The BC(BAes)

Welcome back to The BC(BAes) with your favorite Board Certified BAEs — Melina & Jordan! 💁🏽‍♀️💁🏾‍♂️ In this episode, we’re diving deep into the world of Behavior Cusps and Pivotal Behaviors — what they are, how they differ, and why it matters in both your clinical practice and daily life. From toddler communication breakthroughs 🧠💬 to learning public transportation 🚌💼 and strengthening...

Being a BCBA and a parent presents unique challenges and insights! In this episode, Melina and Jordan, board-certified behavior analysts and mothers, dive deep into the realities of applying ABA principles at home while navigating the joys and struggles of parenthood. They share personal experiences, discuss the importance of ethical practice (especially avoiding multiple relationships), and explo...

In the final episode of our powerful series with Seamus, the BC(BAes) dive deep into one of the most critical and misunderstood truths: every neurodivergent person is unique. Together, we challenge myths like “autistic people are always…” and discuss the real impact of stereotyping within clinical, educational, and everyday settings. We explore the Double Empathy Problem, person-centered practices...

Welcome back to The BC(BAes) Podcast with Melina and Jordan! In this episode, we're joined by Seamus as we dive into the powerful and personal topic of neurodivergence, identity, and the challenges and triumphs faced along the way. Join us as Seamus shares key experiences that have shaped his understanding of being neurodivergent, from childhood diagnosis to adulthood self-acceptance. We discu...

Welcome to another episode of The BC(BAes) podcast with Melina and Jordan! In this insightful episode, we continue our conversation with Sheamus, diving deep into autism, masking, and the evolution of ABA practices. As two seasoned BCBAs and an RBT turned BCBA, we explore personal journeys and professional insights, focusing on the balance between respecting neurodiversity and providing effective...

In this episode, Melina and Jordan, your Board Certified Baes, are joined by their first guest, Sheamus O'Hara, a passionate advocate for neurodiversity. Sheamus shares his personal journey growing up as an autistic individual with ADHD, OCD, and bipolar 2, reflecting on identity-first language, the importance of context in self-identification, and the complexities of navigating life as a neur...

In this episode, the Baes tackle a crucial yet often overlooked part of the BACB Ethics Code—1.10. As behavior analysts, maintaining professional boundaries and avoiding conflicts of interest is key to delivering high-quality, ethical services. Melina and Jordan break down why separating personal emotions from professional decisions is essential—not just for clinicians, but for parents navigating...

Join Melina and Jordan as they dive into an essential topic for behavior analysts and parents alike: Functional Communication Training (FCT). In this episode, they discuss how to replace challenging behaviors with effective communication strategies, emphasizing the importance of making communication functional for diverse environments.🔥 Episode Highlights:Understanding Functional Communication Tr...

Welcome back to The BC(BAes) podcast! In this episode, Melina and Jordan dive into the fundamentals of ABC data collection, discussing why it’s a critical tool in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and how it can help both clinicians and families.📌 Episode Chapters:0:00 - Intro and Catching Up0:45 - Topic Introduction: ABC Data Collection1:22 - Why Do People Struggle with ABC Data?2:07 - What Does A...

In this episode, the dynamic duo, Melina and Jordan, tackle one of the most frequently discussed topics among RBTs: common schedules of reinforcement. From fixed to variable, ratio to interval, they break down each schedule with clear explanations and actionable insights. Learn how to identify and apply these schedules appropriately in your practice, ensuring more effective interventions and bette...

In this episode of the Board Certified Baes, Melina and Jordan break down the big three of differential reinforcement: DRA (Differential Reinforcement of Alternative Behavior), DRI (Differential Reinforcement of Incompatible Behavior), and DRO (Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior).With relatable real-life examples and insights from their own practice, they make these key concepts easy to...

In this heartwarming episode, the BC(BAes), Melina and Jordan, shift gears from their “icks” to their absolute loves about the field of ABA. They dive into the practices, moments, and values that fuel their passion for behavior analysis and remind us why the field is so impactful. Whether you’re a fellow practitioner, a student, or just curious about ABA, this episode will leave you feeling inspir...

In this episode, the BC(BAes), Melina and Jordan, tackle the tricky topic of Conditioned Motivating Operations (CMOs)—a concept that often leaves BCBA candidates scratching their heads during the exam. But fear not! The hosts break it down with simple explanations and relatable, real-life examples that make understanding CMOs a breeze. Whether you’re studying for the BCBA exam or looking to deepen...

In this episode of The BC(BAes), Melina and Jordan dive deep into the world of behavior chains—what they are, how to effectively create them, and the common pitfalls that can lead to problematic chains. 💡From making sandwiches to teaching daily living skills, they break down practical examples, discussing the difference between behavior chains and chaining procedures, and sharing real-life scenar...

Join Melina and Jordan as they dive into the Premack Principle—a practical and powerful tool for shaping behavior! They break down the concept in simple terms, discussing how to apply it in real-life scenarios and avoid common pitfalls, like mistaking it for bribery. 💡In this episode, they explore:What the Premack Principle is and why timing is everything 🕰️How to effectively use it in clinical s...

This week’s episode is an exciting one! Join The BC(BAes), Melina and Jordan, as they dive into one of the most important yet often overlooked aspects of providing effective clinical services—parent consultation. Engaging parents in the therapeutic process is key to ensuring long-lasting success, but it's not always easy to do it right. In this episode, the hosts share their insights on why pa...

In this episode, Melina and Jordan dive deep into the essential topic of training in the field of ABA. Training is crucial for the development of both practitioners and clients, but not all training is created equal. Join the hosts as they discuss the key elements of high-quality training programs, how training impacts service delivery, and why some trends might not be as beneficial as they seem....

In this episode of The BC(BAes) , hosts Melina and Jordan break down the gap between what we think providing ABA therapy will look like and the real-life experiences in the field. 💡 They explore how overgeneralizations , incorrect assumptions , and outside influences shape our unspoken expectations — and why reality often doesn’t match the picture in our minds. From navigating unexpected challeng...

In this episode, the BC(BAes) dive into the hot topic of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) — a crucial aspect of advocating for support and services in school settings. Whether you're an ABA professional new to IEPs or just need a refresher, this episode breaks down what to expect and how to show up prepared and confident. 👩🏽‍🏫 Join Jordan and Melina as they: Decode IEP meetings Share t...

In this episode of The BC(BAes) , Melina and Jordan dive into an essential and often overlooked topic— bias and its impact on service delivery in ABA. Understanding how our own perspectives and biases shape our behavior is key to providing the best possible care. They unpack how personal and professional biases can influence the way we design and implement behavior interventions—and most important...

In this episode of The BC(BAes) , your hosts Jordan and Melina tackle one of the most timely and transformative topics in behavior analysis— telehealth . Is the field of ABA ready for a digital shift? Is telehealth delivering on its promises of access, equity, and quality? Or are we losing something essential along the way? Join the BAes as they explore: The evolution of telehealth in ABA Challeng...

🎧 In this week’s episode, Jordan and Melina break down the often-overlooked concept of maintenance in behavior change—and why it’s crucial for lasting success. 📍 From the first plan to the final fade-out, learn how to:✅ Keep behaviors going across time, settings, and people🚫 Avoid the trap of short-term fixes🛠️ Build solid strategies that actually stick Whether you're a BCBA, RBT, educator, or...

☕💬 Life lately, lessons learned, and ABA in real life. Welcome back! Your favorite BCBAs, Jordan and Melina , are back on the mic—and this week, they're keeping it real and relatable. In this catch-up episode, the BC(BAes) share what’s been going on behind the scenes and how they’ve been using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in their real lives —not just in clinical spaces. ✨ In this episod...

🔍💥 Because ABA doesn’t matter until it’s applied with meaning. In this episode, Jordan and Melina explore what it truly means for behavior analysis to be applied —the first and often most overlooked dimension of ABA. Whether you’re working with clients, reflecting on your own growth, or just trying to be more intentional in your day-to-day, this one is all about making the science matter . ✨ In...

📝🤝 Agreements that actually stick. This week on The BC(BAes) , Jordan and Melina dive into the world of contingency contracts (aka behavior contracts) — what they are, how they work, and when they actually make a difference. Whether you're using them with clients, students, partners, or even yourself ( yes, self-contracts are real! ), this episode is packed with relatable examples and practi...