ABA Inside Track

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UNLOCKED from our Patreon page, it's the "Between Now and Dreams" Book Club! Interested in more Book Clubs? Want to vote on what we read next? Feeling FOMO at getting this a full year late? Wish your 2 CEs for listening to the episode were FREE??? Join us on Patreon to get all of our episodes a week early, access to these bonus episodes, plus other goodies.

We're curling up with a good book this winter for our latest Book Club. And since the winter is a good time for reflection, we're thinking about what it means to be a parent and a supporter of parents of autistic children by reading "Between Now and Dreams" from Dr. Ala'i-Rosales and Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe. Whether you serve one or both of the above roles, we dive deep into the advice of the authors to learn, connect, and love in this very non-checklist overview of being the best caregiver you can be. Plus, book club discussion questions directly from the authors…answered by us!

Enjoy our discussion of the book? How about a discussion with the authors?

Content discussed in this episode

Ala'i-Rosales, S. & Heinkel-Wolfe, P. (2022). Reponsible and responsive parenting in autism: Between now and dreams. Different Roads to Learning.

Ala'i-Rosales, S. & Heinkel-Wolfe, P. (n.d.). Resource Page. Responsible and Responsive Parenting in Autism: Between Now and Dreams. https://peggyheinkelwolfe.com/ways-to-buy-responsible-and-responsive-parenting-between-now-and-dreams/clinicians-book-club/

This episode is available for 2.0 LEARNING CEUs.

This month is all about caring: caring for clients, for parents, for children, and for other people's opinions. Because while we all love behavior analysis, that doesn't mean everybody does. So listen in and up your anti-colonial, family-supportive, socially valid practices with our unlocked Book Club on supporting parents of autistic children with "Between Now and Dreams", our interview with Dr. Malika Pritchett on social justice in our research practices, and a review of how we can better assess social validity of treatment.

Articles for March 2024

(UNLOCKED) Between Now and Dreams Book Club

Ala'i-Rosales, S. & Heinkel-Wolfe, P. (2022). Reponsible and responsive parenting in autism: Between now and dreams. Different Roads to Learning.

Ala'i-Rosales, S. & Heinkel-Wolfe, P. (n.d.). Resource Page. Responsible and Responsive Parenting in Autism: Between Now and Dreams. https://peggyheinkelwolfe.com/ways-to-buy-responsible-and-responsive-parenting-between-now-and-dreams/clinicians-book-club/

Assessing Social Validity

Schwartz, I.S. & Baer, D. (1991). Social validity assessments: Is current practice state of the art? Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 24, 189-204. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1991.24-189

Ferguson, J.L., Cihon, J.H., Leaf, J.B., Van Meter, S.M., McEachin, J., & Leaf, R. (2018). Assessment of social validity trends in the journal of applied behavior analysis. European Journal of Behavior Analysis, 20, 146-157. doi: 10.1080/15021149.2018.1534771

Callahan, K., Hughes, H.L., Mehta, S., Toussaint, K.A., Nichols, S.M., Ma, P.S., Kutlu, M., Wang, H. (2017). Social validity of evidence-based practices and emerging interventions in autism. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 32, 18-197. doi: 10.1177/1088357616632446

Anderson, R., Taylor, S., Tayler, T. & Virues-Ortega, J. (2022). Thematic and textual analysis methods for developing social validity questionnaires in applied behavior analysis. Behavioral Interventions, 37, 732-753. doi: 10.1002/bin.1832

Social Justice Research Practices w/ Dr. Malika Pritchett

Pritchett, M., Ala'i-Rosales, S., Cihon, T.M., & Cruz, A.R. (2022). From Fuller to Fawcett: a Human rights history of research ethics in behavior analysis. In Cox, D.J., Syde, N., Brodhead, M.T., & Quigley, S.P. (Eds.), Research ethics in behavior analysis: From laboratory to clinic and classroom (pp. 1-34). Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-323-90969-3.00011-6

Pritchett, M., Ala'i-Rosales, S., Cruz, A.R., & Cihon, T.M. (2022). Social justice is the spirit and aim of an applied science of human behavior: Moving from colonial to participatory research practices. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 15, 1074-1092. doi: 10.1007/s40617-021-00591-7

Kaerwer, K. & Pritchett, M. (2023). Critical race theory in education: How banning its tenets undermines our best hope for equity in education. Behavior and Social Issues, 32, 300-313. doi: 10.1007/s42822-023-00130-9

IMPORTANT NOTICE: To earn CEUs for listening, you MUST sign up and listen to this episode on our website to get credit.

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UPDATED: Following the release of the episode, we were all saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Elizabeth HughesFong, a pioneer in researching, publishing, and speaking on cultural humility in the field of behavior analysis. To celebrate and to honor her accomplishments, Dr. Noor Syed asked to record a special dedication for Dr. Hughes Fong to add to this episode.

I can't think of a better way to celebrate Rob's birthday than to be joined by special guest Dr. Noor Syed to discuss creating equitable practices. Well, what if those practices also were built in ways that led to sustainable, society-wide, paradigm-breaking, world disrupting changes? Dr. Syed might tell us to focus on taking one step at a time towards equity with some amazing action steps. So, listen to this episode, and we'll start there. And, as a birthday gift for our listeners, an extra long show means extra CEs!

This episode is available for 1.5 LEARNING CEUs.

Articles discussed this episode:

Glenn, S.S., Malott, M.E., Andery, M.A.P.A., Benvenuti, M., Houmanfar, R.A., Sandaker, I., Todorov, J.C., Tourinho, E.Z., & AbreVasconcelos, L. (2016). Toward consistent terminology in a behaviorist approach to cultural analysis. Behavior and Social Issues, 25, 11-27. doi: 10.5210/bsi.v.25i0.6634

Syed, N.Y., Mellon, L., & Kristiansen, S. (2023). Equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in research. In D.J. Cox, N.Y., Syed, M.T. Brodhead, & S.P. Quigley (Eds.) Research ethics in behavior analysis: From laboratory to clinic and classroom (pp. 63-86). Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-323-90969-3.00012-8

Hilton, J., Syed, N., Weiss, M.J., Tereshko, L. Marya, V., Marshall, K., Gatzunis, K., Russeel, C., & Driscoll, N. (2021). Initiatives to address, diversity, equity, and inclusion within a higher education ABA department. Behavior and Social Issues, 30, 58-81. doi: 10/1007/s42822-021-00082-y

IMPORTANT NOTICE: To earn CEUs for listening, you MUST sign up and listen to this episode on our website to get credit.

To listen for the fun of learning? Just push play!

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In what we're planning as an ongoing series of episodes over the next year (and beyond), ABA Inside Track will be talking about neurodiversity: What it is, what it means for behavior analysts, and why understanding and discussing it with open ears, the courage to be uncomfortable, and the importance of listening is key to the future of our field. For now, here's an episode to get our conversation started.

This episode is available for 1.0 LEARNING CEU.

Articles discussed this episode:

Veneziano, J. & Shea, S. (2023). They have a voice; are we listening? Behavior Analysis in Practice, 16, 127-144. doi: 10.1007/s40617-022-00690-z

Graber, A. & Graber, J. (2023). Applied behavior analysis and the abolitionist neurodiversity critique: An ethical analysis. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 16, 921-937. doi: 10.1007/s40617-023-0780-6

Donaldson, A. L., Krejcha, K., & McMillin, A. (2017). A strengths-based approach to autism: Neurodiversity and partnering with the autism community. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 2, 56-68. doi: 10.1044/persp2.SIG1.56

IMPORTANT NOTICE: To earn CEUs for listening, you MUST sign up and listen to this episode on our website to get credit.

To listen for the fun of learning? Just push play!

Email us at [email protected] for further assistance.

As voted on by our Patrons, we're talking about ways to prevent that pernicious problem for professionals: Burnout. Hopefully that's not just because a high percentage of BCBAs are feeling unappreciated, constantly in unresolved conflict with clients and co-workers, and highly dissatisfied with their current lot in life. Even if you are, this episode will cover some ways that you can reflect on the burnout process to avoid falling fully into its clutches (and, if you're a boss, some steps that you might want to ensure you're taking!).

This episode is available for 1.0 LEARNING CEU.

Wish that CE was free? Subscribe on our Patreon page to see the full recording and get a discount for 100% off your purchase.

Articles discussed this episode:

Novack, M.N. & Dixon, D.R. (2019). Predictors of burnout, job satisfaction, and turnover in behavior technicians working with individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 6, 413-421. doi: 10.1007/s40489-019-00171-0

Kazemi, E., Carter, C., & Davies, M.S. (2022). Workplace conflict in applied behavior analysis: Prevalence, impact, and training. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 15, 608-618. doi: 10.1007/s40617-021-00649-6

Austin, A. & Fiske, K. (2023). Evaluating the relationship between compassion, perceived supervisor support, and burnout among ABA staff. Behavior Analysis in Practice. doi: 10.1007/s40617-023-00813-0

Man, January went so long that we barely had time to stop to record our February preview. But whether in a car or on a boat, we've got behavior analytic discussions to fill 29 days. This month we're joined by guest, Dr. Noor Syed, to review her work on creating sustainable equitable practices in research and higher education. We also begin with the first part in what we hope will be an ongoing discussion about neurodiversity and review some recent articles on combatting workplace burnout, courtesy of our Patreon listeners. And, yes, Rob really recorded this episode from his (parked) car.

Articles for February 2024

(LISTENER CHOICE) Preventing Burnout

Novack, M.N. & Dixon, D.R. (2019). Predictors of burnout, job satisfaction, and turnover in behavior technicians working with individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 6, 413-421. doi: 10.1007/s40489-019-00171-0

Kazemi, E., Carter, C., & Davies, M.S. (2022). Workplace conflict in applied behavior analysis: Prevalence, impact, and training. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 15, 608-618. doi: 10.1007/s40617-021-00649-6

Austin, A. & Fiske, K. (2023). Evaluating the relationship between compassion, perceived supervisor support, and burnout among ABA staff. Behavior Analysis in Practice. doi: 10.1007/s40617-023-00813-0

Discussion on Neurodiversity

Veneziano, J. & Shea, S. (2023). They have a voice; are we listening? Behavior Analysis in Practice, 16, 127-144. doi: 10.1007/s40617-022-00690-z

Graber, A. & Graber, J. (2023). Applied behavior analysis and the abolitionist neurodiversity critique: An ethical analysis. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 16, 921-937. doi: 10.1007/s40617-023-0780-6

Donaldson, A. L., Krejcha, K., & McMillin, A. (2017). A strengths-based approach to autism: Neurodiversity and partnering with the autism community. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, 2, 56-68. doi: 10.1044/persp2.SIG1.56

Systemic and Sustainable Change Toward Equity w/ Dr. Noor Syed

Glenn, S.S., Malott, M.E., Andery, M.A.P.A., Benvenuti, M., Houmanfar, R.A., Sandaker, I., Todorov, J.C., Tourinho, E.Z., & AbreVasconcelos, L. (2016). Toward consistent terminology in a behaviorist approach to cultural analysis. Behavior and Social Issues, 25, 11-27. doi: 10.5210/bsi.v.25i0.6634

Syed, N.Y., Mellon, L., & Kristiansen, S. (2023). Equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in research. In D.J. Cox, N.Y., Syed, M.T. Brodhead, & S.P. Quigley (Eds.) Research ethics in behavior analysis: From laboratory to clinic and classroom (pp. 63-86). Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-323-90969-3.00012-8

Hilton, J., Syed, N., Weiss, M.J., Tereshko, L. Marya, V., Marshall, K., Gatzunis, K., Russeel, C., & Driscoll, N. (2021). Initiatives to address, diversity, equity, and inclusion within a higher education ABA department. Behavior and Social Issues, 30, 58-81. doi: 10/1007/s42822-021-00082-y

IMPORTANT NOTICE: To earn CEUs for listening, you MUST sign up and listen to this episode on our website to get credit.

To listen for the fun of learning? Just push play!

Email us at [email protected] for further assistance.

Making mistakes isn't all bad. Unless those mistakes result in faulty stimulus control during skill acquisition. But, fret not, this week we dive into some of the options available as you craft your programs to respond to errors in a way to maximize learnining efficiency while taking the preferences of your client into account. Basically, how to teach the fastest while being the least annoying. And does correcting errors actually work better than avoiding them?

This episode is available for 1.0 LEARNING CEU.

Articles discussed this episode:

Leaf, J.B., Cihon, J.H., Ferguson, J.L., Milne, C.M., Leaf, R., & McEachin. (2020). Comparing error correction to errorless learning: A randomized clinical trial. The Analysis of Verbal Behavior, 36, 1-20. doi: 10.1007/s40616-019-00124-y

Carroll, R.A., Joachim, B.T., St. Peter, C.C., & Robinson, N. (2015). A comparison of error-correction procedures on skill acquisition during discrete-trial instruction. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 48, 257-273. doi: 10.1002/jaba.205

Carroll, R.A., Owsiany, J., & Cheatham, J.M. (2018). Using an abbreviated assessment to identify effective error-correction procedures for individual learners during discrete-trial instruction. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 51, 482-501. doi: 10.1002/jaba.460

Cariveau, T., Montilla, A.L.C., Gonzalez, E., & Ball, S. (2019). A review of error correction procedures during instruction for children with developmental disabilities. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 52, 574-579. doi: 10.1002/jaba.524

IMPORTANT NOTICE: To earn CEUs for listening, you MUST sign up and listen to this episode on our website to get credit.

To listen for the fun of learning? Just push play!

Email us at [email protected] for further assistance.

This week we return to one of of favorite (and most important topics): training others to work with adults with significant disabilities. And, in our excitement to talk to Dr. John Guercio on everything this entails, we almost forgot to talk about the specific articles! Whether looking at the primary means of supporting staff skill growth or utilizing effective, evidence-based treatment plans and curricula, we leave no stone unturned in learning everything we can about supporting adult clients (within the timeframe of our podcast length). Want to see more? Check out Dr. Guercio's core competencies book for more.

This episode is available for 1.0 LEARNING CEU.

Articles discussed this episode:

Wilson, A.N., Kasson, E.M., Gratz, O., & Guercio, J.M. (2015). Exploring the clinical utility of a stimulus avoidance assessment to enhance a relaxation training model. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 8, 57-61. doi: 10.1007/s40617-014-0035-y

Guercio, J., Davis, P., Faw, G., McMorrow, M., Ori, L., Berkowitz, B., & Nigra, M. (2002). Increasing functional rehabilitation in acquired brain injury treatment: Effective appliations of behavioural principles. Brain Injury, 16, 849-860. doi: 10.1080/02699050210131957

Guercio, J.M. & Dixon, M.R. (2010). Improving the quality of staff and participant interaction in an acquired brain injury organization. Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, 30, 49-56. doi: 10.1080/01608060903529780

Soldner, J.L., Rehfeldt, R.A., Guercio, J., & Dillen, J. (2005). The use of computer activity schedules to increase initiation of and engagement in domestic and leisure activities in an adult with acquired brain injury. European Journal of Behavior Analysis, 6, 173-177. doi: 10.1080/15021149.2005.11434259

Enjoy a short preview of our latest full-length Book Club episode. Want to hear the whole thing and get 2 CEs for free? Subscribe to our Patreon today at the premium $10+ levels for that plus other bonuses!

While we've covered acceptance and commitment therapy a few times before, we'd never really dug too deeply into exactly HOW ACT is behavior analytic. As in the exact mechanisms by which the fabulous steps of the hexaflex "work" as described in 100% behavioral terms. Now, thanks to our listeners (and book authors Dixon, Hayes, and Belisle), we can! Join us as we learn about ACT from theory to practice in our two-hour discusion of "Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Behavior Analysts". Plus, you'll finally get to discover which branch of the hexaflex is our all-time favorite! Is it acceptance? Committed action? Self-as context? No, no one likes self-as context.

This full version of this episode is available for 2.0 LEARNING CEUs.

Content discussed in this episode:

Dixon, M.R., Hayes, S.C., & Belisle, J. (2023). Acceptance and commitment therapy for behavior analysts: A practice guide from theory to treatment. Routledge.

NOTE: This episode is no longer available for CEs.

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To mand our pale enchanted reinforcers

Articles discussed this episode:

Heward, W.L. Kimball, J.W., Heckaman, K.A., & Dunne, J.D. (2021). In his own words: Siegfried "Zig" Englemann talks about what's wrong with education and how to fix it. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 14, 766-774. doi: 10.1007/s40617-021-00636-x

Greenwald, A. (2023). Prompting and modeling of coping strategies during childbirth. Behavior Analysis in Practice. doi: 10.1007/s40617-023-00837-6

Sheehan, A (2022). The development of a participatory tool to enable autistic people to influence the interior design of their homes. Good Autism Practice, 23, 13-26.

Shores, R. E., Gunter, P. L., & Jack, S. L. (1993). Classroom Management Strategies: Are They Setting Events for Coercion? Behavioral Disorders, 18, 92–102. http://www.jstor.org/stable/23887084