episode. Drs. Danny Conine and Jenn Fritz join me to discuss a paper Danny wrote with his colleagues called, "." There are so many great things about this paper, and listeners will be able to tell this from my enthusiasm in discussing it with Danny and Jenn. As I noted above, this is not about teaching eye contact, but rather, a more generalized repertoire of responding to one's name (RTN). We get into why these two things are different, and, as Danny tells it, RTN repertoires have many benefits that directly impact learning and safety. In this paper, he describes an elegant assessment and intervention that his research team implemented to develop RTN in the study's participants. In carrying out this study, they also employed a simple and effective assent withdrawal component, which we get into. Then, they took what the skills they developed in a clinic setting, and taught the participant's caregivers to implement RTN procedures at home. As such, this paper provides a great example of how to generalize skills across settings. Very cool! Along the way, Danny provides practical tips clinicians can consider for their own practice. All of this to say, I'm hoping you'll agree that the wait for this episode will be worth it! Resources discussed in this podcast: . Evaluating a screening-to-intervention model with caregiver training for response to name among children with autism. . Assessment and treatment of response to name for children with autism spectrum disorder: Toward an efficient intervention model. . Response to name in children with autism: Treatment, generalization, and maintenance. with Tim Hackenberg. . Prevention of problem behavior by teaching functional communication and self-control skills to preschoolers. , by Dr. Mary Barbera. Links to Danny's , , , and his lab's . Jenn's , , , and the . If you enjoy this episode, please consider sharing with friends and colleagues!
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Ethical Decision Making in Applied Behavior Analysis: Session 294 with Ilene Schwartz and Beth Kelly
03/22/2025
Ethical Decision Making in Applied Behavior Analysis: Session 294 with Ilene Schwartz and Beth Kelly
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, . 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: . . Guidance or Compliance: What Makes an Ethical Behavior Analyst? . When Rules Are Not Enough: Developing Principles to Guide Ethical Conduct. Dr. Schwartz's . Dr. Kelly's . , with many Ethics events. This podcast is brought to you with the support of: . 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. . 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 . The Behavioral Toolbox. Check out our courses for school-based and other behavioral professionals, including our newest one, . . Whether you attend in-person in Austin, TX, or online via BehaviorLive, you're going to love this year's Verbal Behavior Conference! Click to get all the details! . Their mission is to provide university quality professional development for the busy Behavior Analyst. Learn about their CEU offerings, including their , as well as their over at . Don't forget to use the coupon code, PODCAST to save at checkout!
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How Increasing Opportunities to Respond Improves Classroom Behavior: Session 293 with Todd Haydon
03/12/2025
How Increasing Opportunities to Respond Improves Classroom Behavior: Session 293 with Todd Haydon
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, ). How to Improve Classroom Management with the Good Behavior Game (). Pat Friman, No such thing as a bad boy (). Deconstructing Compassionate ABA (). How to Use Group Responding (). book (How to get "permission" to give advice). from The Behavioral Toolbox. Using Opportunities to Respond in a General Education Classroom: A Case Study (). Managing Negative Countertransference when Working with Children Exhibiting Externalized Behaviors: A Single-Case Design (). Key and Peele . . Tootling: current research and future considerations for school practitioners (). . Todd's page. . Todd's . This podcast is brought to you with the support of: . Consider taking a 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 to check it out! . 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. . 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. . 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 . The Behavioral Toolbox. Check out our courses for school-based and other behavioral professionals, including our newest one, . . Whether you attend in-person in Austin, TX, or online via BehaviorLive, you're going to love this year's Verbal Behavior Conference! Click to get all the details!
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Evaluación Práctica Funcional y Tratamiento Basado en Habilidades: Estudio de Caso con Ana María Mendez-Vides
03/07/2025
Evaluación Práctica Funcional y Tratamiento Basado en Habilidades: Estudio de Caso con Ana María Mendez-Vides
En este episodio, regresamos al importante tema de la Evaluación Práctica Funcional (PFA por sus siglas en inglés) y el Tratamiento Basado en Habilidades (SBT por sus siglas en inglés), esta vez explorándolo a través de un estudio de caso. Ana María Méndez-Vides nos guía con claridad y detalle por cada etapa del proceso, desde la evaluación hasta la implementación del tratamiento y sus extensiones. A lo largo de la conversación, Ana comparte su experiencia clínica y su profundo conocimiento, abordando las preguntas más comunes que surgen al conocer este proceso en mayor profundidad. Además, nos brinda una perspectiva enriquecida por su juicio clínico, su experticia, su cercanía con la fuente de esta tecnología y, sobre todo, su sensibilidad cultural. Este episodio no solo ofrece un repaso esencial, sino también una inmersión en la aplicación práctica de este enfoque, destacando la presencia de más líderes en Latinoamérica que están transformando la manera en que apoyamos a personas con desafíos en el desarrollo y problemas severos de conducta. ¡No te lo pierdas! 🎧✨ Recursos: . . . Estudio de caso con Ana ( con Ana). 🎙️ Practical Functional Assessment & Skill-Based Treatment: A Case Study with Ana María Mendes-Vides 📢 In this episode, we revisit the important topic of Practical Functional Assessment (PFA) and Skill-Based Treatment (SBT)—this time through the lens of a case study. Ana María Méndez-Vides takes us through the entire process with clarity and detail, from assessment to treatment implementation and its extensions. Throughout our conversation, Ana shares her clinical expertise and deep knowledge, addressing common questions that arise as one becomes more familiar with this process. She enriches the discussion with her clinical judgment, extensive experience, direct mentorship from the source, and, most importantly, her cultural sensitivity. This episode is not only a great refresher but also an opportunity for a deep dive into the practical application of this technology, highlighting the growing presence of leaders in Latin America who are transforming the way we support individuals with significant behavioral challenges. Don’t miss it! 🎧✨ Resources: . . . Estudio de caso con Ana ( con Ana).
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The Inaugural Frontera Series on AI with Amol Deshpande
02/28/2025
The Inaugural Frontera Series on AI with Amol Deshpande
I'm thrilled to announce a new special series for Behavioral Observations! I've partnered with 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 is an engineer, an entrepreneur, and an autism dad. He also is the founder and CEO of . 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 . 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 to check it out! Here are some links if you're interested in learning more about Frontera: Business Wire announcement of Frontera's funding (see also). Frontera on . Frontera on . Frontera on . Reach out to Amol on . Demos available (don't forget to use promo code BOP25).
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Autistic-Led ABA Services: Session 290 with Armando Bernal and Andy Bondy
02/25/2025
Autistic-Led ABA Services: Session 290 with Armando Bernal and Andy Bondy
Welcome to Session 290 of The Behavioral Observations Podcast. In this episode, I'm joined by and . 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, . Reach out to Armando on . Autism International Consulting's . Lestremau Allen, Mellon, Syed, Johnson & Bernal (2024). . Armando's appearance on . This podcast is brought to you with the support of: . 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. . 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. . 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 . The Behavioral Toolbox. Check out our courses for school-based and other behavioral professionals, including our newest one, . . Whether you attend in-person in Austin, TX, or online via BehaviorLive, you're going to love this year's Verbal Behavior Conference! Click to get all the details!
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The 2024 Verbal Behavior Conference Panel Discussion
02/11/2025
The 2024 Verbal Behavior Conference Panel Discussion
This is a recording of the 2024 Verbal Behavior Conference Panel Discussion, which I had the honor of moderating along with VBC founder, Kelle Rich. The participants included Drs. Patrick McGreevey, Eb Blakely, Alice Shillingsburg, Mirela Cengher, Hank Schlinger, and the incomparable Lina Slim. As you'll hear, this was a lively conversation, and what I love about this event is that there was not only lots of audience participation, but we had tons of people chiming in from the BehaviorLive virtual feed. In this panel discussion, we discussed the following: Dr. Patrick McGreevey's thoughts on mastery criteria. Dr. Eb Blakely's discussion of a case study for a learner who's reinforcers include signs of damage. Collaboration, rapport building, and consultation skills with public school teachers and SLPs. Considerations for manual signs vs. picture selection. Echoic skill development for children of non-hearing parents. Dr. Slim's thoughts on Gestalt Language Processing. Whether Standard Celeration Charting is making a comeback. And lots more! If this kind of event sounds like fun for you, please consider joining us for the . This year's VBC is taking place March 27-28 and will feature talks from Drs. Pat McGreevy, Tiffany Kodak, Judah Axe, April Kisamore-Hunter, Barbara Esch, and Caio Miguel. The day before the conference will feature a full day workshop from the aforementioned Dr. Barbara Esch. The conference itself provides 13 CEUs, and when combined with Dr. Esch's workshop, it's 19 CEUs total. As always, the in-person event is in Austin, TX. If you decide to go in person, expect to have many opportunities before and after the talks to interact directly with the presenters. It always amazes me how generous these folks are with their time. If you can't make it to Austin, we'll certainly miss you, but the virtual experience provided by is second-to-none. I think this comes through, again, as evidenced by the virtual audience's participation in these panel discussions. If you want to check out all of Behavioral Observations' past VBC content, click . This podcast is brought to you by: ACE Approved CEUs from .... . That's right, get your CEUs while driving, walking your dog, doing the dishes, or whatever else you might have going on, all while learning from your favorite podcast guests! The Behavioral Toolbox. is a new education and training site that my colleagues Anika Costa and Dr. Paulie Gavoni and I have been working on for over two years. Check out our latest course, as well as the hugely popular . . Their mission is to provide university quality professional development for the busy Behavior Analyst. Learn about their CEU offerings, including their , as well as their over at . Don't forget to use the coupon code, PODCAST to save at checkout! 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 .
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Self-Management with Self and Match: Session 288 with Jamie Salter and Katie Croce
01/31/2025
Self-Management with Self and Match: Session 288 with Jamie Salter and Katie Croce
I'm not sure about you, but I did not get a lot of training in self-management when I was a graduate student (but cut me some slack... I was in an EAB program!). If you're in the same boat as I am, then you're in luck. In Session 288, I'm joined by Katie Croce and Jamie Salter, and in our conversation, they provided their unique strategies for fostering self-management using the system. We get in to how they developed their unique approach to self-management, how they've refined it over time, the relationship between self-monitoring and accountability, research supporting these practices, and lots more. If you want to learn more about this approach to supporting individuals to become more independent, sign up for their mailing list, or consider picking up a copy of the Self and Match manual. All things . supporting self-management/self-monitoring. Katie's . : Self and Match applied to Vocal Stereotypy. The (use discount code BOP2024; valid until the end of the 24/25 school year). Self-management resources at (along with tons of other great stuff!). . (one of my personal heroes FWIW). . Beyond the Walls: Establishing Classroom Expectations in a Virtual Classroom. Join the Self and Match to get more free resources!
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Bidirectional Naming: Session 287 with Caio Miguel
01/21/2025
Bidirectional Naming: Session 287 with Caio Miguel
As Juliet asks, "" 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, , 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 , which is taking place March 27-28, 2025, both in Austin, TX, as well as virtually through . 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: - Consult with Drs. Miguel and LaFrance. Miguel (2016). . Miguel (2018). . Miguel (2021). . . Sacramento State's ABA Ma (CEU available). Horne and Lowe (1996). . : Session 278 with Jim Moore. Sivaraman et al. (2023). . (CEU available). Carbone et al. (2010). . Palmer (2016). . Schlinger (1995). . Ph.D. in ABA Program. MS in ABA Program. This podcast is brought to you with the support of: . 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. . 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 . The Behavioral Toolbox. Check out our courses for school-based and other behavioral professionals, including our newest one, . . Whether you attend in-person in Austin, TX, or online via BehaviorLive, you're going to love this year's Verbal Behavior Conference! Click 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 .
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Getting Staff Buy In: Session 286 with Anika Costa and Paulie Gavoni
01/07/2025
Getting Staff Buy In: Session 286 with Anika Costa and Paulie Gavoni
Do you ever struggle getting your message across to co-workers, parents, or teachers? I sure have. And when it comes down to implementing behavioral interventions of any kind, the consequences of not being understood can be quite high for the learners in our care. Think about it for a minute, if someone doesn't implement a behavior plan correctly, people can get hurt. If someone doesn't implement learning programs correctly, individuals will fail to acquire critical skills that could allow them more independence and freedom later on. At the same time, we know that just telling staff what we want them to do is not very effective. And that's why I've invited Dr. Paulie Gavoni and Anika Costa to join me again on the podcast. In this episode, we discuss Motivational Interviewing. MI involves facilitating conversations with stakeholders in such a way that they are more likely to overcome barriers to implementing what you'd like them to do. That's the extreme short-version, so you're going to want to listen to the show to learn the in and outs of MI in more detail. Motivational Interviewing may be a familair term to podcast listeners. A few years ago, I hosted Dr. Callie Plattner in to discuss this topic in depth. Long time listeners might recall my conversation with Dr. Jim Murphy way back in , where we discussed the application of Motivational Interviewing to help individuals with Substance Use Disorders. In this episode, we discuss MI in the context of school consultation. Now if you don't work in schools, don't worry, you'll still get a lot out of this episode. Here's a fun example of how this might be: As you might know, the three of us have been working on a new educational platform called , and we recently published our third course on the site called: . I learned that one of the first customers for this course is someone who is a professional dog trainer. I reached out to her to ask why she bought the course, and she noted that in her line of work, it's not about working directly with the dogs, it's about getting owners to change their behavior, and she saw MI as one tool she could use to help owners follow through with the things she was teaching them. I think that's pretty cool. Our latest course, . Their book, . by Dr. Paulie and colleagues, including his latest, . Previous Behavioral Toolbox courses: and . with Paulie, Anika, and colleagues. This podcast is brought to you by: ACE Approved CEUs from .... . That's right, get your CEUs while driving (maybe even this episode!), walking your dog, doing the dishes, or whatever else you might have going on, all while learning from your favorite podcast guests! The Behavioral Toolbox. is a new education and training site that my colleagues Anika Costa and Dr. Paulie Gavoni and I have been working on for over two years. Check out our latest course, as well as the hugely popular . . Whether you attend in-person in Austin, TX, or online via BehaviorLive, you're going to love this year's Verbal Behavior Conference! Click 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 .
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La Evaluación Práctica Funcional y el Tratamiento Basado en Habilidades: BOP en Español 12 con Beatriz Urcuyo y Rafael Argueta
01/03/2025
La Evaluación Práctica Funcional y el Tratamiento Basado en Habilidades: BOP en Español 12 con Beatriz Urcuyo y Rafael Argueta
La Evaluación Práctica Funcional y el Tratamiento Basado en Habilidades Con Beatriz Urcuyo y Rafael Argueta La evaluación y el tratamiento de problemas severos de conducta han sido prácticas fundamentales dentro del análisis conductual aplicado, proporcionando un apoyo esencial para las personas con desafíos en el desarrollo y sus familias. Los análisis funcionales han marcado una gran diferencia al informar y enfocar nuestros tratamientos. Entre las variaciones y refinamientos de estas evaluaciones, se encuentra la evaluación práctica funcional, que ha sido muy bien recibida por numerosos profesionales debido a su efectividad, sistematicidad, y por los valores y prioridades que promueve. Este enfoque también ofrece una continuidad hacia una secuencia de enseñanza muy detallada de habilidades imprescindibles, que son esenciales para empoderar a estos aprendices y permitirles continuar su desarrollo sin enfrentarse a desafíos conductuales. Beatriz, Rafael y su equipo en Nicaragua han sido de los primeros profesionales en Centroamérica en recibir capacitación y asesoramiento directamente de los responsables de la conceptualización, investigación y desarrollo de estos procedimientos. Esta conversación les ofrecerá una introducción a la evaluación práctica funcional y al tratamiento basado en habilidades, además de dar a conocer las experiencias de estos líderes del análisis conductual en Nicaragua. Practical Functional Assessment and Skill-based Treatment Funcional with Beatriz Urcuyo y Rafael Argueta The assessment and treatment of severe problem behavior have been fundamental practices within applied behavior analysis, providing essential support for individuals with developmental challenges and their families. Functional analyses have made a great difference in informing and focusing our treatments. Among the variations and refinements of these assessments is the practical functional assessment, which has been very well received by numerous professionals due to its effectiveness, systematicity, and the values and priorities it promotes. This approach also offers continuity towards a very detailed teaching sequence of skills, which are essential to empower these learners and allow them to continue their development without facing behavioral challenges. Beatriz, Rafael and their team in Nicaragua have been among the first professionals in Central America to receive training and advice directly from those responsible for the conceptualization, research and development of these procedures. This conversation will provide an introduction to the practical functional assessment and skill-based treatment, as well as share the experiences of these leaders in behavioral analysis in Nicaragua.
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Session 284: 2024 Year in Review
12/25/2024
Session 284: 2024 Year in Review
As we do every year at this time, my friends at 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 , 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: . 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. . 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 . The Behavioral Toolbox. Check out our courses for school-based and other behavioral professionals, including our newest one, . . Whether you attend in-person in Austin, TX, or online via BehaviorLive, you're going to love this year's Verbal Behavior Conference! Click 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 .
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Deconstructing Compassionate ABA: Session 283 with Greg Hanley
12/03/2024
Deconstructing Compassionate ABA: Session 283 with Greg Hanley
A few weeks ago I was fortunate enough to find a few hours to catch up with many-time guest and all-around podcast fave, Dr. Greg Hanley. We had what turned out to be a lengthy conversation that included the following: His recent professional association with . at Action Behavior Centers. The evolution of . The term, Compassionate ABA, including some of my misgivings on whether terms like these are necessary. The nuanced role of extinction in Skills Based Treatment. Distinguishing between the immediate and long-term effects of reinforcement. Efficacy vs. effectiveness. Some historical perspectives on Functional Analysis, including the unexpected topic in which the term 'automatic reinforcement' was used. Questioning the role of descriptive functional assessment. Greg's recent thoughts on head-directed self-injury. The role of tics in self-injury. Skills-based treatment's intersection with constructional approaches to behavioral intervention. If you think that's a lot, it's just a sample of what we talk about. Here are the links to what we discussed: with Dr. Anthony Cammilleri. . Toward Compassion in the Assessment and Treatment of Severe Problem Behavior. . Long-term effectiveness and generality of practical functional assessment and skill-based treatment. . Stimulus control of self-destructive behavior in a psychotic child. Dr. Jessel's page. . Automatic negative reinforcement: Its possible role in problem behavior with treatment implications. This podcast is brought to you by: ACE Approved CEUs from .... . That's right, get your CEUs while driving (maybe even this episode!), walking your dog, doing the dishes, or whatever else you might have going on, all while learning from your favorite podcast guests! The Behavioral Toolbox. is a new education and training site that my colleagues Anika Costa and Dr. Paulie Gavoni and I have been working on for over two years. Check out our latest course, as well as the hugely popular . . Their mission is to provide university quality professional development for the busy Behavior Analyst. Learn about their CEU offerings, including their , as well as their over at . Don't forget to use the coupon code, PODCAST to save at checkout! 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 .
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A Behavioral Analysis of Problem Solving: Session 282 with Judah Axe
11/23/2024
A Behavioral Analysis of Problem Solving: Session 282 with Judah Axe
Quick, what's 47 minus 12? What did you have for breakfast the day before yesterday? When is the next leap year? Hit pause real quick and try to answer these. Don't worry, I'm not going to hold you to your answers. What's more important is the processes you went through derive them. If you find this sort of thing interesting, then this is the podcast for you! Dr. Judah Axe joins me in Session 282 to discuss a behavioral interpretation of problem solving. Judah is a Professor in the Department of Behavior Analysis at , and along with Drs. Paul Alberto and Anne Troutman, he is the author of . Here are just some of the topics we hit on: What, in behavioral terms, constitutes a problem? How Skinner first conceptualized problems and problem solving. How self-talk, visualization, and other private events play a role in problem solving. How we both wished we had stronger backgrounds in Developmental Psychology. A quick review of Blooms Taxonomy. Current educational practices that potentially impede the development of higher order problem solving. Some topics that Judah may discuss at the upcoming Verbal Behavior Conference. How to determine if or when to teach problem solving skills. How improvisation might be fostered. The role of developing rules. The challenges of studying problem solving. Here are some resources we discussed: . . A PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF TEACHING IMPROVISATION WITH THE PICTURE EXCHANGE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM TO CHILDREN WITH AUTISM. . A problem-solving approach to social skills training in employment settings with mentally retarded youth. . Efficacy and social validity of procedures for improving conversational skills of college students with autism. . Empirical Evaluations of Skinner’s Analysis of Problem Solving. . of LeBlanc and Carr's work in the area of problem solving. . What Every Student of Behavior Analysis Ought to Learn: A System for Classifying the Multiple Effects of Behavioral Variables. . This podcast is brought to you by: ACE Approved CEUs from .... . That's right, get your CEUs while driving (maybe even this episode!), walking your dog, doing the dishes, or whatever else you might have going on, all while learning from your favorite podcast guests! The Behavioral Toolbox. is a new education and training site that my colleagues Anika Costa and Dr. Paulie Gavoni and I have been working on for over two years. Check out our latest course, as well as the hugely popular . . Their mission is to provide university quality professional development for the busy Behavior Analyst. Learn about their CEU offerings, including their , as well as their over at . Don't forget to use the coupon code, PODCAST to save at checkout! 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 .
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What are Open Science Practices and Why do they Matter? Inside JABA 21
11/16/2024
What are Open Science Practices and Why do they Matter? Inside JABA 21
Dr. Matt Tincani joins Dr. John Borrero and me for the 21st (can you believe it!?!?) installment of the Inside JABA Series on Behavioral Observations. From a research perspective, this Inside JABA episode is by far our most wonkiest one to date. By that I mean we take a deep dive into the area of . If you're not familiar with the Open Science movement, Matt walks us through the basics. In doing so, we review the lead paper in the fall 2024 issue of JABA that he co-wrote with Drs. Shawn Gilroy and Art Dowdy (see ). Of the several Open Science Practices, this paper - and by extension, this episode - focuses on Preregistration. According to , "preregistration entails outlining a research protocol and specifying the study methods and plans for analysis, which are then archived publicly in a repository before conducting the study" (see p. 4). The point of doing this, amongst others, is to increase transparency and reduce criticisms of questionable research practices in Behavior-Analytic research, such as the file drawer effect, dropping participants from analyses, and so on. While these aims sound laudable, when reading this paper, my inner skeptic began formulating a handful of objections to preregistration, such as increasing barriers to conducting research by adding additional steps, "boxing in" the work of researchers to the point if inflexibility, and so on. Both in the paper and on this podcast, Matt walks through these common objections, so if you too are skeptical, give this episode a listen and see if Matt's treatment of these resonate with you. Here are a few resources mentioned in the episode: . Extensions of open science for applied behavior analysis: Preregistration for single-case experimental designs. . Replication Research, Publication Bias, and Applied Behavior Analysis. Subscribe to JABA . . Estimating the reproducibility of psychological science. . Rick Kubina, . . A Critical Review of Line Graphs in Behavior Analytic Journals.
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Using Behavior Analysis for Health and Fitness Coaching: Session 280 with Sarah Burby
11/05/2024
Using Behavior Analysis for Health and Fitness Coaching: Session 280 with Sarah Burby
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Meaningful Programming for Adults with Autism: Session 279 with Peter Gerhardt and Shanna Bahry
10/22/2024
Meaningful Programming for Adults with Autism: Session 279 with Peter Gerhardt and Shanna Bahry
Drs. Peter Gerhardt and Shanna Bahry join me to talk about a range of topics centering around supporting adults with ASD and related disabilities. They are the authors of the new book, . In this conversation, we talk about how ABA services are skewed towards younger populations, how programming for younger learners might look different if practitioners knew more about the unique needs of adult service recipients, risk aversion and other barriers to promoting independence, their 'wishlist' of skills that they'd like to see all adults with disabilities learn, having difficult conversations with parents, and lots more. Of course we discuss their book, the resources their book provides, and how these resources relate to other functional skills curricula that are out there... such as Essential for Living. You're also going to want to stay tuned for the entire conversation, because we close with some fantastic advice for just about everyone in this field. Here are links to some of the resources discussed in this episode: Where to get more info on the book, . . . on LinkedIn. on LinkedIn. . Bannerman et al. (1990). . Rubin (2018). . This podcast is brought to you by the following: ACE Approved CEUs from .... . That's right, get your CEUs while driving (maybe even this episode!), walking your dog, doing the dishes, or whatever else you might have going on, all while learning from your favorite podcast guests! Behavior Analysis' premier online event is taking place on October 25th. Come hear from pod faves including Drs. John Austin, Lina Slim, Jim Moore, and many others! 8.5 Learning CEUs are available, and when you use the promo code PODCAST24, that comes out to less than 8 bucks per credit. Learn more ! The Behavioral Toolbox. is a new education and training site that my colleagues Anika Costa and Dr. Paulie Gavoni and I have been working on for over two years. We have two courses available: our first course, and our newly released course, . . Their mission is to provide university quality professional development for the busy Behavior Analyst. Learn about their CEU offerings, including their , as well as their over at . Don't forget to use the coupon code, PODCAST to save at checkout!
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Preventative Systems, Assent, and The Naming Experience: Session 278 with Jim Moore
10/16/2024
Preventative Systems, Assent, and The Naming Experience: Session 278 with Jim Moore
Many-time guest Dr. Jim Moore stopped by the podcast to talk about a range of topics that he's been working on since we last spoke. In particular, we discussed his recent move to Arizona and his new job at , what he's learned as a C-Suite executive who maintains an active client caseload, the value of implementing universal behavioral protocols clinic-wide, practical approaches to thinking about the concept of assent, and what he's learned as of late implementing concepts and practices in the area of naming, and the associated benefits he's seen in his clients from these strategies. If you like what you hear, come hear Jim expand on all of these topics at the . It's happening on October 25th, but it will also be available afterwards via Behavior Live. If you are interested in attending this fantastic conference, please be sure to use the promo code, PODCAST24 to save on your registration! Here are some helpful links: . (use promo code PODCAST24 to save!). Schramm and Miller: . with Dr. Tim Vollmer (CEU available). Morris et al. (2024): . Shillingsburg et al. (2019). . Jim's . Today's podcast is brought to you by: ACE Approved CEUs from .... . That's right, get your CEUs while driving (maybe even this episode!), walking your dog, doing the dishes, or whatever else you might have going on, all while learning from your favorite podcast guests! Behavior Analysis' premier online event is taking place on October 25th. Come hear from pod faves including Drs. John Austin, Lina Slim, Jim Moore, and many others! 8.5 Learning CEUs are available, and when you use the promo code PODCAST24, that comes out to less than 8 bucks per credit. Learn more ! The Behavioral Toolbox. is a new education and training site that my colleagues Anika Costa and Dr. Paulie Gavoni and I have been working on for over two years. We have two courses available: our first course, and our newly released course, . . UC Online designed a Master of Education in Behavior Analysis program that is 100% online and asynchronous, meaning you log on when it works for you. Want to learn more? Go to and click the “request info” button.
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Una exploración acerca de la Latinidad en el análisis de conducta: BOP en Español 11
10/09/2024
Una exploración acerca de la Latinidad en el análisis de conducta: BOP en Español 11
Una exploración acerca de la Latinidad en el análisis de conducta con la Dra. Corina Jimenez-Gomez y la Dra Sarah Lechago En este episodio nos acompaña nuestra contribuidora frecuente, la Dra. Corina Jimenez, junto con la Dra. Sarah Lechago, una de las co-autoras de un nuevo artículo publicado en Behavior Analysis in Practice acerca de la Latinidad. En esta conversación se hace evidente que definir Latinidad no es una tarea fácil. Estas investigadoras identificaron, a través de varias fuentes en la literatura, que es común agrupar a los Latinos a partir de valores compartidos como el familismo, el machismo/marianismo, y la religiosidad/espiritualidad que subyacen en las tradiciones de las culturas Latinas. El artículo busca explorar a partir de una encuesta, como se identifican los analistas de conducta latinos con respecto a estos valores. A pesar de la complejidad de estos temas, queda claro que para ser proveedores de servicios de análisis de conducta más efectivos y culturalmente adeptos, nos incumbe informarnos y auto-evaluarnos con respecto a nuestros sesgos culturales como también tener mejores sensibilidades con respecto a los valores y prácticas culturales de las personas que apoyamos. An exploration of Latinidad in behavior analysis with Dr. Corina Jimenez-Gomez and Dr. Sarah Lechago In this episode we are joined by our frequent contributor, Dr. Corina Jimenez, along with Dr. Sarah Lechago, one of the co-authors of a new article published in Behavior Analysis in Practice about Latinidad. In this conversation it becomes evident that defining Latinidad is not an easy task. These researchers identified, through various sources in the literature, that it is common to group Latinos based on shared values such as familismo, machismo/marianismo, and religiosity/spirituality that underlie the traditions of Latino cultures. The article seeks to explore, through a survey, how Latino behavior analysts identify themselves with respect to these values. Despite the complexity of these issues, it is clear that to be more effective and culturally adept providers of behavior analysis services, it is incumbent upon us to educate and self-assess regarding our cultural biases, as well as to have greater sensibilities regarding the cultural values and practices of the people we support.
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Lessons from Implementing PFA/SBT: Session 276 with Tony Cammilleri
09/28/2024
Lessons from Implementing PFA/SBT: Session 276 with Tony Cammilleri
Dr. Anthony Cammilleri - better known as Tony to friends and colleagues - joins me in Session 276. In this episode, we talked about his early experiences in Behavior Analyst, his experiences working in Greg Hanley's lab as a grad student, of course his work collaborating with Greg and other colleagues in the founding and development of the FTF consultancy, the recent news of his migration over to Action Behavior Centers, and what opportunities lie ahead in this partnership. We then talk more generally about what's new in the world of the IISCA or Practical Functional Assessment, along with Skills-Based Treatment, and how those processes have evolved over the years, common mistakes people make when implementing these procedures, and more. We also talked about my semi-misgivings about terms like Compassionate-ABA, Trauma-Informed-ABA, Trauma-Assumed-ABA, and the like, as well as Tony's upcoming talk at the 2024 Stone Soup Conference. Here are links to some of the resources we mentioned: (Lawrence, KS). All thing . FTF's . big announcement! Action Behavior Center's . The (use PODCAST24 to save at checkout!). . Functional Assessment of Problem Behavior: Dispelling Myths, Overcoming Implementation Obstacles, and Developing New Lore. . Functional Analysis With Typically Developing Children: Best Practice or Too Early to Tell?: In Response to Hanley (2012). . Producing meaningful improvements in problem behavior of children with autism via synthesized analyses and treatments. . Mand compliance as a contingency controlling problem behavior: A systematic review. . On the reinforcing effects of the content of verbal attention. Dr. Tim Vollmer's appearance on the podcast in . : Towards Trauma-Informed Applications of Behavior Analysis. This podcast is brought to you by: ACE Approved CEUs from .... . That's right, get your CEUs while driving (maybe even this episode!), walking your dog, doing the dishes, or whatever else you might have going on, all while learning from your favorite podcast guests! Behavior Analysis' premier online event is taking place on October 25th. Come hear from pod faves including Drs. John Austin, Lina Slim, Jim Moore, and many others! 8.5 Learning CEUs are available, and when you use the promo code PODCAST24, that comes out to less than 8 bucks per credit. Learn more ! The Behavioral Toolbox. is a new education and training site that my colleagues Anika Costa and Dr. Paulie Gavoni and I have been working on for over two years. We have two courses available: our first course, and our newly released course, .
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ABA in the Spanish Speaking World: Session 275 with Miguel Avila
09/24/2024
ABA in the Spanish Speaking World: Session 275 with Miguel Avila
My partner in crime and host of the , Miguel Avila, joins me to talk about Behavior Analysis in Spanish-speaking cultures. In addition to his day job with , Miguel has been hard at work, and recorded over 10 Spanish language podcasts for Behavioral Observations listeners. So in this episode, which we of course conduct in English because my Spanish did not progress past my Freshman year of college, I turn the tables and interview Miguel for a change. We talk about his experience as an immigrant to the US, what constitutes "Spanglish," how he encountered Behavior Analysis, and how he ended up at Essential for Living, leading the efforts to translate into Spanish. We then broaden the discussion to talk about where Behavior Analysis stands in various Spanish-speaking countries. As you'll hear in the podcast, Miguel has spent time in many of these places in Latin America and Europe, so while he humbly claims to not be the ultimate authority on these matters, he certainly has gained lots of hands-on experience in these settings. A conversation like this would not be complete if we didn't talk about efforts to provide training and consumer protections via regulatory institutions in these countries. In doing so, we touch on organizations including , , , ,, , and more. Long story short, there's a lot to do in terms of supporting the profession of Behavior Analysis in these international contexts. In fact, Miguel will be speaking at the upcoming conference coming up in October. Here are some links to the topics we discussed: (Miguel wrote and read the intro) . Behavior Analysis in Venezuela: An Unrecognized Legacy This podcast is brought to you with the support of: ACE Approved CEUs from .... . That's right, get your CEUs while driving (maybe even this episode!), walking your dog, doing the dishes, or whatever else you might have going on, all while learning from your favorite podcast guests! Behavior Analysis' premier online event is taking place on October 25th. Come hear from pod faves including Drs. John Austin, Lina Slim, Jim Moore, and many others! 8.5 Learning CEUs are available, and when you use the promo code PODCAST24, that comes out to less than 8 bucks per credit. Learn more ! The Behavioral Toolbox. is a new education and training site that my colleagues Anika Costa and Dr. Paulie Gavoni and I have been working on for over two years. We have two courses available: our first course, and our newly released course, . . Their mission is to provide university quality professional development for the busy Behavior Analyst. Learn about their CEU offerings, including their , as well as their over at . Don't forget to use the coupon code, PODCAST to save at checkout!
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Psychological Safety in the Workplace: Session 274 with John Austin
09/12/2024
Psychological Safety in the Workplace: Session 274 with John Austin
Dr. John Austin returns to the show to discuss a topic that we touched on briefly back in : Psychological Safety. While the idea of Psychological Safety might seem overly conceptual in nature, John breaks down what he thinks about it in very easily understood and measurable terms. More importantly, he talks about why Psychological Safety matters in the workplace. Here are some of the aspects of this topic that we got into: The example of Google's Project Aristotle, where this term became popularized. Ways to measure Psychological Safety. Setting the occasion for employees saying what's on their minds. Creating conditions where feedback is accepted, and even desired. How employees might find meaning in their work. The concept of Behavioral Integrity. Leaders being surprised when employees quit unexpectedly. Other factors relating to employee retention. How to foster connections with coworkers and employees. What John will be talking about at the upcoming (note: use promo code PODCAST24 to save $$$ at checkout!). Pivotal leadership behaviors, and lots more! If you like John's content, you're in luck, because he's agreed to come back and do an episode on having difficult conversations, which as you'll hear, is a topic that many leaders struggle with. Here are the resources we discussed in this episode: Free access to the audio version of John's book, . . John's website, . Edmondson (2018). (note: Amazon Associates Link). . Other podcasts mentioned: (Pat Friman) and (Chris McGinnis). This podcast is brought to you by: …The Bx Resource Membership saves you time, lends you support, and helps you keep up with your CEUs. It's a growing library of resources, materials, programs, datasheets, assessments, and how-to videos to help you tackle any ABA program with ease. It also includes live CEUs each month, live mentorship sessions, a full library of CEUs (60+, enough for recertification), and a community of fellow behavior professionals where you can ask questions when you need support. Join us at . ACE Approved CEUs from .... . That's right, get your CEUs while driving (maybe even this episode!), walking your dog, doing the dishes, or whatever else you might have going on, all while learning from your favorite podcast guests! Behavior Analysis' premier online event is taking place on October 25th. Come hear from pod faves including Drs. John Austin, Lina Slim, Jim Moore, and many others! 8.5 Learning CEUs are available, and when you use the promo code PODCAST24, that comes out to less than 8 bucks per credit. Learn more ! . UC Online designed a Master of Education in Behavior Analysis program that is 100% online and asynchronous, meaning you log on when it works for you. Want to learn more? Go to and click the “request info” button. HRIC Recruiting. Barb Voss has been placing BCBAs in permanent positions throughout the US for just about a decade, and has been in the business more generally for 30 years. When you work with HRIC, you work directly with Barb, thereby accessing highly personalized service. So if you're about to graduate, you're looking for a change of pace, or you just want to know if the grass really is greener on the other side, head over to to schedule a confidential chat right away.
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The Importance of Theory and Philosophy: Session 273 with Carol Pilgrim and Tim Hackenberg
08/30/2024
The Importance of Theory and Philosophy: Session 273 with Carol Pilgrim and Tim Hackenberg
I'm very much honored to be joined by Drs. Carol Pilgrim and Tim Hackenberg! Listeners will recognize Tim from his very informative and popular episode on Token Economies. If you haven't heard that one, I highly recommend that you go back and check out , as well as read Tim's review paper in JABA on the same topic. Dr. Carol Pilgrim is professor of psychology at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. It would take me several minutes to get through all of her contributions and accomplishments that she's imparted to the field. Here are just a few: Dr. Pilgrim has served as president of its major organizations, including ABAI (as well as its Southeastern ABA chapter), the Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis, and Division 25 (Behavior Analysis) of the American Psychological Association. She also served as secretary of the Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, and as a board member of that organization (note: for more background, please see ). As you'll hear, Tim and Carol reached out to me to talk about the upcoming conference that they are co-chairing. It's ABAI's . It's happening on October 28th and 29th. The onsite location is Chicago, and it will be available virtually too. While we did spend some time talking about the conference, we spent the majority of the episode discussing the importance of understanding Behavior Analysis the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of Behavior Analysis at a deep level. Specifically, we touched on: Why these topics are essential to graduate training in Behavior Analysis. Distinguishing Theory and Philosophy from Concepts and Principles. The distinctions between Theory and Meta-theory. What assumptions guide the science of behavior (and science more generally). Some examples of findings in the basic laboratory that have made their way into everyday practice. In this discussion, we also talk about this process happening in reverse too. And of course we do get in to the details about the conference itself, including how it's organized, what role this conference serves amongst the many training opportunities that exist, and much more. In short, they make their pitch for folks to come check it out. Lastly, one of the topics we touched on that I'd like to return to down the road is the epistemology of Behavior Analysis, and how that how knowing both how and why we know what we know, and distinguishing this from other disciplines, can help us interact more successfully with practitioners from other fields. Lastly, for disclosure's sake, ABAI is not sponsoring this content. However, in furthering the goal of being a transparent media outlet, I am very much open to this 😉 All kidding aside, while this might seem like an, "eat your vegetables first," or, "I swear you'll use algebra someday," type of show, I hope you come away with a broader appreciation of this topic. And I'm grateful that we have folks like Carol and Tim who can organize events like these to showcase them. This podcast is brought to you by: …The Bx Resource Membership saves you time, lends you support, and helps you keep up with your CEUs. It's a growing library of resources, materials, programs, datasheets, assessments, and how-to videos to help you tackle any ABA program with ease. It also includes live CEUs each month, live mentorship sessions, a full library of CEUs (60+, enough for recertification), and a community of fellow behavior professionals where you can ask questions when you need support. Join us at . ACE Approved CEUs from .... . That's right, get your CEUs while driving (maybe even this episode!), walking your dog, doing the dishes, or whatever else you might have going on, all while learning from your favorite podcast guests! Behavior Analysis' premier online event is taking place on October 25th. Come hear from pod faves including Drs. John Austin, Lina Slim, Jim Moore, and many others! 8.5 Learning CEUs are available, and when you use the promo code PODCAST24, that comes out to less than 8 bucks per credit. Learn more ! The Behavioral Toolbox. is a new education and training site that my colleagues Anika Costa and Dr. Paulie Gavoni and I have been working on for over two years. We have two courses available: our first course, and our newly released course, .
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The Ethics of Procedural Fidelity: Session 272 with Claire St. Peter
08/22/2024
The Ethics of Procedural Fidelity: Session 272 with Claire St. Peter
Whether one calls it Procedural Fidelity, Treatment Integrity, or any combination of those, and/or many other related terms, this is an important and often overlooked issue when it comes to implementing behavior analytic interventions. Think about it for a minute: as practitioners, we spend all this time obsessing about what assessment strategy to use and what interventions we think are the best fit for the individuals we serve. As you'll come to find out, we spend comparatively less time on ensuring that the programs we write are being implemented correctly. So it is with this in mind that I'm grateful that Dr. Claire St. Peter returned to the podcast to discuss her research in this area of procedural Fidelity. In this episode, we talk about why she prefers the term "Procedural Fidelity," the types of behavior plans that are difficult for teachers to implement, the different types of procedural errors one can make, the impact these different errors have, what types of intervention plans are more vs. less resistant to reductions in procedural fidelity, why this is a topic that practitioners should care about, whether to measure procedural fidelity via rate or percent correct, and regardless of method, how behavior analysts can start tracking procedural fidelity right away. We also talk about Claire's research in this area, going back to the work she did as part of her dissertation. We also talk about the state of reporting procedural fidelity in the behavior-analytic research literature. Lastly, I think it's important to point out that this topic is replete with ethical implications, which is why I titled this episode the way I did. When I listened to the show, I kept track of the various code elements that were indirectly outlined or addressed. For the mentors in the audience, this might be a fun exercise to do with your supervisees. Here are the resources discussed in this episode: : Claire's episode on Constructional Approaches to behavioral intervention. to Claire's multiple BOP appearances. Claire's On Claire's site, a section where you can download examples of and related resources. . A detailed examination of reporting procedural fidelity in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. . Trends in Reporting Procedural Integrity: A Comparison. . Effects of Commission and Omission Errors on the Efficacy of Noncontingent Reinforcement. . Nominally acceptable integrity failures negatively affect interventions involving intermittent reinforcement. . On a persisting curious double standard in behavior analysis: Behavioral scholars' perspectives on procedural fidelity. . Treatment Integrity, Commission Errors, and Reinstatement: A Primer. . Combining Explicit Timing with an Interdependent Group Contingency Program to Decrease Transition Times. This episode was brought to you with support from: Behavior Analysis' premier online event is taking place on October 25th. Come hear from pod faves including Drs. John Austin, Lina Slim, Jim Moore, and many others! 8.5 Learning CEUs are available, and when you use the promo code PODCAST24, that comes out to less than 8 bucks per credit. Learn more ! …The Bx Resource Membership saves you time, lends you support, and helps you keep up with your CEUs. It's a growing library of resources, materials, programs, datasheets, assessments, and how-to videos to help you tackle any ABA program with ease. It also includes live CEUs each month, live mentorship sessions, a full library of CEUs (60+, enough for recertification), and a community of fellow behavior professionals where you can ask questions when you need support. Join us at . ! In previous podcasts, you've heard me talk about NECC's career opportunities, but later in this episode, you'll hear about their Autism Curriculum Encyclopedia, or ACE for short. It's an evidence-based teaching technology for educators and BCBAs who teach learners with autism and related disabilities. If you must know more right now however, you can go to . HRIC Recruiting. Barb Voss has been placing BCBAs in permanent positions throughout the US for just about a decade, and has been in the business more generally for 30 years. When you work with HRIC, you work directly with Barb, thereby accessing highly personalized service. So if you're about to graduate, you're looking for a change of pace, or you just want to know if the grass really is greener on the other side, head over to to schedule a confidential chat right away. ACE Approved CEUs from .... . That's right, get your CEUs while driving (maybe even this episode!), walking your dog, doing the dishes, or whatever else you might have going on, all while learning from your favorite podcast guests!
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Restraint and Seclusion in Public Schools: Session 271 with Matt Brodhead
08/09/2024
Restraint and Seclusion in Public Schools: Session 271 with Matt Brodhead
Listen on: | | Dr. Matt Brodhead returns to the podcast to talk about a topic he's dedicated the better part of nearly completed sabbatical trying to understand: restraint and seclusion practices in public school settings. In this episode, we talk about why he chose this topic to study, the difficulty in defining what constitutes a restraint, the challenges with documenting events, the terrible state of systematic, nation-wide data collection on restraint and seclusion events - particularly those that result in injuries and deaths, the pros and cons of banning these practices, potential legislation regarding these practices, and lots more. Clearly this is an issue that generates controversy, and I hope you'll find that we did our best to talk about the subject with the appropriate amount of nuance and sensitivity. In addition to his teaching and research duties at Michigan State University, Matt also provides consultation to schools and agencies, and specializes in developing systems that promote ethical decision making. If you'd like to work with Matt, you can contact him at either or . At the latter website, you can purchase his excellent guide, (by the way, these make for great gifts). Resources discussed in this podcast: Scheuermann et al. (2016). . Kern et al. (2022). . Nunno et al. (2021). . Merrill Winston's (and CEU opportunity as well). This podcast is brought to you by the following: …The Bx Resource Membership saves you time, lends you support, and helps you keep up with your CEUs. It's a growing library of resources, materials, programs, datasheets, assessments, and how-to videos to help you tackle any ABA program with ease. It also includes live CEUs each month, live mentorship sessions, a full library of CEUs (60+, enough for recertification), and a community of fellow behavior professionals where you can ask questions when you need support. Join us at . ! In previous podcasts, you've heard me talk about NECC's career opportunities, but later in this episode, you'll hear about their Autism Curriculum Encyclopedia, or ACE for short. It's an evidence-based teaching technology for educators and BCBAs who teach learners with autism and related disabilities. If you must know more right now however, you can go to . . UC Online designed a Master of Education in Behavior Analysis program that is 100% online and asynchronous, meaning you log on when it works for you. Want to learn more? Go to and click the “request info” button. . Their mission is to provide university quality professional development for the busy Behavior Analyst. Learn about their CEU offerings and their newly updated RBT Course, which as been getting amazing reviews over at .
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Improving knee surgery outcomes with positive reinforcement: Inside JABA Series 20
07/17/2024
Improving knee surgery outcomes with positive reinforcement: Inside JABA Series 20
In the 20th installment of the Inside JABA Series, I'm joined by Drs. Brennan Armshaw, Manish Vaidya, and Sachen Mehta. As always, I'm also joined by JABA Editor in Chief, Dr. John Borerro. In this episode we discuss a fantastic paper that is out in the summer issue of JABA titled, “Surface electromyography-based biofeedback can facilitate recovery from total knee arthroplasty.” In brief, this study that examined a novel treatment approach for rehabilitating patients following knee replacement surgery. And guess what, they used simple behavioral techniques to radically improve physical therapy outcomes! Orthopedics is something that's been on my mind lately as I am recovering from a broken metacarpal bone in my hand. It's probably something of interest to others who have either had orthopedic problems themselves, or who have taken care of hose who have. However, even if you're not interested in orthopedics, I encourage you to really dig into this episode because it's just a great case study of applying our science to a novel problem that affects millions of people . As always, there are no advertisements in the Inside JABA Series shows, but I will mention that if you would like to get a CEU for listening to this episode an answering series of questions related to its content, you can find out how to do just that by . So if you would like to learn from your favorite podcast guests, especially while you're on the go, check out what we have to offer over. I should also mention that there are discounts available for multiple event purchases. I recently crunched some numbers and found out that CEU customers, on average, save almost $100 when they leverage these discount codes. Here are the links to resources mentioned in the podcast: . Surface electromyography-based biofeedback can facilitate recovery from total knee arthroplasty. . Surface electromyography and gamification: Translational research to advance physical rehabilitation. : Applied and Translational Research in Healthcare. . . Brennan's and . Manish's .
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BOP REWIND: A Constructional Approach for Solving Behavioral Challenges, with Claire St. Peter
07/09/2024
BOP REWIND: A Constructional Approach for Solving Behavioral Challenges, with Claire St. Peter
Hey everybody I hope you're having a great summer so far, or whatever season it happens to be whenever you listen to this episode. Some of the things I've been doing recently is going back through the behavioral observations archives and giving episodes a second or third listen. One of those episodes was Session 193 that I published in July 2022, and my guest was Dr. Claire Saint Peter. In that episode we talked about the constructional approach, as it were, and how it relates to solving behavior problems. This topic has been getting a lot of attention lately. When I was at ABAI in Philadelphia a few weeks ago, I attended several talks on the constructional approach, which prompted me to listen to this episode again. And when I did listen to this episode for a second time I felt that there were so many really helpful pieces of information that I wanted to republish it. What I did with this episode is essentially started after the part in which Claire talked about her background and getting into behavior analysis. Now if you want to go back and listen to that story, and I think it is a good story by the way as it's a bit of a microcosm of the history of applied behavior analysis, you can certainly do so. However, for the purposes of brevity, I decided just cut out that introductory section so the overall experience is a bit more focused, especially for those of us who are listening to this for a second, third, or fourth time. With that said, I really hope you listen to this episode and it's entirety there are so many great nuggets have information. Although we talk about the application of the constructional approach to a student in a school setting, I am sure that you will make connections to all sorts of applications. I will also make this episode eligible for a continuing education unit, as I have been doing with many older episodes as well. So if you are looking to get caught up on your continuing education, go to to see the nearly 60 episodes we have available for your continuing education. The last thing I'll say about this episode is that this is not the last thing I'll say about the constructional approach. I guess I'm saying that out loud for some accountability, because of said this before, but I want to have some other guests on to talk about this because I think it's an interesting way to look at behavior analysis and it's ability to address problems of social importance. Here are links to some of the resources we mentioned: Goldiamond (1974): More Goldiamond: Layng (2009). Romano, St. Peter, Milyko, Mesches, and Foreman (2021). : There's No Such Thing as a Bad Boy, with Pat Friman : Motivational Interviewing with Dr. Jim Murphy Friman (2021). Johnston, Pennypacker, and Green: (note: Amazon Associates link). This podcast is brought to you by: …The Bx Resource Membership saves you time, lends you support, and helps you keep up with your CEUs. It's a growing library of resources, materials, programs, datasheets, assessments, and how-to videos to help you tackle any ABA program with ease. It also includes live CEUs each month, live mentorship sessions, a full library of CEUs (60+, enough for recertification), and a community of fellow behavior professionals where you can ask questions when you need support. Join us at . ! I am beyond thrilled to partner with one of the oldest and well-respected ABA institutions to help them find staff to continue their mission of supporting individuals with Autism. Learn more about careers at NECC over at . The Behavioral Toolbox. is a new education and training site that my colleagues Anika Costa and Dr. Paulie Gavoni and I have been working on for over two years. We have two courses available: our first course, and our newly released course, . HRIC Recruiting. Barb Voss has been placing BCBAs in permanent positions throughout the US for just about a decade, and has been in the business more generally for 30 years. When you work with HRIC, you work directly with Barb, thereby accessing highly personalized service. So if you're about to graduate, you're looking for a change of pace, or you just want to know if the grass really is greener on the other side, head over to to schedule a confidential chat right away.
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