Function Junction:Behavior Matters

Susan and Cissy continue their conversation with Chad Pallodino about his work with students with autism.  It is clear that Chad has a passion for helping students with autism and other disabilities. He does a great job talking about approaching challenges, seeing where the individual is, and getting them to the next step.  He also talks about work on his doctorate, which is a very interesting topic.  Stay for the question. Thank you for listening.

Chad Palladino is new to Texas, but not to the field of autism.  Susan and Cissy get a chance to have a talk with him about how he started working with people with autism and how he got to Texas.  This episode is the first half of the conversation.  Chad has a great deal of training and study that he uses to support students and staff.  Cissy and Susan hope you enjoy learning from Chad.  Stay for the question.

As the podcast was recorded, the CDC had just published the latest prevalence of autism.  Susan and Cissy talk briefly about that and then move into some observations Susan made while on Spring Break.  The conversation was a reminder that we should all learn from one another. Some people are great teachers.  Some people are great behavior analysts.  It is important that everyone who is trying to help others learn new skills or change behavior listen to one another.  Collaboration brings great things.  Thank you for listening and stay for the question.

Cathy Bowen is a long time educator and behavior specialist.  She and Susan had a conversation about the concept of "worry".  This made Susan suggest that Cathy be a guest on the podcast to examine this topic.  Susan, Cissy, and Cathy have a great time talking about worry.  They share ideas about why we do it, what the functions may be, and what we can do about it.  They share many of the concepts from Applied Behavior Analysis that contribute to maintaining the behavior of worry, but also talk about it in a cognitive behavioral way as well as poking fun a bit at their own Irish Catholic upbringing.  This fits perfectly as the episode airs on St. Patrick's Day. There is a question at the end.

Susan and Cissy continue their conversation with Susan Parker.  Susan's work as a teacher and then a Specialist for Region 4 Education Service Center give her a rich knowledge of important things happening in and for schools.  Please enjoy her very grounded talk about how things have developed in Texas schools - and where things are going.  Stay for the question.  Thank you for listening!

Susan Parker has recently retired from Region 4 Education Service Center.  Texas has 20 Education Service Centers that provide training and support to their areas. Susan has given decades of service to special education students and staff in Texas with the bulk of that support at Region 4.  She shares a bit about her history of getting to the service center in this first half.  What you may not get from the conversation is something that Cissy and Susan know.  Susan Parker is one of those people who is going to give projects her all with little need for recognition.  Please enjoy this first half and come back next week to hear more from this unassuming hero.

Susan and Cissy talk about how much they have learned and how their behaviors have changed over the last two years of the podcast.  They reminisce about many of the fun people who have contributed to the growth of this project that they started conceiving  during the pandemic.  Thank you all for listening and letting them have the joy of talking about behavior change.

Enjoy the second part of Susan's and Cissy's conversation with the authors of "Superhero Secrets For Teachers - Behavior Analysis In The Classroom".  Bev and Natalie talk more about their book and some of the information within it.  They also share fun stories from the book and their careers. Gather some secrets from the conversation and grab the book.  Stay for the question.

Susan and Cissy enjoy the opportunity to talk with the authors of the book "Superhero Secrets for Teachers: Behavior Analysis in the Classroom".  Beverly Smith and Natalie Perkel have taken complicated topics and created a text that clearly explains ABA concepts in fun ways. They give insight into how they met and started thinking about their book.  Please enjoy the first half of this great conversation with these talented ladies.  Stay for the question.

Susan and Cissy continue their conversation with George Simos.  He talks about a student that influenced his desire to pursue ABA as a career.  He also shares how sometimes small progress can be very important to an individual.  He talks about finding people to help be an example to develop oneself and how he is preparing for the BCBA exam.  Thank you for listening and give the question a try.