Shows
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaHow to Train Staff and Improve Outcomes in Adult Autism Services: Session 306 with Dr. John Guercio Dr. John Guercio returns to the Behavioral Observations Podcast for his third appearance, bringing his extensive experience and fresh insights into the world of adult services in behavior analysis. In this episode, John and Matt discuss the vital, yet often overlooked, field of supporting adults with autism and other developmental disabilities—particularly those with severe behavioral challenges. They explore: John's new leadership role at The Arc of the Ozarks The Applied Behavior Analysis Center The development of a new adult-specific RBT training program His latest book on staff training in adult service settings Key findings from hi...
2025-07-181h 23
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaWhat are Open Science Practices and Why do they Matter? Inside JABA 21Dr. Matt Tincani joins Dr. John Borrero and me for the 21st (can you believe it!?!?) installment of the Inside JABA Series on Behavioral Observations. From a research perspective, this Inside JABA episode is by far our most wonkiest one to date. By that I mean we take a deep dive into the area of Open Science Practices. If you're not familiar with the Open Science movement, Matt walks us through the basics. In doing so, we review the lead paper in the fall 2024 issue of JABA that he co-wrote with Drs. Shawn Gilroy and...
2024-11-161h 04
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaRestraint and Seclusion in Public Schools: Session 271 with Matt BrodheadListen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Dr. Matt Brodhead returns to the podcast to talk about a topic he's dedicated the better part of nearly completed sabbatical trying to understand: restraint and seclusion practices in public school settings. In this episode, we talk about why he chose this topic to study, the difficulty in defining what constitutes a restraint, the challenges with documenting events, the terrible state of systematic, nation-wide data collection on restraint and seclusion events - particularly those that result in injuries and deaths, the pros and cons of banning these practices, potential...
2024-08-091h 23
The How to ABA PodcastUpcoming CEU with Matt Cicoria on Functional Assessments in the ClassroomFunctional assessments are the gold standard of behavior analysis. They’re the best technology we have to show the effectiveness and the function of our antecedent and consequence manipulation. Conducting functional assessments in a school setting comes with its own set of unique challenges, and behavior analyst Matt Cicoria is joining us at our next live CEU event to cover just that. The event takes place on Thursday, April 20th at 12:00pm EST. Matt also hosts the Behavioral Observations Podcast, which is linked below. If you’re anything like us, you have a hectic schedule. The next thin...
2023-04-1809 min
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaToken Economy 101: Considerations for research and practice, w/Tim HackenbergThis was a really fun episode. Dr. Tim Hackenberg joined me to discuss both what we know, and what we don't know about token economies. This conversation was inspired by my interview with Dr. Matt Brodhead in Session 205, where in listening to that show, Tim picked up on a misstatement of mine. We get into the specifics of this in our interview, but in brief, I made an off-the-cuff comment about token economy research. Thankfully, Tim reached out to me and offered to discuss this issue in more detail, and more importantly, correct my point of view on...
2023-01-111h 36
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt Cicoria2022 Year in Review with ABA Inside TrackIt's that time of year again folks. If you're new to the show, every year, I get together with my friends from ABA Inside Track for a Year in Review show, and this year was no different. In this podcast, we went over a handful of happenings in the world of Applied Behavior Analysis. In this episode, we covered: The changes in leadership of the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and the Association for Professional Behavior Analysis. What shows from each of our pods resonated with our respective audiences. Whether West Coast or New England IPAs a...
2022-12-2851 min
RechargED EducatorsImproving Individual Behavior Challenges Through Whole-Class Strategies With Matt CicoriaIn this episode, Behavior Analyst, author, and podcaster, Matt Cicoria, shares some interesting whole-class strategies that can help individual students with behavior challenges. Matt also hits on understanding individual behaviors, shares great resources, and provides some guidance that will be useful for all educators.You connect with Matt at https://behavioralobservations.com/This is the link to the podcast episode on the Good Behavior Game: https://behavioralobservations.com/how-to-improve-classroom-management-with-the-good-behavior-game-session-171-with-jeanne-donaldson/This is the intervention-central site that Matt discussed: https://www.interventioncentral.org/behavioral-intervention-modificationMatt Cicoria is a behavioral and educational consultant...
2022-11-1758 min
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaEthics Regarding the Use of Punishment, Amongst Other Things: Session 205 with Matt BrodheadAfter a long hiatus, Dr. Matt Brodhead returns to Behavioral Observations. In this episode, we discuss the use of punishment in the context of creating effective, ethical behavioral interventions. Of course, pursuant to the Behavior Analysis Certification Board's Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts, punishment should only be considered, "only after demonstrating that desired results have not been obtained using less intrusive means, or when it is determined by an existing intervention team that the risk of harm to the client outweighs the risk associated with the behavior-change intervention" (Code Element 2.15, page 12). So Matt and I...
2022-11-011h 41
Honestly Unorthodox. with Kayla PerryPart 1: In Defense of Assholes, with Matt CicoriaLegendary Matt Cicoria of Behavioral Observations Podcast comes on the show today to discuss Pat Friman's "There's No Such Thing As a Bad Boy", the Circumstances View of Problem Behavior, and the Social vs. Medical Model of Disability. We moved through so many different topics throughout the episode that we've actually split it into two parts, with my interviewing Matt for the first episode and the tables turning with Matt interviewing me for the second segment. Oh, how the tables have turned in an informative, heartfelt, and informative way!Follow Angry on Instagram @theangrybxanalystCheck...
2022-11-011h 02
Building Better Businesses in ABAEP 36: Dissemination Through Podcasting with Matt CicoriaDissemination Through Podcasting with Matt Cicoria
But for a chance encounter at ABAI Boston, I might not have met the guru of ALL things related to Podcast dissemination, Matt Cicoria. We dish on podcasting, the field and our mutual love for mountain biking :). Enjoy, kind listener!
Resources
Matt on LinkedIn
Matt's Behavioral Observations Podcast (earn CEUs!)
The "Behavior Analysis of Lying" episode
Atomic Habits
Sponsored by: ElementRCM
2022-09-201h 15
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaA Behavioral Analysis of Lying: with Corey StoccoWhy do people lie? It's an age-old question that's been asked for perhaps as long as our species has had verbal capabilities. In this episode, Dr. Corey Stocco from The University of The Pacific joins me to discuss the existing scholarship in this area, as more specifically, the work that he and his colleagues have done in this area. Specifically, we walk through a recent paper that was published in Behavioral Interventions, Further Evaluation of Contingencies on Lying About Homework Completion. Regarding this paper, we got way into the weeds in terms of how he...
2022-06-161h 13
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaWhy Your Behavior Plan Stinks!!! Session 180 with Merrill WinstonThis recording was a fun and way-overdue Patreon member hangout with the incomparable Dr. Merrill Winston. In this episode, we discussed how Greg Hanley influenced Merrill's departure from his previous employer, how he wanted to do more than be considered as the restrain and seclusion guru, his new enterprise, Winston Behavioral Solutions, when it's OK to break the rules, and much more. As a matter of fact, we spent the most amount the hangout discussing what makes a good behavior plan (and conversely, why some of them stink!). This session started out in an interview...
2022-02-221h 22
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaWhat does exertion, sleep, and Covid-19 have to do with each other? John Capodilupo from Whoop In Session 143, I chat with John Capodilupo, co-founder of Whoop, the maker of the Whoop strap system I've been talking about for the last several episodes. At the risk of sounding like an informercial for this neat product, I've really enjoyed using the Whoop strap for the last few months. If you aren't familiar with it, the Whoop strap is a wearable device that tracks all sorts of cool metrics, including sleep, calorie burn, heart rate, and more. As John notes in the podcast, the folks at Whoop are...
2021-01-0545 min
A2 The ShowBehavioral Observations | Matt CicoriaA² The Show - Ep 117 Feat. Matt Cicoria Today we are joined by Matt Cicoria Behavior Analyst; Producer & Host of The Behavioral Observations Podcast... Hit the link to learn more about the show @behavioralobservations. Learn more at behavioralobservations.com Follow the podcast hosts on social media: Instagram: Ali Haejl @scoobz.mp4 Ali Al Shammari @therealalialshammari alihaejl.com
2020-09-191h 02
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaWhat is Behavioral Sports Psychology? Session 127 with Brandon MayAs we discussed in the recent Inside JABA Series podcast, Applied Behavior Analysis has a long history of helping people improve their fitness, nutrition, and overall well-being. In Session 127, Brandon May joins me to delve into this history a little further, while at the same time highlighting some of the amazing research he's conducted in this area (two quick examples of this include teaching college athletes to lift weights with more velocity, and creating a token economy to improve the health and well being of group home residents). Whether you care about these topics or...
2020-08-221h 01
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaMaking ABA Inroads in Novel Settings with Antonio HarrisonI had the honor of conducting two interviews at the Behavior Analyst Leadership Council's 2020 virtual conference back in April. In Session 126, I'm sharing the first one of those conversations, and it is with a name that should be familiar listeners, and that's Dr. Antonio Harrison (@onecoachdoc). Antonio, as many listeners will remember, was instrumental in pulling together and facilitating Session 120, which was the roundtable discussion with four other African American men and Behavior Analysts in the wake of the George Floyd killing. Today's episode was actually recorded before Session 120, and Antonio and I discussed topics...
2020-08-1353 min
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaTranslational Research in ABA with Corina Jimenez-Gomez and Chris Podlesnik In Session 125, I had the opportunity to speak with Drs. Corina Jimenez-Gomez and Chris Podlesnik. While we spent a good deal of time discussing translational works in Behavior Analysis and covered important topics like resurgence, renewal, relapse, and generalization. We also discussed things like the ABAI Science Blog - which I highly recommend checking out, and what it's like to find a job as a Behavior Analytic power couple! We discussed a several of studies and resources, and I've done my best to list them here: Wathen, S. N., & Podlesnik, C. A. (2018). Laboratory models of treatment...
2020-07-291h 06
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaBehavior Analysis and Policing with Dr. John O'NeillThe killing of George Floyd and others by police officers seems to have caused considerable reflection on how policing occurs in the United States. We first covered this topic in Session 73 in my interview with Dr. Amy Smith Wiech, and if you're interested in this topic, I would suggest going back and checking that one out. That episode aside, I think many of us in America are trying to come to grips in terms of how these events continue to happen. It is with this in mind that I'm delighted to be joined by...
2020-07-171h 03
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaInside JABA #4,: Telehealth and Public Health Special SeriesIn the fourth edition of the Inside JABA Series, I am joined by Drs. Dorothea Lerman, Linda LeBlanc, and Matt Normand to discuss the forthcoming JABA Special Series on Telehealth and Public Health. Linda and Matt are no strangers to this podcast, but this is Dorothy Lerman's first time on the show, so by way of introduction, she is currently a Professor of Behavior Analysis at the University of Houston - Clear Lake, where she directs a master's program in behavior analysis and serves as Director of the UHCL Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities. ...
2020-07-101h 02
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaThe Case Against Social Stories with Justin Leaf"Does anyone have a social story for [insert challenging situation here]?" Chances are if you're like me, you've seen this question on the various ABA Facebook groups. Very often, the responses to questions like these generate some controversy, or at the very least, arguing over the empirical support for the use of Social Stories and other story-based narrative interventions. One of these types of Facebook threads popped up a month or two ago, and in response to it, I saw a post from Dr. Justin Leaf from the Autism Partnership Foundation. In it, he described...
2020-06-251h 17
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaCoping in Quarantine with Russ HarrisRuss Harris and I recorded this episode about three or four weeks ago, when the world's troubles centered around the challenges with Covid-19 related stay-at-home measures. It's amazing how fast things have changed since then! In light of the social upheaval as people in the United States and beyond come to grips with tragic examples of racism and injustice, getting irritated by one's family members pales in comparison in terms of personal suffering. I had briefly thought to shelve this episode in light of this contrast, but the more I thought about it, I believe that the suggestions and...
2020-06-1850 min
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaListening to Perspectives that MatterSince the killing of George Floyd, I've had colleagues approach me with suggestions on how to address the issue of police brutality and racism on Behavioral Observations. To be honest, none of the suggestions were entirely satisfying. As a white guy living in one of the whitest states in America - someone who has not had any mistreatment based on his skin color - other than condemn the actions of those police officers, sharing my thoughts on this event (as well as the broader topic of racism and police brutality) would not only ring hollow, but not...
2020-06-031h 52
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaFeedback F-Ups and How to Avoid Them with Natalie Parks Providing feedback to staff members is essential for delivering quality services, but doing it effectively is easier said than done. That's why I'm excited to share this conversation I had with Dr. Natalie Parks from BehaviorLeader.com. Natalie, along with co-authors Adam Ventura, Erica Crowley, and Dennis Uriarte, just published "Feedback F!@# Ups and How to Avoid Them," and in Session 119, we really dive deep into this topic. Natalie describes some best practices for providing feedback, including how to do so in the current digital-meeting age. We also talk...
2020-05-2757 min
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaCannabis, Condoms, and Psilocybin with Matt JohnsonYou may recall that a few months back, I interviewed Dr. David Cox (@davidjcox_). In our discussion, we spent a fair amount of time talking about the literature on the use of psychedelics for the treatment of a variety of behavioral and mental health challenges. I recently got the opportunity to extend this conversation with Dr. Matthew Johnson (@Drug_Researcher). Matt Johnson is a Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at John Hopkins University, and he's been a leading figure in this area of research for over 15 years. His expertise in this area is so well regarded...
2020-05-181h 47
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaVerbal Behavior Conference 2020 Speakers' Panel: Session 117You may recall that in Session 112 I chatted with Kelle Rich about, among other things, the upcoming Verbal Behavior Conference. In these pre-pandemic times, the event was supposed to be held in Austin, Texas. However, in anticipation of the stay-at-home orders, quarantines, and so forth, Kelle wisely shifted this event to the online space. So VBC 2020 became a virtual conference, and was executed as scheduled on April 2nd and 3rd. I had the pleasure of moderating the speakers' panel, and I thought it would be fun to share it with you here. This was indeed an...
2020-05-111h 01
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaTelemedicine and ABA, an Episode That was Ahead of its Time with Wendy Machalicek This episode of the Behavioral Observations Podcast is brought to you by Behavior University and GoLotus. Behavior University's mission is to provide you with university quality continuing education. If you're in quarantine like I am, take this time to brush up on your skills, or push yourself to learn something new. For great deals for podcast listeners, head over to behavioruniversity.com/observations to learn more. GoLotus recognizes that ABA providers are facing their most difficult challenges right now. So in light of recent events, Go Lotus has decided to open up its...
2020-04-2953 min
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaInside JABA Series #3: Accumulated versus Distributed Reinforcement with Iser DeLeon You've more than likely heard the saying, "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush." In the third installment of the Inside JABA Series, Dr. Iser DeLeon, along with Inside JABA regulars Drs. Tiger and St. Peter we do a deep-dive into the topic of accumulated versus distributed reinforcement arrangements to see if this adage is true in the context of skill acquisition and problem behavior. I'm excited to have Dr. DeLeon, better knowns as Willie to friends and colleagues, on the show. Willie's contributions to the field are too...
2020-04-081h 19
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaHow to Keep Your Kids Learning While at Home with Amy EvansIn these unprecedented times of social isolation, public education has made a rapid shift towards a distance learning model. It's probably not a surprise that outcomes will vary for students based on myriad factors. If you'd like to become more involved in your child's educational progress to ensure your child's success, then this is the podcast for you! Amy Evans, who is an expert in Instructional Design and Precision Teaching, joins me in Session 114 to discuss how setting up brief practice sessions with your learner can really enhance not only skill acquisition, but retention too (which is...
2020-03-271h 14
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaThe Behavioral Economics of Toilet Paper with Derek ReedDr. Derek Reed joins me today to discuss the behavioral economic principles that underpin so much of what we're seeing today as the world attempts to cope with the Coronavirus pandemic. From buying all the toilet paper in sight, to heeding (or more to the point, not heeding) government guidelines for social distancing, Derek relates these behavioral patterns to some very basic operant principles. We start the show with a quick overview of three key behavioral economic terms: Delay Discounting, Probability Discounting, and Behavioral Economic Demand. We then talk about how these processes can be used to...
2020-03-191h 16
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaWhen the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Go Online: The Verbal Behavior Conference with Kelle RichA few weeks ago, I sat down with Kelle Rich, founder of the Central Texas Autism Center, to discuss a handful of topics, one if which being the upcoming Verbal Behavior Conference. If you've tuned into the last few episodes, you've likely heard me talk about this event. At the time of our conversation, the Coronavirus was just coming onto the nation's radar screen, but the "plan" was to go ahead with the event, which was scheduled to take place in Austin, Texas, unless conditions changed. Well, as you can guess, the conditions have changed...
2020-03-171h 15
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaThe Case for Humor in Behavioral Interventions with Steve WardAlmost from the outset of the podcast, people have been asking me to get Steve Ward on the show. If you're not familiar with Steve, he is the co-founder of Whole Child Consulting, and co-author of The Inventory of Good Learner Repertoires (amongst many other books). In this episode, Steve and I talk about his paper that discusses the role of humor in behavioral interventions. We also talk about his concept of "task as reinforcer," and then digress into helping kids who present with oppositional repertoires. We discussed a ton of resources, and I have...
2020-03-131h 22
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaKPI 101: Session 110 with Rebecca WomackRebecca Womack, who is the Director of Clinical Compliance at BlueSprig Autism joins me in Session 101 to provide an overview of the importance of pinpointing and analyzing Key Performance Indicators, or, KPI's for short. At first glance, this may seem like a topic that is about as exciting as doing your taxes. However, when we dove into this subject, my inner nerd was engaged, and I started thinking about how I could use this concept in all aspects of what I do. I guarantee that even if you do not work in an insurance funded setting, or if...
2020-02-271h 01
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaWhen Language Becomes a Barrier with Pat McGreevyHey Everyone, welcome to session 109 of The Behavioral Observations Podcast! I'm joined by multiple-time guest, Dr. Pat McGreevy. We talk about what he's been up to lately, how to support learners who have barriers in communication, implementing Essential for Living in public school settings, why he prefers working with non-behavior analysts… and we end with a fun and poignant story about Pat's mentor, Ogden Lindsley. We also spend some time discussing the upcoming Verbal Behavior Conference. It's taking place on April 2nd and 3rd in Austin, Texas. In the spirit of transparency, I'm helping the Central Texas Autis...
2020-02-1949 min
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaACT and Precision Teaching: Session 108, Getting Weird with Kendra NewsomeDr. Kendra Newsome joins me in Session 108. Our original plan was to discuss how FitLearning is incorporating ACT and other mindfulness based activities with their learners. And talk about that we did. However, we went down quite a few interesting and unexpected rabbit holes along the way. The sidebar that was of most interest to me was our discussion on how they run staff meetings. I'm sure you're thinking to yourself, "how can staff meetings be interesting?" Well, it sounds like the FitLearning crew found an answer to that question. As such, you'll have to let me...
2020-02-111h 22
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaACT and Clinical Behavior Analysis: Session 107 with Emily SandozDr. Emily Sandoz joins me in Session 107 to talk about her work in ACT and Clinical Behavior Analysis. I found this conversation really fascinating as she shares how she helps people in talk-therapy contexts - a setting that most listeners do not practice in. Going into this interview, I assumed we'd get deep into the ACT Hexaflex Processes, but we ended up dispensing with a lot of the common, "mid-level terms," of ACT, and instead focused on the functional analysis of verbal behavior in the context of a therapy session. I think you'll find Emily's...
2020-01-291h 09
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaInside JABA Series #2If you missed the first installment of the Inside JABA Series, let me explain what's going on here: Once a quarter, I'll be joined by Drs. Linda Leblanc, Clair St. Peter, and Jeff Tiger to discuss the latest issue of The Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. The goal is to highlight a paper or theme from the issue, and give you a behind-the-scenes look at what went into that piece of research, how it may or may not have changed during the review process, and what the practical implications that work has for the everyday practitioner. ...
2020-01-2357 min
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaGet fit in 2020 with Nick Green!Dr. Nick Green from BehaviorFit joins me in Session 105 to discuss my plans to shed a few pounds in 2020. If you're like me, you may have put on a little weight over the holidays. In my case, I had a once in a lifetime opportunity to take my family to France to stay with my oldest friend (an ex-pat who has been living there for the past 20 years or so). As such, the normal workout routine fell by the wayside, while at the same time, cheese and bread were consumed in great quantities! This was on the menu all...
2020-01-131h 37
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt Cicoria2019 in Review with ABA Inside Track!My friends at ABA Inside Track - Rob, Diana, and Jackie - invited me back for another Year-in-Review episode. I've enjoyed getting to know these guys over the last few years, and doing an episode like this seems like it's a fun tradition-in-the-making. So what did we talk about? Well, it seems like 2019 was the year of the ABA podcast. So many shows were launched that it's hard to keep track of. In addition to Behavioral Observations, I've listed all the currently published ABA shows below, and I'll apologize in advance to my podcasting brethren if I've...
2019-12-251h 26
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaKim Berens Live from the Tate Behavioral Conference!Welcome to Session 103 of The Behavioral Observations Podcast! What you're about to hear is my follow up interview with Dr. Kim Berens from Fit Learning. I spoke with her way back in Session 44, which went out in January of 2018. This interview was conducted at the First Annual Tate Behavioral Conference, which was held in Springfield, Massachusetts, back in October of 2019. As an aside, during the interview itself, I reference our location as Springfield, New Hampshire… which was probably stuck in my mind because it's two towns over from where I live. So to be clear, th...
2019-12-121h 08
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaSession 100 Special: Greg Hanley and the Luckiest Guy in Behavior AnalysisSeveral weeks ago, Greg Hanley reached out to me and asked if he could help do something to commemorate the 100th episode of the show. Specifically, he invited me down to the offices of FTF Behavioral Consulting in Worcester, Mass to hang out with all the amazing behavior analysts he works with for the afternoon. During the visit, Greg turned the tables on me and put me in the interview hot seat. He asked me some really good questions about the podcast, and what I've learned from doing it over the last 4 years or so. I've been...
2019-12-0752 min
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaThe Inaugural Inside JABA Series with Drs. LeBlanc, St. Peter, and TigerWelcome to the first installment of The Inside JABA Series. A few months ago, Drs. Linda LeBlanc and Dorothea Lerman approached me about creating an ongoing podcast series that highlights and disseminates the work of The Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. The goal of this series is to give listeners a better idea as to what goes into the studies that end up being published in JABA, and to provide a behind-the-scenes look at how a research study goes from inspiration, to execution, to submission, revision, and eventually publication. So about once a quarter you can expect to see...
2019-11-261h 55
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaThe Ethics of School Consultation for BCBAs with Missy OliveIn Session 101, Dr. Missy Olive and I talk about a topic that's near and dear to my heart: consulting in public school settings. Long-time listeners will recall that I did an episode on this topic in January of 2019. Since then, I've received numerous listener requests to return to this important issue. My colleague Jen Farris saw Missy speak at a conference a few months ago, and insisted that I reach out to her to get her on the show, and I'm grateful for the recommendation, as this episode is chock full of great information for those of us who...
2019-11-221h 41
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaEAB, Behavioral Pharmacology, Addiction, Psilocybin Mushrooms, and More with David CoxDr. David Cox joins me in Session 99 to discuss the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, Behavioral Pharmacology, the use of Psilocybin Mushrooms for the treatment of various behavioral health challenges, and much, much more! David does a fine job describing his backstory, but if you're impatient like me, here is his bio from Research Gate: David has been working clinically in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) since 2006. He has worked with children, adolescents, and adults with diagnoses ranging from autism spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities to substance use disorders and obesity. David is currently a research fellow in the Behavioral Pharmacology Rese...
2019-11-081h 28
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaWhat does Private Equity investment, diversity in ABA, and ABA in sports all have in common? My conversation with Beverly and Kirk KirbyWhat does Private Equity investment, diversity in Applied Behavior Analysis, and Behavior Analysis as applied to sports all have in common? It just so happens that these are the topics I chatted about with Beverly and Kirk Kirby of Team ABA! At last year's ABAI, Rick Kubina introduced me to this dynamic duo, and boy do they have a great story to tell, and I'm frankly quite grateful that they're doing so on The Behavioral Observations Podcast. Along with Rick and Mark Dixon, Beverly was on a panel that I chaired that discussed the role of big money in...
2019-10-301h 36
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaShould you start an ABA practice, with Becca TaggDr. Becca Tagg, PsyD, MSCP, NCSP, BCBA-D, joins me in Session 97 to discuss the pros and cons to starting your own ABA practice. Becca owns and operates The Del Mar Center for Behavioral Health in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and produces and hosts The Business of Behavior Podcast. Becca also founded The ABA Business Builders Facebook Group, which, as of this writing, has almost 8,800 members. So it is with her vast experience in mind that I wanted to have her on the show to talk about her experiences, trials, and tribulations with regard to running a successful ABA practice. This...
2019-10-171h 18
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaA Report on Mass Violence in America with Dr. Joe ParksDr. Joe Parks, the Medical Director of the National Council for Behavioral Health, joins me in Session 96 to discuss mass shootings - a topic that was first talked about on this podcast back in Session 79, with Dr. Merrill Winston. It turns out that the National Council's Medical Directors Institute was wrapping up a lengthy report, titled Mass Violence in America, around the same time that Merrill's episode aired. As such, the council graciously offered to have Dr. Parks joins me to discuss the report's findings.First, here's a little background on Dr. Parks: In addition to serving as the...
2019-10-0150 min
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaBCBA Trainee Supervision with Lauren Kryzak and Celia HeymanDr. Lauren Kryzak and Celia Heyman are on the podcast to discuss the ever-important topic of Supervision! Last spring, this dynamic duo presented a fantastic workshop on supervision at the New Jersey ABA conference, and they are here today to share some of the highlights of their approach to mentoring would-be BCBA's.If this sounds like something you want to learn more about, they'll be reprising this workshop at the upcoming Autism NJ conference, which is taking place on October 17th and 18th. I'll have details for this event in today's show notes, along with the other references and...
2019-09-281h 13
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaPractical Functional Assessment with Greg HanleyGreg Hanley - the most popular Behavioral Observations guest by quite a bit - returns to the show for a fourth time, and this may be my favorite conversation with him yet! In this episode, we talk about the following: Why he started his new consultancy, FTF Behavioral Consulting, How he arrived at the decision to leave his academic post at Western New England University, Why he chose to "re-brand" the IISCA approach - which he now refers to as Practical Functional Assessment, How the PFA model has evolved over time, What should students and practitioners make regarding the...
2019-09-162h 02
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaRick Kubina Returns!I'm thrilled to bring back Dr. Rick Kubina of Central Reach and the University of Pennsylvania. It's been quite a while since he was first on the podcast, so we spend the initial segment of the program catching up on some exciting things that he's been involved with. Specifically, we discuss his triumphant return to podcasting with his brand new show, ABA on Call, and we also discuss the acquisition of Chartlytics, the company he co-founded with Dave Stevens, by Central Reach. Rick and I spend the most amount of time, however, discussing some really cool research projects that...
2019-09-061h 17
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaA Liberated Mind with Steve HayesSteve Hayes returns to discuss all things ACT, RFT, and his new book, A Liberated Mind: How to Pivot to What Really Matters. We begin the show with a quick tutorial of sorts on Relational Frame Theory, as well as it's relationship with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. We then spend quite a bit of time discussing the use of ACT in the context of preventing and responding to staff burnout. We also discuss managing "difficult people," optimizing staff performance, and other aspects of management and supervision. Along the way, we frequently reference A Liberated Mind. To be candid, to...
2019-08-211h 26
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaIn memoriam: Chuck MerbitzWhen I first interviewed Chuck Merbitz, he informed me that he had cancer, and that his case was terminal. You wouldn't know that by listing to the conversation though. One of the things that struck me about that episode was just how positive Chuck was. The day after he passed away, I re-listened to the interview, and found so many nuggets of wise advice that had forgotten about. I suppose the main takeaway to this episode was the importance of working well with people outside of our field. So with that in mind, I urge you to give this...
2019-08-161h 21
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaEffective Supervisory Behaviors with Zahra HajiaghamohseniIf you're looking to improve your supervision practices, this is the podcast for you! In Session 90, I'm joined by Dr. Zahra Hajiaghamohseni, who recently wrapped up her dissertation on this topic. Here's a short excerpt from her dissertation's abstract: The purpose of my study was to examine the supervision practices of BCBA/BCBA-D who supervise precertification candidates and to determine if there were any statistically significant differences between supervisor demographics and supervision practices. An additional correlation test ... was conducted to evaluate for any associations between self-reported frequency of supervisor behaviors and precertification candidates BACB exam pass rate. (Hajiaghamohseni, 2019) I...
2019-08-081h 29
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaMarketing Your ABA Services in 2019 with Rich BrooksMy guest for Session 89 was actually the first non-behavior analyst on the Behavioral Observations Podcast. It's true! Way back in Session 15, Rich Brooks joined me to provide what was essentially a Digital Marketing 101 class. He's back today – over 2 years later, to give us an update on digital marketing trends for 2019. In this episode we cover: Why you should pay attention to Google Analytics (and perhaps begin looking at Google Data Studio) Considerations for advertising on Google and Facebook How to blog more effectively (and why that helps attract people to your services) The basics of getting started with email ma...
2019-07-231h 02
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaABA Supervision, Leadership, and Technology with Ellie KazemiWhat does Supervision, Fire Safety, and Robots have to do with one another? And what does "Skinner as the Bad Boy," mean? Well, fortunately, Dr. Ellie Kazemi, Professor of Psychology at Cal State Northridge, joins me in Session 88 to sort this all out. I met Ellie at the 2018 Hoosier ABA conference, where she instantly became one of my favorite people in the field. In Session 88, Ellie describes how she happened upon Behavior Analysis well after pursuing Psychology as a chosen field, how she's found several novel applications of our science, and how she's developed relationships with scientists and practitioners...
2019-07-031h 01
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaStraight Talk on Restraint with Merrill WinstonIn Session 87 Dr. Merrill Winston joins me to talk about the use of restraints and seclusion in the context of supporting individuals who exhibit unsafe behaviors. Merrill is the Vice President and Director of Program Development of the Professional Crisis Management Association. If you're not familiar with him, I've included his bio right here: In addition to being a PCMA trainer, Merrill specializes in the analysis and treatment of severe behavior disorders with special populations. His range of treatment experience includes feeding disorders, self-injury, severe aggression, language acquisition, and skill acquisition problems. Merrill is a popular speaker at conferences...
2019-06-132h 04
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaWork / Life Balance with Kristen Lancaster and Jonathan TarboxThe demands of being a Behavior Analyst can seem never-ending. Throw in parenting, relationships, finances, personal health/wellness, etc..., and things get overwhelming in a real hurry. Hashing it out at the ABAI bar In Session 86, I chat with Kristen Lancaster and Jonathan Tarbox about this whole work/life balance thing. They share some personal stories about how they've managed to not only survive, but thrive in the face of the challenges of the modern world. This conversation was recorded in-person at the 2019 Association for Behavior Analysis International conference that was held in Chicago. And despite being in such...
2019-06-0645 min
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaA Deep Dive into Precision Teaching with Kerri MilykoMy guest today is Dr. Kerri Milyko, who is the owner of The Precision Teaching Learning Center in Tampa, FL as well as The Learning Consultants in Reno, Nevada. As you'll figure out right away, Kerri is Capital-P passionate about all things Precision Teaching. In this episode, she shares how she first got "the bug" at the University of Florida, and then continues on about how she's using PT today to help children with learning and behavioral challenges. In to providing services to children, Kerri also provides business to business consultation on system-wide assessment and implementation to transform agencies...
2019-05-202h 11
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaThe Front Lines of Parenting with Luis Morales KnightIn session 84, Dr. Luis Morales Knight joins me to talk about his work as a Clinical Psychologist, which, as you may have guessed from the title of this episode, involves a lot of parent training and coaching. Although Luis jokes that he's not a "real Behavior Analyst," trust me, he's one of us. He is the co-founder of the Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Center in Ocean County, California. In addition to completing a clinical psych graduate program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, he also trained with podcast favorite, Pat Friman, at Boys Town. We didn't even...
2019-05-071h 35
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaTech Trends in Applied Behavior AnalysisSession 83 is a roundtable discussion with Andy Chavez from BehaviorMe, Jane Logvinova from ABA Desk, and Adam Dreyfus from AnswersNow. We dive into emerging trends in the application of technology in the practice of Applied Behavior Analysis, particularly in the areas of staff training, data collection, and parental support. Specifically, we discuss the market signals that led these entrepreneurs to create their products, how their ideas have been shaped over time, how they have (or haven't) secured external funding, and how they are marketing their offerings. Throughout our discussion, my guests mentioned several resources and websites, and I have...
2019-04-271h 31
Turn Autism AroundMatt Cicoria: BCBA Supervision & School ConsultationFellow behavior analyst and author Matt Cicoria comes from a diverse background that includes a work-study job in a pigeon lab and work at Auburn University with mine-detecting dogs. These experiences gave him a unique understanding of the mind; now he's sharing that insight, along with skills acquired from working as a school consultant. Matt goes over some great info about self-care and ACT: acceptance and commitment therapy. Matt is also a member of the podcast club—he's been hosting his own podcast, Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt Cicoria, for 3 years.
2019-04-2347 min
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaPracticing overseas, living cultural competence, and scaling services with Beth McKeeIn Session 82, I chat with Beth McKee, wearer of innumerable hats! According to her LinkedIn profile, she holds the following positions:Director of Rehabilitation Services at Guangxiu International Children's CenterCEO of ABA Consulting InternationalBrand Ambassador for BehaviorMeIn this episode, we discuss how Beth got her start in ABA, how she began working in China, and how she is currently scaling services in the Hunan Province region in a sustainable and ethical manner.As we discussed in the show, there are not a lot of BCBA's in China. If you don't believe me, check out this map Beth put together...
2019-04-171h 02
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaABA Beyond the 1:1 Context with Pat McGreevyI am really excited to present this follow up conversation with one of our most popular guests, Dr. Pat McGreevy. In this episode, we start out by talking about teaching more than one student at a time, and then we move on to some of his tips and tricks for teaching waiting skills, how to avoid ratio strain, how to fade prompts, the benefits of cold probes, and more. We close the episode by taking a wide range of listener questions (e.g., "who are some unsung heroes in our field?"), and you definitely do not want to miss...
2019-04-051h 20
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaVerbal Behavior and Relational Frame Theory with David Palmer and Josh PritchardMy original plan was to chat with Drs. David Palmer and Josh Pritchard about the distinctions between the Verbal Behavior, or traditional Skinnerian approach to language and cognition, and Relational Frame Theory. Well, what happened was we had a technical glitch that prevented Josh from joining Dave and me, so for the first 15-20 minutes, it's just the two of us… Fortunately, we figured out the problem, and then Josh was able to join the conversation. So think of this podcast as being presented in two acts. What was great about this conversation was how amiably my guests were ab...
2019-03-291h 30
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaA Behavioral Analysis of Mass Shootings with Merrill WinstonIn Session 79, I speak with Dr. Merrill Winston about the topic of mass shootings. During our chat, Merrill mentioned that mass shooting events will continue to happen. Sadly, his words were prescient, because a few days after we recorded our conversation, the horrific events in New Zealand took place. I suppose the tenor of the discussion would've been more somber if the timing was reversed, and speaking for myself, I apologize if the conversation comes off as tone deaf or unserious. Nevertheless, I have reached out to other behavior analysts who have looked at this topic, and if this...
2019-03-221h 53
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaPBIS, School Mental Health, and Supporting Students with Trauma with Barry McCurdyDr. Barry McCurdy is the Director of the Devereux's Center for Effective Schools. In this episode, we talk about his work in supporting students with significant behavioral challenges in urban public school settings. Barry's primary research interest in the treatment of disruptive behavior disorders has led to several prevention/early intervention initiatives in urban schools including the development of models for school-wide positive behavior support, school-based parent training, and classroom-based behavior management. During this interview, we referred to a variety of people, resources, studies, and so on. I have attempted to capture links to all of them here: The...
2019-03-071h 23
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaQ and A with Pat Friman!Pat Friman was gracious enough to spend a large chunk of a Saturday chatting with The Behavioral Observations Membership Group.If you're not familiar with the group, it is a membership program (think a DIY Patreon) in which about every two months, I bring a former podcast guest on to a Zoom call, and the members get ask their questions directly. We've been doing it for about two years or so and it's a lot of fun.So on this call, we got to ask Pat all sorts of questions, like why he gets up at three am, how...
2019-02-251h 21
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaAdolescent Mental Health, Parent Training, ACT, and More! Session 76 with Evelyn GouldDr. Evelyn Gould joins me in Session 76 to chat about a variety of things, including her work in parent training and supporting adolescents with mental health challenges as a Clinical Behavior Analyst. We also talk about her early training in Behavior Analysis, both here in the United States, as well as in Northern Ireland. I think you'll enjoy hearing how these early experiences shaped her as a clinician, as well as learn a thing or two about how to (appropriately/legally) stalk people you look up to! I had such a good time chatting with Evelyn that we didn't...
2019-02-111h 22
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaMatt Brodhead Returns to Discuss Scope of Competence for BCBAsThe last time we checked in with Dr. Matt Brodhead, he was putting the final touches on his book, Practical Ethics for Effective Treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Well, he's been out on the speaking circuit now that the book has been out for some time, so I thought it would be a good idea for him to return to the show and discuss what he's hearing out in the field as he makes his way from conference to conference. And since Matt has been on the show, The Behavioral Observations Podcast has become one of his mother's favorite...
2019-02-071h 00
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt Cicoria11 Tips for Consulting in Public School Settings, Session 74When things are going as they should, I usually have two to four interviews recorded and ready to go at any given time. However, for several reasons I got behind the 8-ball as the saying goes. And when a recent interview was cancelled I was left without a third show for January. So rather than go without, I thought I'd put out a solo episode, and share some general thoughts I have regarding consulting in public school settings. The timing of this was oddly fortuitous, mainly because I've been thinking a lot about the "soft skills," in the practice...
2019-01-2940 min
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaActively Caring for People Police with Amy Smith WiechDr. Amy Smith Wiech joins me in Session 73 to talk about the implementation of Geller's Actively Caring for People (AC4P) movement in Law Enforcement settings. At its core, ABA is about solving socially relevant problems, and the issue of police shootings, and in a broader sense, police-community relations, couldn't be more relevant these days. If you're not familiar with AC4P, don't worry... Amy breaks it down for us, and if you're still looking for more information, she provided me this treasure-trove of links to additional resources. This session of The Behavioral Observations Podcast is brought to with...
2019-01-1853 min
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaBridget Taylor and Devon Sundberg Discuss Compassionate Service Delivery and WIBA 2019In Session 72, I chat with Dr. Bridget Taylor (of Alpine Learning Group and Let me Hear Your Voice fame) and Devon Sundberg (of The Behavior Analysis Center for Autism and founder of the Women in Behavior Analysis Conference). In this episode, we discuss: Bridget's work in highlighting the need for BCBA's to be more compassionate in their service delivery. Bridget's role in Catherine Maurice's seminal book. Why Devon started WIBA. What to expect from this year's event. Advice for newly-minted BCBA's. Along the way, we referenced the following resources: Compassionate Care in Behavior Analytic Treatment (Taylor, LeBlanc, and Nosik (2018...
2019-01-0759 min
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt Cicoria2018 Year in Review with ABA Inside Track!In Session 71, I join the folks at ABA Inside Track for a 2018 Year in Review. In this episode, we discuss: The passing of influential Behavior Analysts in 2018. Important events in the field, such as the #timesupABA and #dobetter movements. The good and bad associated with the continued growth of our field. Things we're looking forward to in 2019. As a bonus (or punishment) we even sing a few lines from Auld Lang Syne. I apologize in advance... Please do not let this influence any potential iTunes reviews for either of our podcasts! Our sponsors for this episode include: The Himalaya...
2018-12-271h 16
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaConsumer Product Development, Excel Hacks, and Planaria Research?!? Session 70 with Neil DeochandNeil Deochand is an Assistant Professor-Educator in the Behavior Analysis Distance Learning Program at the University of Cincinnati. Since 2011 he has worked as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in both center based, and out-patient settings. His research interests span a wide variety of topics including quality assurance of behavioral graphing practices, behavioral medicine, and he is interested in disseminating decision-making tools to support the professional practice of applied behavior analysis. In this episode, we talk about these areas, but also focused on Neil's work in consumer product development. This should be of significant interest to those of us who...
2018-12-171h 23
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaA TAGteach Primer: Session 69 with Martha GablerIn Session 69 of The Behavioral Observations Podcast, we are treated to a TAGteach primer from Martha Gabler. In this episode, Martha shares how she discovered TAGteach when she was searching for intervention strategies to help her son with Autism. Martha also describes how she used this teaching strategy to reduce tantrums, bolting, and problematic sleep routines. In doing so, she provides us with a nice overview of the basics of TAGteach. If this is something you are interested in learning more about, we have links a-plenty below. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did!
2018-12-0958 min
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaWhat BCBAs Can Learn from the Dog Training Community: A Conversation with Hannah Branigan, Session 68In this episode, I have the pleasure of talking with Hannah Branigan of Wonder Pups Training and the Drinking from the Toilet Podcast. We chat about how she decided to pursue dog (and human) training as a career and what it's like to teach people to train dogs. We then spend a considerable amount of time discussing how to conceptualize and address common behavior problems in dogs. As I note in the show, this is an area that I could stand to learn a lot more about. And if I'm being really honest, I don't spend much time at...
2018-11-291h 44
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaDeliberate Coaching in Public School Settings, Session 67: A Conversation with Paul GavoniOk I get it. You're probably tired of me talking about the 2018 Hoosier ABA conference, but this is the last Indy-related show... at least until next year. My guest today, Dr. Paul Gavoni, a.k.a. "Paulie Gloves," has each one of his feet firmly planted in two worlds: Coaching elite boxers and MMA fighters, and consulting in public school settings as the Director of School Improvement for PBS Corp. From his website, QuickWinsPro.com, he is described as follows: An expert in human performance and organizational leadership, Dr. Paul Gavoni has over 20 years supporting education and human services. S...
2018-11-201h 21
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaScaling Your Agency, Recovering from Failure, and Disseminating ABA, Session 66: A Conversation with Brett DiNoviWell the gift that was the Hoosier Association for Behavior Analysis conference keeps on giving. What do I mean by this? Well, just before he left Indianapolis, I was able to snag Brett DiNovi for a little while and recorded this conversation in the lobby of the Sheraton City Center. If you are on any of the ABA social media channels, you've undoubtedly seen Brett's YouTube channel. However, for those who don't know him, Brett is the Founder and CEO of Brett DiNovi and Associates, which is the largest ABA provider on the East Coast of the United states...
2018-11-1346 min
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaGetting Kids More Active with ABA... Session 65, a Live Interview with Matt NormandDr. Matt Normand graciously accepted my offer to be a test subject for the first live-audience taping of The Behavioral Observations Podcast. In this episode we discussed his entry into the field of Behavior Analysis, his line of research in helping children in schools engage in vigorous physical activity, and his thoughts on the development of our profession. Matt referenced a number of his studies and rather than duplicate them here, you can visit his website, where he has links to many of his publications. I also recommend following him on Twitter. We taped this interview at the 10th A...
2018-10-261h 13
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaLosing 110 Pounds, Getting Healthy, Powerlifting, and More! Session 64 with Jim MooreOK, so to be honest, I'm writing these show notes while on the road after an amazing Hoosier ABA conference (more on that in a subsequent episode or two ;-). As such, I'll be uncharacteristically brief. To risk hyperbole, I think that just about anyone can benefit from listening to this episode. My guest, Dr. Jim Moore, talks about his ups and downs (followed by more ups and downs... and ups) with weight loss. What I like about Jim is that he shares these deeply personal struggles in order to, in my estimation, help others who have similar problems. J...
2018-10-211h 43
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaHow to work well with others... Session 63 with Chuck MerbitzTo say that I enjoyed my conversation with Chuck Merbitz is a colossal understatement. As you will see when you listen to this one, Chuck has a rare combination of humility and wisdom, and he generously shares many lessons learned in his over four decade career in Behavior Analysis. This is one of our longer episodes, and I promise you it's worth listening to in its entirety! In Session 63, we discuss a wide range of topics that include the following: How to teach recovering alcoholic WWII veterans to get dates and find jobs (but not necessarily in that order!). W...
2018-10-091h 27
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaAccreditation for ABA Agencies with Sara Gershfeld LitvakTo paraphrase Jerry Seinfeld, "What's the deal with accreditation?!?!" In Session 62, Sara Gershfeld Litvak joins me to talk about what accreditation is, what the process is like, why it's important for the field of Applied Behavior Analysis to have its own accrediting body, and most importantly, why you should care. Sara is the Chief Executive Officer of the Behavioral Health Center of Excellence. If you're not familiar with the BHCOE, it is... ...an international accrediting body created to meet accreditation needs specific to the delivery of behavior analysis. The BHCOE's accreditation requirements undergo regular review according to international standards f...
2018-09-2656 min
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaThe Ethics of OBM and Coaching School Personnel with Nic Weatherly: Session 61Dr. Nic Weatherly of the Florida Institute of Technology joins me in Session 61 to explore a few areas of Organizational Behavior Management, namely coaching staff members in public school settings, whether Board Certification is necessary for OBM practitioners, as well as the ethical considerations of OBM practices. In our conversation, Nic fielded numerous excellent listener questions having to do with topics such as pay-for-performance, how to get good training and supervision in OBM, and book recommendations for BCBA's who are looking to learn more in this area. Nic is the author of the forthcoming book, Deliberate Coaching, which he...
2018-09-131h 23
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaLet's Talk About Sex: Session 60 with Sorah SteinAs promised, Sorah Stein joins me is Session 60 for a much-anticipated discussion of sex and sex education for individuals with developmental disabilities. In this conversation, we discuss the following: The difference between Stranger Danger and Strange Behavior Basic privacy concepts to teach learners Who can determine a learner's capacity for consent The essential components of sexual consent Distinguishing sexual topography from sexual pleasure We also fielded many listener questions, and managed to touch on a topic that should be familiar to long-time listeners (mainly Precision Teaching, the Standard Celeration Chart, and our friends at Chartlytics). Sorah mentioned numerous articles...
2018-09-111h 32
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaRFT with a little Precision Teaching on the Side: My conversation with Dr. Nick BerensWell I meant to have this episode out before my interview with Steve Hayes, but the timing was such that it made more sense to have Steve's episode published ASAP in case people were interested in participating in the ACT Bootcamp for Behavior Analysts (and if you do decide to go, use the promo code BOP to save $50 on registration). As such, there may be some references in my chat with Dr. Nick Berens about my interview-to-be with Steve. So I apologize for any confusing anachronisms. That said, I don't think the poor timing on my part detracts from...
2018-08-281h 22
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaEvolution Science, ACT, and Behavior Analysis: A Conversation with Steve HayesI had an amazing opportunity to chat with Dr. Steve Hayes, the Nevada Foundation Professor in the Behavior Analysis program at the Department of Psychology at the University of Nevada, as well as ACT and RFT pioneer. He's also written more peer-reviewed articles than I've probably read in my lifetime. In this episode, Steve and I discuss his forthcoming book on Evolution and Contextual Science, ACT training for Behavior Analysis practitioners (including the upcoming Boot Camp that's taking place soon), and the preparation of today's BCBAs. Steve mentioned several books and papers in our conversation, and I've tried to...
2018-08-131h 35
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaJason SImmons Discusses Parent Training and ABA Services in KentuckyLongish-time listeners will recall that we spent some time talking about Clinical Behavior Analysis' approach to embedding parent training in their ABA services. In Session 36, we spent some time with Brandon Franklin discussing CBA's RAPID Skills Training (RST) protocol in great detail. So in Sesison 57, we return to our friends at CBA to do a deeper dive into RST. Jason Simmons, the President and Executive Director of CBA, joins me to talk about how RST was initially developed, and how their organization has used it across a wide variety of applications (and you can find more background information on...
2018-08-061h 05
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaAndy Bondy on Autism, PECS, Speech Generation Devices, and MoreI'm going to cut to the chase: Dr. Andy Bondy and I had such a fun conversation about all things PECS, SGD's, Cues vs. Prompts, and so forth, that I can't wait to hear your feedback on it. Additionally, he was very gracious with his time (fitting me in between babysitting his grandchildren no less!), and so informative on a wide variety of issues we face as practitioners. I would also be remiss if I didn't give a shout out to Andy's daughter (who also happens to be a newly minted BCBA) Lexi for connecting the two of us...
2018-07-201h 15
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaABA Dissemination, Technology, and Marketing with Dave StevensThis session of The Behavioral Observations Podcast features the audio from a Facebook Live conversation I had with Dave Stevens, Co-founder and Director of Chartlytics. I didn't set out to have this be a podcast episode per se, but I decided to publish it as one because this conversation had so many good stories in it, I couldn't help but to share it to a wider audience. You see, Dave comes at Behavior Analysis as an "outsider," yet he was instantly able to appreciate our science, and see applications of it beyond where it's currently used. In other words...
2018-07-021h 00
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaEthics for Behavior Analysts with Matt Brodhead - Session 52In Session 52, Dr. Matt Brodhead joins me to discuss ethics in behavior analysis. Matt is uniquely suited for this conversation because he, along with co-authors David Cox and Shawn Quigley, is the author of the upcoming book, Practical Ethics for Effective Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. In this episode we cover a variety of important ethics topics including: Differentiating between a BCBA's Scope of Practice and Scope of Competence How to work effectively on disciplinary teams Understanding behavior analysis as a cultural system And we even dust off the old chestnut of whether you should accept a glass of...
2018-05-231h 09
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt Cicoria48: Dan Law on Insuring Your PracticeDan Law of the Liberty Company Insurance Brokers stops by the podcast today to discuss all things risk management. To be completely honest, I didn't anticipate that this would be an interesting topic to talk about. However, as we dug into the complexities of what goes into preventing claims, mitigating risks, and the four types of policies every practice should have, I became increasingly fascinated. Even if you have nothing to do with your company's liability policies, you may want to give this episode a listen. Dan also shares some stories about unusual insurance claims that some of his...
2018-03-2657 min
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt Cicoria47: Nick Green Wants You to Get Moving!We met Nick Green back in Session 38, and he was gracious enough to join me for a full length interview in Session 47. In this episode, we go a little deeper into his back story, talk about the cool work that his company, BehaviorFit, is doing, and take questions from listeners about all things health and fitness. For those who didn't catch Session 38, here is a little bit about Nick: Nick Green, is a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) and focuses on improving the health of others through practice and research. His formal education includes: * B.A. Psychology (Purdue University...
2018-03-141h 03
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt Cicoria46: Tim Courtney Talks About EverythingTopics Covered: OBM... check; Supervision...check; Medical necessity... check; Mens' fashion... What?!?! OK, let me explain. Tim Courtney of Little Star ABA joins me to cover what can only be considered a wide range of topics in Session 46 of The Behavioral Observations Podcast. Tim talks about how he learned about ABA by going to the gym, how he got started in ABA with the help of some key mentors, how he joined up with Little Star and became their Chief Operating Officer, and how they are implementing high quality ABA programs across a large number of clinicians and learners. T...
2018-03-011h 31
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaWayne Fisher on Functional Analysis and TreatmentDr. Wayne Fisher has spent decades researching the assessment and treatment of severe behavior problems. In Session 45 of The Behavioral Observations Podcast, he joins me to discuss current Functional Analysis and Function-Based Treatment strategies, his concerns for the field as it experiences rapid expansion, and advice for new practitioners. Here is his bio-sketch from the Munroe-Meyer Institute's website: Wayne Fisher is the H.B. Munroe professor of behavioral research in the Munroe-Meyer Institute and the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He is also the director of the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders at the...
2018-02-141h 13
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt Cicoria44: Kim Berens talks about Fit LearningKim Berens joins me in Session 44 of The Behavioral Observations Podcast in what I originally thought was going to be a discussion about the company she co-founded, Fit Learning. While we spoke about Fit Learning a-plenty, Kim also provided tons of historical anecdotes on the development of our field, the development of Precision Teaching (where she recounted many personal conversations with Ogden Lindsley), and her take on where our field's challenges lie. If you haven't heard about Fit Learning, you'll want to check out their website. Their unique instructional model typically results in 1 year of academic growth for every 40 h...
2018-01-171h 49
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaMegan Miller Wants us to Do Better in 2018Happy New Year!!! I couldn't imagine a better way to kick off 2018. Megan Miller returns to The Behavioral Observations Podcast to inform us of a movement-of-sorts that she is kicking off in this new year. Specifically, Megan is rolling out a multi-media campaign of professional development for 12 consecutive months. She is calling this the "Do Better Movement." And before you get the wrong idea, it's not intended to be preachy or judgmental per se. Instead, it is meant to be a call for practitioners at all stages to strive for continues improvement. This is an idea I can surely g...
2018-01-011h 04
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaPat Friman on Public SpeakingGiven both the guest and the topic, I don't know if I can add much to the title of this podcast episode. Pat Friman is arguable the best speaker in our field. I have seen him present at least a 1/2 dozen times throughout my career, and it is remarkable how consistent the quality of his talks are. So in this episode, you'll learn that this is no accident. Pat works hard at his craft, and shares methods that you can start working on right away to improve your public speaking skills. Much of what we talk about comes from...
2017-12-221h 20
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaRuss Harris on ACT, Burnout, and WellbeingSo one of my podcasting dreams has now come true! I finally got the chance to interview Russ Harris! If you're not familiar with Russ, he is the best-selling author of The Happiness Trap, and has provided ACT training to over 25,000 health professionals across the globe. In today's episode we discuss the basics of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Russ' son's Autism diagnosis and treatment, how to manage stress and burnout, and of course, listener questions. Unfortunately we didn't have time to get to all listener questions, so Russ has agreed to come back for a Round 2. So feel free...
2017-12-101h 02
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaThe AIM Curriculum with Mark Dixon and Dana PaliliunasMark Dixon and Dana Paliliunas join me for Session 40 to discuss the new curriculum they just published, which is called Accept, Identify, and Move. In short, it's a curriculum guide to help kiddos by combining Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Applied Behavior Analysis. In this episode, we touch on a wide range of topics, including classroom interventions, school wide supports, the role of Mark's previous works (e.g., PEAK and ACT for Children with Autism and Emotional Challenges), and even disseminating and teaching complex topics to school personnel. So even if you don't work in school settings, or i...
2017-11-281h 19
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaThe Next Gen Revolution SummitHi Folks, I am on day 2 of not having any power (huge windstorm hit New Hampshire on Sunday night/Monday morning), so please excuse the lack of show notes for this episode. I'll update as soon as I can. So here's the Twitter version: I speak with five out of the seven or eight speakers at the 2017 NextGen Revolution Summit Conference, which is being held in Miami, FL on 11/11/17. It is also available to live stream on the interwebs! If you're interested in checking it out, and you want to save a few bucks, use the promo code MATT...
2017-10-3155 min
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaAmanda Kelly on licensure, social media, and moreIn Session 4 of The Behavioral Observations Podcast I sit down with Dr. Amanda Kelly, BCBA-D, a.k.a., the Behaviorbabe. In this episode, I learn how to properly greet a local in Hawaii, how the licensure laws are playing out across the 8 islands of that state, what it’s like to practice in the midst of volcanos and intermittent water availability, how she developed her online persona, and what not-to-do on social media as a behavior analyst. I also lose count of how many jobs Amanda currently has. If you want to learn more about Amanda, I recommend following he...
2016-04-0355 min