Function Junction:Behavior Matters

Susan and Cissy talk about handling the challenges of holidays and all the changes to regular routines brought on by the celebrations.  They also give some tips about traveling and safety.  Many of the tips have been learned from families who have successfully managed these kinds of things.  Function Junction hopes this is a happy season for all of our listeners.  We are thankful for each of you.

Susan and Cissy are back for the rest of their conversation with Ed Thompson of Uptimize.  He points out that innovation is critical for businesses to remain relevant.  He makes the point that neurodiverse people think differently from many of us and have quite a bit to offer with ideas related to innovation.  Be sure to grab his book,  A Hidden Force .  It will get you thinking! He gives lots of...

Ed Thompson is the CEO of Uptimize which is dedicated to helping employers hire and retain talent that thinks differently.  He is the Author of A Hidden Force: Unlocking the Potential of Neurodiversity at Work .  In this first half of their conversation, he talks with Susan and Cissy about the formation of the company and the development of the book.  His book explores how neurodiversity has been...

Susan and Cissy talk about the importance of reinforcement.  It is not just the use of reinforcement, but making sure to get it right.  Is what you are using something the person will be want?  Is everyone working with the individual applying reinforcement in the same way?  Cissy and Susan have been lucky enough to work with many individuals with very interesting reinforcers which make for interes...

Susan and Cissy continue their conversation with Ramon Santillan.  Ramon has written the book "Big 4 Interview Questions" that helps individuals think through the kinds of questions that are asked in interviews.  He also shares ideas about answering those questions sharing your own strengths that highlight skills an interviewing company is looking for.  Have a listen to his ideas and gra...

Ramon Santillan of www.persuasiveinterview.com talked with Susan and Cissy about coaching individuals with autism to get ready for better interviews.  Ramon started his career as a tax consultant, but now shares strategies for finding work with individuals who struggle in the job search and interview processes.  He helps people in all kinds of careers.  He likes that he does not have repeat custom...

Susan and Cissy share several stories about changing behaviors.  The ideas can be applied with just about anyone.  They talk about the importance of choosing the most important behavior at the time, thinking through the function, and finding the best change process.  Have a listen and give the question a try.  They hope you get an idea that can help you.

Louis continues the conversation with Susan and Cissy by talking about two groups that center around advocacy.  The Council of Parent attorneys and Advocates is a national group.  Members of Texas Organization of Parent Attorneys and Advocates strive to empower students and families to assert and protect their education rights.  Louis is the President of TOPPA. He shares great ideas for helping in...

Louis Geigerman is a well known special education advocate.  He has worked with families in the Houston area and other parts of the country for close to 30 years.  He has a passion to see students with disabilities have access to what they need to get an appropriate education.  He also keeps families and schools focused on outcomes connected to having fulfilling work for individuals with disabilit...

Dr. Amanda Gray continues to share very important information related to autism, ADHD, executive functioning, and theory of mind.  She talks about a study out of Australia that suggests that girls with autism may actually outnumber boys with autism, but they have just gone undiagnosed.  Her discussion about ADHD has Cissy thinking about her attention skills.  She shares a bit about Executive Funct...

Join Susan and Cissy in a conversation with Dr. Amanda Gray.  Dr. Gray is a Licensed Psychologist near the Dallas area.  She has experience as a school psychologist, but has moved to private practice.  In this first half of the conversation, she talks about the difficulties of navigating getting the diagnosis of autism and getting to the supports that are needed, particularly for girls. She notes...

Susan shares stories about changing behaviors systematically and carefully.  She also emphasizes the "art" of applying the science of behavior change.  It is important in teaching individuals with disabilities, but can be applied to our everyday life as we want to change our own behavior or teach others in our circle. Hope you enjoy this week.  Stay for the question, and come back next w...

Please enjoy the rest of Susan's and Cissy's conversation with Brennan Fuller. Brennan has a great analogy about autism for helping others understand it.  He also shares some very interesting vocabulary words. He researches all kinds of things and talks about some of those things.  He sure made Susan and Cissy think about supporting individuals with autism and making sure that lessons ar...

Brennan Fuller is an amazing 16-year-old who is very interested in biology and is an artist.  He is also on the autism spectrum.  Brennan drops lots of wisdom on Cissy and Susan as he talks about where he wants to go in life.  Their conversation covers everything from Dungeons and Dragons to COVID quarantine.   Stay for the question today, but come back for the rest of the conversation next week....

In this second part of our conversation with Dr. Mitchell, she talks about some of the differences in a Functional Behavior Assessment as individuals get older.  She talks about the importance of planning for success in all areas where an individual will live, work, and play.  It was exciting to hear about how technology is opening doors for work for individuals with disabilities. Please have a li...

Dr. Vickie Mitchell is a powerhouse of knowledge in the area of transition and education in general.  She has trained people across Texas and the U.S. about setting high expectations for students and making plans to reach those goals.  Have a listen and be encouraged about the future for children with disabilities (or any child for that matter).  She is sure to make you think about the importance...

Season 3 is here! Susan and Cissy talk about getting back to school and thinking about ABA concepts that are highly detailed for intervention, but happen almost automatically for many typically developing children.  Have a listen and think about the children you know and how they may have acquired concepts without direct instruction.  You may also pick up a few new words to drop at a cocktail part...

Susan and Cissy are wrapping up Season 2 with a quick talk about what summer break can mean to students, parents, teachers, etc.  We hope that you have enjoyed the guests this season as much as we did.  We hope you learned some new things like we did.   We will be back in August.  Have a look at the episodes to see if there are some you have missed.

Susan and Cissy continue their conversation with Laura Dowdy Northcutt about sensory activities.  She has experience in clinics, hospitals, and schools.  Her knowledge of how specific activities can help us regulate our attention and movement is very helpful.  She shares many practical ideas and emphasizes watching what a person is doing and even engaging in the behavior to gain insight.  Be sure...

Susan and Cissy had the privilege of talking with Laura Dowdy Northcutt.  Laura is an occupational therapist with a wealth of experience helping individuals with motor needs and developing skills needed to take care of their daily living needs.  The sensory system is certainly involved in our ability to move through our day and take care of ourselves.  She and Cindy Castillo, a BCBA, developed a t...

Susan and Cissy have a quick conversation about how watching cartoons and other videos has changed over time.  When we think about things that we satiate on such as food, they lose their reinforcement value when we have had enough.  It seems that many of us do not satiate on screen time.  Do you satiate on screen time?  Do you know others who do not?  How do you manage your screen time?  Stay for...

Susan and Cissy continue their conversation with Judy Blake of Family to Family.  She talks about supporting families and helping them prepare for the future as well as her own son who is on the spectrum.  She shares how she used his strengths and interests to help him.  As a reminder, Family to Family is hosting "Autism 101 Academy" on April 29th, 2023.  You can find more information at...

Susan and Cissy talk with Judy Blake from Family to Family.  Her role with the organization is working with parents, grandparents, etc. to help them learn to advocate for their family member.  Judy has a child on the spectrum who is an adult and talks about trying to navigate the diagnosis all those years ago.  With her vast experience and knowledge, she talks about how much she has learned from o...

Susan and Cissy talk about the prevalence data about autism from the CDC.  The numbers continue to increase.  They talk about why that may be and what we are learning from the data that the CDC and some other studies have shared.  The timing of the episode seems appropriate as it is being published during  Autism Awareness and Acceptance month. Please share your ideas about why the numbers continu...

Susan and Cissy continue their conversation with Chad Pallodino about his work with students with autism.  It is clear that Chad has a passion for helping students with autism and other disabilities. He does a great job talking about approaching challenges, seeing where the individual is, and getting them to the next step.  He also talks about work on his doctorate, which is a very interesting top...