How 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 his recent research on enhancing data collection in residential facilities
• The systemic and practical challenges of working in group homes and ISLs

Throughout the conversation, Dr. Guercio emphasizes the importance of dignity, choice, and inclusion, and provides practical strategies for training and retaining staff who work in high-demand settings.

🧠 About the Guest:

Dr. John Guercio is the Vice President of Crisis Services and ABA Services at The Arc of the Ozarks. He has over three decades of experience in adult services and is a published researcher, trainer, and advocate for ethical and effective behavioral interventions for adults. Dr. Guercio is also the author of the Staff Training Manual: Staff Training Strategies for Adult Service Settings, and co-creator of a new 40-hour RBT training program specific to adult services.

📚 Resources & Links:

• John's Behavioral Relaxation Training episode (CEU available!)
• The paper we discussed: Guercio, et al. (2025): Blending Staff Preference Assessments and Contingent Reinforcement to Enhance Data Collection in a Residential Facility for Adults with Severe Aggressive Behavior
• Reid and Parsons (2006): Motivating Human Service Staff
• Open Future Learning Facebook page
• The Performance Diagnostic Checklist
• Daniels and Bailey (2016). Performance Management
• 17 Therapeutic Communication Skills
• Dr. Karyn Harvey, Trauma-Informed Supports for People with IDD
• Dr. Paulie Gavoni: Positional Authority Ain't Leadership
• Dr. John Austin on Results (Supervision CEU available)
• Dr. Amy Edmonson: The Fearless Organization
• Reid (1992). The need to train more behavior analysts to be better applied researchers

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• CEUs from Behavioral Observations. Learn from your favorite podcast guests while you're commuting, walking the dog, or whatever else you do while listening to podcasts. New events are being added all the time, so check them out here. 
• HRIC Recruting. Cut out the middleman and speak directly with Barbara Voss, who's been placing BCBAs in great jobs all across the US for 15 years.
• Behavior University. Their mission is to provide university quality professional development for the busy Behavior Analyst. Learn about their CEU offerings, including their 8-hour Supervision Course, as well as their RBT offerings over at behavioruniversity.com/observations. Don't forget to use the coupon code, PODCAST to save at checkout!
• The inaugural ABA CON CEU cruise, which launches on Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas from February 16–20, 2026. Learn more about this cruise here