David Celiberti, Ph.D., BCBA, is the part time Executive Director of the Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT) and Past-President of its Board of Directors, a role he served from 2006 to 2012. He is the Co-Editor of ASAT’s newsletter, Science in Autism Treatment. Dr. Celiberti has served on a number of advisory boards and special interest groups in the fields of autism, applied behavior analysis, and early childhood education. Dr. Celiberti has also taught courses related to applied behavior analysis (ABA) at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, supervised individuals pursuing BCBA certifications, and conducted research in the areas of ABA, family intervention, and autism.

Dr. Celiberti joins us to talk about ASAT, their mission, and the positive impact they have on the autism community. He shares his insights into what’s changed on the science front over the years and how ASAT combats misinformation. We discuss some of the challenges Dr. Celiberti is facing as well as what we can do as a community to bring things back to evidence-based practices and science. We also talk about how ASAT is spreading their message and how behavior analysts can tap into ASAT’s resources.

What’s Inside:

• ASAT’s mission and their impact on the autism community
• How we can bring attention back towards science-based practices
• How to access ASAT’s resources for behavior analysts

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ASAT Quick Links Sheet

Extinction is a buzzword we hear frequently in the world of ABA; however, what does it truly mean? Many people may think extinction is the same thing as ignoring, which is a misuse and misunderstanding. Extinction really means to stop providing reinforcement where it once was. It does not mean ignoring or following through on demands in spite of what else may be going on with our learners.

Here, we discuss different ways to extinguish behaviors and use examples like sleep and potty training. We also talk about how the concept of extinction has changed over the years, how to use extinction more appropriately in behavior management, using a trauma-informed approach when working with learners, and more.

What’s Inside:

• What extinction is and isn’t
• How to use extinction appropriately in behavior management
• The importance of a trauma-informed approach

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For learners who can understand delayed reinforcement, we often use behavior contracts. These tools can be a great way to help learners understand and integrate those unwritten rules we see in places like school and the workplace. Behavior contracts are also a form of agreement between practitioners and learners, or even parents and children.

Here, we define behavior contracts and talk about when they’re typically put into place. We discuss the positives of behavior contracts, including how they encourage reflection and self-monitoring. We share some of the downsides of behavior contracts, like using “good” and “bad” terminology and using them in a threatening manner. We also discuss some best practices for using behavior contracts with our learners.

What’s Inside:

• How behavior contracts help learners understand unwritten rules
• The pros and cons of using behavior contracts
• Best practices for using behavior contracts with our learners

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Behavior Contract Sample

Life skills are critical to a learner becoming independent. Here, we cover why teaching life skills is important and how we can do it effectively. Life skills include executive functioning skills, personal care, daily living skills, occupational skills, and so much more. The ability of an individual to enhance their life skills has a direct impact on their quality of life as they grow into adulthood.

We discuss the importance of making sure learners can achieve life skills without the presence of a teacher or guide. Taking ourselves out of the equation is key. We also talk about working with adult learners, how to break skills down into smaller steps, and more.

On Wednesday, April 17th, at 12pm EST, we’re hosting a CEU all about how to teach life skills to adult learners. For more information and to register, head to our website!

What’s Inside:

• The impact life skills have on a learner’s quality of life
• How to teach life skills to adult learners
• Information on our upcoming CEU webinar

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CEU Event - Programming Essential Life Skills for Adolescents and Adults

As ABA practitioners, we use a lot of datasheets. It can be tough to know which ones to use in specific situations, and here, we break things down. Data is only as helpful as how we use it, and datasheets can be as basic as simply writing things down. Datasheets should reflect the environment they’re used in, for example, a classroom datasheet will look much different than one used in a one-on-one. It’s important to look at who the end user is to ensure the datasheets are the most useful.

Teaching, play, and engagement always matter more than the data, and we don’t want data collection to take over to the point where it’s taking away from what’s important. Creating a system that maintains this balance is key. We discuss how to start with an end goal in mind when collecting data, the pros and cons of some of the traditional datasheets, and how to use them. 


What’s Inside:

• Why datasheets should reflect the environment they’re used in
• Why it’s important to create a balance between work with our clients and data collection
• Pros and cons of traditional datasheets and how to use them

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Blog & Video – How To Choose the Right Data Collection Method

Iveth Aguilar is a BCBA and women’s empowerment coach. She’s the founder of Empower Her, a coaching program that helps women to stop settling, overcome fear and insecurities, heal scarcity mindsets, and cultivate the confidence to step fully into their power. Iveth combines nervous system regulation and embodiment practices with ABA for a holistic approach to true and sustainable empowerment.

Here, Iveth shares how she works with ABA beyond its traditional use and how her approach helps her clients uncover the reasons behind their blocks to success. She walks through her process, how she assesses her clients, and how she helps them get to their ultimate goal. We also discuss how Iveth uses somatic movement to uncover emotions, how stress can inhibit behavioral change, and why it’s important for practitioners to heal their own nervous systems.

What’s Inside:

• How Iveth merges embodiment practices with ABA to help her clients
• How Iveth uses somatic movement to uncover emotions
• Why it’s important for practitioners to heal their nervous systems

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Heal Embody Rise Website 

Annie McLaughlin is a BCBA and IEP advocate. Annie started her career as a special education teacher, where she met a consultant who introduced her to behavioral analysis. From there, she went back to school for her BCBA and got her doctorate in special education. Down the road, she received the opportunity to assist a family navigate the special ed process and became inspired to start a career as a full-time IEP advocate.

Here, Annie shares the specifics of how she helps the families she works with. She does a ton of work outside the actual IEP meeting, which includes helping parents understand the process through education and listening. We also discuss how Annie collaborates with school staff, common challenges BCBAs have in navigating the IEP process, and much more.

What’s Inside:

• How Annie works with families as an IEP advocate
• Why the IEP process is about more than just the data
• Recommendations for families starting the IEP process

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IEP Advocacy Training Website

Payam Moghaddam and Shadi Hortamani are the founders of Behaview, a staff training and supervision solution for ABA providers. Behaview simplifies staff training and supervision for BCBAs with its comprehensive scheduling, remote supervision, data tracking, individualized progress reports, and BCBA fieldwork tracking. Behaview is built with ABA’s unique needs of data collection, supervision, and staff training in mind. All of this allows practitioners to achieve better results, with less effort.

Here, Payam and Shadi share details about their backgrounds and how they were inspired to create Behaview. They walk through the technology they used to develop Behaview and the gaps they aim to close. We also discuss the challenges of training, who Behaview is best suited for, how to use the platform, and more.

What’s Inside:

• How Payam and Shadi created Behaview
• Who Behaview is best suited for
• How to use the Behaview platform

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Behaview Website

It can be tough for our learners to understand what they may have done wrong and how they can do it better. One of the best ways to guide them is with a contingency map. Here, we walk through the ins and outs of ABA contingency maps and how to utilize them in practice. We often use contingency maps in two ways: as a reflection of something that happened in the past and as a way of priming for something that could happen in the future. Using a map gives our students a visual of their options.

We discuss how to create a contingency map and all the elements you want to include. We also talk about how to introduce contingency maps to teachers, when it’s appropriate to use them, why it’s important to understand the function of behavior or triggers, and how to incorporate role play.

What’s Inside:

• How contingency maps are used in ABA
• Tips to create your own contingency map
• Why it’s important to understand the function of behavior or triggers

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Priming Blog - Contingency Map

Steve Ward is back on the show, along with his co-authors, Madelyn Vickery and April Dyal. They’re coming out with their most recent book, which includes over 2,100 inexpensive ideas for play and intrinsic motivation. Steve is the founder of Whole Child Consulting, and his work is mainly focused on social repertoires and shaping behaviors.

We recently received a question in our mentorship group regarding what to do with a child who doesn’t like any of the reinforcers or motivators we provide, and here, we dive into everyone’s thoughts. Our conversation also includes ways to use the environment in motivation strategies, how to expand play and motivation while building interest, and suggestions for new BCBAs to be more creative and engaging.

We’re also co-hosting a webinar with Steve, Madelyn, and April on March 5th at 12pm EST. Head to our website to sign up!
 
What’s Inside:

• What to do when a child doesn’t respond to our reinforcers or motivators.
• How to expand play and motivation while building interest.
• Tips for new BCBAs to be more creative and engaging.

Mentioned In This Episode:
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Whole Child Consulting Website
Good Learner Repertoires on Instagram