Some days it feels like every classroom around you is perfectly color-coded, freshly laminated, and Instagram-ready… and yours is, well, real life. In this Misfit Minute, Audra shares a mindset reset for teachers who feel stuck in the comparison spiral. Your classroom doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s—your heart work is what changes lives. These five quick tips help you shift from comparing to caring so you can focus on what truly matters: your students.

🔑 Key Takeaways
• Celebrate the invisible wins ✨—the tiny moments that show real growth for you and your students.
• Curate your feed and your feelings—follow voices that uplift, not drain.
• Make one connection a day 🤝—a small moment of eye contact or empathy can shift the whole vibe.
• Create a “done list” ✔️—notice what did get accomplished instead of everything left undone.
• Celebrate the real wins—messy macaroni frames count. Perfect displays aren’t the goal; authentic learning is.

📦 Resources Mentioned
• Join the Misfit Behaviorists Facebook Group
• Related episode: Ep. 9 Superhero Skills to Battle Burnout → https://abainschool.com/ep9
• Free Token Boards → https://abainschool.com/ymnr
• ABA in School Blog → https://abainschool.com

🙌 Join Us & Share
• Share your favorite small win in your room! → https://abainschool.com/misfits
• Subscribe for weekly behavior insights + full-length episodes
• Send this episode to a teammate who needs a little "pump" this week!

Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists

😍 More, you say? We’re here for you!

• Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists
• Instagram | @‌themisfitbehaviorists
• YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists

👋 Find us!

• Audra | ABA in School
• Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics
• Sami | B.A.S.S.

🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

Every BCBA and teacher has lived the moment: you pour months into an intervention… only to open an assessment and think, “Wait. Where did all that progress go?”

In this episode, Caitlin sits down with Casey Barron and Dr. Anika Hoybjerg—creators of the Meaningful Outcomes Treatment and Assessment Scale (MOTAS)—to talk about why so many traditional tools miss the skills that matter most, and how the MOTAS fills those gaps with flexible, functional, and family-aligned assessment practices.

🔑 Key Takeaways
• Why MOTAS? It addresses gaps in VB-MAPP/ABLLS/AFLS—especially flexibility, perspective taking, self-awareness, and AAC communication.
• Flexibility Matters: Rigid routines often block participation, independence, and community access—yet many assessments don’t measure this growth.
• Generalization Is Built In: The MOTAS scoring system highlights independence and generalization & maintenance from the start.
• One Scoring System: A consistent 0–5 scale across all 20 domains makes scoring faster, clearer, and more useful for treatment planning.
• Insurance-Friendly: The DSM-5 criteria and medical necessity links are included—huge time-savers for BCBAs writing plans and submitting authorizations.
• Comprehensive Without Being Overwhelming: Practitioners can use a whole domain or just supplement missing areas like AAC, self-awareness, or perspective taking.
• Practical for All Ages: Designed for ages 5+, with an early-learner (0–5) version coming in 2026.

📦 Resources & Links
• Learn more about the MOTAS through Different Roads to Learning (ask the creators for their 20% discount!) 
• Follow MOTAS updates from Casey & Anika → [email protected] and https://abilearningcenter.com/
• Related Episodes:
Crisis Cycle → https://abainschool.com/ep57
FBA Mini-Series → https://abainschool.com/ep31part1
• Join the Misfit Behaviorists Facebook Group → https://abainschool.com/misfits

🤝 Join Us
💬 Tell us if you’ve tried the MOTAS or want to! Drop your thoughts in the Misfit Behaviorists Facebook Group.
🎧 Subscribe on YouTube or your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode.
📢 Tag us on Instagram when you try a goal or domain from the MOTAS—we love seeing what resonates!

Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists

😍 More, you say? We’re here for you!

• Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists
• Instagram | @‌themisfitbehaviorists
• YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists

👋 Find us!

• Audra | ABA in School
• Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics
• Sami | B.A.S.S.

🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

Transitions can be tough—especially when students move from a preferred activity to something less exciting. In this quick Misfit Minute, Audra shares practical ways to make transitions smoother and reduce challenging behaviors before they even start. Whether it’s adding countdowns, visuals, or empathy, these small tweaks can make a big difference in your day (and theirs).

🔑 Key Takeaways
• Predictability is prevention: Use visual cues, countdowns, or consistent verbal prompts to prepare students for change.
• Show empathy early: Acknowledge that stopping something fun is hard—this builds trust and reduces escalation.
• Use visuals and first/then supports: Help students see what’s coming next and what reinforcement follows.
• Progress over perfection: Even a 10% smoother transition is a win—track small improvements and celebrate them!

📦 Resources Mentioned
• Join the Misfit Behaviorists Facebook Group → https://abainschool.com/misfits
• Related episode: Ep. 69 Catch Them First — 3 Ways to Prevent Misbehavior Before It Starts → https://abainschool.com/ep69
• Free Token Boards → https://abainschool.com/ymnr
• ABA in School Blog → https://abainschool.com

🙌 Join Us & Share
• Share your favorite transition tips in our Facebook group → https://abainschool.com/misfits
• Subscribe for weekly behavior insights + full-length episodes
• Send this episode to a teammate who dreads transitions (we’ve all been there!)

Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists

😍 More, you say? We’re here for you!

• Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists
• Instagram | @‌themisfitbehaviorists
• YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists

👋 Find us!

• Audra | ABA in School
• Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics
• Sami | B.A.S.S.

🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

Every teacher has that moment when they realize—“ugh, I missed it.” The chance to redirect before things spiraled. In this week’s episode, Audra and Caitlin flip the classic “Catch Them Being Good” idea into something even more powerful: Catch Them First. They share three simple, proactive strategies you can use to prevent behavior issues before they happen—so you spend less time reacting and more time connecting.

🔑 Key Takeaways
• Catch Them First: Don’t wait for misbehavior—frontload support and reinforcement before problem moments arise.
• Prime Your Students: Use pre-corrections or positive greetings to set expectations early.
• Be Specific: Genuine, detailed praise helps students know exactly what behavior to repeat.
• Timing Is Everything: Immediate reinforcement makes connections stronger and behaviors stick.
• Small Wins Matter: Even subtle acknowledgments (“Great job being ready!”) build trust and consistency over time.

📦 Resources & Links
• Related Episode: Ep. 68: 5 Quick De-Escalation Tips for Teachers → https://abainschool.com/ep68yt
• Related Episode: Ep. 57: The Crisis Cycle → https://abainschool.com/ep57
• Free Visual: De-Escalation Strategy Visual → https://abainschool.com/mja5

🤝 Join Us
💬 Share what you “caught first” this week in our Misfit Behaviorists Facebook Group → https://abainschool.com/misfits
🎧 Subscribe on YouTube
 or your favorite podcast app
📢 Tag us when you try these proactive tips in your classroom—we love hearing your wins!

Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists

😍 More, you say? We’re here for you!

• Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists
• Instagram | @‌themisfitbehaviorists
• YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists

👋 Find us!

• Audra | ABA in School
• Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics
• Sami | B.A.S.S.

🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

Sometimes our students giggle, get wiggly, or completely check out when it’s time to write. Is it task avoidance? A skills gap? Sensory overload? In this Misfit Minute, Audra walks through 5 quick questions to help you figure out what’s really going on—and what to do about it—when pencil-and-paper tasks go sideways.

🔑 Key Takeaways
• Start with: Is it a can’t or a won’t? Skill deficits and motivation issues need different responses.
• If it’s a can’t, reduce the demand—use scribes, stamps, typing, or tracing to build participation.
• Use shaping to gradually increase writing tolerance—think small steps with strong reinforcement.
• If it’s a won’t, reassess the reinforcement—maybe the “then” isn’t strong or fast enough.
• Try shared turns—write together, take turns, and make it social and fun to build engagement.

📦 Resources Mentioned
• “Can’t Do vs Won’t Do” visual (in the Misfit Behaviorists FB group and linked in show notes) or here → https://abainschool.com/mm2w
• Related episode: 5 Preschool Behavior Strategies → https://abainschool.com/ep66 • Crisis Cycle Creation → https://abainschool.com/ep57 • FBA process starts here! → https://abainschool.com/ep31 
• ABA in School blog → https://abainschool.com
•  Free token boards → https://abainschool.com/ymnr

🙌 Join Us & Share
• Keep the conversation going in our Facebook group → https://abainschool.com/misfits
• Subscribe for more short tips + full-length strategy episodes
• Share this with a teammate who works with reluctant writers or early learners

Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists

😍 More, you say? We’re here for you!

• Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists
• Instagram | @‌themisfitbehaviorists
• YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists

👋 Find us!

• Audra | ABA in School
• Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics
• Sami | B.A.S.S.

🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

Sometimes behavior looks like defiance—but what if it's actually a missing skill? In this episode, Audra walks you through a simple visual tool to help determine whether a student’s challenging behavior is due to a skill deficit (“can’t”) or a motivation issue (“won’t”). Using her quadrant graphic, she explains the four learner profiles (Engaged, Frustrated, Avoidant, Resistant) and gives practical strategies for supporting each one.

Whether you're a teacher, para, or BCBA, this is a must-listen for decoding behavior and supporting students in meaningful ways.

🔑 Key Takeaways
• Use a skill × motivation quadrant to understand student behavior
• “Can’t” behaviors need scaffolding, skill building, and celebration of small wins
• “Won’t” behaviors require adjusted reinforcement, more choice, and real-world relevance
• There are 4 types of learners based on skill and motivation—support looks different for each
• Staff modeling matters: share your own learning struggles to build connection

📦 Resources Mentioned
• “Can’t Do vs Won’t Do” visual (in the Misfit Behaviorists FB group and linked in show notes) or here → https://abainschool.com/mm2w
• Related episode: 5 Preschool Behavior Strategies → https://abainschool.com/ep66 • Crisis Cycle Creation → https://abainschool.com/ep57 • FBA process starts here! → https://abainschool.com/ep31 
• ABA in School blog → https://abainschool.com
•  Free token boards → https://abainschool.com/ymnr

🙌 Join Us & Share
• Keep the conversation going in our Facebook group → https://abainschool.com/misfits
• Subscribe for more short tips + full-length strategy episodes
• Share this with a teammate who works with reluctant writers or early learners

Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists

😍 More, you say? We’re here for you!

• Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists
• Instagram | @‌themisfitbehaviorists
• YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists

👋 Find us!

• Audra | ABA in School
• Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics
• Sami | B.A.S.S.

🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

Every teacher knows those days when everything seems to erupt at once. In this episode, Audra and Caitlin share five quick, practical de-escalation strategies that help you shift from chaos to calm—without losing your sanity or your sense of humor. From using proactive visuals to setting the emotional “temperature” of the room, these are tools you can use right away in any classroom or therapy setting.

🔑 Key Takeaways
• Prevention is your protection: Plan ahead with visuals, pre-corrections, and clear expectations to reduce triggers before they start.
• Your calm = their calm: Be the thermostat, not the thermometer—your energy sets the tone. Use a calm voice, slow pacing, and neutral body language.
• Give space and choices: Two choices = one win. Allow time and space for students to regulate and make a decision before stepping back in.
• Delay, don’t deny: Instead of “no,” try “yes, later” or “no, but you can…” to reduce confrontation and maintain relationships.
• Practice before the fire: Role-play refusals and problem moments before they happen to help students (and staff!) respond with calm and confidence.

📦 Resources & Links
• Free De-Escalation Strategy Visual → https://abainschool.com/deescalate
• Related Episode: Ep. 57 The Crisis Cycle → https://abainschool.com/ep57
• Related Episode: Ep. 6 6 Ways to Approach Challenging Behaviors and Trauma-Informed Care → https://abainschool.com/ep6

🤝 Join Us
💬 Share your favorite classroom de-escalation strategies in the Misfit Behaviorists Facebook Group → https://abainschool.com/misfits
🎧 Subscribe on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform → https://www.youtube.com/@themisfitbehaviorists
📢 Tag us when you try one of these tips in your classroom—we love hearing what works for you!

Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists

😍 More, you say? We’re here for you!

• Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists
• Instagram | @‌themisfitbehaviorists
• YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists

👋 Find us!

• Audra | ABA in School
• Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics
• Sami | B.A.S.S.

🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

Sometimes the issue isn’t that your behavior plan is “bad”—it’s that it’s not being followed with fidelity. Before you rewrite the whole thing, pause and check: are all staff on the same page, teaching replacement skills, and delivering reinforcement consistently? In this Misfit Minute, Caitlin shares some tough love and practical reminders about when you actually need a new plan versus when you just need to work the one you’ve got.

🔑 Key Takeaways
⦁        Consistency is critical—most plans fail because they aren’t followed, not because they’re wrong.
⦁        Fidelity matters: check if reinforcement, teaching, and responses are happening as written.
⦁        Communicate with your team before making major changes.
⦁        Small tweaks may help, but give the current plan time to work.
⦁        Collect data first, then decide if a new plan is necessary.

📦 Resources Mentioned
⦁        Related episodes: Start the FBA mini-series here → https://abainschool.com/ep31part1 and FBA Miniseries on Antecedent Strategies → https://abainschool.com/ep51
⦁        Do We Need an FBA? blog post → https://abainschool.com/do-we-need-an-fba/

⦁        FBA template → https://abainschool.com/mkmg or https://abainschool.com/pmcf

🙌 Join Us & Share
⦁        Join the conversation in our Facebook group
⦁        Subscribe so you don’t miss future Misfit Minutes and full-length strategy episodes
⦁        Share this episode with a teammate who needs proactive classroom strategies!

Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists

😍 More, you say? We’re here for you!

• Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists
• Instagram | @‌themisfitbehaviorists
• YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists

👋 Find us!

• Audra | ABA in School
• Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics
• Sami | B.A.S.S.

🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

Being a BCBA in a public school means more than behavior plans—it’s about collaboration, data, and supporting teachers on RTI and MTSS teams. In this episode, we share tips for building relationships, starting with Tier 1 strategies, and making sure your role feels valuable (not overwhelming!) to your general education colleagues.

🔑 Key Takeaways
• Start simple: Review Tier 1 supports before jumping to FBAs or complex plans.
• Bring tools: Have ready-to-use data sheets and low-prep interventions for teachers.
• Collaborate first: Ask teachers what’s already working and build from there.
• Show, don’t tell: Bring visual examples like token boards or contracts to spark ideas.
• Build trust: Celebrate teacher wins and keep follow-ups short, consistent, and encouraging.

📦 Resources & Links
• Free Tier 1 Interventions Checklist → https://abainschool.com/tier1
• Related Episodes: Ep. 58 Bridging the Gap → https://abainschool.com/ep58 and Ep. 14 Life as a School Based BCBA guest → https://abainschool.com/ep14

🤝 Join Us
💬 Share how you support RTI/MTSS teams in the Misfit Behaviors Facebook Group → https://abainschool.com/misfits
🌟 Subscribe: Don’t miss future episodes with practical BCBA strategies → https://www.youtube.com/@themisfitbehaviorists
📢 Share this episode with your RTI team, BCBA colleagues, or administrators to spark collaboration and support!

Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists

😍 More, you say? We’re here for you!

• Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists
• Instagram | @‌themisfitbehaviorists
• YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists

👋 Find us!

• Audra | ABA in School
• Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics
• Sami | B.A.S.S.

🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

Offering students simple choices can reduce pushback and boost cooperation. In this Misfit Minute, we break down how to turn everyday directives into opportunities for autonomy and engagement.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Choice = Power: Even small choices give students autonomy and reduce resistance
• Circle Time Example: Let students choose where or how they sit instead of forcing one option
• Directive Reframe: Switch “Put your things away and line up” to “Do you want to line up first or pack up first?”
• Weekly Challenge: Rewrite one classroom directive as a choice that works for you and your students

📦 Resources Mentioned

• Related episodes: Pre-Correcting Behavior → http://abainschool.com/mm7 and FBA Miniseries on Antecedent Strategies → https://abainschool.com/ep51
• Free classroom tools & resources inside the Misfit Behaviors Facebook Group → https://abainschool.com/misfits

🙌 Join Us & Share

• Join the conversation in our Facebook group → https://abainschool.com/misfits
• Subscribe so you don’t miss future Misfit Minutes and full-length strategy episodes
• Share this episode with a teammate who needs proactive classroom strategies!

Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists

😍 More, you say? We’re here for you!

• Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists
• Instagram | @‌themisfitbehaviorists
• YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists

👋 Find us!

• Audra | ABA in School
• Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics
• Sami | B.A.S.S.

🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!