Behavior Bites

Do you find carving out time for self care difficult?

Are you fascinated by the human experience and why we do what we do?

During today’s meal, we wrap up our discussion with Lauryn Elder. We discuss how she practices self-care, why she loves what she does, and what her dream project is and how she’s “manifesting” it.
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TODAY'S MENU 

Entree

- If there were no barriers or constraints, what would be your dream project?

Dessert

- How do you practice self-care?

- What is your favorite thing about what you do?

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About Lauryn Elder, M.Ed., BCBA, Certified Trauma Practitioner

Lauryn Elder, Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Certified Trauma Practitioner. Owner of The Holistic Behaviorist. Advocate for compassionate, relationship first, Neurodiversity affirming care. 

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Follow Lauryn!

Instagram: @theholisticbehaviorist

Website: theholisticbehaviorist.com

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

Read excerpts from the episode on my website!—⁠ rosiebx.com/episode/21-22-lauryn-elder

Have you ever heard a behavior analyst discuss relationship based treatment?

Have you ever wondered how behavior analysis can be used outside of ABA?

During today’s meal, I talk to a behavior analyst and certified trauma practitioner about what a “typical” day looks like for her, how she uses our science in different ways, and what she wishes she knew when she was entering the field.

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TODAY'S MENU 

Amuse-Bouche

- What does relationship-based treatment and pairing mean?

Appetizers

- How did you get into Behavior Analysis?

- What’s a typical day look like for you?

- What creative projects are you doing outside of your typical work?

Palate Cleanser

- A big part of your life are your dogs, could we dive into who they are?

Entree

- What’s something you wish you could have told yourself when you were getting started?

Dessert

- What is the best compliment you have ever received?​​ // What’s an “insult” you’ve received that you’re proud of?

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About Lauryn Elder, M.Ed., BCBA, Certified Trauma Practitioner

Lauryn Elder, Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Certified Trauma Practitioner. Owner of The Holistic Behaviorist. Advocate for compassionate, relationship first, Neurodiversity affirming care. 

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Follow Lauryn!

Instagram: @theholisticbehaviorist

Website: theholisticbehaviorist.com

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

Read excerpts from the episode on my website!—⁠ rosiebx.com/episode/21-22-lauryn-elder

Have you ever noticed how most visuals in our field don’t match the clients we serve?

Have you ever spent hours scrolling through google images to find more diverse and inclusive materials?

During today’s meal— I speak to a behavior analyst who decided to take matters into her own hands and create high quality, detailed images and educational materials of Black & brown kids & adults for many fields of study like: Applied Behavior Analysis, Speech & Language Pathology, Special Education, and more!

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TODAY'S MENU 

Amuse-Bouche

- Since this weekend is your anniversary, what fun activities do you have planned?

Appetizers

- How did you get into Behavior Analysis?

- When was a time that you failed, and what did you learn from that experience?

Palate Cleanser

- What’s your go-to brunch drink?

Entree

- What’s one thing that people are generally surprised to find out about you?

- Tell us about Hue-man Expressions. How has the process gone from an idea to having two creative directors and interns in only a year?

Dessert

- How do you practice self-care and have a work/life balance?

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ABOUT Rashida Biera

Rashida Biera, M.A, BCBA resides in Atlanta, Georgia but is originally from Brooklyn, New York. She is a BCBA and owner of Hue-man Expressions. Rashida has held positions ranging from Direct Support Professional to Program Director in the social service industry for 10 years, specifically in the field of Gerontology.

She became a RBT in 2016 and later pursued her BCBA certification. Having worked directly with clients for several years, Rashida is always intentional about encouraging and empowering her RBTs. Rashida received her master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis with an emphasis in ASD from Ball State University in 2018. In February 2020, Rashida obtained her BCBA certification after completing her supervised fieldwork.

Currently, Rashida works as a Regional Director in Atlanta, Georgia for an autism agency. She has experience working in-home and in-clinic with clients between the ages of 2- 13 years old. Rashida has a great deal of experience with parent training and integrating families into client care. Her robust experience allows her to identify areas of need in the field, and through Hue-Man Expressions and an amazing community, she can begin to remedy them.

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FOLLOW Rashida!

Website— huemanexpressions.com

Instagram— @huemanexpressions

Facebook— Hue-man Expressions

LinkedIn— Rashida Biera

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

Read excerpts from the episode on my website!—⁠ rosiebx.com/episode/20-rashida-biera

Have you ever complained that parents are the hardest part of your job?

What if you looked at the competing contingencies that have maintained the parents’ behaviors?

During today’s meal— I talk to fellow behavior analyst, Jenny Owens, who believes we need to stop treating parents like a burden and instead treat them like a key member of the treatment team. We also discuss how to contact reinforcement daily to combat burnout, and how labeling clients and parents can skew how practitioners interact with them.

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TODAY'S MENU 

Amuse-Bouche

- What are you most looking forward to this weekend?

Appetizers

- How did you get into Behavior Analysis?

- What’s an “insult” you’ve received that you’re proud of? / What is the best compliment you have ever received?​​

Palate Cleanser

- What’s your go-to coffee order?

Entree

- What is your favorite thing about what you do?

- If there were no barriers or constraints, what would be your dream project?

Dessert

- How do you practice self-care?

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About Jenny Owens M.S., BCBA-LBA

“After studying psychology with the intention of becoming a therapist, I started interning at an adult mental health facility my senior year of college. I was struck by how many people had been receiving treatment for 10, 20, 30 years and didn't seem to feel better. I had a total identity crisis when I realized I didn't think the traditional therapy model was fulfilling its promise to clients. As a "what the heck do I do now" move, I answered an ad on craigslist and got a job in ABA in 2010.

I got my masters in Behavior Analysis from the Chicago School in 2014 and became a BCBA in 2015. I've supervised home, clinic, and school services. I've had the most incredible mentors in our field and spent years learning how to incorporate ACT into our clinical practice to help address our own burnout and that of RBTs, and how to implement ACT based programs to better serve our clients and their parents.

A little over a year ago, after 5 years as a clinical director I started to feel the "are we really doing our best for our clients" itch again. I made the decision to re-approach how I program, how I interact with my clients, how I teach, how I work with parents, and how I structure my life as a BCBA. It became very clear to me that in order to practice ethically and effectively I had to be choosy about how to spend my time. For me that means only doing clinical work that feels really meaningful.

I consult with agencies, work part time for companies that share my values, teach ethics in behavior analysis as an adjunct professor at St. Edwards university, supervise a small number of BCBA candidates, run social skills groups that go beyond teaching simple observable prosocial behaviors, and work privately with parents seeking support whose children don't have a diagnosis or no longer qualify for traditional ABA. I also have a few clients doing ACT based health and fitness coaching, though this isn't something I really advertise anymore.”

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Follow Jenny!

Instagram— @jenny_owens_bcba

Facebook— facebook.com/jensilver

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

Read excerpts from the episode on my website!—⁠ rosiebx.com/episode/19-jenny-owens

How much do you really love yourself?

Do you tend to always help others without helping yourself first?

During today’s meal— I talk to the wonderful Cammie Williams about her dream projects, what people tend to misunderstand about her, and how she practices self love and self care.

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TODAY'S MENU 

Amuse-Bouche

- You recently got 3 cats, how is that going?

Appetizers

- How did you get into Behavior Analysis?

- If there were no barriers or constraints, what would be your dream project?

- What does the phrase “Unf*ckwithable” mean to you?

Palate Cleanser

- What was your favorite thing to eat in Hawaii?

Entree

- What’s something people seem to misunderstand about you?

- How do you practice self-care?

Dessert

- What is the best compliment you have ever received?

- Describe yourself with one word.

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Camille “Cammie” Williams, MSC, BCBA, LBA (she/her) is a metro-Detroit native who received her Bachelor of Science from Western Michigan University in Psychology and Gender & Women’s Studies, and her Master of Science in Counseling with an emphasis on Applied Behavior Analysis.

She is a Black, lesbian, cisgender woman, who is aware of how each of her identities shows up in her work every single day. As a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), Cammie’s work centers intersectionality in the realms of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), social justice, autism and exceptional needs services, mentorship, advocacy for Ovarian Cancer, and systematic self love and self care. 

She is the host of the podcast, "Love, Sex, and Applied Behavior Analysis," and the creator of a behavioral science based self love program "Becoming Unf*ckwithable." She is an empath with boundaries, a firm believer of impact over intent, a radical self-love enthusiast, and she aims to constantly learn and live by the quote of her ancestor, James Baldwin: “If I love you, I have to make you conscious of the things that you do not see.”

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Follow Cammie!

Instagram— @cammiepartonspears, @lovesexaba

Facebook— Cammie Morgan

Tiktok— @neverendingmiddlefinger

Etsy— Becoming with Cammie

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

Read excerpts from the episode on my website!—⁠ rosiebx.com/episode/18-cammie-williams

Do you ever wonder how people perceive you?

Do you wish you could create an anonymous survey to see what people really think about you? Today’s guest did just that!

During today’s meal—Dr. Shelby Dorsey and I discuss her self-concept project, learning from failures, and the start of AI in behavior analysis.

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TODAY'S MENU 

Amuse-Bouche

- What was the favorite thing you ate or drank today?

Appetizers

- How did you get into Behavior Analysis?

- What's the story behind your self-concept study?

Palate Cleanser

- Do you tend to eat the same meals, or would you rather have different meals every day?

Entree

- When was a time that you failed and what did you learn from that experience?

- What’s something people misunderstand about you or are generally surprised to find out?

Dessert

- What is the best compliment you have ever received?

- What is your favorite thing about what you do?

Nightcap

- Tell us about your conference presentation about AI and ChatGPT

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(Bio written by ChatGPT)

Shelby Dorsey, PhD, BCBA, LBA is a 33-year-old biological female who currently serves as the Director of Clinical Services at Waypoint Behavioral Health Solutions. Alongside her role, she is the owner of theSD.store, an online apparel shop that aims to reinforce the dissemination of behavioral science. Through this platform, Shelby strives to raise awareness and promote understanding of the importance of behavioral science in our daily lives.

In addition to her professional endeavors, Shelby is actively engaged as a Consultant and Mentor through SD Consulting, where she shares her expertise and provides guidance to individuals and organizations seeking to enhance their understanding of behavioral science and improve their practices. She is also involved in real estate investment and property management through SD Properties.

Personally, Shelby is happily married to her husband, Jalen (@djlitebrite93), and she is a proud parent to her two incredible children, Tatum (15) and Violet (3). As a late-diagnosed autistic individual who also copes with chronic illness and ADHD, she is passionate about advocating for neurodiversity and providing support to others facing similar circumstances. Her goal is to make a positive impact through education, empathy, and fostering a more inclusive society.

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Follow Shelby on Instagram— @drshelbydorsey & @thesd.store

Follow her on Facebook— Shelby Dorsey

Shop her Website!— thesd.store

Take her Survey— Self Concept & Autism (A survey about Shelby)

Check out her CEU Event, July 21, 2023— "The Future of Behavior Analysis: Using ChatGPT to Revolutionize Intervention and Support"

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

Browse the podcast pages of all our guests!—⁠ rosiebx.com/podcast⁠

A quick bite about the 2023 BABA Conference, June 17-19 in Detroit, Michigan and virtually!

I have some special guests sharing tasty morsels about the conference. Also, this will be the first conference that I’m presenting at, as part of a panel with four other amazing practitioners!

BABA (Black Applied Behavior Analysts) is a nonprofit organization created to promote diversity in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. Their Conference focuses on promoting, educating, empowering, and disseminating ABA relevant to the Black community. 

Check out the full conference schedule and become a member of BABA on their website—babainfo.org

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TODAY'S GUESTS

Rashida Biera "Lunch & Learn: RBT Panel" (with Wesley Guy, Cheyenne Watts-Bey, Jasmine Clark, and Issac Morgan)

Learn about her company—Hue-man Expressions

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dr. danyelle s. goitia beal "From Servant to Leader: The Foundation of Servant Leadership and The Compassion in Critical Conversations"

Check out her website—danyellebeal.com

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Marissa Ayala "What to do when someone comes at you with an ethics violation" (with Dr. Tyra Sellers)

Follow her on Instagram—@marissalocalaba

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Dr. Natalia Baires "Impacts on Employee Performance and Behavioral Services: Reactions to Feedback and Salary Practices" (with Dr. Denice R. Rios)

Read her research "The Future Is Female (and Behavior Analysis): A Behavioral Account of Sexism and How Behavior Analysis Is Simultaneously Part of the Problem and Solution"

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Jeron Trotman—Black Men in Behavior Analysis

Follow BMBA on Instagram—@blackmeninaba⁠

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Rosie Jeffers "Analyst Inside the Algorithm" (with Melody Sylvain, Jared Van, Margaret Thomas Solomon, Marissa Ayala)

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

Browse the podcast pages of all our episodes—⁠rosiebx.com/podcast⁠

Does your mind ever wander while listening to a podcast? Do you ever wish you could ask a podcast host a question?

During today’s meal, it’s an all out buffet while I answer listener submitted questions.

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TODAY'S MENU 

First Plate

- Has behavior analysis changed you as a pet owner?

- What are your future goals and how are you planning for them?

Second Plate

- How do you stay positive when the ABA world is essentially burning?

- Best work advice?

- Do you feel financially responsible?

Palate Cleansers

- Favorite childhood memory?

- Favorite thing to eat when you are on a date with yourself?

- Favorite way to eat a potato?

- Your go-to comfort food?

- Your go-to Dunkin' order?

- What restaurant do you recommend the most?

- Greatest breakfast you ever had & your comfort breakfast?

Entrees

- Favorite & least favorite thing about being a BCBA?

- Do you miss being a technician?

- How do you let go of the moments/sessions where you feel like you failed or came up short?

Desserts

- How you met your husband?

- When you are alone, what do you find the most valuable to fill your cup?

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Rosie Jeffers is a behavior analyst who is passionate about four things in life— food, behavior analysis, cats, and travel. She began working in ABA in 2015 after four years of working in management.

She’s dedicated to dissemination and community building in the ABA field.

Rosie’s work includes: three CEU courses with Study Notes ABA — A DINK’s Guide to Caregiver Coaching, Soft Skills – This Time, It’s Personal, and We Need to Talk: A Webinar on Ethics — as well as a Child-Led ABA Workshop with ABA Across Environments.

She is a member of multiple organizations including: APBA, MassABA, BABAT, and an Advocate/Ally Member of BABA.

Her dissemination efforts can be found through her Behavior Bites podcast, her website, and through her Instagram where she relates yummy pictures of food to behavior analysis.

Rosie lives and works on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

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

Learn more about me on my website!—⁠rosiebx.com

Do you ever feel unsupported and like you don’t belong because you’re different from the people around you?

During today’s meal, I chat with President and Founder of Black Men in Behavior Analysis, Jeron Trotman, MS, BCBA, about the challenges Black male BCBAs face—and the vision for the field’s future. 

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TODAY'S MENU 

Amuse-Bouche

- How do you practice self-care?

Appetizers

- How did you get into Behavior Analysis?

Palate Cleanser

- What’s your go-to snack?

Entree

- What is BMBA and the history behind it?

- 3 biggest challenges facing Black male BCBAs?

- What’s something you wish you could have told yourself when you were getting started?

Dessert

- What’s your mission moving forward?

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Jeron Trotman holds a Master of Science degree in Psychology with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). He has worked in the field of ABA for over a decade. He currently resides in Atlanta, GA and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

Jeron is the President and Founder of Black Men in Behavior Analysis and is currently an active member of several organizations devoted to upholding the professional practice of applied behavior analysis. These organizations include: the Association for Professional Behavior Analysts, Black Applied Behavior Analysts, and the Georgia Association of Behavior Analysis.

His focus interest includes: teaching and instruction, the assessment and treatment of severe problem behavior, behavior analytic consultation to schools, dog training—and training, coaching, and mentoring in health and fitness.

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Follow BMBA on Instagram—@blackmeninaba⁠

Visit their website —bmbanetwork.org

Contact BMBA—[email protected]

Connect with Jeron on IG—@J_trotman35⁠⁠

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

Browse the podcast pages of all our guests!—⁠rosiebx.com/podcast⁠

Do you ever feel like you have to save everyone? Do you feel like you're burning the candle at both ends trying to support clients, families, staff, colleagues, and maybe even fixing a broken system?

During today’s meal, I talk to Jasmine Yepez about her start in behavior analysis, being a compassionate BCBA, and her journey through burnout.

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Jasmine has been a BCBA since 2019. She has experience working as a behavior technician and BCBA in an in-home autism waiver program as well as in a private clinic. She served as a clinical director before experiencing extreme burnout and leaving the field to open her own wedding planning business in 2022.

Her interests include toilet learning, alternative and augmentative communication, and compassionate RBT and supervisee training. Jasmine is passionate about burnout care and prevention and is an advocate for BCBA and RBT mental health.

Jasmine posts about behavior analytic topics for those working in behavior analysis and special education on her Instagram.  She lives in Northwest Arkansas with her husband, three cats, and 15-year-old chihuahua. Jasmine will soon be opening a consulting business offering toilet training services.

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TODAY'S MENU 

Amuse-Bouche

- Why do you think labeling yourself as neurodivergent might detract from others?

Appetizers

- How did you get into Behavior Analysis?

- What’s a typical day look like for you?

- How do you combat burnout?

Palate Cleanser

- What is your go-to coffee order?

Entree

- What’s something you wish you could have told yourself when you were getting started?

- What does being a “compassionate BCBA” mean to you?

- What was your initial reason for wanting to start The ABA Lady page?

Dessert

- What is your favorite thing about what you do?

Nightcap

- What brought you joy this week?

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Follow Jasmine on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@TheABALady

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

Browse the podcast pages of all our guests!  ⁠⁠⁠https://www.rosiebx.com/podcast⁠