Function Junction:Behavior Matters

Susan talks about how a teacher's punishment procedures lead to her performing a Functional Behavior Assessment that taught another teacher about data collection as well as a solution for the student's behavior that needed a change.  The ladies talk about other examples of punishment and reinforcement in a way that they hope makes behavior change easier to understand.  Stay for the quest...

Cissy and Susan have a great conversation with Tisha Gonzalez about helping individuals with autism develop social skills. Tisha and Sandra run Bee Social in San Antonio and are doing great things for their clients. We hope you enjoy part 2 of this interview.

Susan and Cissy have a great conversation with Tisha Gonzalez about helping individuals with autism develop social skills.  Tisha shares great information about a resource for families of students who take the STAAR Alt-2 test (one of the versions of the state test for school age students in Texas).  Tisha and Sandra Jacobs have Bee Social which runs social skills training for individuals with aut...

Susan and Cissy discuss the skill of executive functioning, which is important to all of us.  Some people with autism can have challenges in this area and find themselves in some tricky situations.  Of course, a question ends the episode.

Jon Lu created some of the beautiful artwork we use on the podcast, but that is not the only way he will inspire you.  He works with students with autism and developmental disabilities and has a joyous gentle way of helping them learn.  Have a listen to the second half of our conversation with him and stay around for a question to practice ABA concepts.

Susan and Cissy interview an amazing school district-wide paraprofessional who has so much insight into forming relationships with students, other paraprofessionals, and teachers.  Have a listen to the wonderful Jon Lu and hang around for a question about ABA concepts.  Special thanks to John Kenna who edited this episode!

This week, Cissy talks about working with a school to help a student who was hurting himself because he didn't want to work.  In behavior analysis, we talk all the time about replacement behaviors.  The staff worked to replace his behavior of hurting himself for a much better way of asking for a break.  As always, stay around for a question to test your knowledge of ABA concepts.

Here is the second part of our talk with Tricia Lund.  She is bound to make you think about adults with disabilities and how they should be able to make decisions about their own lives.  Tricia talked about Dave Hingsburger and how much she appreciates what she has learned from his teaching.  We recorded this episode before July 18, 2021, the day he died.  We express our deepest condolences to all...

Tricia Lund is a Houston area BCBA who is working with neurodiverse adults.  She works with her clients on some of the most fun and difficult things in life - relationships.  She is sure to get you thinking.  This is bound to be helpful, especially with the question at the end of the episode. Some may consider portions of the episode to be adult content.  There is nothing explicit, but we talk abo...

Susan shares an important story about a student and his formal name versus the name his was accustomed to being called.  The story goes on to talk about other issues of respect and care.  The episode ends with an ABA question to keep listeners thinking.

The the second part our conversation with Chris and Lucinda continues.  They share ideas and deep thoughts that apply to just about everyone.  The episode ends with a question about ABA content.

Susan and Cissy have a great conversation with Lucinda and Chris.  Chris is an adult with autism.  Lucinda is his dedicated mom.  They have faced difficulties and victories and share the difference one person can make.  The episode ends with a question about ABA concepts.

This episode is a quick talk about how to handle someone being - perhaps - overly interested in an activity.  Have a listen and get some ideas whether you are thinking of someone with autism, a friend with a developmental disability, or just a person you care about with an interest that is interfering with learning.  As always, a question ends the episode.

The second half of the conversation with Dr. James Williams will have you wanting to work in transition services or hire a person who is differently abled.  Have a listen and be inspired.  An ABA question is at the end to get you thinking.

Susan and Cissy share the first half of a conversation with Dr. James Williams of Bloom Consulting, LLC.  James is passionate about helping people with disabilities find work.  After listening to him, you just might be too.  He makes a strong point that everyone wants to work and make a contribution. It is easy to get inspired by his enthusiasm.  Have a listen and stay for the ABA question.

Susan tells us about helping a student who had a very unexpected reaction to being frustrated with a friend.  We talk about the difference between the disciplinary response of a school administrator and the response of a teacher or behavior analyst.  The episode wraps up with a question to practice terminology related to applied behavior analysis.

Cissy talks about a very busy little guy with whom she was lucky enough to work.  This young boy was diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome.  In the episode, she talks about the doctor saying that his self-injurious and aggressive behaviors were linked to his Fragile X diagnosis.  Please note that not all individuals with Fragile X Syndrome are self-injurious or aggressive.  In fact, many do not show a...

Have a listen as Susan and Cissy finish a great conversation with Kim.  Kim is the mother of a young man with autism.  She is sure to make you smile and give your brain some things to ponder.  Kim is a writer who makes regular posts to the journal tab of her website - www.kimlindquistauthor.com. She wants to support and inspire people, especially those impacted by autism. She sure inspires us.  Do...

Kim is the mother of a young adult with autism.  She shares her knowledge with us as she talks about things that will make you laugh, smile, and maybe choke you up a bit.  Her talk is so good that it will be presented in two parts.  Have a listen and learn from someone who has walked the walk - and is continuing the walk. There will be a question about ABA at the end.

Cissy and Susan share some fun stories and discuss a couple of errors that they have seen (or made) when working to change behavior.  As always, a question to practice ABA concepts is included.

In this Episode, Cissy and Susan talk about how sometimes individuals with autism and related disabilities may have trouble attending to the important parts of learning about a concept.  They may "learn" the wrong information.  They share interesting stories about some of the fantastic people with whom they have worked.  As always, there will be a question at the end to practice ABA conc...

This week Cissy and Susan talk with Nicholas Guillerman, an adult on the spectrum.  Nicholas shares about his life and how he used his strengths to make connections with both people and learning.  He also talks about the people in his life who pushed him in the best ways.  

Susan talks about a fun student who thought she was a little "loco" for an intervention that she used.  The ladies share interesting information about overcorrection procedures and end with a question for you.

Cissy talks about solving the problem of a student running from the playground.  Susan adds about how to help a student who has difficulty letting go of reward time.  Which dimension of ABA will answer the question at the end of the episode?

Dr. Catlett gives great insight into reinforcers.  The ladies talk about some unusual reinforcers that they have encountered over the years. As usual, the episode ends with a practice question.