In the Field: The ABA Podcast

Episode Summary:
In this episode, Allyson speaks with Nicole Shallow, a behavior analyst and sleep consultant based in Vancouver, Canada. Nicole shares her journey into the world of behavioral sleep consulting and the critical role of understanding the underlying physiological factors affecting sleep. They explore how behavior analysts can expand their scope to address sleep issues, how to stay within one's scope of competence, and why collaboration with medical professionals is essential.

Nicole provides valuable insights into the assessment process, the connection between sleep and other issues like gastrointestinal problems, and the importance of building strong, individualized sleep plans for clients.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Nicole’s journey into sleep consulting and behavior analysis, starting as a Behavior Interventionist and specializing in sleep through mentorship.
• How sleep is often a symptom of broader physiological or environmental issues, such as gastrointestinal problems or stress.
• The importance of understanding sleep physiology and when to refer to medical professionals.
• Behavioral strategies for addressing common sleep issues and building individualized sleep interventions.
• Tips for behavior analysts wanting to expand their scope of competence into new areas, such as sleep.
• Collaboration with parents and other professionals to ensure a holistic approach to sleep interventions.
• The need for more research in the field of behavior analysis on sleep, given the current limitations of small sample sizes.
• How Nicole integrates ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) principles and soft skills when supporting families through sleep challenges.

Actionable Step:
For practitioners interested in expanding their skills into sleep consulting, start by reviewing behavioral sleep medicine research and completing a relevant CEU. Nicole suggests getting mentorship in sleep consulting to ensure competency in addressing more complex sleep issues.

Resources Mentioned:

• Nicole Shallow - Your Behavior Gal
• Hanley’s Sleep Assessment Tool
• Behavior Live (for CEs related to sleep)
• LinkedIn (for networking and mentorship opportunities)

Connect with Nicole:

• Instagram: @yourbehaviorgal
• Website: Your Behavior Gal

Takeaways for Listeners:

• Building a successful sleep intervention requires understanding not only behavioral factors but also physiological and environmental components.
• Collaboration with parents and other professionals is essential to creating sleep plans that work for each family.
• Behavior analysts can broaden their scope and contribute to more comprehensive care by specializing in areas like sleep.

Disclaimer:

BCBA®, BACB® [or any other BACB® trademark used] is/are registered to the Behavior Analytic Certification Board® BACB®. This website and products are not in any way sponsored by the BACB®.

All information and products are for educational purposes only.

In this episode, I sit down with Claire Gallagher, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and founder of Atlas Behavioral Consultants, to discuss her unique focus in behavioral gerontology and how applied behavior analysis (ABA) can improve the lives of aging adults with neurocognitive impairments, such as dementia and Parkinson’s disease.

We're fortunate to also have her on our BCBA team here at Sidekick! We dive into how her work connects to the importance of ABA supervision and the development of pivotal skills that behavior analysts need to succeed in subspecialties like gerontology.

Episode Highlights:

• Claire’s journey from working in autism services to finding her passion in aging care.
• What behavioral gerontology is and how ABA can be applied to address age-related challenges.
• The importance of non-pharmacological interventions in managing behaviors in older adults.
• How Claire’s company, Atlas Behavioral Consultants, provides caregiver training to apply behavior analysis strategies, emphasizing how these skills can be generalized across settings.
• The connection between ABA supervision and subspecialties: Claire discusses how supervision should help trainees explore diverse areas of practice beyond autism, emphasizing rapport building, pivotal skills like assessment and intervention, and continuing education in different fields.
• Strategies for BCBA supervisors to help trainees broaden their scope of competence, equipping them to practice in various settings, including gerontology.

Episode Takeaways:

• How strong ABA supervision can prepare behavior analysts for emerging subspecialties.
• Claire’s advice on mentoring and sourcing continuing education to develop expertise in behavioral gerontology.
• Why supervisors should focus on teaching core ABA skills that apply to a range of populations and settings.

Connect with Claire: Website: Atlas Behavioral Consultants
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: Claire Gallagher

Get Claire's Recommended Resources for Behavioral Gerontology (podcasts, articles, books, organizations)

Keywords: Behavioral Gerontology, Applied Behavior Analysis, Aging Care, Dementia, Caregiver Training, Non-Pharmacological Interventions, ABA Supervision, BCBA, Supervision Competencies, Atlas Behavioral Consultants

Disclaimer:

BCBA®, BACB® [or any other BACB® trademark used] is/are registered to the Behavior Analytic Certification Board® BACB®. This website and products are not in any way sponsored by the BACB®.

All information and products are for educational purposes only.

Guest: Dominique Shorter Taylor, BCBA, Founder of Dom the BCBA Mom and Shorter-Taylor Behavior Consulting

Actionable Steps Based on the Episode:

For Behavior Analysts:

1. Identify Personal Biases: Reflect on your own biases and how they might affect your work with clients. Make a habit of self-assessment to ensure you’re providing culturally responsive care.
2. Engage with Families: Ask families about their values, preferences, and how they feel about the diagnosis. Use this information to tailor interventions that are meaningful and feasible for them.
3. Provide Compassionate Supervision: Approach your supervisees with the same empathy and support you offer your clients. Create a supportive learning environment that encourages growth and development.
4. Balance Work and Family: Set clear boundaries between work and personal life. Prioritize activities that rejuvenate you and communicate your needs to your employer and family.

For Those Interested in Dissemination:

1. Choose the Right Platform: Identify a dissemination channel that aligns with your strengths and interests, whether it’s YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, writing, or podcasting.
2. Create Consumable Content: Ensure your content is easily understandable and accessible to your target audience. Use everyday language and relatable examples to explain ABA concepts.
3. Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments and feedback from your audience. Positive reinforcement from viewers can motivate you to continue sharing valuable content.
4. Be Authentic: Share your unique perspective and experiences. Authenticity resonates with people and can make your dissemination efforts more impactful.

Resources Mentioned:

• Fong, E. H., Catagnus, R. M., Brodhead, M. T., Quigley, S., & Field, S. (2016). Developing the cultural awareness skills of behavior analysts. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 9(1), 84–94. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-016-0111-6
• Autism on the Seas: autismontheseas.com

Contact Information:

• YouTube: Dom the BCBA Mom
• TikTok: Dom the BCBA Mom
• Instagram: Dom the BCBA Mom

Closing Thought: Dominique encourages behavior analysts to embrace cultural responsiveness, prioritize family and self-care, and find authentic ways to disseminate ABA knowledge. By doing so, we can make ABA more accessible and impactful for the diverse communities we serve.

Thank You Note: Thank you for listening to In the Field, the ABA Podcast. Visit sidekicklearning.net for more resources and continuing education opportunities. Please consider subscribing and sharing the podcast to help empower more professionals in the ABA community. Join us next week for more insights on fostering quality supervision in ABA.

Disclaimer:

BCBA®, BACB® [or any other BACB® trademark used] is/are registered to the Behavior Analytic Certification Board® BACB®. This website and products are not in any way sponsored by the BACB®.

All information and products are for educational purposes only.

Guest:

Angie Pickering is the founder of Tracker!, a tool designed to simplify supervision and documentation for ABA professionals. Angie's experience with supervision led her to create Tracker, aiming to streamline the documentation process and support both trainees and supervisors in meeting compliance requirements effectively.

Key Takeaways:

• Supervision Requirements:
  • Minimum of 20 hours and maximum of 130 hours per month.
  • At least four contacts per month, with one observation with a client.
  • 5% of total hours must be supervised.
  • 50% of supervised hours must be one-on-one, no more than 50% in group settings, and group settings cannot exceed 10 people.
  • Minimum of 60% of hours must be unrestricted.
• Concentrated Supervision:
  • Requires six contacts per month.
  • 10% of total hours must be supervised.

Compliance and Best Practices:

• Tracker's built-in compliance monitor helps ensure all requirements are met.
• Daily documentation is important to avoid drift.
• UDS, monthly, and final verification forms should be stored securely for seven years.

Unrestricted vs. Restricted Hours:

• Unrestricted hours include activities that BCBAs would do, such as assessments and designing interventions.
• Restricted hours are more direct client implementation of plans.
• Importance of accruing unrestricted hours throughout the supervision period to be well-prepared for the BCBA role.

Advocacy and Communication:

• Trainees should feel empowered to communicate their needs and ensure they're getting comprehensive supervision.
• Organizations benefit from investing in their trainees and creating intentional supervision experiences.

Tips for Trainees and Supervisors:

• Trainees should ask about supervision structures during job interviews.
• Supervisors should be clear on what counts as restricted and unrestricted hours.
• Regularly reviewing and auditing activities can help maintain compliance and focus on necessary skills.

Favorite Part of Supervising:

• Angie enjoys seeing trainees gain confidence and become well-prepared for their BCBA roles.

Advice to New Supervisor Angie:

• Enjoy the journey, practice good self-care, and embrace the learning process.

Connect with Tracker:

• Website: fieldworktracker.com
• Instagram: studynotesaba_Tracker
• Email: [email protected]

Thank you for listening to In the Field, the ABA Podcast. Visit sidekicklearning.net for more resources and continuing education opportunities. Please consider subscribing and sharing the podcast to help empower more professionals in the ABA community. Join us next week for more insights on fostering quality supervision in ABA.

Disclaimer:

BCBA®, BACB® [or any other BACB® trademark used] is/are registered to the Behavior Analytic Certification Board® BACB®. This website and products are not in any way sponsored by the BACB®.

All information and products are for educational purposes only.

Guest Introduction: Courtney Domingue is the founder of Success Shaping and a BCBA supervisor. Success Shaping offers remote supervision, consulting supervision, and continuing education for BCBAs and trainees. Courtney emphasizes a well-rounded, flexible approach to ABA supervision.

Key Takeaways:

• Flexible Supervision Approach
• Importance of Multiple Perspectives
• Psychological Safety
• Continuous Learning
• Grassroots and Systemic Change
• Incremental Change

Connect with Courtney

• Success Shaping: successshaping.com
• Instagram: Success Shaping
• Facebook: Success Shaping

Resources

Download the guide from Success Shaping

Practical Tips for Supervisors:

• Be Present: Dedicate focused, undistracted time to your trainees, valuing their growth as much as your own professional tasks.
• Seek Feedback: Regularly ask for and incorporate feedback from trainees to improve your supervision practices.
• Continuous Learning: Engage in professional development outside of your comfort zone to stay updated and empathize with the learning experiences of your trainees.
• Celebrate Incremental Changes: Recognize and celebrate small victories and progress in supervision, both in your trainees' growth and your own professional development.

Practical Tips for Trainees:

• Self-Reflection: Clarify your goals and what you seek in a supervision experience before choosing a supervisor.
• Seek Recommendations: Connect with others in the field and ask for recommendations or advice on finding quality supervision.
• Ask Questions: Don’t hesitate to ask potential supervisors about their philosophy, teaching style, and expectations to ensure a good fit.
• Leverage Networks: Use social media and professional networks to seek out additional learning opportunities and mentorship outside of your immediate supervision relationship.

Disclaimer:

BCBA®, BACB® [or any other BACB® trademark used] is/are registered to the Behavior Analytic Certification Board® BACB®. This website and products are not in any way sponsored by the BACB®.

All information and products are for educational purposes only.

Annie McLaughlin is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and an Individualized Education Program (IEP) advocate. She supports other BCBAs in transitioning into the realm of IEP advocacy.

In this episode, we cover:

• Career Journey: Annie's path from special education teacher to BCBA and IEP advocate, emphasizing the diverse experiences that shaped her expertise.
• Effective Support: Importance of BCBAs understanding the educational system to better support parents in IEP meetings.
• Training Program: Development of the "Pivot into IEP Advocacy" program to educate BCBAs and related service providers on special education advocacy.
• Foundational Skills: Emphasis on collaboration, understanding special education literature, and continuous professional development as crucial skills for BCBAs.
• Practical Advice: Tips for BCBAs attending IEP meetings, such as understanding parents' needs, using educational language, and offering practical solutions.

Resources Mentioned:

• Burke and Goldman (2016) study on the five stages of IEP advocacy
• Pivot into IEP Advocacy program: IEPadvocacytraining.com

Contact Information:

• Instagram: IEP Advocate Annie
• Website: IEPadvocacytraining.com

Practical Tips for BCBAs:

• Understand parents' needs and support them by amplifying their voice during IEP meetings.
• Use educational language to communicate effectively in school settings.
• Learn regional and federal special education acronyms and terminologies.
• Follow your curiosity and passion to explore growth opportunities within and outside your organization.

Disclaimer:

BCBA®, BACB® [or any other BACB® trademark used] is/are registered to the Behavior Analytic Certification Board® BACB®. This website and products are not in any way sponsored by the BACB®.

All information and products are for educational purposes only.

Welcome back to "In the Field"! In this episode, I'm super excited to chat with Dr. Katie Garza and Dr. Becky Eldridge. We're diving into their article, "Some Tools for Carrying Out a Proposed Process for Supervising Experience Hours for Aspiring Board Certified Behavior Analysts," published in Behavior Analysis in Practice.

Here’s the scoop on what we chat about in this episode:

• Common barriers to effective supervision and the reality that we are faced with as supervisors
• Key tools that you can put into practice, such as job models and professional development planning
• Actionable steps and resources from their article that supervisors can take

This episode is a goldmine for anyone in the ABA field looking to improve their supervision practice.

Want more? Here’s how you can connect and read up:

• Check Out the Article: Swing by here to read their full discussion and access the the tools in the article. 
• Chat with Dr. Katie Garza: Drop her an email at [email protected] or link up on LinkedIn or ResearchGate.
• Reach out to Dr. Becky Eldridge: Visit beckyeldridge.com, or catch her on Facebook and Instagram at @beckyeldridgeconsulting.

Disclaimer:

BCBA®, BACB® [or any other BACB® trademark used] is/are registered to the Behavior Analytic Certification Board® BACB®. This website and products are not in any way sponsored by the BACB®.

All information and products are for educational purposes only.

Join us as we delve into the nuances of compassionate parent training with BCBA Leanne Page from Parenting with ABA. In this episode, we explore how combining empathy with actionable strategies can transform parent training, enhancing both the practice and its outcomes AND how to support trainees and new BCBAs in developing these skills. 

Here's what we're exploring:

• How compassionate parent training is different from other approaches
• Utilizing tools and resources like the Compassionate Collaboration Tool (Rohrer, Marshall, Susio and Weiss, 2021) for improving our practice
• Practical strategies for supporting trainees (or ourselves!) in developing these skills

This discussion is a must-listen for BCBAs and ABA trainees seeking to enhance their understanding and practice of compassionate parent training.

Connect with Leanne Page:

Explore more about compassionate parent training and access valuable resources by visiting Parenting with ABA. Follow Leanne on Instagram at @ParentingWithABA and on Facebook at Parenting with ABA for updates and insights.

Articles and resources mentioned: 

• Taylor, LeBlanc, and Nosek (2019) - Compassionate Care and Behavior Analytic Treatment: Can outcomes be enhanced by attending to relationships with caregivers?
• Rohrer, Marshall, Susio, and Weiss (2021) - Soft Skills: The Case for Compassionate Approaches or How Behavior Analysis Keeps Finding Its Heart (Compassionate Collaboration Tool)
• "Compassionomics" by Anthony Mazzarelli and Stephen Trzeciak 
• "Fierce Conversations" by Susan Scott
• Rohrer and Weiss (2022)Teaching Compassion Skills to Students of Behavior Analysis: A Preliminary Investigation
• Critchfield, Doepke, Kimberly Epting, Becirevic, Reed, Fienup,, Kremsreiter, Ecott, (2017)- Normative Emotional Responses to Behavior Analysis Jargon or How Not to Use Words to Win Friends and Influence People. 
• Callahan, Foxx, Swierczynski, Aerts, Mehta, McComb, Nichols, Segal, Donald, Sharma (2019)- Behavioral Artistry: Examining the Relationship Between the Interpersonal Skills and Effective Practice Repertoires of Applied Behavior Analysis Practitioners

Disclaimer:

BCBA®, BACB® [or any other BACB® trademark used] is/are registered to the Behavior Analytic Certification Board® BACB®. This website and products are not in any way sponsored by the BACB®.

All information and products are for educational purposes only.

In this episode of "In the Field," I'm thrilled to chat with Priscilla Rodriguez Haros, a BCBA and passionate advocate for integrating reading and personal development into the practice of ABA.

Here's what we cover:

Embracing a Mentorship Role: Priscilla shares her insights on the importance of clear boundaries in mentorship and how it enhances the supervision process.

Continuous Learning Through Literature: Dive into how reading widely can foster growth and bring innovative perspectives to one's practice.

Developing Supervision Skills: Learn how Priscilla uses her reading to enhance her abilities as a supervisor, focusing on empathy, understanding, and effective communication.

Leveraging Literature for Professional Growth: Explore specific book recommendations that have profoundly influenced Priscilla's approach to ABA, leadership, and mentorship.

Priscilla brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm, discussing how these resources can help behavior analysts expand their expertise and approach their work with renewed insight and empathy. This conversation is essential for anyone in the ABA field looking to enhance their personal and professional development.

Want to connect with Priscilla and dive deeper into her insights on reading, mentorship, and professional development in ABA? Follow her on Instagram at @BookedBX where she shares her latest reads, professional insights, and tips on integrating literature into ABA practice!

1. Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler
2. Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Neurodiversity by Dr. Devon Price
3. The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy
4. Building and Sustaining Meaningful and Effective Relationships as a Supervisor by Linda LeBlanc
5. Good Enough Job: Reclaiming Life from Work by Simone Soltsov 
6. Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg
7. ABA Visualized: A Visual Guidebook for Applying ABA in Clinical and Educational Settings
8. Teaching Good Learner Repertoires by Steve Ward
9. Beyond Behaviors by Mona Delahooke
10. Odd Girl Out by Laura James

Disclaimer:

BCBA®, BACB® [or any other BACB® trademark used] is/are registered to the Behavior Analytic Certification Board® BACB®. This website and products are not in any way sponsored by the BACB®.

All information and products are for educational purposes only.

In this podcast episode, BCBA, Dr. Shelby Dorsey, we dive into using AI to support neurodivergent supervisees. As two neurodivergent behavior analysts, we're unpacking how Dr. Shelby leverages AI to streamline clinical ABA practices and the significance of embracing neurodiversity in the workplace.

Here's what we're exploring:

• The importance of representation supporting neurodivergent trainees and supervisees in the workplace 
• Practical ways AI, like ChatGPT, can optimize ABA workflows and supervision.
• Strategies for neurodivergent practitioners to use AI for enhancing their own work and client support.
• Determining the role of AI in improving task efficiency and ethical considerations therein.

This discussion is a great place to start for practical strategies for supporting ND supervises, Chat GPT in ABA, or both!

Connect with Dr. Shelby Dorsey on Instagram at @drshelbydorsey and explore her work at www.shelbydorsey.co. Don't miss her creative outlet, The SD Store, dedicated to changing public perceptions of ABA, at www.thesd.store and @thesd.store on Instagram.

Disclaimer:

BCBA®, BACB® [or any other BACB® trademark used] is/are registered to the Behavior Analytic Certification Board® BACB®. This website and products are not in any way sponsored by the BACB®.

All information and products are for educational purposes only.