Cooperant Learning Podcast

Keywords

behavior analysis, healthcare, dental procedures, desensitization, phobias, virtual reality, health disparities, individuals with disabilities, systematic desensitization, quality of life

Takeaways

Healthcare is an essential aspect of behavioral intervention.

Desensitization can reduce the need for general anesthesia in dental procedures. Phobias can be reversed.

Systematic desensitization is an empirical method for "undoing" fear responses to environmental stimuli.

Virtual reality can be an effective tool for desensitization in dental settings.

Healthcare disparities affect individuals with disabilities significantly.

Quality of life should be the ultimate goal in behavioral analysis.

Behavior analysts must advocate for better healthcare access for their clients.

Understanding the root causes of behaviors can lead to better health outcomes.

The goal of treatment should be long-term health and well-being, not just immediate results.

Summary

In this conversation, Kyle Steury and Dr. Steve Sparks engage with Brandon Franklin, a chief behavior analyst at Lee Specialty Clinic, discussing the critical intersection of healthcare and behavior analysis. They explore the importance of addressing healthcare needs for individuals with disabilities, particularly in dental settings. Franklin shares insights from his dissertation on desensitization techniques for dental procedures, emphasizing the need for behavioral approaches to alleviate anxiety in medical settings. The discussion highlights the systemic disparities in healthcare access for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and advocates for a focus on quality of life as the ultimate goal in behavioral programming.

Sound bites

"Phobias can be acquired through direct exposure."

"Innovative approaches can transform dental care."

"Quality of life should be the ultimate goal."

Chapters

00:00 Brandon Franklin's Background and Experience

04:23 Dissertation Focus: Dental Procedures and Desensitization

12:46 Healthcare Disparities and Access Issues

17:35 Phobias and Systematic Desensitization

21:30 The Roots of Phobia

22:48 Understanding Fear: Systematic Desensitization Explained

32:06 Innovative Approaches: Virtual Reality in Desensitization

44:16 Needle Phobia: Insights and Implications for Healthcare

48:55 Beyond Goals: Focusing on Long-Term Health Outcomes

Brandon M. Franklin, MS, BCBA, LBA, is a highly experienced and dedicated Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Behavior Analyst, currently serving as Chief Behavior Analyst at Lee Specialty Clinic. With a career spanning over a decade in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Brandon has built a reputation for clinical excellence, compassionate care, and leadership in behavioral healthcare services for individuals with developmental disabilities. Brandon is actively pursuing his Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis at Cambridge College, further deepening his expertise in evidence-based interventions. He holds a Master of Science in ABA from Spalding University and a Bachelor of Science in Justice Administration from the University of Louisville. He is licensed as a behavior analyst in both Kentucky and Tennessee.

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-franklin-64225494/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealbeefee

Website: https://leespecialtyclinic.com

In today's conversation Andrew Bulla joins CL to explore the intersections of behavior analysis and animal training. They discuss the importance of assent, the LIMA principle, and the role of animal models in understanding behavior. Andrew shares his journey from working with neurodivergent individuals to training animals, emphasizing the lessons behavior analysts can learn from animal trainers. The discussion highlights the significance of choice, autonomy, and functional analysis in behavior change, as well as the need for integrating insights from animal training into behavior analysis practices.

Dr. Andrew Bulla earned his Bachelor’s degree from Saint Joseph’s University in psychology with a minor in autism studies. Upon graduating, he completed his master’s and doctoral degrees in behavior analysis from Western Michigan University, and subsequently became a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst in 2014. He is currently an associate professor of psychology and program chair for behavior analysis programs at Georgia Southern University – Armstrong Campus. Drew is also a consultant for Morningside Teachers’ Academy, where he helps coordinate and run the Summer Institute to teach individuals all over the world about the Morningside Model of Generative Instruction. Drew has worked at a variety of organizations over the course of his career including autism centers, community mental health agencies, animal facilities, several school districts, and internationally with schools in Lima, Peru delivering consultative services in Spanish. During his time in these positions, Dr. Bulla applied behavior analysis to a variety of learners and situations. He has worked in autism early intervention, ancillary programs including social and recreational skills, the assessment and treatment of challenging behaviors, academic interventions for students with and without disabilities, instructional design, and animal training including loggerhead sea turtles and grey wolves. Drew has published and conducted research in the areas of self-management, instructional design, precision teaching, physical activity, the experimental analysis of behavior, and animal training and welfare. He has published his research in a variety of journals including the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, The Mexican Journal of Behavior Analysis, Behavior Analysis in Practice, Journal of Behavioral Education, The European Journal of Behavior Analysis, Psychology in the Schools, and Behavior Analysis: Research and Practice. Dr. Bulla has presented over 100 peer-reviewed presentations, posters, and workshops at regional, national, and international conferences. He is currently a board member for the Standard Celeration Society and has served as the Lead Guest Editor for a special issue of Behavior Analysis in Practice on precision teaching, and is currently on the editorial boards for Behavior Analysis and Practice and Behavior and Social Issues.

Intersection of Applied Behavior Analysis and AI | Cooperant Learning Podcast

In this episode of Cooperant Learning, Dr. David Cox and Ryan O’Donnell join us to explore the intersection of applied behavior analysis and artificial intelligence. We dive into real-world case applications, the opportunities and pitfalls of corporate interest in AI solutions, potential risks of sacrificing quality for efficiency, and privacy and HIPAA issues. David and Ryan discuss the mission of their AI and ABA initiative Project Chiron and examine the philosophical and ethical questions that come with integrating AI into behavior science.

🔹 Topics we cover:

Practical case uses of AI in ABA Corporate influence and the push for efficiency

A behavioral account of chatbot "behavior"

Balancing technological innovation with quality of care

Philosophical and ethical considerations in merging AI with behavior science

If you’re interested in where ABA is headed in an AI-driven world, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss.

David J. Cox, Ph.D., M.S.B., BCBA-D

A full-stack data scientist and behavior analyst with nearly two decades of experience at the intersection of behavior science, ethics, and AI. Dr. Cox is a thought leader on ethical AI integration in ABA and the author of the forthcoming commentary Ethical Behavior Analysis in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. He’s published over 70 articles and books on related topics in academic journals and, quite possibly, the only person in the field with expertise in behavior analysis, bioethics, and data science.

Ryan L. O'Donnell, M.S., BCBA

With a background in behavior science and digital storytelling, Ryan stopped short of the Ph.D. track to build a distinctive path through filmmaking, science communication, and CEU production. Known for producing high-quality, film-level CEU content with thought leaders like Patrick C. Friman, Susan G. Friedman, and Kent Johnson, he’s directed and produced over 200 hours of online courses, including the acclaimed documentaries This Way of Thinking, The History of Applied Behavior Analysis: Part 1 and The Morningside Model.

Check out The Behavior Academy and Project Chiron: https://www.thebehavioracademy.com/behavior-analysis-and-artificial-intelligence

Dr. Maya Fallon joins Kyle Steury and Dr. Steve Sparks to discuss her research entitled "A preliminary analysis of teaching children with autism spectrum disorder self-protection skills for bullying situations" from the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis.

Dr. Fallon is a licensed behavior analyst in North Carolina and a board certified behavior analyst at the doctoral level. She holds a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis from California State University and a PhD in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where she also completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Munroe-Meyer Institute’s Early Intervention Department within the Integrated Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Dr. Fallon brings extensive experience in designing and implementing intensive behavioral interventions for both early and advanced learners with autism and related disorders. She has served as a guest lecturer for graduate-level courses, mentored graduate students and early-career professionals, and published research in leading journals such as the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and Behavioral Interventions.

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🎙 Cooperant Learning Podcast | Ep. 9

🎧 Guests: Dr. Alison Cox & Nazurah Khokhar

📚 Topic: Research Patterns in the Treatment of Adults With Problem Behavior

In this episode, we sat down with Dr. Alison Cox, BCBA-D, and Nazurah Khokhar, BCBA, to discuss their important new paper published in Behavior Modification: "Research Patterns in the Treatment of Adults With Problem Behavior and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: A Quantitative Systematic Review."

🧠 Topics We Cover: Why adults with IDD might be so underrepresented in behavioral research Research barriers like inconsistent functional analyses, limited maintenance data, and service gaps

👥 About Our Guests:

🔹 Dr. Alison Cox is Associate Professor in the Applied Disability Studies program at Brock University. Her research focuses on behavioral medicine, restraint fading, and treatment of severe behavior in adults with dual diagnoses and acquired brain injury.

🔹 Nazurah Khokhar, MA, BCBA, is a clinician and researcher specializing in behavioral pharmacology, cultural responsiveness, and adult IDD treatment. She currently practices in Sacramento, CA.

📘 Recommended Readings Mentioned in This Episode: Cox, A. D., Leung, J., Anderson, B. M., & Morgan, M. C. (2021).

Examining research patterns in the treatment of adults with problem behavior and intellectual and developmental disabilities: A brief review. Behavioral Development, 26(1), 14.

Dowdy, A., Peltier, C., Tincani, M., Schneider, W. J., Hantula, D. A., & Travers, J. C. (2021). Meta‐analyses and effect sizes in applied behavior analysis: A review and discussion. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 54(4), 1317-1340.

Thillainathan, T., Linder, B. & Cox, A.D. (2024). Program evaluation of a specialized treatment home for adults with severe challenging behaviour. Behavioral Interventions. 39 (4), https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.2059 Ayvaci, A. S., Cox, A. D., & Dimopoulos, A. (2025). A quantitative systematic literature review of combination punishment literature: Progress over the last decade. Behavior Modification, 49(1), 117-153.

Critchfield, T. S., & Reed, D. D. (2017). The fuzzy concept of applied behavior analysis research. The Behavior Analyst, 40, 123-159. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40614-017-0093-x

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Subscribe and click the bell so you never miss important conversations in applied behavior analysis, disability services, and evidence-based practice.

#AppliedBehaviorAnalysis #BehaviorAnalysis #IDD #ChallengingBehavior #ABA #AdultServices #CooperantLearning #FunctionalAnalysis #BehaviorModification #CEU #Podcast #BehavioralScience #DevelopmentalDisabilities #BCBA #BehaviorSupport #IntellectualDisabilities

Cooperant Learning Podcast Episode: The Kalamazoo Academy for Behavioral and Academic Success

Hosts: Kyle Steury & Dr. Steve Sparks

In this episode, we sat down with Dr. Margo Uwayo of the Kalamazoo Academy for Behavioral and Academic Success (KABAS) — a K–6 school that blends behavior analysis with education to support both behavior intervention and academic skill acquisition. We dive into the origin story of KABAS, how applied behavior analysis can be a tool for both learning and behavior, the legal hurdles to launching a school rooted in science, and how educators and behavior analysts can work together.

Check out the Sold a Story series Margo references at https://features.apmreports.org/sold-a-story/.

Learn more about and consider donating to KABAS at https://kalamazooschool.org

Cooperant Learning is a project of Sparks Behavioral Services. For more information, visit https://sparksbehavioralservices.com.

In this episode of the Cooperant Learning Podcast, Sarah Campau and Abigail Petronelli join to discuss their 2022 call to action article on LGBTQ+ conversion therapy and behavior analysis. The conversation explores the history of harmful practices in ABA, the removal of DEI requirements by the BACB, and actionable steps practitioners can take to support LGBTQ+ individuals and promote ethical, inclusive care.

Further Reading: DeFelice, K.A., Diller, J.W. Intersectional Feminism and Behavior Analysis. Behav Analysis Practice 12, 831–838 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-019-00...

Capriotti, M.R. and Donaldson, J.M. (2022), “Why don't behavior analysts do something?”1 Behavior analysts' historical, present, and potential future actions on sexual and gender minority issues. Jnl of Applied Behav Analysis, 55: 19-39. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.884

Conine, Daniel & Campau, Sarah & Petronelli, Abigail. (2021). LGBTQ + conversion therapy and applied behavior analysis: A call to action. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. 55. 10.1002/jaba.876.

Oda, F.S., Stiehl, C.M. Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI): A Tutorial on Ethical Data Practices. Behav Analysis Practice 18, 275–290 (2025).

Leland, W., & Stockwell, A. (2019). A self-assessment tool for cultivating affirming practices with transgender and gender-nonconforming (TGNC) clients, supervisees, students, and colleagues. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 12(4), 816–825. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-019-00...

Petronelli, Abigail & Ferguson, Rachael. (2022). Into Inclusion: Increasing Trans-Inclusive Practices with Behavior Analysis. Behavior Analysis in Practice. 15. 10.1007/s40617-021-00669-2.

Farrell, Lynn & Mizael, Táhcita & Gould, Evelyn. (2023). Gender Is the Name of the Frame: Understanding Gender through the Lens of Relational Frame Theory. Social Sciences. 12. 532. 10.3390/socsci12100532.

Note: Due to recording issues, this episode uses the Google Meet video file, so it may lack the usual “room” feel.

Cooperant Learning is a project of Sparks Behavioral Services. For more information please visit https://www.sparksbehavioralservices.com. 

#behaviorscience #behavioranalysis #bcba #bacb #rbt #bcaba #lgbtq #podcast #appliedbehavioranalysis #DEI #ABA

📊 Using Big Data to Inform ABA Hour Recommendations | Dr. David Cox on Cooperant Podcast Description: How can big data improve clinical decision-making in behavior analysis? In this episode of the Cooperant Podcast, host Kyle Steury welcomes Dr. David Cox—PhD behavior analyst, researcher at Endicott College, and expert in AI and clinical modeling—to discuss data-driven approaches to recommending ABA service hours.

🎙 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why current hour recommendations in ABA may be more guesswork than science How Dr. Cox’s team analyzed data from nearly 40,000 cases The role of dose-response curves and cluster analysis in identifying optimal therapy levels How data indicate that more isn’t always better when it comes to ABA hours Implications for adult services, funding decisions, and the ethics of using AI in clinical care How real-time data could one day guide session-level decisions for RBTs and BCBAs

🔍 Key Concepts: Behavior analysis | Artificial intelligence | ABA therapy | Data science | Clinical modeling | Ethical decision-making | Big data | Cluster analysis | Autism services | Service authorization | Individualized care

🧠 Guest Bio – Dr. David Cox: Dr. Cox holds a PhD in behavior analysis, completed postdoctoral work at Johns Hopkins and Insight Data Science, and currently researches big data and AI applications in clinical decision-making and behavior analytic practice at Endicott College. His work explores how advanced data models can support ethical, individualized, and efficient behavioral healthcare.

💡 Interested in how behavioral science and machine learning can work together to improve client outcomes? This episode is for you.

Cooperant Learning is a project of Sparks Behavioral Services. Learn more about Sparks at https://www.sparksbehavioralservices.com. 

Dr. Shane Spiker joins the Cooperant team to discuss crisis intervention in adult behavior analytic services.

Cooperant Learning is a project of Sparks Behavioral Services. See more at https://www.sparksbehavioralservices.com. 

Serving across the state of Michigan, Sparks uses behavioral science to improve the lives of the people we work with, regardless of the nature or severity of their needs. 

Further reading: On the Uncanny Similarities Between Police Brutality and Client Mistreatment (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9744982/)

Liz Elias of Empowered Behavior Collective (https://www.empoweredbehaviorcollective.com) joined us to discuss supervision, supervised fieldwork hours, mentorship, and other topics in behavior analysis and adult services.

Liz is an independent BCBA who resides and practices in West Michigan. Through her company, Empowered Behavior Collective, Liz provides fieldwork supervision for aspiring behavior analysts and ACT-based services to clients across the lifespan. Liz is the sitting President of the Board of Directors for the ARC of Mid-Michigan and also contracts with her local county to provide support for adults in residential group home settings.

Cooperant Learning is a project of Sparks Behavioral Services (sparksbehavioralservices.com). At SBS, we use behavioral science to improve the lives of those we work with, regardless of the nature or severity of their needs.

Links:

Empowered Behavior Collective: https://www.empoweredbehaviorcollective.com

Cooperant Learning is a project of Sparks Behavioral Services. Find more at https://www.sparksbehavioralservices.com

Behavioral Artistry: Examining the Relationship Between the Interpersonal Skills and Effective Practice Repertoires of Applied Behavior Analysis Practitioners: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC670796