Function Junction:Behavior Matters

Susan talks about a student who had a big reaction to the word "girl".  Everyone working with her recognized the importance of helping her be able to tolerate the word as they could not control the vocabulary of everyone with whom she came in contact.  The team worked together on the word and helped Wendy make great progress.  We hope you stay for the question at the end.

Here is the second half of our conversation with Dr. Mary Lasater about Dr. Mike Brady.   She and Susan share about his wonderful influence on their lives and careers. We hope you enjoy the stories and see the behavior matters.  Stay for the question at the end

Dr. Mary Lasater returns to reminisce with Susan about Dr. Mike Brady. Susan and Mary were in graduate school at the same time and were lucky enough to have Dr. Brady guide them through their Doctorates and several other aspects of their lives.  Dr. Brady died in December leaving many people to grieve, but also many, many wonderful memories.  Their stories emphasize the importance of coming alongs...

Cissy and Susan talk about the challenges of working with individuals who have multiple maladaptive behaviors that are serving multiple functions.  Helping these individuals get their needs met in a more functional way can be very rewarding.  Sometimes it can be hard to decide where to begin.  Have a listen and decide where you would start. 

Here is the second part of Tricia Lund, a Houston BCBA, who returns to talk about gender identity and expression differences in individuals with autism.  She has studied a great deal in the area as well as trauma informed care.  You are sure to be moved by the respect with which she talks about topics that are frequently not addressed for many people with disabilities.  Stay for the question at th...

Tricia Lund, a Houston BCBA, returns to talk about gender identity and expression differences in individuals with autism.  She has studied a great deal in the area as well as trauma informed care.  You are sure to be moved by the respect with which she talks about topics that are frequently not addressed for many people with disabilities.  Stay for the question and come back next week for Part 2.

Susan talks about a student who had many behaviors of concern.  She gives a great illustration of turning a situation around with a student by pairing yourself and important activities with something they are known to enjoy.  If a student sees you as fun, they are much more likely to work for you.  Have a listen and check out the question at the end.

Susan and Cissy have a conversation with Sharon Carter and Jennifer Walker who are finishing up their last class for their behavior analyst certification.  Although they have worked with different populations, they have worked together through the coursework and learned to apply the concepts in different ways as a result.  They have great stories and insight.  Have a listen and see if Cissy is abl...

Joe, Cissy's husband, discusses his healthy journey of running and good eating while he and Cissy prepare for the "Dopey Challenge" in Disney World. Great advice and inspiration for 2022!!

Today's episode is a short conversation about making New Year's Resolutions and some of the behavioral principles around them.  Susan and Cissy offer some ideas about making a resolution that can be kept.  Have a listen.  Also, have a Happy New Year! Welcome 2022!

Susan and Cissy have a talk with Blair Overman.  Blair recently passed the exam to become a BCBA.  Have a listen to her discussion about the obstacles that may have had others give up.  She also shares about a student who cemented her "why" for working with students with autism and other special needs.  We hope you are having a wonderful holiday and find a reminder about your own "w...

Susan and Cissy continue a great conversation with Cheryl and Lindsey.  These two ladies share great stories that teach important things about behavior.  There is, of course, and question at the end.  Thanks for listening.

Susan and Cissy have a great conversation with Cheryl Little and Lindsey Koon who both have worked with students with autism and other disabilities for many years.  These two ladies have made big differences in lots of students' lives and have great stories to share.  Have a listen to this first part and be inspired by their passion.  Be sure to stay for the question!

Cissy uses her sleep history to talk about Conditioned Motivating Operations.  CMO's can be powerful ways of increasing positive behaviors and decreasing maladaptive  behaviors.  There are many ways that CMOs influence all of our lives.  Stay for the question at the end.   Also, big thanks to out editor, Troy Payne.  He sure makes things easier for us.

We hope you enjoy this second part of our conversation with principal Stephanie Cox.  She and the staff at her school are making a big difference for the students that they serve.  You are bound to get some ideas.  Stay for the question at the end.

Have a listen to the first part of a great conversation Susan and Cissy have with principal Stephanie Cox.  She and the staff at her school have created a system to support the behavior of all of their students.  They support and teach all children's behavior and help them learn the skills they need where they need them.  As always, a question about an ABA topic will finish the episode.

It is important to know the things that trigger the individuals with whom you work or those of your own children.  This week, Susan talks about the importance of knowing YOUR triggers.  When you are helping someone whose behavior needs support, it is crucial to keep your triggers in check.  We hope you enjoy this quick episode.  How did you do on the question at the end?

Another great conversation with Bridgette and Chandeep.  This time the ladies talk about meeting a student where he was, providing support and instruction, and then bringing those skills back into the general ed class. They work with the family and provide information to the child's physician understanding that a big team approach is needed for some students.  Be sure to give the question a t...

In part one of a conversation Cissy and Susan have with Bridgette and Chandeep, they talk about the importance of understanding the meaning behind words and actions.  They discuss a student who is doing and saying things that can be upsetting and do not match the situation.  It is a reminder to teach replacement behaviors and HOW you want the student to ask for what they need.  Have a listen and s...

Cissy shares a story about a student who engaged in several behaviors for which the function  seemed to be attention.  She shares how she recruited help to assist the student and provide some of the attention that the  student wanted.  Have a listen and get some ideas.  Hang around for the question at the end to test your understanding of ABA concepts.  

Susan talks about a student who had significant behavior challenges that were not addressed appropriately by a teacher.  Susan became more involved as a different teacher was assigned to work with him.  Several important issues are discussed, such as consistency of implementation across people, what can be ignored, ruling out medical conditions, etc. Have a listen and give the question a shot too....

Nicholas Guillerman returns for another conversation with Susan and Cissy.  It is easy to see that Nicholas has the pivotal skills that researchers talk about.  Have a listen and get some ideas from his organization and planning.  We hope you also enjoy the question about ABA at the end.

All of us have our behavior shaped and changed almost every day.  Sometimes, the person changing our behavior is very aware and actively trying to change it.  Sometimes, the person changing our behavior may not be aware that their actions are having an impact.  Have a listen and see if you have had your behavior changed the way Cissy has.  Stay for the question about extinction, reinforcement, and...

Join us for the second half of our conversation with Dr. Mary Lasater.  She shares wonderful insight on working together for students with special needs.  Her stories are insightful and fun.  Hang out for the question about ABA concepts.

Dr. Mary Lasater discusses some great things happening at the University of Houston  Victoria regarding ABA, Masters degrees, and other special Ed programs. She has researched important issues such as inclusion and video modeling.  She is also a co-creator of a program for training para-educators. Have a listen and stay for the ABA question.