Behavior Bites

How often do you stick with things, even when they aren’t working, just to see them through?

Have you done a values-based assessment to determine what behaviors to engage in to bring you closer to your goals?  

During today’s meal - I speak with a behavior scientist and doctoral student about learning how to pivot when things aren’t working, juggling all the responsibilities, and reducing burnout by present moment awareness and focusing on recharging.

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About Jewel Parham

MS, BCBA, LBS

Jewel Parham is a dedicated behavior scientist passionate about values-based living and overall well-being. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and doctoral student at The Chicago School actively working on her dissertation.

Jewel has experience working in multiple environments including public and private schools, and center-based services. She has worked with children and adolescents with and without developmental disabilities.

Jewel is the editor of the Black Women in Behavior Analysis Appreciation Day (BWIBAAD) newsletter. Her interests include Relational Frame Theory (RFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), cultural and diversity issues in ABA, social media, and artificial intelligence.

Jewel is dedicated to advancing the field of Behavior Analysis and is committed to exploring innovative strategies, fostering equity, inclusion, and interdisciplinary collaborations to drive positive change within the field.

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Follow Jewel!

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@behaviorjawn

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Chat with me on Instagram— ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rosie.eats.bx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Read excerpts from the episode on my website!—⁠ ⁠⁠⁠rosiebx.com/episode/42-jewel-parham

Behavior Bites is hosted by Rosie Jeffers, MAT, BCBA, LABA

Are schools set up to be successfully inclusive?

How often are schools failing their students and families?

During today’s meal— I speak with a school BCBA about the successes and failures in the school system, work / life balance, and hobbies as a way to practice self care.

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About Allison Pfersich

MEd, BCBA, LBA (WA)

Born and raised in Massachusetts, I moved to Washington state in 2019.  A former special educator and current BCBA in a public school district and co-chair of the ABA in Schools Committee for Washington Behavior Analysis.  When I'm not working you can find me doing aerial yoga, adventuring in the mountains or at my sewing machine.

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Follow Allison!

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@allisonmariep

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Chat with me on Instagram— ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rosie.eats.bx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Read excerpts from the episode on my website!—⁠ ⁠⁠rosiebx.com/episode/41-allison-pfersich

Behavior Bites is hosted by Rosie Jeffers, MAT, BCBA, LABA

How often do you focus on increasing the confidence and competence of the people surrounding our learners?

How often do you assess your own competence and biases?

During today’s meal— I speak with a behavior analyst, business owner, and fellow mystic about overcoming anxieties around presenting at conferences, having a hand in learners’ meaningful outcomes, and the joys of eating outside.

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About Quintara Tucker

MS, BCBA, IBA, LBS, LBA

Quintara (she/her) is a highly sought after Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), International Behavior Analyst (IBA), Licensed Behavior Specialist (LBS), Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA), doctoral learner, author, speaker, and CEO who prides herself on changing the lives of children and supporting professionals in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Quintara has years of experience working with individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the public school, clinic, and home settings.

Quintara's passion includes staff training and coaching, and as a result, led her to author two Staff Training Manuals that are used to train staff working in special education classrooms worldwide. Quintara skillfully approaches training staff as a black woman using a multicultural sensitive and compassionate stance. Through her very own consulting business, QB Consulting, LLC, Quintara possesses a demonstrated history of conducting professional development and continuing education presentations that aim to support staff and other professionals in their current roles in education.

In addition to her clinical and professional work, Quintara also co-founded a small business with her sister titled ABA Sissyahs, LLC (@abasissyahs) that provides current ABA students and professionals with the support, mentorship, and supervision required to become certified at either of the tiered levels of BACB certification. Quintara is also the face behind the aesthetically pleasing Instagram page @themysticalanalyst, where she uses her platform to create relatable content, discuss uncomfortable topics, and empower Black clinicians in ABA.

Quintara is an award-winning volunteer, serves on the alumni board of her undergraduate alma mater, and is an alumni mentor for first-generation college students of color. Quintara frequently speaks at university events encouraging undergraduate students to become compassionate, ethical, thought-leaders in the field of ABA.

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Follow Quintara!

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@themysticalanalyst

YouTube: youtube.com/@themysticalanalyst

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/quintara-tucker

Website: qbconsulting111.com

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Chat with me on Instagram— ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rosie.eats.bx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Read excerpts from the episode on my website!—⁠ ⁠rosiebx.com/episode/40-quintara-tucker

Behavior Bites is hosted by Rosie Jeffers, MAT, BCBA, LABA

How often do you focus on your breath?

Do you ever tap into your insecurities and reframe them into strengths?

During today’s meal— I speak with a behavior analyst turned Mindset & Self-Compassion Coach about the pivot they made into coaching, their self care practices, and diving into their values to hone in what really matters.

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About Robyn Vasquez-Gutierrez

MS, BCBA (Trauma Informed Breathwork Facilitator in Training- Graduation in July 2024)

Hey there! I'm Robyn, founder of Reflect & Refine, and your Mindset & Self-Compassion Coach.

With over 17 years of experience (including 14 as a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst), I'm passionate about helping women move past the limitations keeping them stuck through the use of breathwork, mindfulness and a growth mindset. 

Believing in the power of self-love, I know it's the key to living a life that's both meaningful and joyful. At Reflect & Refine, we use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to create a unique, holistic approach. This means helping women overcome challenges, build resilience, and find true fulfillment.

Our mission is simple: to Empower heart-centered women to live a life aligned with their values and goals while nurturing a deep sense of self-compassion.

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Follow Robyn!

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠@coachrobyn_

Website: ⁠reflectandrefine.net⁠

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Chat with me on Instagram— ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rosie.eats.bx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Read excerpts from the episode on my website!—⁠ rosiebx.com/episode/39-robyn-vasquez-gutierrez

Behavior Bites is hosted by Rosie Jeffers, MAT, BCBA, LABA

Have you ever worked with a Court Appointed Special Advocate?

How often are you considering trauma during caregiver coaching, IEP meetings, and treatment protocols?

During today’s meal— I speak with a Court Appointed Special Advocate about the wins and challenges of the work she does, collaborating with large groups, and having the patience to navigate a slow system.

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About Leah Noble

BA in Child Development w/ concentration in ECSE, MA in Teaching w/ specialization in ABA

Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. I was diagnosed with ADHD and Bipolar Depression in high school and placed on medication. I was kicked out of my traditional high school for my behavior and ended up graduating from a continuation school. Started at a local Jr. College and transferred to California State University, Northridge and graduated with my bachelor’s degree with my ultimate goal of being an inclusion specialist. I began working on my teaching credential and a master’s degree just after, however I lost my motivation and decided to continue working as a 1:1 in LAUSD for kiddos in special education until I found out about ABA and the BCBA license. I then began my journey at National University where I completed my master’s and course and field work to sit for my exam. I’ve sat 3 times and then became a mom.

Both my kids had significant expressive language delays and my life as a therapy mama began. Once both my kids were in preschool the opportunity to become a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) came available. This is something I had learned about in my undergraduate work and was on my bucket list for 18 years. I completed the training and was officially sworn in as an officer of children’s court in April 2019.

As a CASA, my primary role is to be a stable, safe adult and advocate in court for them to ensure that their voices are heard. While on my juvenile justice case, I was going into juvenile hall and while in there, I noticed that the staff was not supportive of helping these very vulnerable, traumatized children and began questioning why there was ZERO trauma informed practices and ZERO behavior support services being provided and these were the two very much needed supports not just for the kiddos, but the staff as well. I’d mentioned my observations to my youth’s legal team of 5 attorney’s (it’s a CSEC case) Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Regional Center, Los Angeles County of Education (LACOE) and Department of Mental Health (DMH) and continued to be told that Department of Probation wouldn’t allow ABA due to liability purposes.

This obviously made NO SENSE to me considering their other volunteer-based organizations were allowed into the halls to provide alternative forms of therapy i.e. music, art etc. While I absolutely agree that these are necessary supports, they are definitely not going to provide that support that behavioral services would. So this began my journey on how to figure out how to get these supports in there for the children and staff.

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Follow Leah!

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@kdn_epn

RESOURCES

Website: casala.org

Reading

“The Deepest Well” by Nadine Burke Harris, M.D.

“The Body Keeps the Score” by Bessel van der Kolk

“Stranger Danger” by Charity Chandler-Cole

Behavior Bites Podcast

”Beyond Trauma-Informed Care” with dr. danyelle beal

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Chat with me on Instagram— ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rosie.eats.bx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Read excerpts from the episode on my website!—⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rosiebx.com/episode/38-leah-noble

Behavior Bites is hosted by Rosie Jeffers, MAT, BCBA, LABA

Have you ever debated leaving the field to pursue a different career?

Do you ever dive deep to determine the values behind your work?

During today’s meal— I speak with an auDHD behavior analyst about her new projects, how life has shifted since becoming a mom, and what financial security and freedom looks like to her.

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About Lauren K. James

MS, BCBA, LABA

Lauren James is a board certified & licensed behavior analyst with a love for helping others reach their goals, however that may be.

As an Autistic and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) woman myself, my approach is to meet women where they are at— just like I would expect to be met. I want to be the cheerleader and coach in the corner, letting you know you can achieve whatever you want, helping guide you to get there, and to be a reminder— you can be sexy, free, AND auDHD.

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Follow Lauren!

Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠ @millennial_behaviorcoach

Website: millennial-behaviorcoach.com

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Chat with me on Instagram— ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rosie.eats.bx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Read excerpts from the episode on my website!—⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rosiebx.com/episode/37-lauren-james

Fill Your Cup with a Behavior Bites mug! — ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rosiebx.com/store

How often do you stop and celebrate your wins and accomplishments?

How often do you seek mentorship and networking outside of your immediate environment?

During today’s meal— I speak with a behavior analyst, business owner, and co-founder of APIABA about being trauma-informed in our caregiver coaching sessions, her favorite insult, and her accomplishments in the past 10 years.

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About Dr. Pauline Tolentino Pablo

DBH, BCBA, IBA (Doctor of Behavioral Health)

Dr. Pauline Tolentino Pablo is a trauma-aware behavior analyst, mother, wife, and healthcare advocate. She has over 15 years of ABA experience within the home, community, clinic, and school settings.

She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology at California State University Northridge (CSUN) and obtained her master's degree and BCBA certification in 2013. Pauline has held positions as a behavior therapist, supervisor, clinical director, and clinical consultant.

She obtained her Doctorate in Behavioral Health in 2023, a degree that focuses on issues that are impactful to today's healthcare systems such as integrated health, population health, trauma-informed care, and medical literacy. Her doctoral degree project focused on providing integrated behavioral gerontology within elderly care facilities.

As someone who has a younger sister diagnosed with cerebral palsy, she saw the value in ABA therapy for clients and their families. However, she recognized that there is a need for an integrative and person-centered approach to care for clients and their family.

Pauline, alongside her husband who is a nurse, Benjamin, decided to build Symphony Behavioral Health, a family and clinician owned company that focuses on addressing gaps in care by providing quality services to our clients, and quality support to our team members.

Pauline is also the co-founder of Asian, Pacific Islanders, and Behavior Analysis. This group aims to disseminate the science of ABA within the Asian and Pacific Islander population, as well as promote diversity within the field to better serve diverse clients. The organization advocates for API representation through promotion and dissemination of work produced by API professionals. Pauline hopes that her lived experience as a Filipino immigrant as well as her professional knowledge will help her goal of supporting the API community.

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Follow Pauline!

Instagram:⁠⁠

@integratedbx

@symphonybehavior

@api.behavioranalysis

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Chat with me on Instagram— ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rosie.eats.bx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Read excerpts from the episode on my website!—⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rosiebx.com/episode/36-pauline-pablo⁠

Fill Your Cup with a Behavior Bites mug! — ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rosiebx.com/store

Have you ever been dismissed because of your age?

Do you wish you could tell people to not judge a book by its cover?

During today’s meal— I speak with a behavior analyst who owns her own company and recently published her first children’s book. We discuss her new book, what it’s been like starting a company, and listening to our gut when things don’t feel right.

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About Lindsay Lundquist, MA, BCBA, LBA-NC, CCTS-I

Lindsay Lundquist is the owner of Blossom Behavioral Solutions, LLC. Lindsay is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Licensed in North Carolina, and Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist (CCTS-I).

Lindsay utilizes a holistic, trauma-informed approach to behavioral health using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles, alongside a behavior analytic approach to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Lindsay has been working in the field of ABA since 2016. She is passionate about helping others build a strong skill set to achieve their goals in a compassionate and neurodivergent-affirming manner.

She is also creating resources for both parents and teachers, recently publishing her first children’s book, The Adventures of Willow: Finding Furr-Ever.

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Follow Lindsay!

Instagram:⁠ @themindfulbehaviorist

@blossombehavioralsolutions

Website: ⁠blossombehavioralsolutions.com

***Use code "ROSIEEATSBX" at checkout for 20% off The Adventures of Willow!

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Chat with me on Instagram— ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rosie.eats.bx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Read excerpts from the episode on my website!—⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rosiebx.com/episode/35-lindsay-lundquist

Fill Your Cup with a Behavior Bites Mug mug mug— ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rosiebx.com/store

Have you ever caught yourself analyzing a date’s behavior?

Do you ever take yourself out on solo dates?

During today’s meal— I speak with a behavior analyst who has combined ABA and dating, about what she wishes she knew when she started in the field, how she practices self care, and her worst first date.

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About Carolyn Smith, MS, BCBA, LBA

Carolyn Smith is a Connecticut based behavior analyst. She is the owner of Behaviorshorty LLC and the Director of Supervision with Lotus Behavioral Services in Hartford, where she leads the remote supervision program for graduate students. Carolyn also provides ABA services and consultations to group homes, day programs, adults, and families throughout the state of Connecticut. 

Carolyn started her ABA journey in 2013, where she worked in a clinic in Fort Lauderdale. During this time, she received extensive training in functional analyses, toilet training, severe self injury and aggressive behaviors. After passing the exam in 2015, Carolyn worked with several in-home agencies as a behavior analyst, providing services to families throughout south Florida, before moving back to her hometown in Connecticut in the summer of 2021.

Carolyn launched Behaviorshorty in the summer of 2022, where she provides remote supervision and mentorship to those pursuing certification. On the Behaviorshorty Instagram and TikTok pages, you can find Carolyn disseminating ABA and analyzing dating behaviors. Outside of ABA, you can find Carolyn in the kitchen, building forts with her nieces, and creating a dance floor wherever she goes.

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Follow Carolyn!

Instagram: @behaviorshorty

TikTok: @behaviorshorty

Website: behaviorshorty.com

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Chat with me on Instagram— ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rosie.eats.bx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Read excerpts from the episode on my website!—⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rosiebx.com/episode/34-behaviorshorty

Fill Your Cup with a Behavior Bites Mug— ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rosiebx.com/store

Do you get uncomfortable talking about sexual health, especially with caregivers?

Do you wish talking about sex was less taboo?

During today’s meal— I speak with a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst and Certified Sexual Health Educator about affirming and rights-based sex education, actions we can take to become more comfortable discussing these topics, as well as my dinner guest’s favorite dessert.

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About Landa Fox, MA, BCBA, Certified Sexual Health Educator

Landa Fox (she/her) is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst and Certified Sexual Health Educator living and working in lək̓ʷəŋən (pronounced: Le-Kwung-gen) Territory (Victoria, British Columbia). She is also currently pursuing a Masters in Counselling Psychology.

She has worked in the field of autism and disability support since 2003. Currently, her work focuses on sexual health, relationship, and safety education for autistic and neurodivergent people. Her work often centers around creating and modifying existing sexual health and relationship education to be meaningful, accessible, and inclusive. She also works to create behaviour support plans to address contextually inappropriate sexual behaviour.

All of her work is grounded in principles of harm reduction. She trains caregivers, teachers, staff, and communities about sexual health development and inclusive sex ed. Her special interests within the area of sexual health education include how to promote a culture of consent and body autonomy for autistic children and youth, developing affirming and rights-based sex education, and advocating for access to sexuality and sexual health for everyone.

When she’s not teaching about sex education, she is probably reading a book about sex, bodies, or relationships, reorganizing and recharging her sex toy collection, getting a tattoo, listening to Reba McEntire, or eating dill pickle chips.

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Follow Landa!

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

@positiveconnections

@sexedbookreview

@chickseatingchips

Website: positiveconnections.ca

LinkTree: linktr.ee/landafox

CBS Program CEs: ceu.studynotesaba.com/instructors/#landa

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Chat with me on Instagram— ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rosie.eats.bx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Read excerpts from the episode on my website!—⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rosiebx.com/episode/33-landa-fox

Fill Your Cup with a Behavior Bites Mug— ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rosiebx.com/store