ABA Inside Track

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While completing a functional behavior assessment is an ethical requirement before engaging in behavior change programming, only a minority of BCBAs consistently do this. And since many of the barriers to completing FAs revolve around seemingly insurmountable (and ethical concern of) risks to clicents, wouldn't having a more structured way to assess the risk of an FA and more quickly review mitigating factors provide a potential solution to these problems? Well, that's exactly what Dr. Stephanie Peterson and her former students Dr. Rebecca Eldridge and Dr. Neil Deochand thought when they developed their Functional Analysis Risk Assessment Decision Tool. This week, as voted on by our Patrons, how to complete a risk assessment before starting your functional analysis from the people at the forefront of this research.

This episode is available for 1.0 ETHICS CEU.

Patrons at the $5 and up levels can get that CEU for FREE! Just head on over to our Patreon Page.

Articles discussed this episode:

Wiskirchen, R.R., Deochand, N., & Peterson, S.M. (2017). Functional analysis: A need for clinical decision support tools to weight risks and benefits. Behavior Analysis: Research and Practice, 17, 325-333. doi: 10.1037/bar0000088

Deochand, N., Eldridge, R.R., & Peterson, S.M. (2020). Toward the development of a functional analysis risk assessment decision tool. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 13, 978-990. doi: 10.1007/s40617-020-00433-y

Schroeder, A.C., Peterson, S.M., Mahabub, M.B., & Dresch, M.K. (2025). A pilot evaluation of expert and novice use of the functional analysis risk assessment decision tool. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 18, 811-825. doi: 10.1007/s40617-020-00433-y

Hey, everbody.

Due to a last minute technology crisis, we've needed to push up the launch of our new website...to right now!

Please listen to this short drop to hear about some of the differences you might see.

Some of the functionality will be rolling out through today and tomorrow so you may end up at our old site as we update links and fix bugs.

To go directly to the new site, visit abainsidetrack.thinkific.com. Our regular website URL will be pointing there in the next few days too.

Any problems? Please let us know as soon as you can at [email protected]

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.

When working with clients to support their behavior change goals, does it ever feel like you're the one doing all the convincing that the change is worth the effort? Rather than spending your energy cajoling clients that your plan is "right", wouldn't it be better to support their own belief in engaging in behavior change? Well, that's just what motivational interviewing techniques can do. And since this well-studied process is only just getting interest in behavior analysis, we're joined this week by Dr. Monica Gilbert, clinical psychologist, mental health counselor, AND BCBA, to get a crash course of the basics of how motivational interviewing can improve communication between clinicians and clients to boost your therapeutic alliance building skills into overdrive.

This episode is available for 1.0 LEARNING CEU.

Articles discussed this episode:

Gilbert, M. (2025). How to stop talking and start communicating with motivational interviewing: Building effective partnerships with caregivers: A practical guide for behavior therapists. Crystal Minds Psychological Services.

Plattner, C. & Anderson, C. (2024). Creating a therapeutic alliance with caregivers: An introduction to motivational interviewing. Behavior Analysis in Practice. doi: 10.1007/s40617-024-00948-8

Christopher, P.J. & Dougher, M.J. (2009). A behavior-analytic account of motivational interviewing. The Behavior Analyst, 32, 149-161. doi: 10.1007/BF03392180

Enjoy a short preview of our latest full-length Book Club episode. Want to hear the whole thing and get 2.0 CEs for FREE? Subscribe to our Patreon today at the premium $10+ levels for that plus other bonuses!

Could this best-selling self-help book actually be the best introduction to behavior analysis for a mainstream audience? Though many of us expected James Clear's "Atomic Habits" to share some lightly-spiced tips for changing behaviors, we were all impressed with the level of research and personalization that Clear put into his program for analyzing and building new behavioral habits. From a basic belief that doing a little bit of something good is better than nothing, Clear lays out some important, real-world examples of analyzing your own ABCs and sprinkles in some acceptance practice to explain an actionable series of steps to create lasting behavior change with in the areas of most significance to you. But don't take our word for it…or do, but only after a full two-hour discussion of our thoughts and in-depth review of the book.

The full episode is available for 2.0 LEARNING CEUs.

Patrons at the $10 and up level, as part of your subscription, you'll be able to earn these CEs for no charge! Subscribe to our Patreon today!

Content discussed in this episode:

Clear, J. (2018). Atomic habits: An easy and proven way to build good habits and break bad ones. Avery.

Happy New Year, everyone! We kick off the (almost) 10th year of ABA Inside Track with a review of our recent holiday activities then get right back into our podcast research discussion with a bevy of amazing guests. First up we delve into the new (for behavior analysts) work of motivational interviewing with Dr. Monica Gilbert. Then we have three-guests-for one with Dr. Stephanie Peterson, Dr. Rebecca Eldridge, and Dr. Neil Deochand to learn about risk assessment and their development of the FARADT tool. Then we take pity on the least popular experimental design, the changing criterion, by giving it its own episode.

Still not enough learning for your behavior analytic resolutions? Why not head over to the Stone Soup online conference with a $20 discount. Just register with the code ABAIT26 and enjoy a whole day of learning.

Articles for January 2026

Motivational Interviewing w/ Dr. Monica Gilbert

Gilbert, M. (2025). How to stop talking and start communicating with motivational interviewing: Building effective partnerships with caregivers: A practical guide for behavior therapists. Crystal Minds Psychological Services.

Plattner, C. & Anderson, C. (2024). Creating a therapeutic alliance with caregivers: An introduction to motivational interviewing. Behavior Analysis in Practice. doi: 10.1007/s40617-024-00948-8

Christopher, P.J. & Dougher, M.J. (2009). A behavior-analytic account of motivational interviewing. The Behavior Analyst, 32, 149-161. doi: 10.1007/BF03392180

Risk Assessment w/ Dr. Stephanie Peterson, Dr. Rebecca Eldridge, + Dr. Neil Deochand

Wiskirchen, R.R., Deochand, N., & Peterson, S.M. (2017). Functional analysis: A need for clinical decision support tools to weight risks and benefits. Behavior Analysis: Research and Practice, 17, 325-333. doi: 10.1037/bar0000088

Deochand, N., Eldridge, R.R., & Peterson, S.M. (2020). Toward the development of a functional analysis risk assessment decision tool. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 13, 978-990. doi: 10.1007/s40617-020-00433-y

Schroeder, A.C., Peterson, S.M., Mahabub, M.B., & Dresch, M.K. (2025). A pilot evaluation of expert and novice use of the functional analysis risk assessment decision tool. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 18, 811-825. doi: 10.1007/s40617-020-00433-y

The Changing Criterion Design

Klein, L.A., Houlihan, D., Vincent, J.L., & Panahon, C.J. (2017). Best practices in utilizing the changing criterion design. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 10, 52-61. doi: 10.1007/s40617-014-0036-x

De Luca, R.V. & Holborn, S.W. (1992). Effects of a variable-ratio reinforcement schedule with changing criteria on exercise in obese and nonobese boys. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 25, 671-679. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1992.25-671

Brady, M.P., Kearney, K.B., Downey, A., Torres, A., & McDougall, D. (2022). Using mnemonics, remote coaching, and the range-bound changing criterion design to teach college students with IDD to make employment decisions. Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 57, 303-319. doi: 10.1177/215416472205700

If you've never been to the Stone Soup online conference, you've been missing out. It's a full day of amazing speakers hitting all the topics you want to hear about. And, as a special discount for ABA Inside Track listeners, use the code ABAIT26 to get $20 off your registration.

See you there in the chat!

We wrap up another year with our podcasting buddy, Matt Cicoria, from Behavioral Observations by looking at some of our favorite ABA trends of 2025 as well as discussing some of our most listened to episodes and opining on how we're both about to enter a full decade of behavior analytic podcasting. Plus a whole bunch of other seasonal rigamarole and foofarra. But NO POLITICS!

Happy Holidays to all! See you in 2026.

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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Since the 1970s the scientific field has been steadily improving in its use of meaningful consent practices. But how are we doing when it comes to the related practice of gaining client assent? This week we discuss the similarities and differences between both and take a pulse check as to how behavior analysis is doing to ensure only the best of practices when it comes to benefiting our clients whether in the research lab or clinic setting. If you think of assent practices as just willingness to enter the classroom, you definitely need to listen to this episode.

This episode is available for 1.0 LEARNING CEU.

Articles discussed this episode:

Mead Jasperse, S.C., Kelly, M.P., Ward, S.N., Fernand, J.K., Joslyn, P.R., & van Dijk, W. (2025). Consent and assent practices in behavior analytic research. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 18, 826-841. doi: 10.1007/s40617-023-00838-5

Flowers, J. & Dawes, J. (2023). Dignity and respect: Why therapeutic assent matters. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 16, 913-920. doi: 10.1007/s40617-023-00772-6

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.

Special guest, Denisha Gingles, returns to the show to update our perceptions of good leadership with a decidedly non-Western traditional mindset of culturally responsive practices. For example, did you know that some cultures appreciate a greater sense of unity from their leaders? Apparently one giant know-it-all doesn't necessarily make for the best boss—looking at you, American CEOs! Learn how embracing a more diverse workforce can also benefit goals of meaningful mentorship and growth in our field with some examples from the medical world and how much we really should learn from rugby.

This episode is available for 1.0 CULTURAL (ETHICS) CEU.

Articles discussed this episode:

Sriram, V., Atwal, A., & McKay, E.A. (2024). Exploring aspects of mentoring for black and minoritised healthcare professionals in the UK: A nominal group technique study. BMJ Open, 14. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-089121

Kemzang, J., Bekolo, G., Jaunky, S., Mathieu, J., Contant, H., Oguntala, J., Rahmani, M., Louisme, M.C., Medina, N., Kendall, C.E., Ewurabena, S., Hubert, D., Omecq, M.C., & Fotsing, S. (2024). Mentoring for admission and retention of black socio-ethnic minorities in medicine: A scoping review. Journal of Medical Education and Curricular Development, 11, 1-9. doi: 10.1177/23821205241283805

Shaikh, A.N., Gummaluri, S., Dhar, J., Carter, H., Kwag, D. (2024). Application of the principles of anti-oppression to address marginalized students and faculty's experiences in counselor education. Teaching and Supervision in Counseling, 6, 94-105. doi: 10.7290/tsc06laio

Laloo, E. (2022). Ubuntu leadership - an explication of an Afrocentric leadership style. The Journal of Values-Based Leadership, 15, 1-9. doi: 10.22543/1948-0733.1383

Mathur, S.K. & Rodriguez, K.A. (2022). Cultural responsiveness curriculum for behavior analysts: A meaningful step toward social justice. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 15, 1023-1031. doi: 10.1007/s40617-021-00579-3

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.

In our newest episode in our Tutorial series, we're joined by special guest (and SLP), Judy Southey to get the ABCs of PECS. Like, did you know saying, "Hand me a PEC" demonstrates a total misunderstanding of the acronym? Or, more importantly, the steps involved in training the usage of PECS for increasing verbal behavior? What comes first, second, last and what common misconceptions about PECS can interfer with the development of functional language? More questions, we've got the answers!

This episode is available for 1.0 LEARNING CEU.

Articles discussed this episode:

Robertson, M. & Harris, T. (2024, December 30th). How to best determine if an autistic individual is using an effective communication system. Autism Spectrum News. https://autismspectrumnews.org/how-to-best-determine-if-an-autistic-individual-is-using-an-effective-communication-system

Wannapaschaiyong, P., Vivattanasinchai, T., & Wongkwanmuang, A. (2025). Predictors of successful Picture Exchange Communication System training in children with communication impairments: Insights from a real-world intervention in a resource-limited setting. BMJ Paediatrics Open, 9, 1-13. doi: 10.1136/bmjpo-2024-003282

Ganz, J.B., Mason, R.A., Goodwyn, F.D., Boles, M.B., Heath, A.K., & Davis, J.L. (2014). Interaction of participant characteristics and type of AAC with individuals with ASD: A meta-analysis. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 119, 516-535. doi: 10.1352/1944-7558-119.6.516