The ABA and PT Podcast

Jack Auman and Dr. Abigail Calkin, two previous guests, are both returning in this episode as we explore how simple gestures like smiles and waves can have an enormous impact on another’s verbal behavior. We discuss the power of charting positive interactions and the ripple effect, butterfly effect as Jack describes it, of positivity in a world often overshadowed by negativity. We also share our t...

Today we’re welcoming Dr. Rick Kubina, who is Director of Research at CentralReach as well as Professor of Special Education at The Pennsylvania State University. A trailblazer in precision teaching and the science behind human behavior, we talk about his journey from volunteering at a mental health asylum when he was 16 years old to becoming a pivotal figure in education. Dr. Kubina explains the...

Dr. Hank Pennypacker, a pioneer in the Science of Human Behavior, shared profound insights about the standard celeration chart in amongst the many wisdoms he describtes in this podcast. Despite its limited adoption, he emphasized the immeasurable value of the chart to those wanting to make accurate predictions about behavior. Dr. Pennypacker passionately advocates for the widespread use of precise...

In this episode, we take a quick side step from ABA to talk about one of the most hotly debated issues in the US right now and one that Precision Teacher Abigail Calkin writes about in her book, The Carolyne Letters; A Story of Birth, Abortion, and Adoption . In this episode, Abigail poses questions and talks about the complexities of pregnancy and parenthood and the impact those complexities have...

Be prepared for Dr. Kimberly Berens’ extraordinarily important message regarding learning disabilities!  In the US, 20% of kids are considered to have a learning disability of some kind. Dr. Berens explains in Episode 14 of the podcast that only a tiny fraction of children—less than 1%—have a real neurological impairment. This suggests that more kids are being labeled with learning disabilities th...

This is Part 2 of Patrick McGreevy's ABA & PT Podcast interview. In this episode, we'll learn more about how the standard celeration chart works and how a slight difference in its size can cause the frequency multiplier to be distorted. Patrick emphasizes the benefits of using frequency data over percentage correct, among other things. He also recalls the final moments of Ogden's life.   Join our...

If you were Dr Ogden R. Lindsley’s student, you were either all in or you weren’t, because precision teaching necessitates passion, dedication and an adherence to B.F. Skinner’s discovery of Rate of Response as the primary and most sensitive measure of behavior.  From the first time Patrick McGreevy heard Ogden speak he was “all in”! This is Part 1 of the recording of my interview with Dr Patrick...

Precision teachers, according to Jack Auman, have an impact on students similar to the Butterfly Effect because of the small changes that can have enormous positive outcomes. In this episode, Jack talks about his journey to Precision Teaching after he met Steve Graf. From scorekeeping at a baseball game together to the adventures that they had together. He goes on to discuss Steve's brilliant idea...

This episode tells the story of a humble, passionate, and inspiring human being who gave his all for the science of Precision Teaching. Dr. Carl Koenig was instrumental in the creation of the behavior chart, now called the Standard Celeration Chart and the foundations of Precision Teaching. Carl spent over a decade of his life working alongside Dr. Ogden Lindsley through the highs and lows of shap...

Richard McManus is the owner of The Fluency Factory, a PT learning lab in Massachusetts, and has been a Precision Teacher for more than 4 decades. In this episode, Richard recounts his life experience, beginning with his father's early influence, and his progressive use of inclusivity. He also talks about the individuals that have inspired him to advocate for the underprivileged. With his courage...

Michael Maloney is a researcher and educator with over 50 years of combined experience in both private and public schools. Together with his colleague, Eric Haughton, he integrated behavior analysis, direct instruction, and precision teaching into a highly effective learning approach.  Michael takes us on a journey through his life, from being fired for disrupting the learning system at the school...

It’s an absolute honor to have one of the pioneers of precision teaching on the show, Dr. Clay Starlin. You’ll hear in this episode how he paved the way for teachers and disenfranchised children as he takes us on a journey through the profession that he has loved for nearly five decades of his life. You'll learn about his childhood, his own struggles with reading as a child, and what ultimately mo...

Elizabeth Haughton is a highly recognized educational consultant, the Founder of the Haughton Learning Center, and recipient of both the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ and the ‘Our Teacher Award’ from the Standard Celeration Society. Elizabeth spent roughly 5 decades of her life helping children using her research-based methods to improve teaching and learning strategies. It’s a privilege to have El...

Elizabeth Haughton is a highly recognized educational consultant, the Founder of the Haughton Learning Center, and recipient of both the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ and the ‘Our Teacher Award’ from the Standard Celeration Society. She has been a precision teacher for more than 50 years and joins us today to talk about her combination of heart and science within her teaching model. She explains ho...

Dr. John Eshleman has dedicated his life to making our science successful for all. Standing in Ogden Lindsley's wish for the use of plain English in Precision Teaching, he has the ability to express complex scientific phenomena in understandable language. John joins us in this episode to discuss a variety of topics from the richness of SAFMEDS to his explanation of Ogden's “Common Language for Ana...

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Kimberly Nix Berens; a scientist-educator and Founder of Fit Learning. As she shares her story of how she found her way through Behavior Science and Precision Teaching, Dr. Kim also provides tons of anecdotes from her learning experiences with mentors, the development of Precision Teaching, and her personal encounter with Ogden Lindsley. She speaks of her visio...

In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Abigail B. Calkin as she continues to share her extraordinary journey through Behavior Analysis and Precision Teaching, especially on her move to Kansas to earn a Ph. D. under the supervision of Ogden Lindsley. She also taps into some interesting parts of her life where she developed the one-minute timing method in order to change her behavior and relationships...

This episode is part one of a two-part series featuring Dr. Abigail B. Calkin; a teacher, writer, and poet who has combined Precision Teaching and inner behavior in her work with adults and children. Abigail takes us back to her extraordinary journey through psychology and teaching, then to Behavior Analysis and Precision Teaching. From her early life to her schooling experiences, she cites the si...

In this bridging episode of The ABA & PT podcast (formerly known as The ABA & OT podcast), Mandy explains the podcast relaunch with the new direction— which is now centered around the journeys and discoveries of the giants in the field of Precision Teaching & ABA.    RESOURCES Join The ABA and PT Podcast Facebook Group to get access to the following resources: Facebook group link: https://www.face...

Time constraints are making it difficult for behavioral therapists to analyze the data they’ve collected. Bethan's goal is to bring charting to people in order to help them produce an efficient and measurable output. Bethan Mair Williams has worked as a Speech and Language Therapist in the British public health sector for over 20 years. She has an amazing organization called the British Royal Coll...

This episode is a continuation of the previous episode featuring Liz Lefebre and Amy Evans, both highly acclaimed practitioners of Precision Teaching. They highlight a thinking process of how to get precise when writing your goals. Combining measurable data in the SMART approach, practitioners can set even more attainable goals for the learners.  HIGHLIGHTS 02:14 Being Specific on what you’re teac...

This episode is part one of a two-part series featuring Liz Lefebre and Amy Evans, both highly acclaimed practitioners of Precision Teaching, as they discuss how to write more accurately measurable goals and their benefits.  SMART goals are more overarching while precision teaching uses a more fine-tuned approach. By observing a learner's component skills and using charts, teachers can come up wit...

The ABCs of behavior is an important tool to analyze whether a certain behavior is likely to happen again or not. The key here is that consequence matters. For OTs, it is possible to measure the effectiveness of interventions by hypothesizing and data-taking. Discussed today is the case of Johnny's rocking and some antecedent (environmental) interventions that could usher in permanent change and a...

Using percent correct has become the industry standard in behavior analysis. Dr. Rick Kubina, CentralReach’s Director of Research and Professor of Special Education at The Pennsylvania State University, joins the show today to shed light on a more objective way of looking at data using precision teaching.  Though percent correct is useful in coming up with ratios, it is not always the best measure...

Taking data vastly improves the performance of both students and teachers alike. ABAs and OTs can determine the best course of action for increasing or reducing behaviors with data to back them up, while students also feel more motivated with their increased awareness.  Discussed today are the practical reasons for taking data, specific steps you can take to start taking data, and the common barri...