Function Junction:Behavior Matters: Recent Episodes
Susan Catlett and Cissy Carter
Dr. Susan Catlett and Cissy Carter, both Board Certified Behavior Analysts, discuss practical solutions to behavior challenges that they have experienced in the many years they have consulted to schools and families regarding individuals with disabilities.
Laura picks up telling us about dyslexia. She talks about things we look at as children get into late kindergarten or into first grade. She says that looking at what they can write can tell us a lot. She gives us information about decoding and encoding and that those are different skills. Students can be able to do one and have difficulty with the other. Have a listen. We hope you gather new information. Thank you for listening. We will be taking a summer break. We will be back in August.
Laura Dowdy Northcutt is back, but this time she is talking with Susan and Cissy about dyslexia. Laura is the director of Responsive Services for a Houston area school district and guides the dyslexia services. Things are ever changing with dyslexia and you are bound to learn some new things through this conversation. We appreciate you listening. stay for the question at the end and be sure to come back for part 2 next week.
Susan and Cissy continue their conversation with David Hays. In this episode, David gives tips about how to remain calm and safe when interacting with a child who is not emotionally regulated. He also talks about helping children (and adults) become more regulated. Have a listen about how visual supports can help students understand the natural consequences to their behavior! His experience with a broad range of ages and a broad range of challenging behaviors makes for a great talk. Be sure to stay for the question at the end. We appreciate you listening.
David Hays has been a friend and colleague for decades. Although a bit of a winding road, his career started as a camp counselor before he found his way to special education. He then taught children with significant behavior support needs and retired as an assistant director to a large school district. In this conversation, David talks about the importance of remaining calm, gentle, kind, respectful, and receptive. What a difference that can make when a student is in crisis! Have a listen and come back next week for the rest of the conversation. Thank you!
Educators or therapists may be the expert on math, reading, strategies, etc., but parents are the experts on their child. Cissy shares a story about a really fun student with an expert parent. She learned as much from the parent as she did the student. She and Susan talk about another student and the idea of keeping your word when you tell a student that you are going to give them a reward for a specific behavior. Some of the things they talk about have complex explanations from the ABA view, but are things that parents can do with their children even if they do not know the technical terms. Thank you for listening.
Susan and Cissy continue their conversation with Mary Fitzgerald. She gives great advice like watching peers of the same age as the individuals you are working with to see what makes for fun social activities. Uno can be fun, but if no one in their school is doing that, we should do something else. They also talk about the impact inclusion has had such that individuals with special needs participate regularly in activities in their school and community. She also talks about the importance "consent for touch". Asking for permission to provide physical support teaches that others should ask as well and that we all have the right to say "no".
Mary Fitzgerald is a master educator. She has worked with school districts, educational service centers, and with business partners for many years making education better for many, many students. In this conversation, she emphasizes the importance of presuming competence with students as we interact with them and around them. In this first half of the conversation, she talks about a student who had been hitting peers who were interacting with her. Presuming that she could participate in a conversation with her peers about this made a big difference. She has many stories to illustrate such a difference it can make to remember that everyone should be treated with respect. Have a listen and come back for the rest of the conversation next week. Thank you!
The conversation continues with Dr. Gray Atherton as she moves into a discussion of video games. She talks about finding ways to incorporate similarities to video games in activities, but make the activities involve others and social interaction. It could be games that create a "battle" with figurines or something like paintball. She suggests trying to channel their interests into something that creates opportunities to interact with others. Many of these activities are things that people who are neurotypical enjoy. Her discussion of research around these things is very encouraging. Thank you for listening. Hope you got the answer for the question.
Dr. Gray Atherton received her Ph.D. at the University of Houston, but is working at Edge Hill University in England now. She is a professor and researcher interested in many areas related to autism. One especially interesting topic is anthropomorphism. A simple explanation of this is when someone implies human characteristics to nonhuman things such as cartoons or animals. She talks about how to use this idea to teach social skills like understanding what others may be thinking. She also talks about using individuals passions to teach them skills and consider them as we think about future work for individuals with autism. Susan and Cissy hope you enjoy this first half of the conversation and come back next week for the rest of it.
Susan and Cissy talk all the time about how behavioral concepts are involved in everything we do. It is even involved when we make decisions about how to help ourselves with medical issues like hip pain. Susan shares about the journey to getting a hip replacement. From the way the doctor talks with her to the way she prepares herself for the surgery and even to the necessary things after the surgery, behavioral concepts can be seen. Have a listen. Let us know what you think about the question. Thank you for listening. Please come back next week!
Dr. Amanda Gray continues her conversation with Susan and Cissy about executive functioning. You don't have to be on the spectrum to have executive functioning problems. We have almost all had moments of executive dysfunction when hurried or under stress. This could look like being late for an appointment because after an out of order kind of morning, you could not find your keys. They talk about how trauma can impact executive functioning too. She goes on to say that executive functioning and theory of mind can look very different for each person. Cissy and Susan hope you take away as many ideas as they did from this great conversation. Come back next week. Hope you enjoy the question.
Amanda Gray is back! She has a practice in the Dallas area called "Gray Area". She helps individuals with ADHD and related challenges work on homework, study skills, and strategies that will help them at school and in life. She talks with Susan and Cissy about Executive Functioning and working to find what works. This can be very individualized. The skills needed may be the same such as organization, being on time, and finishing homework and other assignments, but what will help each person may look very different. Please enjoy this first half of our conversation with her about the topic. Come back next week for the rest of our conversation to learn new things and get great tips. Let us know if you knew the answer to the question.
Susan shares about her day that started a little crazy and got crazier. Having one of those days made her think about how important self-regulation is. She related the importance of explicitly teaching self-regulation skills to students. She talked about a student who yells, name calls, and hits furniture or the wall when upset. The staff working with her have been doing a great job counting the behaviors. She talked about how they worked through coming up with a plan to split out the behaviors to see patterns. They also talked through ways to help her reduce the behaviors through learning self-regulation skills. Have a listen and try the question. Thank you for listening.
Susan and Cissy continue their conversation with Dr. Todd Savage, former president of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and international speaker. He shares important information about warning signs for suicide. He helps our listeners see the connection between school violence and suicidal ideation and attempts. Being mindful of these behaviors can help school staff engage people trained in threat assessment. He also makes a case for working on social emotional learning as a part of the way we help keep all kids stay safe in schools
Susan and Cissy had the wonderful opportunity to talk with Dr. Todd Savage about school safety and crisis prevention as well as gender diversity. Dr. Savage is a psychologist and professor who speaks nationally on these topics as well as culturally responsive practice and LGBTQ+ matters in education. The statistics he shares about suicide should serve as a wake up call to us all. He advocates for training for all adults in schools to help with this issue. He also talks about the need for peers to understand how to help a friend or classmate that they may know who is contemplating suicide. This is just half of the conversation. Stay for the question. Thanks for listening. Be sure to check back next week for the second half of this conversation.
Cissy's husband, Joe, joins her on this episode to talk about the legend Toby Keith. Joe has worked in the music business for a very long time and has had the opportunity to meet and speak with some of the greats. He shares about a few of those people, but seeks to highlight the kind of person Toby Keith was. They end with more of a comment than a question talking about the behavioral aspects of something Toby did. Come back next week. Thanks for listening.
Susan and Cissy continue their conversation with Michael Soria. He uses his experience as a parent and educator to help families and schools create plans and find tools that will help students make progress. He has a positive approach to help families have their concerns heard as well as positive ways to help educators reach students. Have a listen and gather ideas about being heard in any kind of meeting. Be sure to check out Matthew's Corner on Michael's LinkedIn site. Thank you for listening. Stay for the question.
Michael Soria is an educator who went from the classroom to other companies like Pearson, Touch Math, and PCI. He has a passion for helping individuals with special needs achieve and be included. He has been the father of two sons one of whom had autism. He honors the memory of that son in Matthew's Corner. He has started a company, IEP Curriculum and Consulting. Through this company, he helps families and schools find tools to help students with special needs. You are sure to enjoy his insight about education and tools to encourage learning. There is nothing like the voice of a parent with special needs to help us understand things in a new way. Please stay for the question and come back next week for the rest of our conversation with Michael.
A year ago, Cissy talked about the fact that she did not finish the marathon at Disney World and how she wanted to have a redemption run. In this episode, Susan and Cissy talk about the ABA concepts behind trying for a comeback. It is food for thought as we work with individuals with disabilities and setting goals for them that they may achieve or not. It is important to consider why they were not able to achieve a goal. What can we change to help them master the skill? Set them up for success, support them as they move toward the goal, reward the achievement. This will likely look different for each person. Stay for the question. Thanks for listening.
Bryce Kaiser is back with Susan and Cissy to finish the rest of their conversation. In this second half, he talks about some of the challenges supervisors face and how Hoom House has helped with those challenges. He also talks about how he has helped people in fields that others may not think about ABA as being applied. He has worked with a certified mermaid who is using ABA in her practice. Certification changed so that BACB certificants are only in the US now. Hoom House is providing mentorship to countries who may not be able to go through the BACB for certification, but want to create ways to help them as they work to provide services to individuals with special needs.
Bryce Kaiser is one of the co-founders of Hoom House. Hoom House started because Bryce and his co-founder (and wife) saw that those seeking ABA services were on long waiting lists for services. They wanted to shorten the wait. They started with providing ABA services online even before Telehealth became so popular. They have expanded to connecting people pursuing supervision for their BCBA studies and those who can provide supervision. Susan and Cissy enjoyed hearing about their services and all the things they share freely. Stay for the question. Come back for the rest of the conversation next week.
Susan and Cissy talk about finishing up 2023 and making plans for 2024. They share some of their own goals for the coming year as well as ways to help reach those objectives. The science of behavior analysis certainly comes into play when we try to learn or achieve something new. They also reminisce about goals from the past and ways their own New Year's resolutions have morphed over time. There is no question for this week, but if you are willing, please share your plans for the coming year to our social media pages.
Susan and Cissy talk about holiday memories and the potential behavior concepts behind those memories. Listen for the level of stimulus discrimination Cissy's Mom showed. Also, listen for some magic Susan had one year. We hope you enjoy these stories of sweet times from the past. There is not a question this week. We want to be sure to thank Troy Payne for all the work he does for us getting the episodes ready as our audio editor and producer. Thanks too to Joe (Cissy's husband) who serves as our executive producer. Happy Holidays! Be sure to check out Blossom n Beauxs Behavior Secrets at https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Blossom-N-Beauxs-Behavior-Secrets-By-Susan-Catlett
Susan and Cissy continue their talk with Gary Moore of the nonPareil Institute. He talks about some of the creative projects the crew from nonPareil have been responsible for. They have done a great job teaching others about playing to their strengths. The conversation is a reminder about how hard parents work for their children. That work, for nonPareil, has turned into people from all over the world wanting to see how they have done it. Thanks for listening!
Gary Moore, co-founder, President, and CEO of the nonPareil Institute, spends time talking with Cissy and Susan about his grassroots efforts with his co-founder, that set out to help their two sons and that has become a nationally known organization geared at supporting "Crew Members" in the areas of technology, soft skills, and social engagement. He is such an inspiration.
Susan and Cissy talk about handling the challenges of holidays and all the changes to regular routines brought on by the celebrations. They also give some tips about traveling and safety. Many of the tips have been learned from families who have successfully managed these kinds of things. Function Junction hopes this is a happy season for all of our listeners. We are thankful for each of you.
Susan and Cissy are back for the rest of their conversation with Ed Thompson of Uptimize. He points out that innovation is critical for businesses to remain relevant. He makes the point that neurodiverse people think differently from many of us and have quite a bit to offer with ideas related to innovation. Be sure to grab his book, A Hidden Force. It will get you thinking! He gives lots of great ideas about interviewing. One important point is asking questions to help make sure the new company is a good fit for the person interviewing. Stay for the question. Thank you for listening.
Ed Thompson is the CEO of Uptimize which is dedicated to helping employers hire and retain talent that thinks differently. He is the Author of A Hidden Force: Unlocking the Potential of Neurodiversity at Work. In this first half of their conversation, he talks with Susan and Cissy about the formation of the company and the development of the book. His book explores how neurodiversity has been overlooked, why embracing neurodiversity is beneficial, and how to take new understanding of neurodiversity into our lives and work places. Stay for the question and be sure to come back for the rest of the conversation with Ed.
Susan and Cissy talk about the importance of reinforcement. It is not just the use of reinforcement, but making sure to get it right. Is what you are using something the person will be want? Is everyone working with the individual applying reinforcement in the same way? Cissy and Susan have been lucky enough to work with many individuals with very interesting reinforcers which make for interesting ways to learn about the topic. They have made mistakes with reinforcers and seen others make errors. Have a listen and gather some ideas. Stay for the question. Thank you for listening.
Susan and Cissy continue their conversation with Ramon Santillan. Ramon has written the book "Big 4 Interview Questions" that helps individuals think through the kinds of questions that are asked in interviews. He also shares ideas about answering those questions sharing your own strengths that highlight skills an interviewing company is looking for. Have a listen to his ideas and grab his book to help with the interviewing process. Don't forget the question at the end. Please come back next week
Ramon Santillan of www.persuasiveinterview.com talked with Susan and Cissy about coaching individuals with autism to get ready for better interviews. Ramon started his career as a tax consultant, but now shares strategies for finding work with individuals who struggle in the job search and interview processes. He helps people in all kinds of careers. He likes that he does not have repeat customers. His clients are finding work and not needing him again. He shares ideas that could be great for everyone. This is part 1 of 2. Stay for the question and be sure to come back for the next episode.
Susan and Cissy share several stories about changing behaviors. The ideas can be applied with just about anyone. They talk about the importance of choosing the most important behavior at the time, thinking through the function, and finding the best change process. Have a listen and give the question a try. They hope you get an idea that can help you.
Louis continues the conversation with Susan and Cissy by talking about two groups that center around advocacy. The Council of Parent attorneys and Advocates is a national group. Members of Texas Organization of Parent Attorneys and Advocates strive to empower students and families to assert and protect their education rights. Louis is the President of TOPPA. He shares great ideas for helping individuals get into college or be ready for a job. Remember to check out The Benjamin J. Geigerman Lecture Series at http://www.geigermanlecture.com. Stay for the question and come back next week. Thank you for listening.
Louis Geigerman is a well known special education advocate. He has worked with families in the Houston area and other parts of the country for close to 30 years. He has a passion to see students with disabilities have access to what they need to get an appropriate education. He also keeps families and schools focused on outcomes connected to having fulfilling work for individuals with disabilities. Please check out http://www.geigermanlecture.com which is dedicated to the memory of his son Benjamin who was in the spectrum. Come back next week for the second part of this conversation.
Dr. Amanda Gray continues to share very important information related to autism, ADHD, executive functioning, and theory of mind. She talks about a study out of Australia that suggests that girls with autism may actually outnumber boys with autism, but they have just gone undiagnosed. Her discussion about ADHD has Cissy thinking about her attention skills. She shares a bit about Executive Functioning prompting Susan and Cissy to suggest the three find time in the future to get into that more. Enjoy the wisdom. Stay for the question. Come back next week. Thank you for listening.
Join Susan and Cissy in a conversation with Dr. Amanda Gray. Dr. Gray is a Licensed Psychologist near the Dallas area. She has experience as a school psychologist, but has moved to private practice. In this first half of the conversation, she talks about the difficulties of navigating getting the diagnosis of autism and getting to the supports that are needed, particularly for girls. She notes that boys with with autism and less academic needs may also not always get the supports they need. She reminds listeners that there is a difference between a medical diagnosis and an educational eligibility. She wants to support families as they navigate these kinds of issues. Be sure to come back next week and hear more about girls with autism. Oh, and stay for the question.
Susan shares stories about changing behaviors systematically and carefully. She also emphasizes the "art" of applying the science of behavior change. It is important in teaching individuals with disabilities, but can be applied to our everyday life as we want to change our own behavior or teach others in our circle. Hope you enjoy this week. Stay for the question, and come back next week
Please enjoy the rest of Susan's and Cissy's conversation with Brennan Fuller. Brennan has a great analogy about autism for helping others understand it. He also shares some very interesting vocabulary words. He researches all kinds of things and talks about some of those things. He sure made Susan and Cissy think about supporting individuals with autism and making sure that lessons are interesting. He also seems wise beyond his years in so many ways. Hope you stay for the question.
Please enjoy the rest of Susan's and Cissy's conversation with Brennan Fuller. Brennan has a great analogy about autism for helping others understand it. He also shares some very interesting vocabulary words. He researches all kinds of things and talks about some of those things. He sure made Susan and Cissy think about supporting individuals with autism and making sure that lessons are interesting. He also seems wise beyond his years in so many ways. Hope you stay for the question.
Brennan Fuller is an amazing 16-year-old who is very interested in biology and is an artist. He is also on the autism spectrum. Brennan drops lots of wisdom on Cissy and Susan as he talks about where he wants to go in life. Their conversation covers everything from Dungeons and Dragons to COVID quarantine. Stay for the question today, but come back for the rest of the conversation next week. Thank you for listening.
In this second part of our conversation with Dr. Mitchell, she talks about some of the differences in a Functional Behavior Assessment as individuals get older. She talks about the importance of planning for success in all areas where an individual will live, work, and play. It was exciting to hear about how technology is opening doors for work for individuals with disabilities. Please have a listen and stay for the question.
Dr. Vickie Mitchell is a powerhouse of knowledge in the area of transition and education in general. She has trained people across Texas and the U.S. about setting high expectations for students and making plans to reach those goals. Have a listen and be encouraged about the future for children with disabilities (or any child for that matter). She is sure to make you think about the importance of behavior in this first part of our conversation with her. Stay for the question at the end and come back next week to hear more from this great lady.
Season 3 is here! Susan and Cissy talk about getting back to school and thinking about ABA concepts that are highly detailed for intervention, but happen almost automatically for many typically developing children. Have a listen and think about the children you know and how they may have acquired concepts without direct instruction. You may also pick up a few new words to drop at a cocktail party (ha ha). Welcome back. Thank you for listening. stay for the question.
Susan and Cissy are wrapping up Season 2 with a quick talk about what summer break can mean to students, parents, teachers, etc. We hope that you have enjoyed the guests this season as much as we did. We hope you learned some new things like we did. We will be back in August. Have a look at the episodes to see if there are some you have missed.
Susan and Cissy continue their conversation with Laura Dowdy Northcutt about sensory activities. She has experience in clinics, hospitals, and schools. Her knowledge of how specific activities can help us regulate our attention and movement is very helpful. She shares many practical ideas and emphasizes watching what a person is doing and even engaging in the behavior to gain insight. Be sure to check out the things she has allowed us to share on our website - function junction.org. Also, stay for the question.
Susan and Cissy had the privilege of talking with Laura Dowdy Northcutt. Laura is an occupational therapist with a wealth of experience helping individuals with motor needs and developing skills needed to take care of their daily living needs. The sensory system is certainly involved in our ability to move through our day and take care of ourselves. She and Cindy Castillo, a BCBA, developed a training to help school staff look at the sensory needs of their students. She also has a great deal of experience with dyslexia and serves as the Assistant Director of Responsive Services for a school district in the Houston area. She is happy to share a checklist and a "sensory toolbox" with our listeners. You can find it under the visual supports tab of the Function Junction website - www.functionjunction.org. Stay for the question and come back next week for more great information about our sensory systems and learning.
Susan and Cissy have a quick conversation about how watching cartoons and other videos has changed over time. When we think about things that we satiate on such as food, they lose their reinforcement value when we have had enough. It seems that many of us do not satiate on screen time. Do you satiate on screen time? Do you know others who do not? How do you manage your screen time? Stay for the question at the end.
Susan and Cissy continue their conversation with Judy Blake of Family to Family. She talks about supporting families and helping them prepare for the future as well as her own son who is on the spectrum. She shares how she used his strengths and interests to help him. As a reminder, Family to Family is hosting "Autism 101 Academy" on April 29th, 2023. You can find more information at their website www.f2fn.org. Have a look at all they do. stay for the question at the end of this episode.
Susan and Cissy talk with Judy Blake from Family to Family. Her role with the organization is working with parents, grandparents, etc. to help them learn to advocate for their family member. Judy has a child on the spectrum who is an adult and talks about trying to navigate the diagnosis all those years ago. With her vast experience and knowledge, she talks about how much she has learned from other families and professionals. Family to Family is hosting "Autism 101 Academy" on April 29th. You can find more information at their website www.f2fn.org. Have a look at all they have to offer. Stay for the question at the end of this episode.
Susan and Cissy talk about the prevalence data about autism from the CDC. The numbers continue to increase. They talk about why that may be and what we are learning from the data that the CDC and some other studies have shared. The timing of the episode seems appropriate as it is being published during Autism Awareness and Acceptance month. Please share your ideas about why the numbers continue to grow. Stay for the question.
Susan and Cissy continue their conversation with Chad Pallodino about his work with students with autism. It is clear that Chad has a passion for helping students with autism and other disabilities. He does a great job talking about approaching challenges, seeing where the individual is, and getting them to the next step. He also talks about work on his doctorate, which is a very interesting topic. Stay for the question. Thank you for listening.
Chad Palladino is new to Texas, but not to the field of autism. Susan and Cissy get a chance to have a talk with him about how he started working with people with autism and how he got to Texas. This episode is the first half of the conversation. Chad has a great deal of training and study that he uses to support students and staff. Cissy and Susan hope you enjoy learning from Chad. Stay for the question.
As the podcast was recorded, the CDC had just published the latest prevalence of autism. Susan and Cissy talk briefly about that and then move into some observations Susan made while on Spring Break. The conversation was a reminder that we should all learn from one another. Some people are great teachers. Some people are great behavior analysts. It is important that everyone who is trying to help others learn new skills or change behavior listen to one another. Collaboration brings great things. Thank you for listening and stay for the question.
Cathy Bowen is a long time educator and behavior specialist. She and Susan had a conversation about the concept of "worry". This made Susan suggest that Cathy be a guest on the podcast to examine this topic. Susan, Cissy, and Cathy have a great time talking about worry. They share ideas about why we do it, what the functions may be, and what we can do about it. They share many of the concepts from Applied Behavior Analysis that contribute to maintaining the behavior of worry, but also talk about it in a cognitive behavioral way as well as poking fun a bit at their own Irish Catholic upbringing. This fits perfectly as the episode airs on St. Patrick's Day. There is a question at the end.
Susan and Cissy continue their conversation with Susan Parker. Susan's work as a teacher and then a Specialist for Region 4 Education Service Center give her a rich knowledge of important things happening in and for schools. Please enjoy her very grounded talk about how things have developed in Texas schools - and where things are going. Stay for the question. Thank you for listening!
Susan Parker has recently retired from Region 4 Education Service Center. Texas has 20 Education Service Centers that provide training and support to their areas. Susan has given decades of service to special education students and staff in Texas with the bulk of that support at Region 4. She shares a bit about her history of getting to the service center in this first half. What you may not get from the conversation is something that Cissy and Susan know. Susan Parker is one of those people who is going to give projects her all with little need for recognition. Please enjoy this first half and come back next week to hear more from this unassuming hero.
Susan and Cissy talk about how much they have learned and how their behaviors have changed over the last two years of the podcast. They reminisce about many of the fun people who have contributed to the growth of this project that they started conceiving during the pandemic. Thank you all for listening and letting them have the joy of talking about behavior change.
Enjoy the second part of Susan's and Cissy's conversation with the authors of "Superhero Secrets For Teachers - Behavior Analysis In The Classroom". Bev and Natalie talk more about their book and some of the information within it. They also share fun stories from the book and their careers. Gather some secrets from the conversation and grab the book. Stay for the question.
Susan and Cissy enjoy the opportunity to talk with the authors of the book "Superhero Secrets for Teachers: Behavior Analysis in the Classroom". Beverly Smith and Natalie Perkel have taken complicated topics and created a text that clearly explains ABA concepts in fun ways. They give insight into how they met and started thinking about their book. Please enjoy the first half of this great conversation with these talented ladies. Stay for the question.
Susan and Cissy continue their conversation with George Simos. He talks about a student that influenced his desire to pursue ABA as a career. He also shares how sometimes small progress can be very important to an individual. He talks about finding people to help be an example to develop oneself and how he is preparing for the BCBA exam. Thank you for listening and give the question a try.
Susan and Cissy have a great conversation with George Simos. George is a Functional Behavior Evaluator for a school district. He talks about how much he enjoys the process of evaluating students' behavior to help find the function and come up with a plan to help make a positive impact on their learning. Have a listen to this really sharp guy. He will get you thinking. Stay for the question!
During this episode, Cissy talks about having to bail on the marathon in Disney World. She reflects on her thought process of not finishing a very important goal for her. Anytime we fail, we have the opportunity to consider the behaviors that contribute to missing the goal and then those behaviors that will help us try again to reach the goal. This also led to thinking about individuals with special needs and how it must feel if they are aware that they are not achieving goals that have been set for them. Hopefully, the discussion will inspire listeners if they have goals they are struggling with or if they are working with individuals who are pushing themselves everyday to learn. Stay for the question.
Have a listen to the second half of Susan's and Cissy's conversation with Chelsea and Rachel. They give us some insight into how ABA is a part of raising animals and their own children. Sometimes the things we learn explain our behavioral history and sometimes it changes how we help our own family members learn. Please enjoy and stay for the question at the end.
Susan and Cissy have a talk with Rachel and Chelsea about ABA concepts in their lives. Both ladies are studying to become Board Certified Behavior Analysts and have interesting lives in which the concepts fit. They work together in a school district in the Houston area helping teachers and students with special needs. The first part of our conversation with them is, for the most part, about how behavior became a focus for their careers and how they decided to work on BCBA certification. Stay for the question and come back next week for the rest of their conversation.
Susan and Cissy talk about the history behind New Year's resolutions as well as the science related to why they are successful or not. They share ideas for helping make resolutions work for you. Susan and Cissy hope that the new year brings joy to you. Stay for the question and the coming year.
Susan and Cissy have a great conversation with Troy Payne. Troy does the editing for the podcast and could also be called the production engineer. He has certainly been a gift to the hosts and the podcast. He talks about several things. One of the most fascinating is how his admiration for Mickey Gilley's music became a true friendship with the artist. We hope that you enjoy listening to Troy.
Follow those dreams - Happy Holidays
In the start of this final part with Debarshi, he talks about wanting to be a teacher. He wants to change things for other people with autism. Who better to do that than someone who has autism? He also talks about a misconception about people with autism being narcissistic. He talks about how some people think people with autism do not care, but he disagrees because he knows that he cares a lot. Thank you for listening. Stay for the question.
In this second part of our conversation with Debarshi, we learn about his late diagnosis and how he was punished for social issues. He talks about getting help and taking responsibility for his actions. We also talk about skill vs performance. Enjoy and stay for the question.
Susan and Cissy have a conversation with Debarshi Kundu. Susan has known Debarshi since he was in high school. He was diagnosed with autism at that time and talks about the challenges he has faced along the way. He has gone on to graduate from the University of Texas at Austin and listeners will hear that he can self-reflect better than many. This is the first of a three part conversation with an amazing person. Have a listen and stay for the question at the end.
Susan talks about the history of Black Friday and great deal she recently managed at the grocery store. They also give some of the behavioral science behind why Black Friday works so well. Happy Shopping - hope you enjoy. Stay for the question.
Susan and Cissy share about being thankful and have a discussion about how "thank you" fits into verbal behavior. November is a great time to reflect on things for which we are thankful and, of course, behavior analysts have to take apart the behavioral aspect of things people do. Have a listen and see if you agree. Feel free to share your disagreement (or agreement) with the answer to the question at the end.
Join Susan and Cissy for the second half of their conversation with Kathy Hearsey. Kathy is the Director of Training for TEACCH at UNC. She is bound to make you think about the whole child, the whole person, and what is important in the long run. Her years of training and experience come through in the ease with which she talks about serving others. Stay for the question at the end.
Have a listen to Susan's and Cissy's conversation with Kathy Hearsey. Kathy is the Director of Training at UNC's TEACCH and one of the author's of the Task Galore book series. Teachers all over the world have benefited from her training and most probably have each of the books. She has many years of experience working in the field of autism and her love for people comes through. We hope you enjoy listening to one of the experts in the field. We have a question for you at the end.
Cissy talks with Susan about how she and her husband were semi-lost on a trail in Ohio. They managed to find their way back to their car and laughed along the way. Have a listen about how behavioral principles come into play even when we are having fun on vacation. Stay for the question.
Here is the rest of this most recent conversation with Chris and Lucinda. It is wonderful to hear how they have learned from and helped one another. We should all see that our path to success is ever changing and always under construction. Susan and Cissy hope you enjoy these two as much as they did. There is a question at the end as usual.
Susan and Cissy have another conversation with Lucinda and Chris Thelan and this is the first half of that conversation. Chris talks about a recent keynote speech he gave. He does a beautiful job talking about how success can look different for each person. You will be convinced that he is certainly successful. You can find Chris's keynote speech at https://cdd.tamu.edu/service-outreach/bcs-success-conference/. He also talks about ways he found to get himself more active. Cissy and Susan hope you enjoy this conversation as much as they did. There will be a question at the end.
John Ross Palmer is a wonderful Houston artist whose artwork is in places like Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, the Jung Center, and amazing restaurants. His work is a part of the collections of the Dalai Lama, George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush. He clearly sees how the science of behavior is a part of art. Have a listen to how he has used his passion to help others artist be able to pursue their passion. Enjoy and stay for the question.
Teresa Peterson continues her conversation with Susan and Cissy. She tells us about her son's self-advocacy and her own learning of how to help him communicate to get to what he wanted. All their work made big differences in his life - from being a part of the high school football team to finding work that he enjoys. Whether the children you love have learning differences or not, you can learn good strategies from Teresa. Stay for the question. As always, thank you for listening.
Susan and Cissy have a great conversation with Teresa Peterson about the impact her son had on her life as she worked to make things happen for him. Originally, the diagnosis was a bit scary, but she started gathering information and advocating for him. This led to overcoming some of her own learning challenges. Her story of overcoming those challenges is amazing. As she worked to find ways to help her son, she found a very rewarding career in helping people with post traumatic stress disorder. Have a listen to the first part of that conversation and stay for the question.
Susan and Cissy have read articles and heard talk that some people think ABA is harmful and should be eliminated. They discuss their thoughts and potential reasons people may have a negative opinion. Of course, they see the field as trying to make a positive impact in the kindest way. Have a listen and let the podcast know your thoughts. Stay for the question at the end.
Dr. Angie Mullennix gives us some of the background of her early studies and career that shows her determination started at a young age. She shares with us her plans for getting back to triathlons. She also used her recovery time to help others in their efforts to run and swim. Have a listen to this amazing lady. Stay for the question that Susan and I really had to talk through.
Our second season starts with the first part of a conversation with Dr. Angie Mullennix who has an amazing story of recovery and fortitude. Dr. Mullennix is the Director of Innovative Practices and Programs and State Military Liaison for the North Carolina department of Public Instruction. She is also a triathlete. While on a training ride at the end of March this year, she was hit by a truck. Her injuries indicated a 2-3 month recovery in the hospital and rehab. After one week in the hospital, she was released to go home with in-home health support. Have a listen to how she did that. Oh yes, and she ran a 5K in July!
Have a listen to the second part of the conversation which was Episode 21. Chris and Lucinda share ideas and deep thoughts that apply to just about everyone. We are closing this first (long) season with a revisit of their message. We hope that teachers are resting this summer and being reminded of the critical role they play in their students' lives. There is a question at the end. Give it a try. We will be back September 2nd.
We are going to wrap this first (extended) season with a revisit of a great conversation with Lucinda and Chris from Episode 20. Chris is an adult with autism. Lucinda is his dedicated mom. They have faced difficulties and victories and share the difference one person can make. Chris talks about what a difference a teacher made. We celebrate teachers and hope they are having a great summer. The episode ends with a question about ABA concepts. We will post Part 2 next week and then take a break before coming back with Season 2 on September 2. Thank you to everyone who has been listening.
The conversation continues with Cheri Ibarra who is a great teacher working with students on the spectrum as well as others who need behavior support. We have a great discussion about meltdowns vs. tantrums. Cheri also shares wonderful ideas including working with students to help them learn to calm themselves. She works hard to make the future better for her students. Enjoy and stay for the question.
Susan and Cissy talk with Cheri Ibarra who is a great teacher working with students with less academic needs and more needs in the social skills area. In this first part, she talks about fun students and using QR codes to help collect data to guide the interventions to be used. You will hear that she has high expectations for her students and they rise to meet those expectations. Thanks for listening and stay for the question.
In this episode, Susan and Cissy talk about how behavior change can be seen in all parts of our lives. Susan talks about a great pilates instructor and a change in her behavior. They also talk about how even their own dogs have shaped their behavior. Behavior change is everywhere. Understanding how our choices influence others and how other's behaviors influences us can be powerful. Stay for the question. Thank you for listening.
Join the second half of the conversation Susan and Cissy have with Loz Scott Young. Loz was diagnosed as autistic as an adult. She has navigated the way for herself and her two children who also have autism. She shares great information about sensory issues as well as preparing for social and communicative interactions. She talks about some of the educational challenges her child had and trying to advocate for supports. We hope you enjoy and stay for the question.
Have a listen to the conversation Susan and Cissy had with Lorraine "Loz" Scott Young. Loz was diagnosed with autism as an adult and has two children who are on the spectrum. In a search to help her own child, she found herself going to work with Chewy Gem. Chewy Gem makes chewable jewelry and fidgets to help those who need that type of extra sensory input. One of her children has used his interest in video games to become a professional gamer. Loz's perspective is very informative and will make you think. The hosts hope you take away as much as they did. Stay for the question.
Jackie Marushka picks back up talking about being able to "high five" yourself and the importance of cheering for yourself. She makes things happen in the field of public relations. Her efforts also make things happen for others outside of her work day. She shares beautiful examples of behavior change in real life. Enjoy the conversation, incorporate some of her ideas, stay for the quesiton.
Jackie Marushka is the founder of Marushka Media, a boutique PR and Branding agency, who speaks so kindly that you can't help but want to spend more time with her. It doesn't take long to realize she is a woman on a mission to make things happen and help others. She is a trail blazer in her field, but also knows a lot about behavior change. Cissy and Susan hope you enjoy this conversation as much as they did. Stay for the question at the end of the podcast and come back next week to hear the rest of their talk.
Dr. Chrystina Dolyniuk is a professor at Rider University. She works with individuals with autism and teaches others how to work with individuals with autism. She has provided training to Ukraine in a way that most Americans cannot. Dr. Dolyniuk speaks Ukrainian. She learned the language from her grandparents. When she presented to the families, therapists, and teachers there, they did not have to have her words translated. She is connected through history to the people we see on the news each day fighting for their country. She has an article published on spectrumnews.org titled "My hope for Ukrainians with autism". It is a moving article that also partially prompted the Facebook page "Americans Supporting Ukrainians with Autism". We were honored to have this conversation and were inspired by her words. Have a listen. Check out her article. Use the Facebook page to find reputable ways to help individuals with autism in Ukraine.
Have a listen to Part 2 of a great conversation with Jen Stegall. Jen is a singer, songwriter, and music producer who speaks eloquently about autism and the impact it has had on her family. Talking about her son, she will give you food for thought about how we speak of and how we intervene with individuals on the spectrum. We end the episode with a question as usual.
Parents are such a good resource for learning about autism or other disabilities. Jen Stegall is definitely one of those and a pleasure to talk with. She presents information in such a calm and complete way that listeners are bound to learn new things. She knew very early that something was different and that she needed to pursue intervention. This is part one with this great mother talking about her son. Stay for the question and come back next week to hear more.
Join Susan and Cissy for the second part of their conversation with Sunny Braun. Sunny explains Rett Syndrome so clearly and with great passion. The hosts learned new things and we hope you do too. Visit www.reverserett.org to learn more and to see the work that Rett Syndrome Research Trust is doing to find a cure. As usual, there will be a question at the end of this podcast. Thank you for listening.
Sunny Braun talks with Susan and Cissy about Rett Syndrome. Sunny is a wealth of knowledge on the topic. Her daughter, Kelsey, has Rett Syndrome and is the catalyst for her knowledge. You will learn amazing things about this disorder and be inspired to always investigate solutions. At this time there is no cure, but scientists are working. You can find ways to help at www.reversrett.org. Have a go at the question at the end of the podcast before you check out the website for Rett Syndrome Research Trust.
Susan and Cissy talk about a student with whom they have both worked. The student had a significant change in behavior so the school was looking for a way to move things in a positive direction. Cissy worked with the classroom and Susan worked with the family to come up with plans to help this student get back on track. The classroom staff were very supportive and made changes to assist him. His family was very receptive to things that could happen at home to make a change. Have a listen and please stay for the question at the end.
Join Susan and Cissy for the rest of the conversation with Jon Lu, Ellie Castillo, and Kelly Pillow. These three work together to support staff and students daily. They share inspiring information. Stay for the question.
Susan and Cissy have a great conversation with Jon Lu, Ellie Castillo, and Kelly Pillow about how they work together to make a difference for the students and teachers they serve. They are each inspiring on their own merits, but together they make magic. Have a listen and be inspired. Stay for the question.
Cissy discusses a rare occasion when her team had to go beyond positive behavior interventions and supports because none of them were working for "Joe."
Have a listen to Susan and Cissy have a talk with a man Susan worked with years ago. Brian and his parents give great insight into navigating school and life after that. They are sure to make you smile and think. Stay for the question.
Susan talks about a student who had a big reaction to the word "girl". Everyone working with her recognized the importance of helping her be able to tolerate the word as they could not control the vocabulary of everyone with whom she came in contact. The team worked together on the word and helped Wendy make great progress. We hope you stay for the question at the end.
Here is the second half of our conversation with Dr. Mary Lasater about Dr. Mike Brady. She and Susan share about his wonderful influence on their lives and careers. We hope you enjoy the stories and see the behavior matters. Stay for the question at the end
Dr. Mary Lasater returns to reminisce with Susan about Dr. Mike Brady. Susan and Mary were in graduate school at the same time and were lucky enough to have Dr. Brady guide them through their Doctorates and several other aspects of their lives. Dr. Brady died in December leaving many people to grieve, but also many, many wonderful memories. Their stories emphasize the importance of coming alongside others as they learn, having high expectations, and a good sense of humor.
Cissy and Susan talk about the challenges of working with individuals who have multiple maladaptive behaviors that are serving multiple functions. Helping these individuals get their needs met in a more functional way can be very rewarding. Sometimes it can be hard to decide where to begin. Have a listen and decide where you would start.
Here is the second part of Tricia Lund, a Houston BCBA, who returns to talk about gender identity and expression differences in individuals with autism. She has studied a great deal in the area as well as trauma informed care. You are sure to be moved by the respect with which she talks about topics that are frequently not addressed for many people with disabilities. Stay for the question at the end.
Tricia Lund, a Houston BCBA, returns to talk about gender identity and expression differences in individuals with autism. She has studied a great deal in the area as well as trauma informed care. You are sure to be moved by the respect with which she talks about topics that are frequently not addressed for many people with disabilities. Stay for the question and come back next week for Part 2.
Susan talks about a student who had many behaviors of concern. She gives a great illustration of turning a situation around with a student by pairing yourself and important activities with something they are known to enjoy. If a student sees you as fun, they are much more likely to work for you. Have a listen and check out the question at the end.
Susan and Cissy have a conversation with Sharon Carter and Jennifer Walker who are finishing up their last class for their behavior analyst certification. Although they have worked with different populations, they have worked together through the coursework and learned to apply the concepts in different ways as a result. They have great stories and insight. Have a listen and see if Cissy is able to answer the question they brought for the end of the episode.
Joe, Cissy's husband, discusses his healthy journey of running and good eating while he and Cissy prepare for the "Dopey Challenge" in Disney World. Great advice and inspiration for 2022!!
Today's episode is a short conversation about making New Year's Resolutions and some of the behavioral principles around them. Susan and Cissy offer some ideas about making a resolution that can be kept. Have a listen. Also, have a Happy New Year! Welcome 2022!
Susan and Cissy have a talk with Blair Overman. Blair recently passed the exam to become a BCBA. Have a listen to her discussion about the obstacles that may have had others give up. She also shares about a student who cemented her "why" for working with students with autism and other special needs. We hope you are having a wonderful holiday and find a reminder about your own "why". Blair does a great job with the question at the end (of course).
Susan and Cissy continue a great conversation with Cheryl and Lindsey. These two ladies share great stories that teach important things about behavior. There is, of course, and question at the end. Thanks for listening.
Susan and Cissy have a great conversation with Cheryl Little and Lindsey Koon who both have worked with students with autism and other disabilities for many years. These two ladies have made big differences in lots of students' lives and have great stories to share. Have a listen to this first part and be inspired by their passion. Be sure to stay for the question!
Cissy uses her sleep history to talk about Conditioned Motivating Operations. CMO's can be powerful ways of increasing positive behaviors and decreasing maladaptive behaviors. There are many ways that CMOs influence all of our lives. Stay for the question at the end.
Also, big thanks to out editor, Troy Payne. He sure makes things easier for us.
We hope you enjoy this second part of our conversation with principal Stephanie Cox. She and the staff at her school are making a big difference for the students that they serve. You are bound to get some ideas. Stay for the question at the end.
Have a listen to the first part of a great conversation Susan and Cissy have with principal Stephanie Cox. She and the staff at her school have created a system to support the behavior of all of their students. They support and teach all children's behavior and help them learn the skills they need where they need them. As always, a question about an ABA topic will finish the episode.
It is important to know the things that trigger the individuals with whom you work or those of your own children. This week, Susan talks about the importance of knowing YOUR triggers. When you are helping someone whose behavior needs support, it is crucial to keep your triggers in check. We hope you enjoy this quick episode. How did you do on the question at the end?
Another great conversation with Bridgette and Chandeep. This time the ladies talk about meeting a student where he was, providing support and instruction, and then bringing those skills back into the general ed class. They work with the family and provide information to the child's physician understanding that a big team approach is needed for some students. Be sure to give the question a try.
In part one of a conversation Cissy and Susan have with Bridgette and Chandeep, they talk about the importance of understanding the meaning behind words and actions. They discuss a student who is doing and saying things that can be upsetting and do not match the situation. It is a reminder to teach replacement behaviors and HOW you want the student to ask for what they need. Have a listen and stay for the question. Come back for Part 2 next week.
Cissy shares a story about a student who engaged in several behaviors for which the function seemed to be attention. She shares how she recruited help to assist the student and provide some of the attention that the student wanted. Have a listen and get some ideas. Hang around for the question at the end to test your understanding of ABA concepts.
Susan talks about a student who had significant behavior challenges that were not addressed appropriately by a teacher. Susan became more involved as a different teacher was assigned to work with him. Several important issues are discussed, such as consistency of implementation across people, what can be ignored, ruling out medical conditions, etc. Have a listen and give the question a shot too.
Nicholas Guillerman returns for another conversation with Susan and Cissy. It is easy to see that Nicholas has the pivotal skills that researchers talk about. Have a listen and get some ideas from his organization and planning. We hope you also enjoy the question about ABA at the end.
All of us have our behavior shaped and changed almost every day. Sometimes, the person changing our behavior is very aware and actively trying to change it. Sometimes, the person changing our behavior may not be aware that their actions are having an impact. Have a listen and see if you have had your behavior changed the way Cissy has. Stay for the question about extinction, reinforcement, and rule governed behavior.
Join us for the second half of our conversation with Dr. Mary Lasater. She shares wonderful insight on working together for students with special needs. Her stories are insightful and fun. Hang out for the question about ABA concepts.
Dr. Mary Lasater discusses some great things happening at the University of Houston Victoria regarding ABA, Masters degrees, and other special Ed programs. She has researched important issues such as inclusion and video modeling. She is also a co-creator of a program for training para-educators. Have a listen and stay for the ABA question.
Susan talks about how a teacher's punishment procedures lead to her performing a Functional Behavior Assessment that taught another teacher about data collection as well as a solution for the student's behavior that needed a change. The ladies talk about other examples of punishment and reinforcement in a way that they hope makes behavior change easier to understand. Stay for the question.
Cissy and Susan have a great conversation with Tisha Gonzalez about helping individuals with autism develop social skills. Tisha and Sandra run Bee Social in San Antonio and are doing great things for their clients. We hope you enjoy part 2 of this interview.
Susan and Cissy have a great conversation with Tisha Gonzalez about helping individuals with autism develop social skills. Tisha shares great information about a resource for families of students who take the STAAR Alt-2 test (one of the versions of the state test for school age students in Texas). Tisha and Sandra Jacobs have Bee Social which runs social skills training for individuals with autism and related disabilities. Stay for the question at the end of part one. Come back next week for the second half of the conversation.
Susan and Cissy discuss the skill of executive functioning, which is important to all of us. Some people with autism can have challenges in this area and find themselves in some tricky situations. Of course, a question ends the episode.
Jon Lu created some of the beautiful artwork we use on the podcast, but that is not the only way he will inspire you. He works with students with autism and developmental disabilities and has a joyous gentle way of helping them learn. Have a listen to the second half of our conversation with him and stay around for a question to practice ABA concepts.
Susan and Cissy interview an amazing school district-wide paraprofessional who has so much insight into forming relationships with students, other paraprofessionals, and teachers. Have a listen to the wonderful Jon Lu and hang around for a question about ABA concepts. Special thanks to John Kenna who edited this episode!
This week, Cissy talks about working with a school to help a student who was hurting himself because he didn't want to work. In behavior analysis, we talk all the time about replacement behaviors. The staff worked to replace his behavior of hurting himself for a much better way of asking for a break. As always, stay around for a question to test your knowledge of ABA concepts.
Here is the second part of our talk with Tricia Lund. She is bound to make you think about adults with disabilities and how they should be able to make decisions about their own lives. Tricia talked about Dave Hingsburger and how much she appreciates what she has learned from his teaching. We recorded this episode before July 18, 2021, the day he died. We express our deepest condolences to all who cared for him. His work will continue through people like Tricia and others who understand that a disability does change the need and desire to have choices and a life well lived.
Tricia Lund is a Houston area BCBA who is working with neurodiverse adults. She works with her clients on some of the most fun and difficult things in life - relationships. She is sure to get you thinking. This is bound to be helpful, especially with the question at the end of the episode. Some may consider portions of the episode to be adult content. There is nothing explicit, but we talk about adult issues.
Susan shares an important story about a student and his formal name versus the name his was accustomed to being called. The story goes on to talk about other issues of respect and care. The episode ends with an ABA question to keep listeners thinking.
The the second part our conversation with Chris and Lucinda continues. They share ideas and deep thoughts that apply to just about everyone. The episode ends with a question about ABA content.
Susan and Cissy have a great conversation with Lucinda and Chris. Chris is an adult with autism. Lucinda is his dedicated mom. They have faced difficulties and victories and share the difference one person can make. The episode ends with a question about ABA concepts.
This episode is a quick talk about how to handle someone being - perhaps - overly interested in an activity. Have a listen and get some ideas whether you are thinking of someone with autism, a friend with a developmental disability, or just a person you care about with an interest that is interfering with learning. As always, a question ends the episode.
The second half of the conversation with Dr. James Williams will have you wanting to work in transition services or hire a person who is differently abled. Have a listen and be inspired. An ABA question is at the end to get you thinking.
Susan and Cissy share the first half of a conversation with Dr. James Williams of Bloom Consulting, LLC. James is passionate about helping people with disabilities find work. After listening to him, you just might be too. He makes a strong point that everyone wants to work and make a contribution. It is easy to get inspired by his enthusiasm. Have a listen and stay for the ABA question.
Susan tells us about helping a student who had a very unexpected reaction to being frustrated with a friend. We talk about the difference between the disciplinary response of a school administrator and the response of a teacher or behavior analyst. The episode wraps up with a question to practice terminology related to applied behavior analysis.
Cissy talks about a very busy little guy with whom she was lucky enough to work. This young boy was diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome. In the episode, she talks about the doctor saying that his self-injurious and aggressive behaviors were linked to his Fragile X diagnosis. Please note that not all individuals with Fragile X Syndrome are self-injurious or aggressive. In fact, many do not show any aggression. This was the opinion of that doctor at that time. Stephen (as she calls him in the episode) taught her as much as she taught him. Have a listen and stay for the ABA question at the end.
Have a listen as Susan and Cissy finish a great conversation with Kim. Kim is the mother of a young man with autism. She is sure to make you smile and give your brain some things to ponder. Kim is a writer who makes regular posts to the journal tab of her website - www.kimlindquistauthor.com. She wants to support and inspire people, especially those impacted by autism. She sure inspires us. Don't forget to try the question at the end of the podcast.
Kim is the mother of a young adult with autism. She shares her knowledge with us as she talks about things that will make you laugh, smile, and maybe choke you up a bit. Her talk is so good that it will be presented in two parts. Have a listen and learn from someone who has walked the walk - and is continuing the walk. There will be a question about ABA at the end.
Cissy and Susan share some fun stories and discuss a couple of errors that they have seen (or made) when working to change behavior. As always, a question to practice ABA concepts is included.
In this Episode, Cissy and Susan talk about how sometimes individuals with autism and related disabilities may have trouble attending to the important parts of learning about a concept. They may "learn" the wrong information. They share interesting stories about some of the fantastic people with whom they have worked. As always, there will be a question at the end to practice ABA concepts. Hope you attend to the right information.
This week Cissy and Susan talk with Nicholas Guillerman, an adult on the spectrum. Nicholas shares about his life and how he used his strengths to make connections with both people and learning. He also talks about the people in his life who pushed him in the best ways.
Susan talks about a fun student who thought she was a little "loco" for an intervention that she used. The ladies share interesting information about overcorrection procedures and end with a question for you.
Cissy talks about solving the problem of a student running from the playground. Susan adds about how to help a student who has difficulty letting go of reward time. Which dimension of ABA will answer the question at the end of the episode?
Dr. Catlett gives great insight into reinforcers. The ladies talk about some unusual reinforcers that they have encountered over the years. As usual, the episode ends with a practice question.
Cissy and Susan talk about social and play skills. These can be difficult skills for some people with autism. For some - work is play and play is work.
Susan covers components of good goals. The episode also talks about verbal behavior and where Susan started with a young guy. A question to practice ABA concepts finishes up for today.
On this episode, Cissy talks about a student who had a hard time working because she would not put her sippy cup down. Have a listen about how she used strategies from TEACCH to help this student participate. There also will be a question to practice concepts related to the BACB Task List.
Dr. Catlett talks about a student who used several behaviors to refuse work. She shares about the great teacher who helped with solutions for him. A sample question about ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) concepts is included.
Have a listen as Cissy and Susan discuss reinforcement and strategies used to change the challenging behaviors of aggression and running away. There will be a quiz.
Dr. Catlett talks about a time when she was a grad student and she was working with a student who was spitting. Her professor helped her see the importance of the data.