The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt Cicoria

How to Train Staff and Improve Outcomes in Adult Autism Services: Session 306 with Dr. John Guercio


Listen Later

Dr. John Guercio returns to the Behavioral Observations Podcast for his third appearance, bringing his extensive experience and fresh insights into the world of adult services in behavior analysis. In this episode, John and Matt discuss the vital, yet often overlooked, field of supporting adults with autism and other developmental disabilities—particularly those with severe behavioral challenges.

They explore:

  • John’s new leadership role at The Arc of the Ozarks
  • The Applied Behavior Analysis Center
  • The development of a new adult-specific RBT training program
  • His latest book on staff training in adult service settings
  • Key findings from his recent research on enhancing data collection in residential facilities
  • The systemic and practical challenges of working in group homes and ISLs

Throughout the conversation, Dr. Guercio emphasizes the importance of dignity, choice, and inclusion, and provides practical strategies for training and retaining staff who work in high-demand settings.

🧠 About the Guest:

Dr. John Guercio is the Vice President of Crisis Services and ABA Services at The Arc of the Ozarks. He has over three decades of experience in adult services and is a published researcher, trainer, and advocate for ethical and effective behavioral interventions for adults. Dr. Guercio is also the author of the Staff Training Manual: Staff Training Strategies for Adult Service Settings, and co-creator of a new 40-hour RBT training program specific to adult services.

📚 Resources & Links:
  • John's Behavioral Relaxation Training episode (CEU available!)
  • The paper we discussed: Guercio, et al. (2025): Blending Staff Preference Assessments and Contingent Reinforcement to Enhance Data Collection in a Residential Facility for Adults with Severe Aggressive Behavior
  • Reid and Parsons (2006): Motivating Human Service Staff
  • Open Future Learning Facebook page
  • The Performance Diagnostic Checklist
  • Daniels and Bailey (2016). Performance Management
  • 17 Therapeutic Communication Skills
  • Dr. Karyn Harvey, Trauma-Informed Supports for People with IDD
  • Dr. Paulie Gavoni: Positional Authority Ain't Leadership
  • Dr. John Austin on Results (Supervision CEU available)
  • Dr. Amy Edmonson: The Fearless Organization
  • Reid (1992). The need to train more behavior analysts to be better applied researchers
📢 Sponsor shoutouts:
  • Frontera. Consider taking a demo of Frontera's Assessment Builder and see how the ethical application of AI technologies can help you serve clients and save you time! Your first assessment report is free. And if you use code BOP25 you’ll get an additional five assessments for just $100. So head to fronterahealth.com to check it out!
  • CEUs from Behavioral Observations. Learn from your favorite podcast guests while you're commuting, walking the dog, or whatever else you do while listening to podcasts. New events are being added all the time, so check them out here
  • HRIC Recruting. Cut out the middleman and speak directly with Barbara Voss, who's been placing BCBAs in great jobs all across the US for 15 years.
  • Behavior University. Their mission is to provide university quality professional development for the busy Behavior Analyst. Learn about their CEU offerings, including their 8-hour Supervision Course, as well as their RBT offerings over at behavioruniversity.com/observations. Don't forget to use the coupon code, PODCAST to save at checkout!
  • The inaugural ABA CON CEU cruise, which launches on Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas from February 16–20, 2026. Learn more about this cruise here

 

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaBy Matt Cicoria

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

612 ratings


More shows like The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt Cicoria

View all
ADHD Experts Podcast by ADDitude

ADHD Experts Podcast

1,322 Listeners

Untangle by Untangle

Untangle

833 Listeners

ABA Inside Track by ABA Inside Track

ABA Inside Track

629 Listeners

Counselor Toolbox Podcast with DocSnipes by Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes

Counselor Toolbox Podcast with DocSnipes

617 Listeners

Neurodiversity Podcast by Emily Kircher-Morris

Neurodiversity Podcast

423 Listeners

Minimal-ish: Minimalism, Intentional Living, Motherhood by Cloud10

Minimal-ish: Minimalism, Intentional Living, Motherhood

999 Listeners

ABA on Call by CentralReach

ABA on Call

26 Listeners

Operant Innovations by ABA Technologies by ABA Technologies, Inc

Operant Innovations by ABA Technologies

13 Listeners

Behavior Bitches by Study Notes ABA, LLC

Behavior Bitches

1,307 Listeners

Raising Good Humans by Dear Media, Aliza Pressman

Raising Good Humans

1,868 Listeners

Uniquely Human: The Podcast by ART19    Uniquely Human

Uniquely Human: The Podcast

416 Listeners

We Can Do Hard Things by Glennon Doyle and Audacy

We Can Do Hard Things

41,435 Listeners

The How to ABA Podcast by Shira Karpel & Shayna Gaunt

The How to ABA Podcast

58 Listeners

The Mel Robbins Podcast by Mel Robbins

The Mel Robbins Podcast

20,604 Listeners

Sold a Story by APM Reports

Sold a Story

7,462 Listeners