Shows
The Misfit Behaviorists - Practical Strategies for Special Education and ABA ProfessionalsMisfit Minute 15: Can’t or Won’t? How to Tell If It’s a Skill or Motivation IssueSometimes behavior looks like defiance—but what if it's actually a missing skill? In this episode, Audra walks you through a simple visual tool to help determine whether a student’s challenging behavior is due to a skill deficit (“can’t”) or a motivation issue (“won’t”). Using her quadrant graphic, she explains the four learner profiles (Engaged, Frustrated, Avoidant, Resistant) and gives practical strategies for supporting each one.Whether you're a teacher, para, or BCBA, this is a must-listen for decoding behavior and supporting students in meaningful ways.🔑 Key Takeaways• Use a skill × motivation quadrant to...
2025-11-0407 min
The Misfit Behaviorists - Practical Strategies for Special Education and ABA ProfessionalsEp. 67: The Role of a BCBA on RTI & MTSS Teams in SchoolsBeing a BCBA in a public school means more than behavior plans—it’s about collaboration, data, and supporting teachers on RTI and MTSS teams. In this episode, we share tips for building relationships, starting with Tier 1 strategies, and making sure your role feels valuable (not overwhelming!) to your general education colleagues.🔑 Key Takeaways• Start simple: Review Tier 1 supports before jumping to FBAs or complex plans.• Bring tools: Have ready-to-use data sheets and low-prep interventions for teachers.• Collaborate first: Ask teachers what’s already working and build from there.• Show, don’t tell: Bring visual exampl...
2025-10-1412 min
The Misfit Behaviorists - Practical Strategies for Special Education and ABA ProfessionalsEp. 66: Behavior Management for Early Learners - 5 Preschool Classroom StrategiesTeaching little ones with big feelings can be equal parts joyful and challenging. In this episode, we share five simple, effective strategies for supporting early learners in preschool and special education settings. From using visuals to keeping it playful, you’ll walk away with practical tools you can try tomorrow.🔑 Key Takeaways• Keep it visual: Use simple schedules, choice boards, and social stories to support communication and independence.• Narrate everything: Model positive language with calm, playful tones (think Mr. Rogers or Miss Rachel style).• Prevention matters: C...
2025-10-0117 min
The Misfit Behaviorists - Practical Strategies for Special Education and ABA ProfessionalsEp. 65: How to Teach Maintenance and Generalization of Skills in ABA and Special EducationIf it’s not generalizing, it’s not functional. In this episode, we break down what true mastery looks like, how to plan for maintenance from the start, and practical ways to “teach loosely” so skills stick across people, places, and materials.🔑 Key TakeawaysRedefine Mastery: Ditch “80% for 3 days” as the finish line—probe across time (weeks), people, places, and materials.Plan for M+G Early: Write IEP goals that embed generalization (different staff, tables, exemplars) and maintenance checks.Teach Loosely ≠ Teach Sloppily: Use multiple exemplars (sizes, fonts, color...
2025-09-1614 min
The Misfit Behaviorists - Practical Strategies for Special Education and ABA ProfessionalsEp. 64: Preschool Circle Time Tips for Engagement, Structure, and Special Education SuccessPreschool circle time doesn’t have to be chaos! 🎶 In this episode, we share simple strategies to keep little learners engaged, structured, and having fun—while meeting every student where they are. 🌟🎧 Key Takeaways• Purpose of Circle Time: Sets the tone for the day, offering structure and fun through songs, weather checks, and IEP skill practice. Adaptations are key to meeting the students where they are! 🌞• Four Pillars of a Balanced Circle Time: 1. Physical Movement: Gross or fine motor activities to keep kids engaged 🏃♂️ ...
2025-09-0221 min
The Misfit Behaviorists - Practical Strategies for Special Education and ABA ProfessionalsEp. 63: 5 Data Collection Mistakes BCBAs and Special Educators Should AvoidAre you drowning in data but still missing progress? In this episode, we’re talking about the five most common data collection mistakes we’ve seen (and made!)—and how to fix them. Whether you're a BCBA, teacher, or therapist, these tips will help you streamline your systems, support your staff, and actually use the data you're collecting.🧠 Key Takeaways:📊 Too much data = too little connection — Prioritize quality over quantity.🧍♀️ Inconsistent systems can lead to confusing or unusable data—align your team early!🧾 Vague definitions = meaningless data. Use cl...
2025-08-1914 min
The Misfit Behaviorists - Practical Strategies for Special Education and ABA ProfessionalsEp. 62: How to Run Social Skills Groups in Schools and ClinicsRunning social skills groups can be tricky—especially when you’re balancing different student needs, group sizes, and settings. In this episode, we unpack how to structure and differentiate social skills groups for learners at every level—whether you’re in a school, clinic, or classroom. From dyads to full-blown community outings, we’re breaking down what works (and what really doesn’t).👥 Whether you're supporting early learners or advanced social thinkers, you'll walk away with practical strategies, game ideas, and real-talk about flexibility, planning, and data collection.🗝️ Key Takeaways • 3 Types of Social Groups: Understand the difference...
2025-08-0525 min
The Misfit Behaviorists - Practical Strategies for Special Education and ABA ProfessionalsEp. 61: 4 Must-Know Tips for New Special Education Teachers in Self-Contained Classrooms🎙 Join Caitlin and guest Michelle Morris, an experienced self-contained classroom teacher, as they unpack real talk for new special ed teachers. From unexpected chaos to building strong staff dynamics, Michelle shares the five things she wishes she knew starting out—plus how to lean into your team and your strengths without losing your mind.💡 Whether you're brand-new or deep in the trenches, this episode will leave you feeling seen, supported, and ready to pivot with grace.🔑 Key Takeaways🌀 Be flexible—plans change, behaviors erupt, and that’s okay🙅 Don’t take things per...
2025-07-2212 min
The Misfit Behaviorists - Practical Strategies for Special Education and ABA ProfessionalsEp. 60: Is It Positive Reinforcement or Punishment? Let’s Settle the DebateThis episode started as a quick Misfit Minute—but it turned into a deep dive, so we made it a full one. Inspired by that iconic Big Bang Theory clip with Sheldon and the chocolates, we break down a question behavior folks love to debate:👉 Is it positive reinforcement... or positive punishment?We walk through a simple way to understand the four terms:Positive/Negative Reinforcement and Positive/Negative Punishment…without getting stuck in jargon, so you can apply it in real situations, not just pass a...
2025-07-0807 min
The Misfit Behaviorists - Practical Strategies for Special Education and ABA ProfessionalsEp. 59: Making Your BIP Work: Data Collection and Fidelity in FBAs - Part 13 of the FBA Mini-SeriesPart 13 (the last step) of the FBA Mini-Series!You’ve got the plan… now let’s make sure it actually works. In this final episode of our FBA Mini-Series, Audra and Sami walk you through how to track behavior data, define roles, build fidelity, and make sure your BIP stays meaningful. This is the wrap-up you didn’t know you needed, filled with practical ways to follow through on everything you’ve created!🔑 Key Takeaways🧠 Track what matters – Collect data on both the target and replacement behaviors📈
2025-06-2417 min
The Misfit Behaviorists - Practical Strategies for Special Education and ABA ProfessionalsEp. 58: Bridging the Gap: Building Teacher-BCBA Collaboration for Student Success🤝 Join Caitlin and Audra as they dive into the crucial topic of fostering strong working relationships between school-based BCBAs and teachers! Learn from their real-world experiences – both successes and challenges – in building mutual respect and understanding for the benefit of students.💡 It's all about teamwork! Discover how to move beyond potential roadblocks and create effective partnerships.🔑 Key Takeaways✅ Lead with trust—respect teachers’ expertise, time, and lived experience🧠 Use teacher-friendly language and avoid behavior jargon (save “DRO” for later)🎯 Ask open-ended questions to understand t...
2025-06-1015 min
The Misfit Behaviorists - Practical Strategies for Special Education and ABA ProfessionalsEp. 57: Creating a Crisis Cycle Plan in Behavior Support - Part 12 of the FBA Mini-SeriesPlanning a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) for high-intensity behaviors? This episode walks you through the 7 stages of the Crisis Cycle—and how to use it as a practical tool in your FBAs and behavior plans.We’re talking real-world escalation, de-escalation, and everything in between: what the student actually does, how staff should respond, and how to keep your team aligned in high-stress situations.🔑 Key Takeaways• The Crisis Cycle is a predictable escalation pattern—and one of the most useful tools in behavior planning• Define what e...
2025-05-2726 min
The Misfit Behaviorists - Practical Strategies for Special Education and ABA ProfessionalsEp. 56: How to Prepare for an IEP Meeting: Timeline, Tips, and Parent CollaborationPlanning an IEP can feel like a whirlwind—deadlines, data, collaboration, and student needs all rolled into one big meeting. In this episode, Caitlin and Audra walk through a practical timeline for IEP prep, from parent check-ins to drafting goals and reviewing behavior plans.Whether you’re a teacher, BCBA, or case manager, this one’s packed with real-talk and ready-to-use tips to make your IEPs more effective and less stressful.🔑 Key Takeaways📅 Start early—draft a prep timeline 4–6 weeks in advance if possible📬 Reach out to families before the meeting to check in on their priorit...
2025-05-1316 min
The Misfit Behaviorists - Practical Strategies for Special Education and ABA ProfessionalsEp. 55: How to Reinforce Replacement Behaviors and Respond to Problem Behavior – Part 11 of the FBA Mini-SeriesContinuing on in our FBA-BIP mini-series, we're at Step 11. This week, we’re diving into the consequence side of behavior plans—what to do after students engage in either the challenging behavior or the replacement behavior. It’s not just about preventing problem behavior… it’s about teaching, reinforcing, and responding with consistency and care.🔑 Key Takeaways🧠 Reinforce replacement behaviors immediately and consistently—across staff, settings, and time🎯 Match the function with the reinforcement (e.g., escape behavior = give a break)💬 Avoid reinforcing the pr...
2025-04-2919 min
The Misfit Behaviorists - Practical Strategies for Special Education and ABA ProfessionalsEp. 54: ABA Tools for Tolerance – Haircuts, Doctor Visits & MoreThis week, we’re diving into ABA strategies for building tolerance in real-life situations like haircuts, doctor visits, and dental appointments. Many learners with autism and anxiety struggle with these experiences, and traditional approaches like social stories aren’t always enough. We’ll break down how to desensitize fears, use reinforcement effectively, and teach coping skills to make these essential life skills more manageable.🔑 Key Takeaways✅ Meet learners where they are – Start with the smallest step they can tolerate and build up gradually.✅ Break it down like a task ana...
2025-04-1516 min
The Misfit Behaviorists - Practical Strategies for Special Education and ABA ProfessionalsEp. 53: Teaching Positive Behaviors – Part 10 of the FBA Mini-SeriesContinuing on in our FBA-BIP mini-series, we're at Step 10! This week, we’re tackling one of the most important steps in behavior intervention planning—choosing the right replacement behavior. Just reducing problem behavior isn’t enough; we have to actively teach what to do instead in a way that’s functional, motivating, and sustainable.🔑 Key Takeaways✅ Replacement behaviors must meet the same function – If a student yells to escape a task, teaching them to request a break makes sense. Giving them a fidget does not.✅ Make it easy...
2025-04-0109 min
The Misfit Behaviorists - Practical Strategies for Special Education and ABA ProfessionalsEp. 52: BCBA in Schools vs. Clinics – Pros, Cons, and What to ExpectJoin us as we break down the pros and cons of being a BCBA in a school vs. clinic setting, covering collaboration, job stability, workload, and more!🔑 Key Takeaways✅ Team Collaboration Matters – Schools often provide a built-in multidisciplinary team (SLPs, OTs, teachers, etc.), while clinics may have fewer collaboration opportunities.✅ Family Involvement Differs – Clinics typically have more direct parent involvement due to insurance requirements, while schools rely on IEP meetings and teacher communication.✅ Job Stability & Work-Life Balance – Schools offer predictable schedules, summers off, and union protectio...
2025-03-1836 min
The Misfit Behaviorists - Practical Strategies for Special Education and ABA ProfessionalsEp. 51: Antecedent Strategies in Behavior Plans – Part 9 of the FBA Mini-SeriesIn this episode, we break down antecedent strategies—the proactive steps you can take to prevent challenging behaviors before they escalate. We explain how these strategies differ from setting event strategies, why they’re essential in a behavior plan, and how to apply them effectively in real-world settings.🔑 Key Takeaways✅ Antecedent vs. Setting Event Strategies – Learn the difference and when to use each.✅ Proactive Supports – Identify triggers early and modify tasks before behaviors occur.✅ Flexible but Clear Plans – Ensure strategies are individualized and easy to implement.✅ Avoid Overloading Behavior Plans – Focus on the most effective strategi...
2025-03-0412 min
The Misfit Behaviorists - Practical Strategies for Special Education and ABA ProfessionalsEp. 50: What to Do When You Don’t Know the Function of a BehaviorStruggling to address aggression in non-vocal learners? In this episode, Audra and Caitlin dive into practical strategies for managing sudden, seemingly random aggressive behaviors. They explore why behaviors might spike, the importance of consistent reinforcement, and how taking a step back can be the key to moving forward.✨ Key Takeaways🔄 When to Reset: If a learner’s aggressive behavior escalates, revisit earlier interventions, even if it feels like “going backwards.”⭐ Know Your Learner: Conduct informal preference assessments regularly to keep reinforcers fresh and effective.🧩 Consistency is Key: Ensure all team members are aligned on reinforcement st...
2025-02-1816 min
The Misfit Behaviorists - Practical Strategies for Special Education and ABA ProfessionalsEp. 49: Understanding and Addressing Anxiety in Autism – Strategies for Special EducationThis episode explores the intersection of autism and anxiety, highlighting how to identify and address anxiety-driven behaviors in students with autism through evidence-based, student-centered approaches.✨ Key Takeaways✔️ We address a recent Facebook group question about trichotillomania and anxiety.✔️ Recognizing Anxiety in Autism: Girls with autism often exhibit higher levels of social anxiety due to heightened awareness of social differences.✔️ The Evolution of ABA: 20 years ago, internal events like anxiety were often ignored in behavior analysis. Today, there's a stronger focus on addressing underlying cau...
2025-02-0420 min
The Misfit Behaviorists - Practical Strategies for Special Education and ABA ProfessionalsEp. 48: How to Create Effective Classroom Schedules for Special Education and ABA SettingsCreating a classroom schedule for special education and ABA settings can feel like solving a puzzle! In this episode, Caitlin and Audra share their strategies, tips, and tricks to make scheduling manageable and effective for students and staff. From color-coding and post-it notes to balancing para rotations, this episode will help you build a flexible schedule that works for everyone.✨ Key Takeaways🕒 Start with the non-negotiables: Plot out staff lunch breaks, student lunch, therapy schedules, and specials first.🎨 Color-code by staff: Use colors to keep track of...
2025-01-2116 min
The Misfit Behaviorists - Practical Strategies for Special Education and ABA ProfessionalsEp. 47: Managing Paras in Special Education: Building Teamwork, Accountability, and Clear BoundariesWorking with paras in special education classrooms can be both rewarding and challenging. In this episode, Audra and Caitlin share practical strategies for creating a positive, productive environment for paras, fostering teamwork, and addressing common issues like problem behaviors and resistance to change. ✨ Key Takeaways📝 Set clear expectations: Overcommunicate and provide written resources like para binders for clarity. 🌟 Acknowledge strengths: Reinforce and assign tasks that align with your paras' skills while preventing burnout. 🛑 Address issues early: Redirect problem behaviors quickly and document actions for accountability...
2025-01-0719 min
The Misfit Behaviorists - Practical Strategies for Special Education and ABA ProfessionalsEp. 46: Reverse Inclusion in Special Education – Building Peer Connections and Social SkillsWhat if inclusion didn’t just mean “pushing students in” but also “inviting peers in”? In this episode, we chat with Megan Stenziano from Moms Managing Behavior about a game-changing approach called reverse inclusion. From lunch and recess to peer buddy programs and after-school activities, Megan walks us through how her school created inclusive, meaningful social opportunities for all students. We discuss creative ideas, practical solutions, and even a program so popular it had parents saying, “It’s harder to get into than Taylor Swift tickets!” 🎟️ Don't miss this one!✨ Key Takeaways📢 What is Reverse Inclusion? — It’s when general education...
2024-12-1724 min
The Misfit Behaviorists - Practical Strategies for Special Education and ABA ProfessionalsEp. 28: Building Relationships with Students as a Public School BCBAIn this episode, we are chatting about ways to build relationships with students as a public school-based BCBA. 🙌🏼 This can be tricky, given that oftentimes we are getting called in to help with students who are engaging in very challenging behaviors.Learn tips and tricks to build POSITIVE relationships with these learners so that we can connect with them on a human level and figure out strategies that help them succeed! 🎉✨Join our Facebook Group for a community of like-minded individuals & to valuable grab FREE resources to save you time! ⬇️ The Misfit Behaviorists | FacebookJo...
2024-08-1417 minThe Misfit Behaviorists - Practical Strategies for Special Education and ABA ProfessionalsEp. 14: Life as a School Based BCBA with Jen StracquadanioToday we have special guest Jen Stracquadanio sharing three helpful tips for school based BCBAs! These insights are invaluable for new BCBAs but also super practical and relatable for any BCBA working in any setting!✨Join our Facebook Group for a community of like minded individuals & to valuable grab FREE resources to save you time! ⬇️The Misfit Behaviorists | FacebookFollow Jen Stracquadanio - Instagram | @momsmanagingbehavior www.momsmanagingbehavior.comJoin the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists😍 More, you say? We’re here for you! Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists Instagram...
2024-05-0814 minThe Misfit Behaviorists - Practical Strategies for Special Education and ABA ProfessionalsEp. 8: Autism Awareness & Acceptance MonthHave you heard the term “pick your battles?” It’s not just a quip! Used thoughtfully and systematically, it can be an amazing tool in your behavioral toolbelt! It helps reduce power struggles, preserves energy (yours and theirs), prioritizes safety and core values, and creates opportunities for positive choices.Join us as we discuss this and other ways to alleviate the power struggles with my friend and colleague Alicia Like, M.Ed., BCBA.📝Takeaways :🧩 April is Autism Awareness & Acceptance Month so things like puzzle piece symbols are front and center.The puzzle piece was hi...
2024-03-2713 minThe Misfit Behaviorists - Practical Strategies for Special Education and ABA ProfessionalsEp. 7: Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff with Alicia LikeHave you heard the term “pick your battles?” It’s not just a quip! Used thoughtfully and systematically, it can be an amazing tool in your behavioral toolbelt! It helps reduce power struggles, preserves energy (yours and theirs), prioritizes safety and core values, and creates opportunities for positive choices.Join us as we discuss this and other ways to alleviate the power struggles with my friend and colleague Alicia Like, M.Ed., BCBA.📝Takeaways :1. 🎯Keep in mind the GOAL of the task. If you are working on writing, is the goal the...
2024-03-2019 min
Dear Chiefs PodcastHow to Self Regulate and Help your First Responder Decompress with Kristen JensenPandemic Whoas got you feeling a bit stressed and unable to self-regulate? Ever feel helpless when you know your first responder has had a bad call? Then this episode is for YOU sis!We had the immense pleasure of sitting down with fellow fire wife and mother of three kiddos, Kristen Jensen to get the skinny on how to help ourselves and our first responders!Kristen is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and founder of Mind Gym. Kristen specializes in providing behavior analytic services to first responders, fire fighters, police officers and hospital staff. S...
2021-02-1736 min