E18—Your child isn’t “misbehaving.” They’re trying to be understood. Many children with disabilities communicate through behavior, especially when spoken words aren’t available in the moment. Behavior analyst Emily Longino shares practical tools for recognizing communication signals before they escalate and helping parents build connection with their kids. Amy Julia Becker and Emily explore:

• How to look beyond behavior to understand the “why”
• How parents can recognize communication signals earlier
• Ways to support alternative communication skills
• How understanding behavior can reduce crises and build connection

00:00 Introduction to Behavior Analysis
03:31 Understanding the Functions of Behavior
08:31 Functional Communication as a Survival Skill
12:31 Where Parents Can Find Behavior Support
16:00 Practical Examples of Functional Communication
22:15 It’s Never Too Late to Change Behavior

Questions:

Have a question for Emily or for Amy Julia? Record (or email) your questions, and we’ll do our best to respond to them in an upcoming episode: amyjuliabecker.com/qr/

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

• Hope Heals Camp
• FREE RBT TRAINING - Autism Partnership Foundation

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WATCH this conversation on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube

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JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker

LISTEN to more episodes: amyjuliabecker.com/shows/

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ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Emily Longino is a Senior Board-Certified Behavior Analyst at Glenwood, a residential facility and specialized school serving children and adolescents with autism and other developmental disabilities. She has seven years of experience assessing and treating severe maladaptive behaviors, providing staff training on crisis management, and supporting functional communication. Emily’s work is grounded in compassionate care and trauma-informed practices. She has published in Behavior Analysis in Practice, presented at state and national conferences, and shared her expertise on supporting transition-aged individuals with autism.

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Take the Next Step is produced in collaboration with Hope Heals. Hope Heals creates sacred spaces of belonging and belovedness for families affected by disabilities to experience sustaining hope in the context of inclusive, intentional, inter-ability communities. Find out more about our resources, gatherings, and inter-ability communities at hopeheals.com. Follow on Instagram @hopeheals.

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