ABA Inside Track

To celebrate America's birthday, we're finally giving Jackie her wish and doing an entire episode devoted to puppies.  Specifically, dog behavior analysis.  After a montage of dog pictures featuring sad Sarah Mclachan music, dry your tears to prepare for some summer reading assignments in Errata.  Do you have ideas for ABA Inside Track episodes? Email us! Articles for next episode: Feuerbacher, E.N. & Wynne, C.D.L.  (2016).  Application of  functional analysis methods to assess human-dog interactions.  Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 49, 970-974.  doi: 10.1002/jaba.318 Howard, V.J. & DiGennaro Reed, F.D.  (2014).  Training shelter volunteers to teach dog compliance.  Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 47, 344-359.  doi: 10.1002/jaba.120

Not a day goes by that the treatment and care for children with autism and their families isn't in the news.  Sadly, many recent headlines have focused on the alarming challenges that these families face in looking for effective treatment (i.e., ABA) even with the sweeping changes to insurance coverage of autism treatment signed into law in nearly all the U.S.  Luckily, we had an amazing opportunity to speak to Amy Weinstock of the Autism Insurance Resource Center about this and other topics related to insurance for autism treatment including a discussion of her important role in bringing this legislation to Massachusetts, her ongoing work to support families in understanding their rights under the law, and what all BCBAs need to know about insurance. And if you still have more questions after listening, why not contact the awesome people at the Autism Resource Center yourself?

The hosts dive into the tricky topic of school refusal behavior, exploring its roots beyond mere truancy. They discuss how anxiety and emotional challenges manifest in children, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions. Insights from case studies highlight the vital role of parents and the importance of individualized assessments. The conversation also touches on effective treatment strategies and the complexities of school attendance dynamics, peppered with humorous anecdotes and real-life implications.

So, when does, "Mommy, I don't wanna go to school" move beyond a frustrating way to start the day to a serious problem? Next week, we're talking all about the phenomenon of school-refusal behavior and what you can do to help.  In the meantime we bring up some life-affirming quotes and get a glimpse at Rob's most prized possession. Articles for next episode: Kearney, C.A. & Silverman, W.K.  (1990).  A preliminary analysis of a functional model of assessment and treatment for school refusal behavior.  Behavior Modification, 14, 340-366.  doi: 10.1177/01454455900143007 Kearney, C.A., Pursell, C., & Alvarez, K.  (2001).  Treatment of school refusal behavior in children with mixed functional profiles.  Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 8, 3-11.  doi: 10.1016/S1077-7229(01)80037-7 Kearney, C.A., Chapman, G., & Cook, L.C.  (2005).  Moving from assessment to treatment of school refusal behavior in youth.  INternational Journal of Behavioral Consultation and Therapy, 1, 46-51. Kearney, C.A.  (2008).  School absenteeism and school refusal behavior in youth: A contemporary review.  Clinical Psychology Review, 28, 451-471.  doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2007.07.012

This week we're researching the age-old question: Will I be happier by doing stuff or just waiting for the world to reward me? In behavioral terms, we're discussing whether humans prefer contingent or noncontingent reinforcement.  After going over two excellent research articles exploring this question through the use of the ever-popular concurrent-chains procedure, Jackie and Diana expose their crazy, right-wing politics to assess the U.S. welfare system while our favorite liberal progressive, Rob, watches in horror. Articles discussed this episode: Luczynksi, K.C. & Hanley, G.P.  (2009).  Do children prefer contingencies? An evaluation of the efficacy of and preference for contingent versus noncontingent social reinforcement during play.  Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 42, 511-525.  doi: 10.1901/jaba.2009.42-511 Hanley, G.P., Piazza, C.C., Fisher, W.W., Contrucci, S.A., & Maglieri, K.A.  (1997).  Evaluation of client preference for function-based treatment packages.  Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 30, 459-473.  doi: 10.1901/jaba.1997.30-459 If you're interested in ordering CEs for listening to this episode, click here to go to the store page. You'll need to enter your name, BCBA #, and the two episode secret code words to complete the purchase. Email us at abainsidetrack@gmail.com for further assistance.

You enter a hall full of all of your favorite things.  The old knight of the Crusade beckons you to him.  "Among you are the greatest delights known to humanity.  You may engage in whip-cracking tricks to earn them.  Or, I can give you one every now and again.  You must choose...but choose wisely."  And in that moment, you realize: you should have listened to that episode of ABA Inside Track about whether humans prefer contingencies.  Suddenly, you awaken in a cold sweat and look at the calendar.  "Oh, thank Skinner," you gasp.  "It's only the preview episode! There's still time to subscribe!" Then, with visions of Diana, Jackie, and Rob podcasting in your head, you slip off, back to dreamland.  Articles for next episode: Luczynksi, K.C. & Hanley, G.P.  (2009).  Do children prefer contingencies? An evaluation of the efficacy of and preference for contingent versus noncontingent social reinforcement during play.  Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 42, 511-525.  doi: 10.1901/jaba.2009.42-511 Hanley, G.P., Piazza, C.C., Fisher, W.W., Contrucci, S.A., & Maglieri, K.A.  (1997).  Evaluation of client preference for function-based treatment packages.  Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 30, 459-473.  doi: 10.1901/jaba.1997.30-459

This week we're running the gamut of issues facing older adults with dementia.  We've got an article about hoarding items, an article about running a functional analysis, and an article about making people feel happy.  Spoiler alert: ice cream shops are an evidence-based way to bring joy.  But we could have told you that.   Articles discussed this episode: Donaldson, J.M., Trahan, M.A., & Kahng, S.  (2014).  An evaluation of procedures to increase cooperation related to hoarding in an older adult with dementia.  Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 47, 410-414.  doi: 10.1002/jaba.112 Trahan, M.A., Donaldson, McNabney, M.K., & Kahng, S.  (2014).  The influence of antecedents and consequences on the occurrence of bizarre speech in individuals with dementia.  Behavioral Interventions, 29, 286-303.  doi: 10.1002/bin.1393 Moore, K., Delaney, J.A., & Dixon, M.R.  (2007).  Using indices of happiness to examine the influence of environmental enhancements for nursing home residents with Alzheimer's disease.  Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 40, 541-544.  doi: 10.1901/jaba.2007.40-541 If you're interested in ordering CEs for listening to this episode, click here to go to the store page. You'll need to enter your name, BCBA #, and the two episode secret code words to complete the purchase. Email us at abainsidetrack@gmail.com for further assistance.

We're going beyond our years for next week's discussion all about research on behavioral gerontology.  But first, in errata, it's the return of the language master! And Diana is going nuts for a new eco-friendly straw. Articles for next episode: Donaldson, J.M., Trahan, M.A., & Kahng, S.  (2014).  An evaluation of procedures to increase cooperation related to hoarding in an older adult with dementia.  Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 47, 410-414.  doi: 10.1002/jaba.112 Trahan, M.A., Donaldson, McNabney, M.K., & Kahng, S.  (2014).  The influence of antecedents and consequences on the occurrence of bizarre speech in individuals with dementia.  Behavioral Interventions, 29, 286-303.  doi: 10.1002/bin.1393 Moore, K., Delaney, J.A., & Dixon, M.R.  (2007).  Using indices of happiness to examine the influence of environmental enhancements for nursing home residents with Alzheimer's disease.  Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 40, 541-544.  doi: 10.1901/jaba.2007.40-541

Ever feel like college and graduate classes are too boring for our modern times? Wish there were a way to improve the lecturing experience? Well, you're in luck because special guest Dr. James Soldner agrees and visits the show to share the magic of Interteaching.  We'll run down his research on the subject and get a crash course on how this behavioral teaching methodology can be implemented for maximum effectiveness.  And, no, we're not talking about the awesome, old cop show "Inter-Teach". Articles discussed this episode: Querol, B.I.D., Rosales, R., & Soldner, J.L.  (2015).  A comprehensive review of interteaching and its impact on student learning and satisfaction.  Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Psychology, 4, 390-411.  doi: 10.1037/stl0000048 Soldner, J.L., Rosales, R., Crimando, W., & Schultz, J.C.  (2017).  Interteaching: Application of an empirically supported behavioral teaching method in distance rehabilitation education.  Rehabilitation Research, Policy, and Education, 31, 372-386.  doi: 10.1891/2168-6653.31.4.372 Rosales, R., Soldner, J.L., & Zhang, L.  (2018).  An evaluation of the pair discussion component of interteaching.  The Psychological Record, 68, 71-79.  doi: 10.1007/s40732-018-0269-0 If you're interested in ordering CEs for listening to this episode, click here to go to the store page. You'll need to enter your name, BCBA #, and the two episode secret code words to complete the purchase. Email us at abainsidetrack@gmail.com for further assistance.

Two big things to keep in mind as we prepare for a full-length episode on interteaching with special guest, Dr. James Soldner.  First, we find out the results of April's Autism Awareness fund drive to raise money for Autism Compassion Africa.  Let's just say that we don't think Whitney's school in Ghana will be running low on chairs anytime soon! Second, Rob goes Hollywood and takes the rest of the gang with him.   Note for audio listeners: Do yourself a favor and go to YouTube or the Facebook page to get the full version of the Interteach TV show video.  We really think it's worth it! Articles for next episode: Querol, B.I.D., Rosales, R., & Soldner, J.L.  (2015).  A comprehensive review of interteaching and its impact on student learning and satisfaction.  Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Psychology, 4, 390-411.  doi: 10.1037/stl0000048 Soldner, J.L., Rosales, R., Crimando, W., & Schultz, J.C.  (2017).  Interteaching: Application of an empirically supported behavioral teaching method in distance rehabilitation education.  Rehabilitation Research, Policy, and Education, 31, 372-386.  doi: 10.1891/2168-6653.31.4.372 Rosales, R., Soldner, J.L., & Zhang, L.  (2018).  An evaluation of the pair discussion component of interteaching.  The Psychological Record, 68, 71-79.  doi: 10.1007/s40732-018-0269-0