The How to ABA Podcast

Jenna Mazzillo is a BCBA and the owner of the Instagram and TikTok accounts of ABA Naturally. She’s a special education teacher with 13 years of experience and has also served as a CSE Chairperson, instructional coach, and District Behavior Analyst. Jenna specializes in applying the principles of behavior analysis to classroom settings and implementing evidence-based practices to support all types of learners.Through ABA Naturally, Jenna helps parents and teachers understand behavior. Here, she walks us through her background and what led her to develop her Practical Parenting course. Jenna shares the inspiration behind her amazing social media accounts and how she highlights real-world examples with her own children. We also discuss what teachers need to know about ABA, the importance of avoiding technical jargon, and some of the common challenges parents face.What’s Inside:How Jenna developed ABA NaturallyWhat teachers need to know about ABACommon parenting challengesMentioned In This Episode:HowToABA.com/joinHow to ABA on YouTubeFind us on FacebookFollow us on InstagramABA Naturally on Instagram

Dr. Cody Morris is the executive producer and host of the Behavior Analysis in Practice Podcast. He’s also the Graduate Program Director of Psychology at Salve Regina University, and his clinical focus is improving the practice of behavior analysis. Cody’s research has been published in prominent behavior analytic journals, including the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavior Analysis in Practice, and the Journal of Organizational Behavior Management. Additionally, Cody is the director of the executive board for the Rhode Island Association for Behavior Analysis. Here, we talk to Cody about the challenges faced by ABA professionals and where they come from. Cody shares insights into how our field is in a growth stage and what improvements need to be made to help new BCBAs entering the field. We also discuss the importance of assent and how to properly obtain it, examples of assent in action, and advice for newly minted BCBAs.What’s Inside:Common challenges faced by ABA professionals and suggestions for improvementThe importance of assent and how to obtain itAdvice for newly minted BCBAsMentioned In This Episode:HowToABA.com/joinHow to ABA on YouTubeFind us on FacebookFollow us on InstagramBehavior Analysis in Practice-The Podcast

We’re featuring some of our fellow OG podcasters that have been around for many years—our friends from the ABA Inside Track Podcast! Here, Diana, Robert, and Jackie share all about their backgrounds and how their journeys led them to where they are today. They also share what inspired them to start the podcast and how it’s grown over the years.The team shares the challenges they’ve seen among new grads getting started in the field of ABA. They discuss the changes the field has experienced since they’ve entered the field and how they impact new BCBAs. Our discussion with the team also includes overcoming imposter syndrome, the importance of formal and informal mentorship, and recommended resources for BCBAs.What’s Inside:Challenges for new BCBAs entering the fieldThe importance of mentorshipRecommended resources for BCBAsMentioned In This Episode:HowToABA.com/joinHow to ABA on YouTubeFind us on FacebookFollow us on InstagramABA Inside Track Podcast

Dr. Saul Axelrod is a professor emeritus of education at Temple University. His major interests include applying behavior analysis principles to behavioral problems exhibited by people with disabilities and increasing the academic development of children living in poverty. Dr. Axelrod has served on the editorial boards of several journals, including the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, the Journal of Behavioral Education, and Behavior Modification. He has written numerous journal articles and book reviews. He is the author or editor of Behavior Modification for the Classroom Teacher, Behavior Analysis and Treatment, and How to Improve Classroom Behavior. In 2006, Dr. Axelrod was the first recipient of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s Michael Hemingway Award for Distinguished Service to Behavior Analysis. In 1991, he was elected a fellow of the American Psychological Association. In 2007, he was elected a fellow of the Association for Behavior Analysis. In 2009, he received Florida State University’s Distinguished Alumnus Award, Distinguished Educator category. Here, Dr. Axelrod shares his career journey and how he got into the world of behavior analysis. We discuss bridging the gap between the research side and the clinical side of ABA, how the field has changed since Saul’s career began, and expanding the field beyond ASD.What’s Inside:All about Saul’s career journey and how he landed in behavior analysis.How can we bridge the gap between the research side and clinical side of ABA?Thoughts on expanding the field of ABA beyond ASD.Mentioned In This Episode:HowToABA.com/joinHow to ABA on YouTubeFind us on FacebookFollow us on Instagram

Once you complete the assessment process, it’s time to set up programs for your learners. Here, we dive into how to know whether a program is effective and how to measure progress. As ABA professionals, we take data collection seriously. However, sometimes we might get stuck in determining the data’s purpose, how much data to collect, and what to do with all of the information.The important thing is to figure out what we want the data to tell us and how to make it meaningful. We discuss data collection methods in different environments, how to troubleshoot and adjust to ensure a program’s success, and more.On September 12th at 12pm ET, we’re hosting the CEU event Measuring Progress for ABA Programs: From Baseline through Mastery. Join us to learn about many different data collection methods and how to choose the best one for your learners and programs. Save your seat at the link below.What’s Inside:How to measure progress in ABA programsHow to choose the right data collection methodInformation on our upcoming CEUMentioned In This Episode:HowToABA.com/joinHow to ABA on YouTubeFind us on FacebookFollow us on InstagramRegister for our upcoming CEU event!

Schools require IEPs, or individual education plans, for all students who receive special education services. Here, we discuss how BCBAs should approach the IEP process. We start by defining an IEP, which is essentially a contact between the parents and the school. It outlines what happens throughout the school year and how the student is best supported.The goal of the IEP is to give the child access to the general education curriculum and for them to be the most successful in the least restrictive environment. We discuss how to include accommodations and modifications, the importance of introducing a replacement skill when reducing behaviors, how to best support parents, SMART goals, and more.What’s Inside:The definition of an IEP and its goals for a studentHow to include modifications and accommodationsThe role of a BCBA in the IEP processMentioned In This Episode:HowToABA.com/joinHow to ABA on YouTubeFind us on FacebookFollow us on InstagramChoosing the Right Data Collection MethodsEpisode 141: IEP Advocacy with Annie McLaughlin

Dr. Paul “Paulie” Gavoni is a renowned behavior scientist and leader and has significantly influenced human performance and organizational leadership for nearly 30 years. He’s a director at PCMA, a keynote speaker, and a WSJ and USA Today best-selling author. Specializing in organizational behavior management, Dr. Paulie addresses critical issues in education with a direct, solution-focused approach grounded in behavioral science. He advocates for high performing, engaging environments, extending his influence beyond education.Here, Dr. Paulie shares all about his background and his journey to where he is today. He shares his insights into looking at organizational dynamics through a behavioral lens and the similarities between ABA and OBM. We also discuss the importance of creating buy in from teachers when adhering to behavior plans, the power of internal motivation and values-based systems, tips for BCBAs transitioning into leadership positions, and more.What’s Inside:Why it’s important to get buy-in from teachers and staff Tips for BCBAs transitioning into leadership positionsDr. Paulie’s 5 step process for accurate and honest assessmentsMentioned In This Episode:HowToABA.com/joinHow to ABA on YouTubeFind us on FacebookFollow us on InstagramDr. Paul Gavoni on LinkedInBook – Quick Wins!: Using Behavior Science to Accelerate and Sustain School ImprovementBook - Positional Authority Ain't Leadership

In school, we learned all about ABA theory and principles, but we may not have learned how to write individualized ABA programming. Many of us wind up in supervision or post supervision not knowing how to choose programs after an assessment and write them so students make real progress. Here, we show you how to choose meaningful programs that include teaching across operants for optimal success. We discuss the purpose of assessments and why it’s important to take a step back to identify skills, challenges, and what’s meaningful to our learners and their families. We also discuss how to figure out what’s appropriate to teach, using multiple targets at a time, and information on our upcoming CEU event.  What’s Inside:How to choose meaningful programs and teach across operantsHow to use multiple targets at onceInformation on our next live CEU eventMentioned In This Episode:HowToABA.com/joinHow to ABA on YouTubeFind us on FacebookFollow us on InstagramJoin our next CEU event!

ABA is a data-driven and evidence-based field. The 7 dimensions of ABA are the core principles that ensure effectiveness in each treatment plan. As BCBAs, we had to memorize these 7 dimensions for our exam, but it may have been a while since you last revisited them. Here, we recap each dimension and show you how to apply them in your own ABA programs.The 7 dimensions of ABA are applied, behavioral, analytic, technological, conceptually systematic, effective, and generality. Our walkthrough of each dimension includes real-world examples so you can picture them in action in your own practice with your learners. What’s Inside:The importance of using the 7 dimensions of ABA in practiceA walkthrough of the 7 dimensionsHow to use the 7 dimensions with your learnersMentioned In This Episode:HowToABA.com/joinHow to ABA on YouTubeFind us on FacebookFollow us on InstagramMust-Have ABA Programs

Teaching body parts is an essential skill we must teach our learners. They get hurt just like we do, but often have difficulty expressing when and where they are in pain. Here, we dive into some of the best ways to teach body parts. Sometimes, problem behaviors are a result of our learners being in pain but not being able to explain it. We need to make sure that we’re looking at what they’re trying to tell us and not letting their behaviors cover up their physical needs.The first step is for our learners to name their own body parts and we start by helping them receptively identify them. Then, we move on to labeling those body parts. We discuss how to begin the teaching process and what to consider for each particular learner. We also discuss how to avoid overgeneralization, how to teach body parts to mastery, and how to teach pain through play.What’s Inside:The importance of teaching body parts to learnersWhat to consider when starting a body parts teaching programHow to teach pain through play and modelingMentioned In This Episode:HowToABA.com/joinHow to ABA on YouTubeFind us on FacebookFollow us on InstagramFree Body Parts Program