Another Brick in the Wall: Challenges and Opportunities in Higher Education and Behavior Analysis

Previously known as Rants with Justin & Joe, It Has to be Said with Justin & Joe is a monthly podcast during which Justin, Joe, and their guests discuss topics that are pertinent to behavior analysis and intervention for autistics/individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Each episode involves an open and frank discussion about the topic.   It Has to be Said with Justin & Joe is available wherever you stream podcasts! Donations are appreciated (www.classy.org/give/237784). Your donation helps support research projects and free training products like our free 40 hour RBT training and 8 hour Supervisor training – every little bit helps! CEUs for It Has to be Said with Justin & Joe are available at www.autismpartnershipfoundation.org/podcast/.  Episode Title: The Artful Practitioner: Behavioral Artistry in ABA  During this episode we chat with Amy Bukszpan. She is currently the National Director of ABA Center Development at Butterfly Effects as well as an adjunct advisor and professor at the Institute for Applied Behavioral Science at Endicott College. Amy’s research focus is on compassionate care and training, focusing on behavioral artistry and rapport building to increase client outcomes, decrease interfering behaviors, and improve job quality for employees. We discuss all things behavioral artistry with Amy. You won’t want to miss this one!   CEU OBJECTIVES:  Listeners will be able to describe some therapeutic skills associated with behavioral artistry.  Listeners will be able to identify at least one method to use to develop behavioral artistry skills.  Listeners will be able to describe some concerns with the absence of behavioral artistry skills as it relates to ABA-based interventions for autistic individuals.   RESOURCES:  Bukszpan, A. R., Anderson, A., Moon, E., Kaplan, A., & Leaf, J. B. (2023). Training behavior technicians to become behavior artists through the teaching interaction procedure. Behavioral Interventions, 38(4), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.1963   Callahan, K., Foxx, R. M., Swierczynski, A., Aerts, X., Mehta, S., McComb, M. E., Nichols, S. M., Segal, G., Donald, A., & Sharma, R. (2019). Behavioral artistry: Examining the relationship between the interpersonal skills and effective practice repertoires of applied behavior analysis practitioners. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49(9), 3557-3570. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-019-04082-1   Foxx, R. M. (1985). The Jack Tizzard memorial lecture: Decreasing behaviours: Clinical, ethical, and environmental issues. Australia and New Zealand Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 10, 189–199.  Foxx, R. M. (1998). Twenty-five years of applied behavior analysis: Lessons learned. Discriminanten, 4, 13–31.  https://autismpartnershipfoundation.org/shop

Previously known as Rants with Justin & Joe, It Has to be Said with Justin & Joe is a monthly podcast during which Justin, Joe, and their guests discuss topics that are pertinent to behavior analysis and intervention for autistics/individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Each episode involves an open and frank discussion about the topic.     It Has to be Said with Justin & Joe is available wherever you stream podcasts! Donations are appreciated (www.classy.org/give/237784). Your donation helps support research projects and free training products like our free 40 hour RBT training and 8 hour Supervisor training – every little bit helps! CEUs for It Has to be Said with Justin & Joe are available at www.autismpartnershipfoundation.org/podcast/.    Episode Title: Another Brick in the Wall: Challenges and Opportunities in Higher Education and Behavior Analysis    During this episode we chat with Dr. Traci Cihon about challenges and opportunities in higher education and behavior analysis. Traci received her master’s degree from the University of Nevada-Reno, her PhD from The Ohio State University, and is actively pursuing a Master’s in Public Health. She recently resigned from her position as an Associate Professor from the Department of Behavior Analysis at The University of North Texas and is currently a “stay-at-home scholar” in Memphis, TN working part-time with the University of Nevada-Reno Global Institute for Behavior Analysis. Dr. Cihon is also currently exploring community-based collaborations, especially those with a focus on strengthening communities by engaging and empowering youth while rekindling some of her previous work in literacy instruction. Dr. Cihon’s scholarship focuses on culturo-behavior systems science, building systems to support behavior scientific work on social and cultural issues, developing international and interdisciplinary collaborations, and behavioral education. She has served on editorial boards for several peer-reviewed journals, including Behavior and Social Issues, Perspectives on Behavior Science, and The Analysis of Verbal Behavior. Dr. Cihon currently serves on the editorial board for the American Annals of the Deaf and is the editor-in-chief for Behavior and Social Issues. She has co-edited two books in the ABAI book series, Behavior Science Perspectives on Culture and Community, and Women in Behavior Science: Observations of Life Inside and Outside of the Academy. In addition to serving as a member of the Board of Planners for both the ABAI and TxABA Behaviorists for Social Responsibility Special Interest Groups, she was awarded the APA Division 25 Fred S. Keller Behavioral Education Award in 2021.      CEU OBJECTIVES:  Listeners will be able to identify some possible contingencies associated with changes that can be observed in higher education in behavior analysis.  Listeners will be able to identify changes across the years that can be observed in higher education in behavior analysis.  Listeners will be able to identify some possible ways in which we can improve the quality of higher education in behavior analysis.  RESOURCES:   https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42822-023-00133-6

Previously known as Rants with Justin & Joe, It Has to be Said with Justin & Joe is a monthly podcast during which Justin, Joe, and their guests discuss topics that are pertinent to behavior analysis and intervention for autistics/individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Each episode involves an open and frank discussion about the topic.   It Has to be Said with Justin & Joe is available wherever you stream podcasts! Donations are appreciated (www.classy.org/give/237784). Your donation helps support research projects and free training products like our free 40 hour RBT training and 8 hour Supervisor training – every little bit helps! CEUs for It Has to be Said with Justin & Joe are available at www.autismpartnershipfoundation.org/podcast/.

Previously known as Rants with Justin & Joe, It Has to be Said with Justin & Joe is a monthly podcast during which Justin, Joe, and their guests discuss topics that are pertinent to behavior analysis and intervention for autistics/individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Each episode involves an open and frank discussion about the topic.     It Has to be Said with Justin & Joe is available wherever you stream podcasts! Donations are appreciated (www.classy.org/give/237784). Your donation helps support research projects and free training products like our free 40 hour RBT training and 8 hour Supervisor training – every little bit helps! CEUs for It Has to be Said with Justin & Joe are available at www.autismpartnershipfoundation.org/podcast/.    Episode Title: A Lifelong Journey: ABA and Support for Autistic Adults    During this episode we chat with Shanna Bahry and Peter Gerhardt. Shanna currently serves as the Executive Director of Meaningful HOPE, an agency committed to helping practitioners and families best support individuals with disabilities in preparing for a meaningful life in adulthood. She is also an Adjunct Professor in the master's and doctoral programs at Endicott College’s Institute for Applied Behavioral Sciences. Peter is the founding chair of the Scientific Council for the Organization for Autism Research (OAR) and currently sits on numerous professional advisory boards including Behavior Analysis in Practice, the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies, the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts, and the Autism Society of America. He is currently serving as the Executive Director of EPIC School and an Affiliate Professor and Doctoral Advisor at Endicott College’s Institute for Applied Behavioral Sciences. We discuss meaningful curriculum and what it means to truly individualize goals with Peter and Shanna.    CEU OBJECTIVES:  Listeners will be able to define what makes a curriculum meaningful for an individual client.   Listeners will be able to determine what makes a goal or target individualized.  Listeners will be able to describe the process of “looking back” to help determine meaningful curriculum.      RESOURCES:  Brown, L., Nietupski, J., & Hamre-Nietupski, S. (1976). Criterion of ultimate functioning. In Thomas, M.A. (Ed.), Hey, don’t forget about me: Education’s investment in the severely, profoundly, and multiply handicapped (pp. 2-15). The Council for Exceptional Children. Retrieved from https://mn.gov/mnddc/parallels2/pdf/70s/76/76-HDF-CEC.pdf  Make it meaningful book  Lovaas, O. I. (1987). Behavioral treatment and normal educational and intellectual functioning in young autistic children. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 55(1), 3 - 9. https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-006x.55.1.3   Gerhardt, P. F., Bahry, S., Driscoll, N. M., Cauchi, J., Mason, B. K., & Deshpande, M. (2023). Adulthood begins in preschool: Meaningful curriculum in support of increased independence for individuals with autism. lnternational Electronic Journal of Elementary Education. https://doi.org/10.26822/iejee.2023.294   https://shop.elsevier.com/books/clinician-s-guide-to-sexuality-and-autism/cauchi/978-0-323-95743-4#  https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-98507-3  Leaf, J. B., Cihon, J. H., Ferguson, J. L., & Gerhardt, P. F. (2022). Recommendations for behavioral research in supporting adults diagnosed with ASD. In Handbook of quality of life for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (pp. 461-467). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-98507-3_26

Previously known as Rants with Justin & Joe, It Has to be Said with Justin & Joe is a monthly podcast during which Justin, Joe, and their guests discuss topics that are pertinent to behavior analysis and intervention for autistics/individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Each episode involves an open and frank discussion about the topic.     It Has to be Said with Justin & Joe is available wherever you stream podcasts! Donations are appreciated (www.classy.org/give/237784). Your donation helps support research projects and free training products like our free 40 hour RBT training and 8 hour Supervisor training – every little bit helps! CEUs for It Has to be Said with Justin & Joe are available at www.autismpartnershipfoundation.org/podcast/.  During this episode we chat with Hank Schlinger and Elbert (Eb) Blakely. Hank is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at California State University, Los Angeles and the author of Introduction to Scientific Psychology, A Behavior Analytic View of Child Development, and How to Build Good Behavior and Self-Esteem in Children. Eb is an Assistant Professor at Florida Institute of Technology, where he teaches courses in applied behavior analysis, radical behaviorism, and behavior pharmacology. He also provides consultation to organizations and providers who deliver ABA services to children and adults. We chat with Hank and Eb about a Mediational Account of Equivalence and Verbal Relations.   A mediational theory of equivalence relations and transformation of function CEU OBJECTIVES:  Listeners will be able to describe a mediational account of equivalence and verbal relations.  Listeners will be able to describe at least one example of how a mediational account of equivalence and verbal relations relates to practice.  Listeners will be able to how a mediational account of equivalence and verbal relations differs from other accounts of so-called emergent or derived relations.    RESOURCES:  Article in press  Sidman, M. (1971). Reading and auditory-visual equivalences. Journal of speech and hearing research, 14(1), 5 - 13. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1044/jshr.1401.05   Horne, P. J., & Lowe, C. F. (1996). On the origins of naming and other symbolic behavior. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 65(1), 185 - 241. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.1996.65-185  Hayes, S. C., Barnes-Holmes, D., & Roche, B. (2001). Relational frame theory: A post-Skinnerian account of human language and cognition. New York: Plenum.   Blakely, E., & Schlinger, H. (1987). Rules: Function-altering contingency-specifying stimuli. The Behavior Analyst, 10(2), 183-187. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03392428   Schlinger, H. D., Jr., & Blakely, E. (1994). A descriptive taxonomy of environmental operations and its implications for behavior analysis. The Behavior Analyst, 17(1), 43-57. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03392652   Schlinger, H. D. (2008). Listening is behaving verbally. The Behavior Analyst, 31(2), 145-161. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf03392168   McIntire, K. D., Cleary, J., & Thompson, T. (1987). Conditional relations by monkeys: Reflexivity, symmetry, and transitivity. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 47(3), 279 - 285. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.1987.47-279

Progressive ABA Curriculum Considerations

During this episode we chat with Jessica Piazza and John McEachin. Jessica is the Project Manager for Certification for the Progressive Behavior Analyst Autism Council® (PBAAC®) and John is the President of the PBAAC. The PBAAC was established to provide credentials in the field of ABA as it applies to progressive intervention for individuals diagnosed with ASD. We ask Jessica and John about all things PBAAC including how it differs from other certifications in the field, what the future looks like for the PBAAC, and how others can learn more about the PBAAC and progressive ABA.      CEU OBJECTIVES:  Listeners will be able to identify the possible benefits and limitations of certification.  Listeners will be able to identify at least 2 distinguishing features of a progressive approach to ABA.  Listeners will be able to identify at least 2 ways in which the PBAAC certifications are different than currently available certifications.    RESOURCES:  https://progressivebehavioranalyst.org  Leaf, J. B., Leaf, R., McEachin, J., Taubman, M., Ala'i-Rosales, S., Ross, R. K., Smith, T., & Weiss, M. J. (2016). Applied behavior analysis is a science and, therefore, progressive. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 46(2), 720 - 731. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2591-6   Leaf, J. B., Cihon, J. H., Leaf, R., McEachin, J., & Taubman, M. (2016). A progressive approach to discrete trial teaching: Some current guidelines. International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education, 9(2), 361 - 372. http://iejee.com/index/makale/344/a-progressive-approach-to-discrete-trial-teaching-some-current-guidelines   Milne, C. M., Leaf, J. B., Weiss, M. J., Ferguson, J. L., Cihon, J. H., Lee, M. S., Leaf, R., & McEachin, J. (2022). A preliminary evaluation of conventional and progressive approaches of discrete trial teaching for teaching tact relations with children diagnosed with autism. Education and Treatment of Children, 45(4), 357-381. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43494-022-00084-4   Ferguson, J. L., Cihon, J. H., Majeski, M. J., Milne, C. M., Leaf, J. B., McEachin, J., & Leaf, R. (2022). Toward efficiency and effectiveness: Comparing equivalence-based instruction to progressive discrete trial teaching. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 15(4), 1296-1313. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-022-00687-8

During this episode we had the privilege to talk with Malika Pritchett. Malika is an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Department of Applied Behavioral Science at the University of Kansas. We discuss all thigs social validity and invalidity. More specifically we discuss what social invalidity is and is not, and, surprise, it is not just the inverse of social validity.     CEU OBJECTIVES:  Listeners will be able to define social validity and identify the process of assessing social validity.  Listeners will be able to define social invalidity.  Listeners will be able to identify different types of consumers that can be used to assess social validity.   RESOURCES :  Aragon-Guevara, D., Castle, G., Sheridan, E., & Vivanti, G. (2023). The reach and accuracy of information on autism on tiktok. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Advance Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-023-06084-6   Baer, D. M., Wolf, M. M., & Risley, T. (1987). Some still-current dimensions of applied behavior analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 20(4), 313-327. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1987.20-313   Baer, D. M., Wolf, M. M., & Risley, T. R. (1968). Some current dimensions of applied behavior analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1(1), 91-97. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1968.1-91   Ferguson, J. L., Cihon, J. H., Leaf, J. B., Van Meter, S. M., McEachin, J., & Leaf, R. (2019). Assessment of social validity trends in the journal of applied behavior analysis. European Journal of Behavior Analysis, 20(1), 146-157. https://doi.org/10.1080/15021149.2018.1534771   Schwartz, I. S., & Baer, D. M. (1991). Social validity assessments: Is current practice state of the art? Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 24(2), 189-204. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1991.24-189   Wolf, M. M. (1978). Social validity: The case for subjective measurement or how applied behavior analysis is finding its heart. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 11(2), 203-214. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1978.11-203

During this episode we had the privilege to talk with Jessica Cauchi. Jess is the director at Atlas Behavior Consultation and has over 25 years of experience using applied behaviour analysis to teach children, teens, and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. Jess’ passion in clinical work is driven by a need to provide highly individualized clinical services, in a respectful instructional format. She is most focused on the development of real-life skills, choose targets for teaching that will matter for her clients and help improve their short and long term quality of life. We chat with Jess about her new book A Clinician’s Guide to Sexuality and Autism and other topics related to sexuality, ABA, and autism.    CEU OBJECTIVES:  Listeners will be able to identify some barriers to teaching skills related to sex and sexuality.  Listeners will be able to identify some important skills related to sex and sexuality.  Listeners will be able to identify some evidence-based methods for teaching skills related to sex and sexuality and challenges related to using these methods for some of those skills.

This month's episode will welcome Dr. Bobby Newman and Jessica Cauchi to discuss the topic of Let's Talk About Sex. Affectionately known as the Dark Overlord of ABA, Bobby is the first author on 13 books regarding applied behavior analysis, the philosophy of behaviorism, autism spectrum disorders, and utopian literature. He has published over two dozen articles in professional journals, as well as numerous popular magazine articles, and has hosted two series of radio call-in shows.  Jessica is the Director of Atlas Behaviour Consultation and a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst. She received her Master of Science degree in Applied Behaviour Analysis from St. Cloud State University in Minneapolis. She has over 18 years of experience using Applied Behaviour Analysis to teach children, teens, and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities.  You'll want to tune into this one!