Yesterday, I covered a coworker’s lunch. I went into a class of adults who have “moderate to severe” autism. This usually means that they have low/no verbal behavior, limited self-regulation and self-help skills, and a higher probability to engage in aggression when frustrated. I used this opportunity to teach one of the students about consent….
Read MoreDon’t Reinvent the Wheel
It was a beautiful Sunday and I was inside creating a 5 Token Toke Chart system when this saying floated through my head. I immediately thought “What the heck am I doing! Someone has already made this and it’s probably FREE!” one quick internet search later and I had what I needed. Since sharing is…
Read MoreBehavior Analysis IRL: The Business of Behavior
You sit down at a restaurant with your family and you notice on the menu there is a small insert that says “download our app for a free appetizer!” so you download the app. Who doesn’t like a free order of fried pickles, right? While you are in the app, you notice some perks only…
Read MoreHelp! I think I’m part of the problem…
Once during a particularly hard melt-down and long before I ever took a class on behavior analysis, I was called into the office. The student was in the corner of the office screaming obscenities. Around him were 6 adults. I stepped into the middle of the circle of adults, held out my hand and asked…
Read MoreHelp! My Student’s Hate Eachother!: A Question from a Reader
***But first! A disclaimer. I have not assessed the situation personally. I am not giving a specific intervention based on a specific case/student. I am only answering from my perspective and what I have done in the past.*** Student A and Student B are in the same class. Both students have the same disability. Student…
Read MoreBehavior Resources: YouTube Channels
When people are curious about Applied Behavior Analysis, want to know what it is a BCBA does, need classroom resources or just want to go down a rabbit hole of knowledge, they will sometimes ask me about YouTube channels. Here are some of my favorites (in no particular order): PsychCore: For those studying ABA or…
Read MoreSocial Skills Emoji Lesson: Teaching Others to Understand the Differences of Those with Disabilities
I got an email from a parent recently and they were concerned because their higher functioning AU son has no understanding of his lower functioning classmates. Mom said he often lashes out at the other students, asks why they get to keep their IPads with them during class and will tell everyone that he, too,…
Read MoreRadical Behavior: Addressing the Private Events
A debate rages in Behavior Analysis circles: do our inner thoughts affect our outer behavior? Some Behavior Analysts would tell you no – that as long as you control the environment and the contingencies in that environment you can change behavior. Others will tell you that even if you put a client in an environment…
Read MoreResolving to be Resolute: The Science Behind Resolutions
There’s a certain amount of hope that comes with a New Year. This is going to be the year we are going to clean our house, do the laundry every day, eat healthily, be nicer, give more! The data is not on our side. According to science, less than 10% of us are actually going…
Read MoreWeight! Is this research-based?
Weighted blankets and vests are already a common and accepted practice among therapists and special education teachers. Teachers usually report that the vests help with stereotypical behavior, decrease melt-downs and help students remain on task during occupational therapy or physical therapy sessions. I have used weighted vests in my classroom. It was an occupational therapist…
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