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.

Improving Health Routines for Adults with Disabilities Using Synchronous Reinforcement Strategies: Inside JABA 24 08/28/2025

Improving Health Routines for Adults with Disabilities Using Synchronous Reinforcement Strategies: Inside JABA 24 In this episode of the Inside JABA Series podcast, we dive into a fascinating discussion on health-related routines for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Dr. Katie McHugh, Dr. Claudia Dozier, and Editor-in-Chief Dr. John Borrero share insights from their recent study, Synchronous Reinforcement Schedules Promote Tolerance of Health-Related Routines for Adults with Disabilities. The conversation explores how synchronous reinforcement schedules—where reinforcement occurs in real time alongside behavior—can improve tolerance for essential routines like toothbrushing, bathing, wearing medical devices, and more. The research team highlights case studies, methodological considerations, and the broader implications for clinical practice. Key Topics Covered ✅ Synchronous reinforcement schedules and why they may be more effective (and preferred) than delayed reinforcement. ✅ Applications for health routines such as toothbrushing, bathing, mask-wearing, GPS bracelets, helmets, and pulse oximeters. ✅ Collaborative service delivery with nursing and medical professionals. ✅ Challenges in participant consent and maintaining experimental control. ✅ Importance of measuring both behavioral outcomes and affective states. ✅ Future research directions, including reinforcer assessments, continuous vs. discontinuous schedules, and maintaining treatment effects. Next Steps and Future Directions Editorial updates for broader keyword usage to increase accessibility outside of behavior analysis. Comparing graduated exposure with contingent vs. synchronous reinforcement interventions. Implementing more systematic preference and reinforcer assessments in future studies. Exploring hybrid approaches (e.g., combining graduated exposure with synchronous reinforcement). Collecting more comprehensive data on participant affect and treatment integrity. Resources & References Dr. Dozier's . Dr. Dozier's . . . Increasing wearing of prescription glasses in individuals with mental retardation. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 41(1), 137–142. . An evaluation of synchronous reinforcement for increasing on-task behavior in preschool children. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 53(3), 1660–1673. . A comparison of synchronous and noncontingent stimulus delivery on task engagement. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 56(3), 664–673. . Using synchronous reinforcement to increase mask wearing in young children. Behavioral Interventions, 39(1), 1–29. . Using synchronous reinforcement to increase mask wearing in adults with developmental disabilities. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 55(4), 1157–1171. . Continuous versus discrete dimensions of reinforcement schedules: An integrative analysis. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 58(1), 205–228. . The effects of graduated exposure, modeling, and contingent social attention on tolerance to skin care products with two children with autism. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 27(6), 585–598. . Tolerance of face coverings for children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 54(2), 600-617. . Using noncontingent reinforcement to increase compliance with wearing prescription prostheses. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 44(2), 375-379. . Distraction: Its utilization and efficacy with children undergoing dental treatment. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 22(3), 297-307. About the Guests Dr. Catherine (Katie) McHugh – Researcher focused on health-related routines and intervention strategies for adults with disabilities. Dr. Claudia Dozier – Expert in reinforcement schedules and their applications across populations. Dr. John Barrero – Current JABA Editor-in-Chief and behavior analyst contributing to dissemination and accessibility of applied research. /episode/index/show/behavioralobservations/id/38002175

Improving Autism and Law Enforcement Interactions through ABA: Session 309 with Lyndsy Coffield 08/20/2025

Improving Autism and Law Enforcement Interactions through ABA: Session 309 with Lyndsy Coffield In Session 309, I welcome Dr. Lyndsy Coffield, Director of Client Success at , to share her unique journey in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and her groundbreaking work training law enforcement officers on autism awareness. Dr. Coffield’s path into ABA began with an undergraduate degree in speech pathology, later becoming an RBT and eventually a BCBA. Today, she oversees intake and marketing at a growing clinic network in Georgia while also dedicating her research to improving police interactions with individuals on the autism spectrum. This episode explores the intersection of ABA careers, autism, and law enforcement training, highlighting the challenges and opportunities that come with bridging these worlds. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Entering the ABA Field Dr. Coffield’s journey from speech pathology to becoming a BCBA. Her leadership role at Apollo and overseeing client success in a multi-clinic system. Understanding Law Enforcement Culture Why credibility matters when teaching law enforcement officers about autism. Parallels between gaining parents’ trust in ABA and gaining officers’ trust in training. Police Academy Experiences Dr. Coffield’s firsthand experiences at a Citizens Police Academy: ride-alongs, call centers, and unit training. Surprising insights into the hidden volume of crime and emergencies in her community. Autism and Law Enforcement Training Common challenges officers face when interacting with individuals on the spectrum. Misinterpretations—such as stimming being mistaken for drug use—and how they can escalate situations. Practical strategies: slowing down, assessing intent, and waiting for backup when needed. Applying Behavior Analysis to Autism Training How ABA principles help officers understand and support autistic individuals. Tips for officers: allowing response time, keeping safe distances, and recognizing autism traits. The Blue Envelope Project and other community initiatives improving interactions. De-Escalation Training in Action A success story from Salem, NH, where effective autism training helped officers de-escalate high-risk encounters. Why calm, compassionate approaches make a lasting impact in policing. Body Camera Footage as a Training Tool Dr. Coffield’s dissertation analysis of 10 body cam videos involving autistic individuals. Key officer behaviors that worked: patience, spacing, and communication. Why both lecture-based training and Behavioral Skills Training (BST) are equally effective. Ongoing Autism and Law Enforcement Research Insights from Dr. Cofield’s dissertation (available on PubQuest). The need for additional studies and real-world ride-along experiences. Encouragement for ABA professionals to get involved in police training efforts. Why This Conversation Matters The intersection of autism, ABA, and law enforcement is a critical area where misunderstandings can have serious consequences. Dr. Cofield’s research and practical training insights provide a roadmap for safer, more empathetic, and more effective police interactions with autistic individuals. Whether you’re an ABA professional, law enforcement officer, or advocate for the autism community, this episode offers practical takeaways and inspiration to make a difference. Resources & Links Mentioned Lyndsy's Lyndsy's appearance on This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: . 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! . 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, . The inaugural ABA CON CEU cruise, which launches on Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas from February 16–20, 2026. Learn more about this cruise /episode/index/show/behavioralobservations/id/37895010

Sleep, Autism, and Screen Time: Session 308 with Emily Varon 08/12/2025

Sleep, Autism, and Screen Time: Session 308 with Emily Varon Episode Overview In this episode, sleep expert Emily Varon returns to the Behavioral Observations Podcast to share her deep expertise in sleep improvement—especially within the autism community. Drawing from 15 years of experience, Emily emphasizes personalized approaches, the role of wearable technology, and the importance of sensitivity when discussing sleep challenges with families. She also discusses new research on screen time and its true impact on sleep latency, offering insights that can reshape how behavior analysts approach sleep-related interventions. Key Topics Covered Personalized Sleep Strategies Why one-size-fits-all sleep advice doesn’t work. How Emily uses wearables like the Oura Ring to identify sleep patterns and triggers. Note: check if you want to see if the Whoop Strap is a wearable technology is for you. The role of self-reflection and data tracking in improving sleep. Sleep Hygiene in the Autism Community Sleep as a primary reinforcer and the role of environmental variables. Key elements of good sleep hygiene: consistent schedules, avoiding late-night exercise, and structured bedtime routines. How these strategies apply equally to neurotypical and autistic individuals, with additional sensitivity for pre-existing diagnoses. Screens, Blue Light, and Sleep Latency The evolution of research on blue light and melatonin suppression. Insights from study showing only a minor, non-significant delay in sleep onset from screens. Why user behavior matters more than blue light itself—and how behavior analysts can address it. Sleep Research Gaps in Autism The distinction between medical and non-medical sleep researchers. Why more targeted studies in autism are needed, despite data collection challenges. Behavioral tendencies—rather than autism itself—as key factors in sleep disruption. Screen Time, Social Media, and Self-Regulation How apps are designed to maximize engagement and reinforce continued use. The impact of device removal on children’s emotions and behavior. Differences in personality and susceptibility to “dopamine hits” from scrolling. Children’s Sleep and Screen Time Variability Why short shows like Bluey may help some kids wind down, while disrupting others. Understanding sleep architecture and how disruptions affect mood and regulation. Real-world examples of activities (like bedtime reading) that can unintentionally delay sleep. Approaching Sleep Conversations with Families The importance of avoiding yes/no questions about sleep problems. Asking open-ended questions about sleep satisfaction. Building trust with families so they feel comfortable prioritizing sleep interventions. Next Steps for Listeners Special Offer: Use coupon code BXOB10 for 10% off The Sleep Collective course at . For BCBAs: Replace checkbox-style questions with open-ended ones about sleep satisfaction. Approach all autism-related cases assuming there may be underlying sleep challenges. For Families: Evaluate how screen time may be affecting your child’s sleep quality and onset. Assess whether your current bedtime routines are truly effective. Links & Resources Emily's first appearance on the BOP in study on screen time and sleep latency Learn more about Emily Varon’s work at , by Matthew Walker Huge thanks to the following sponsors who keep the lights on! . 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! /episode/index/show/behavioralobservations/id/37779035

Dissociative Identity Disorder through a Behavior Analytic Lens: Session 307 with Brady Phelps 07/26/2025

Dissociative Identity Disorder through a Behavior Analytic Lens: Session 307 with Brady Phelps In this episode of the Behavioral Observations Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with , about a topic that has perplexed, and perhaps captivated both mainstream Psychology as well as pop culture: Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). Our wide-ranging conversation explored the intersection of behavior analysis, mental health, and trauma, with a special focus on how we can understand DID through a scientific, behavioral lens. Brady’s Career Journey Brady shared how he discovered behavior analysis almost by accident as an undergrad at Utah State University, under the mentorship of Carl Cheney. After a , Brady retired in 2021 but remains actively involved in the field. He’s currently developing an with Dr. Steve Eversole at , and he's also writing a textbook on learning and behavior designed to be accessible to 20-year-olds. Understanding Dissociative Identity Disorder Behaviorally We dove deep into Brady's research on DID, originally published in 2000. His goal was to approach DID from a behavior-analytic perspective, not through traditional psychoanalytic theory. As we discussed, DID has evolved from being characterized by dramatic behavioral shifts to more subtle, self-reported identity disruptions. Brady argued that the identities themselves are better understood as reified constructs—products of distorted tacting that contacts reinforcement—rather than discrete psychological entities. Trauma, Dissociation, and Behavioral Function Brady emphasized the importance of not dismissing trauma reports, while also cautioning against assuming trauma automatically leads to DID. We talked about avoidance behaviors, escape contingencies, and how dissociation might function as a response to overwhelming experiences. He brought up examples like to show how distorted tacting can manifest in extreme ways. Rethinking Diagnostic Criteria for DID We discussed research into amnesiac barriers, such as the Concealed Information Test, which shows people might learn something even if they claim not to remember it. These findings, Brady suggested, should prompt a re-evaluation of how DID is diagnosed, particularly the differences between the Post-Trauma Model and the Social-Cognitive Model—the latter of which emphasizes social reinforcement and therapist influence in shaping alternate identities. Therapy Techniques and Reinforcement Contingencies Brady detailed how some therapists use techniques like “roll calls” or even suggesting names to clients in session. While these methods may sound extreme, they reflect how therapist behavior can inadvertently reinforce identity fragmentation. We also discussed Robert Kohlenberg’s 1973 study on behavioral repertoires, which demonstrated how social reinforcement shaped client behavior across different identity presentations. The Sybil Case and Media Influence We revisited the infamous Sybil case, which helped popularize DID in the 20th century. Despite being exposed as fraudulent, Sybil’s story continues to shape public and clinical views of the disorder. We also talked about more recent media portrayals—from TikTok to a 2023 Scientific American article—and how social media can reinforce the performance of alternate identities, especially among vulnerable populations. Behavior Analysis in Mental Health Brady and I wrapped up with a discussion on how behavior analysts can contribute to mental health conversations. He encouraged new BCBAs to collaborate with non-behavioral colleagues while staying rooted in behavioral principles. Above all, he emphasized balancing empathy with scientific rigor—understanding people without falling into speculative mentalism. Show Notes and Resources . Dissociative Identity Disorder: An Analysis of the Behaviors and Contingencies Brady (2000). Dissociative Identity Disorder: The Relevance of Behavior Analysis . Behavioristic approach to multiple personality: A case study . Court allows witness with dissociative identity disorder to give evidence in multiple personalities Explore the at Behavior Development Solutions . A New Therapy for Multiple Personality Disorder Helps a Woman with 12 Selves Who was Sybil? behind her multiple personalities 📢 Sponsor shoutouts: . 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, . The inaugural ABA CON CEU cruise, which launches on Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas from February 16–20, 2026. Learn more about this cruise /episode/index/show/behavioralobservations/id/37561555

How to Train Staff and Improve Outcomes in Adult Autism Services: Session 306 with Dr. John Guercio 07/18/2025

How to Train Staff and Improve Outcomes in Adult Autism Services: Session 306 with Dr. John Guercio returns to the Behavioral Observations Podcast for his third appearance, bringing his extensive experience and fresh insights into the world of adult services in behavior analysis. In this episode, John and Matt discuss the vital, yet often overlooked, field of supporting adults with autism and other developmental disabilities—particularly those with severe behavioral challenges. They explore: John’s new leadership role at The The The development of a new adult-specific His on staff training in adult service settings Key findings from his on enhancing data collection in residential facilities The systemic and practical challenges of working in group homes and ISLs Throughout the conversation, Dr. Guercio emphasizes the importance of dignity, choice, and inclusion, and provides practical strategies for training and retaining staff who work in high-demand settings. 🧠 About the Guest: is the Vice President of Crisis Services and ABA Services at The Arc of the Ozarks. He has over three decades of experience in adult services and is a published researcher, trainer, and advocate for ethical and effective behavioral interventions for adults. Dr. Guercio is also the author of the Staff Training Manual: Staff Training Strategies for Adult Service Settings, and co-creator of a new 40-hour RBT training program specific to adult services. 📚 Resources & Links: John's (CEU available!) The paper we discussed: : Blending Staff Preference Assessments and Contingent Reinforcement to Enhance Data Collection in a Residential Facility for Adults with Severe Aggressive Behavior Reid and Parsons (2006): Facebook page The Daniels and Bailey (2016). , Trauma-Informed Supports for People with IDD Dr. Paulie Gavoni: Dr. John Austin on (Supervision CEU available) Dr. Amy Edmonson: Reid (1992). 📢 Sponsor shoutouts: . 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 . . 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. . 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! The inaugural ABA CON CEU cruise, which launches on Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas from February 16–20, 2026. Learn more about this cruise /episode/index/show/behavioralobservations/id/37460910

Naming Bidireccional: BOP en Español 15 con el Dr. José Alberto Monseco Gómez 07/15/2025

Naming Bidireccional: BOP en Español 15 con el Dr. José Alberto Monseco Gómez En este episodio, conversamos con el Dr. José Alberto Monseco Gómez —analista de conducta, BCBA® e IBA®— sobre un proceso fascinante, aunque poco comprendido aún por muchos analistas de conducta, en la adquisición del lenguaje: el naming bidireccional. A través de una charla accesible y llena de ejemplos, exploramos qué es el naming, cómo se relaciona con conceptos fundamentales del análisis de conducta, y por qué su presencia (o ausencia) puede marcar una diferencia sustancial en el desarrollo de lenguaje complejo. Hablamos de su relevancia tanto en contextos naturales como escolares, su papel como cúspide conductual, y los procedimientos que han demostrado inducir esta habilidad cuando no está presente. José también comparte hallazgos de su propia investigación y experiencia, reflexiones personales como padre y profesional, y consejos valiosos para analistas de conducta que trabajan con población con dificultades en el desarrollo del lenguaje. Bidirectional Naming with Dr. José Alberto Monseco Gómez In this episode, we talk with Dr. José Alberto Monseco Gómez —Behavior Analyst, BCBA®, and IBA®— about a fascinating yet still under-appreciated process in language acquisition among many behavior analysts: bidirectional naming. Through an accessible and example-rich conversation, we explore what naming is, how it connects to foundational concepts in behavior analysis, and why its presence (or absence) can make a significant difference in the development of complex language. We discuss its relevance in both natural and educational settings, its role as a behavioral cusp, and the procedures shown to induce this skill when it is missing.José also shares insights from his own research and clinical experience, personal reflections as a parent and professional, and valuable advice for behavior analysts working with individuals facing challenges in language development. /episode/index/show/behavioralobservations/id/37412300

ABA Strategies for Safer Playground Behavior: Inside JABA 23 07/01/2025

ABA Strategies for Safer Playground Behavior: Inside JABA 23 Welcome back to the Inside JABA series—this is Episode 23, and it's a must-listen for anyone interested in using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to improve safety in school settings. In this episode, Dr. Jeannie Donaldson and Gabriela Gomes join Dr. John Borrero and me to discuss the paper, "" (note: first author, Elizabeth Linton unfortunately was not able to join us). 🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Playground Safety Statistics: The surprisingly high rates of injury during recess and why this matters. Behavior-Analytic Interventions: A review of previous ABA research focused on playground safety and injury prevention. Reinforcement vs. Time-Out: Pros, cons, and ethical considerations when using these strategies in natural environments. Study Design and Results: How the researchers implemented the intervention, what the data showed, and how students responded—both behaviorally and emotionally. Participant Choice & Social Validity: Insights into student preferences and recess enjoyment. Implications for Schools: How schools and practitioners can implement similar interventions and where the research should go next. As you can see below, the intervention package was quite effective: 📜 Subscribe to JABA Want access to cutting-edge research like this? and stay informed on the latest evidence-based practices. 📚 Resources & Research Mentioned: . Effects of differential reinforcement and time-out on the unsafe playground behavior of young children. . Effects of a reduced time-out interval on compliance with the time-out instruction. . Direct and indirect effects of and preferences for feedback during the Good Behavior Game in elementary classes. . Decreasing children's risk taking on the playground. . The Stamp-in-Safety Program: A Behavioral Intervention to Reduce Behaviors that Can Lead to Unintentional Playground Injury in a Preschool Setting. . Effects of and preference for student- and teacher-implemented good behavior game in early elementary classes. 🎓 Earn CEUs for Listening All Inside JABA episodes are available for CEU credit! . /episode/index/show/behavioralobservations/id/37243165

Using ABA to Build Better Health and Fitness Habits: Session 303 with Michal Pollack 06/24/2025

Using ABA to Build Better Health and Fitness Habits: Session 303 with Michal Pollack joined me to discuss how she uses her training in Behavior Analysis to help her with her personal health and fitness goals. Michal is a Clinical Director at . In this episode, we talk about: How she got her start in Applied Behavior Analysis. How she found her way to Apollo, and what she enjoys about working there. How she realized that getting fit doesn't require playing team sports, or being an athlete more generally. How spending time abroad during a gap year motivated her to adopt a healthier lifestyle. How going to the gym regularly helped her improve her emotional wellbeing. How she developed grocery shopping habits that helped her eat healthier meals. How she doesn't weigh herself frequently, and the rationale for this practice. We both talk about the pros and cons of wearable devices, and how I use (note, this is an affiliate). I want to make clear that during this podcast, it's important to note that neither of us are health or fitness professionals. We're not attempting to provide specific advice for listeners that's outside of our scopes of expertise. Instead, a better framing of this episode is to consider this a conversation between two BCBAs talking about how they apply behavior-analytic principles in their own lives. As such, if you're looking to make changes to your fitness, please consider working with a credentialed professional, with the input of your primary care provider. You can follow Michal on TikTok or LinkedIn and . If you'd like to learn more about working at Apollo, you can read about them . Articles and resources mentioned: . Assessing and Increasing Physical Activity. . Using goal setting, self-monitoring, and feedback to increase calorie expenditure in obese adults. . Behavioral assessment of physical activity in obese preschool children. The aforementioned . 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 . . 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. . 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 these Apollo Series podcasts have you wondering about what it's like to work there, check out their in the greater Atlanta area and beyond! /episode/index/show/behavioralobservations/id/37138100

AI, Applied Behavior Analysis, and the Future of Clinical Tools: Frontera Series on AI with Sydney Holmes 06/12/2025

AI, Applied Behavior Analysis, and the Future of Clinical Tools: Frontera Series on AI with Sydney Holmes Behavior Analysis Meets Artificial Intelligence , I had the pleasure of speaking with , a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and master’s level psychologist. Sydney is also the Clinical Product Lead at , where she’s helping bridge the gap between behavior analysis and artificial intelligence in some really exciting ways. Did you miss the first Frontera Series interview with CEO and Founder, Amol Deshpande? Check it out ! We covered everything from using AI tools for clinical work and content creation, to how machine learning is reshaping supervision, diagnostics, and parent support. From Marine Biology to Behavior Analysis Sydney has a unique background. She started in marine biology and eventually found her way to psychology and behavior analysis. Today, she’s at the forefront of tech innovation in her role at Frontera, where she combines clinical insight with product development. What is Digital Phenotyping? One of the more fascinating parts of our conversation was about digital phenotyping. Frontera is using AI to analyze real-world video data in order to track, measure, and interpret client behavior—helping clinicians make faster, more informed decisions. Teaching AI to Understand Behavior Sydney described the challenges of teaching machines to detect nuanced behaviors like crying or vocal stereotypy. It takes close collaboration between BCBAs and engineers to develop AI tools that are truly clinically useful. Enhancing Diagnostics and Supervision with AI We talked about how Frontera is helping BCBAs with autism diagnostics, supervision, and quality assurance through smart automation. Their platform supports more efficient monitoring of RBT sessions and helps maintain fidelity to treatment protocols. Real-Time RBT Session Review and Feedback Frontera’s video tools allow for recording of every RBT session, making it possible to provide objective, real-time feedback. The goal is to support staff in a way that’s consistent and non-punitive, which aligns with what we know about effective supervision. Improving Parent Engagement with Mobile Apps Sydney also discussed how their mobile app allows caregivers to submit short videos of their interactions with their child. This enables BCBAs to provide timely, video-based coaching and collect meaningful data outside of traditional session settings. Advice for Behavior Analysts Embracing AI Her advice for clinicians? Stay curious but skeptical, lean into collaboration, and look for ways to use technology to enhance—not replace—the human side of behavioral healthcare. Learn More To learn more about Frontera’s tools and mission, visit . You can also connect with Sydney and the team on LinkedIn and other social platforms. Thanks for listening and supporting the podcast. If you found this conversation helpful, be sure to subscribe and share it with a colleague! /episode/index/show/behavioralobservations/id/36969950

Supporting Parents in ABA Services with Valencia Harper from Apollo Behavior: Session 301 05/29/2025

Supporting Parents in ABA Services with Valencia Harper from Apollo Behavior: Session 301 When it comes to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), much of the focus is often placed on data collection, program goals, and measurable outcomes for the child. But what about the parents? Supporting caregivers is a critical, and sometimes overlooked, component of effective ABA services. In a recent podcast episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Valencia Harper, a seasoned clinician from Apollo Behavior, to talk about her thoughtful approach to working with families. Long-time listeners may remember Valencia from our Apollo Case Study Series, where she and her colleagues discussed mentoring new practitioners. This time around, we shifted gears to focus on her insights into caregiver collaboration—and the conversation did not disappoint. From Smoothies to Strategy: Valencia’s Journey Valencia opened up about her own career beginnings, including a memorable (and messy) first day involving a smoothie spill. That moment, though humbling, marked the start of a journey that led her to become the confident and effective BCBA she is today. Through years of experience, she has developed a deep appreciation for the unique challenges parents face—and a toolkit for meeting them with empathy, clarity, and respect. What Parents Really Need from ABA Providers Throughout the episode, Valencia shared key insights into how BCBAs can better support the families they serve. Here are a few highlights from our discussion: 1. Listening Builds Rapport Rather than jumping into solutions, Valencia emphasizes the power of active listening. Parents often come to the table with a wealth of experience and emotion. Taking time to truly hear them builds trust and sets the tone for collaboration. 2. BCBAs Don’t Have to Know Everything It can be tempting to feel like we have to have all the answers. But Valencia reminds us that being transparent about what we don’t know—while showing a commitment to learning—can strengthen relationships rather than weaken them. 3. Prioritize Parental Concerns Instead of sticking strictly to what the data says, Valencia encourages clinicians to take parent priorities seriously. If bedtime battles or sibling conflicts are top of mind for the family, addressing those concerns can lead to more engagement and faster progress. 4. Clarify ABA Jargon Parents may struggle with technical terms or misunderstand the purpose of certain procedures. Valencia discusses how breaking things down into digestible language helps reduce frustration and builds empowerment. 5. Combat Learned Helplessness Some caregivers come into services feeling defeated or disconnected. Valencia talks about how to gently challenge that mindset and offer small, achievable strategies that rebuild parental confidence. 6. Teach How to Set Limits Supporting families doesn’t stop with behavior plans. Valencia shares tips for coaching parents on how to set clear, developmentally appropriate limits without escalating the situation. 7. Responding to "We've Already Tried That" This common phrase can be frustrating for clinicians, but Valencia reframes it as an opportunity to validate parents’ experiences and reintroduce strategies with better context or support. Inside Apollo’s Approach to Caregiver Training Valencia also gave us a behind-the-scenes look at how Apollo Behavior structures its caregiver support. From structured training sessions to informal check-ins, their model integrates parent collaboration as a core component of service delivery—not an afterthought. Resources Mentioned in the Episode If you're looking to dive deeper into the themes we discussed, here are a few recommended reads and links from the show: How to Navigate Tantrums, Meltdowns, and Defiance to Raise Emotionally Intelligent Children―An Essential Guide for Caregivers of Children from Infancy to Age Eight. . . . 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, . /episode/index/show/behavioralobservations/id/36767235

Chronic Absenteeism and School Refusal: Session 300 with Kristen McNeely 05/14/2025

Chronic Absenteeism and School Refusal: Session 300 with Kristen McNeely Kristen McNeely joins me for an informative discussion about the challenging topic of School Refusal and Chronic Absenteeism. If you are in any way connected to a school community, you've probably heard about this difficult and growing problem. As we discuss in this episode, school refusal is an ever-growing concern, and it manifests itself in numerous ways. Kristen is both a BCBA and a Licensed Marital and Family Therapist in California, and she spends nearly all of her time working with parents who have children who engage in school refusal. In this episode, we cover: The distinction between the terms Chronic Absenteeism and School Refusal. How School Refusal can be thought of as a continuum of attendance patterns. The role of anxiety in these response patterns. Assessing the function of School Refusal behaviors. Helping parents intervene with School Refusal. The importance of wrap around supports for severe cases. How School Refusal can turn into what's known as Failure to Launch. You're going to want to listen all the way through to the end because she closes the show not only some awesome advice for the newly minted, but a poignant personal story. Resources mentioned in this podcast: The . . Measuring the Function of School Refusal Behavior: The School Refusal Assessment Scale. (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions). of ABA Inside Track (Interview with Christopher Kearney). Kristen's . Kristen's . 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! . 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, . /episode/index/show/behavioralobservations/id/36567860

Understanding Repetitive Behavior: Session 299 with Bill Ahearn 05/05/2025

Understanding Repetitive Behavior: Session 299 with Bill Ahearn Dr. Bill Ahearn joins me in Session 299 of Behavioral Observation. I met Bill a few times at conferences and I'm so glad we finally had a chance to sit down and record a podcast together. Bill is the at . Long time listeners may recall that NECC sponsored a series of episodes, and in this podcast, we talked about some of the great research that has come out of that storied institution. As an aside, if you want to learn more about NECC, particularly working at NECC, you can find more information about that . We covered a lot of ground in this conversation, including: Bill's early experiences as a grad student and clinician. His early work in addressing feeding problems. The research that he and his colleagues have conducted at NECC. How he construes stereotypic and self-injurious behavior as being forms of repetitive behavior. What he's learned about addressing stereotypy, including when and when not to intervene. We talk at length about Response Interruption and Redirection, particularly when it is and isn't necessary as an intervention. The behavioral interpretation of anxiety, and interventions that he and his team have brought to bear on related repertoires. I ask a few lighter questions on some topics of mutual interest (you'll have to listen towards the end to hear that). If you listen to nothing else from this podcast, towards the end of the show, Bill talks about why he is proud to be a Behavior Analyst. Please listen to that segment, as I think he makes some excellent points that are more than worth sharing. We also talked about tons of papers. I've done my best to track as many down as possible. . An evaluation of the effects of matched stimuli on behaviors maintained by automatic reinforcement. . Stereotypy I: A review of behavioral assessment and treatment. . Assessing and treating vocal stereotypy in children with autism. . The effects of verbal operant training and response interruption and redirection on appropriate and inappropriate vocalizations. . Arranging and ordering in autism spectrum disorder: Characteristics, severity, and environmental correlates. . Examining stereotypy in naturalistic contexts: Differential reinforcement and context-specific redirection. . Assessing and Treating Anxiety in Individuals with Autism. . Functional Analysis and Delineating Subtypes of Restricted Repetitive Behavior in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. 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! /episode/index/show/behavioralobservations/id/36443975

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. /episode/index/show/behavioralobservations/id/36343565

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! /episode/index/show/behavioralobservations/id/36192325

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, . /episode/index/show/behavioralobservations/id/36038720

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! /episode/index/show/behavioralobservations/id/35949125

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! /episode/index/show/behavioralobservations/id/35819560

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! /episode/index/show/behavioralobservations/id/35663890

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). /episode/index/show/behavioralobservations/id/35577490

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). /episode/index/show/behavioralobservations/id/35485340

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! /episode/index/show/behavioralobservations/id/35424960

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 . /episode/index/show/behavioralobservations/id/35244295

Self-Management with Self and Match: Session 288 with Jamie Salter and Katie Croce 01/31/2025

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 . /episode/index/show/behavioralobservations/id/34943700

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 . /episode/index/show/behavioralobservations/id/34757760

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. /episode/index/show/behavioralobservations/id/34707625

Session 284: 2024 Year in Review 12/25/2024

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 . /episode/index/show/behavioralobservations/id/34274095

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 . /episode/index/show/behavioralobservations/id/34119011

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. /episode/index/show/behavioralobservations/id/33954402

The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt Cicoria

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