The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt Cicoria

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 📢 Sponsor shoutouts: Frontera. Consider taking a demo of Frontera's Assessment Builder and see how the ethical application of AI technologies can help you serve clients and save you time! Your first assessment report is free. And if you use code BOP25 you’ll get an additional five assessments for just $100. So head to fronterahealth.com to check it out! 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  

En este episodio, conversamos con el Dr. José Alberto Monseco Gómez —analista de conducta, BCBA® e IBA®— sobre un proceso fascinante, aunque poco comprendido aún por muchos analistas de conducta, en la adquisición del lenguaje: el naming bidireccional. A través de una charla accesible y llena de ejemplos, exploramos qué es el naming, cómo se relaciona con conceptos fundamentales del análisis de conducta, y por qué su presencia (o ausencia) puede marcar una diferencia sustancial en el desarrollo de lenguaje complejo. Hablamos de su relevancia tanto en contextos naturales como escolares, su papel como cúspide conductual, y los procedimientos que han demostrado inducir esta habilidad cuando no está presente. José también comparte hallazgos de su propia investigación y experiencia, reflexiones personales como padre y profesional, y consejos valiosos para analistas de conducta que trabajan con población con dificultades en el desarrollo del lenguaje. Bidirectional Naming with Dr. José Alberto Monseco Gómez In this episode, we talk with Dr. José Alberto Monseco Gómez —Behavior Analyst, BCBA®, and IBA®— about a fascinating yet still under-appreciated process in language acquisition among many behavior analysts: bidirectional naming. Through an accessible and example-rich conversation, we explore what naming is, how it connects to foundational concepts in behavior analysis, and why its presence (or absence) can make a significant difference in the development of complex language. We discuss its relevance in both natural and educational settings, its role as a behavioral cusp, and the procedures shown to induce this skill when it is missing.José also shares insights from his own research and clinical experience, personal reflections as a parent and professional, and valuable advice for behavior analysts working with individuals facing challenges in language development.

Welcome back to the Inside JABA series—this is Episode 23, and it's a must-listen for anyone interested in using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to improve safety in school settings. In this episode, Dr. Jeannie Donaldson and Gabriela Gomes join Dr. John Borrero and me to discuss the paper, "Effects of differential reinforcement and time-out on the unsafe playground behavior of young children" (note: first author, Elizabeth Linton unfortunately was not able to join us). 🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Playground Safety Statistics: The surprisingly high rates of injury during recess and why this matters. Behavior-Analytic Interventions: A review of previous ABA research focused on playground safety and injury prevention. Reinforcement vs. Time-Out: Pros, cons, and ethical considerations when using these strategies in natural environments. Study Design and Results: How the researchers implemented the intervention, what the data showed, and how students responded—both behaviorally and emotionally. Participant Choice & Social Validity: Insights into student preferences and recess enjoyment. Implications for Schools: How schools and practitioners can implement similar interventions and where the research should go next. As you can see below, the intervention package was quite effective: 📜 Subscribe to JABA Want access to cutting-edge research like this? Subscribe to The Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and stay informed on the latest evidence-based practices. 📚 Resources & Research Mentioned: Linton, Gomes, and Donaldson (2025). Effects of differential reinforcement and time-out on the unsafe playground behavior of young children. Donaldson, et al. (2013). Effects of a reduced time-out interval on compliance with the time-out instruction. Chotto, Linton, and Donaldson (2024). Direct and indirect effects of and preferences for feedback during the Good Behavior Game in elementary classes. Heck, et al. (2001). Decreasing children's risk taking on the playground. Schwebel, et al. (2006). The Stamp-in-Safety Program: A Behavioral Intervention to Reduce Behaviors that Can Lead to Unintentional Playground Injury in a Preschool Setting. Peltier, et al. (2023). Effects of and preference for student- and teacher-implemented good behavior game in early elementary classes. 🎓 Earn CEUs for Listening All Inside JABA episodes are available for CEU credit! Click here to purchase and earn your CEUs.

Michal Pollack joined me to discuss how she uses her training in Behavior Analysis to help her with her personal health and fitness goals. Michal is a Clinical Director at Apollo Behavior. In this episode, we talk about: How she got her start in Applied Behavior Analysis. How she found her way to Apollo, and what she enjoys about working there. How she realized that getting fit doesn't require playing team sports, or being an athlete more generally. How spending time abroad during a gap year motivated her to adopt a healthier lifestyle. How going to the gym regularly helped her improve her emotional wellbeing. How she developed grocery shopping habits that helped her eat healthier meals. How she doesn't weigh herself frequently, and the rationale for this practice. We both talk about the pros and cons of wearable devices, and how I use The Whoop Strap (note, this is an affiliate). I want to make clear that during this podcast, it's important to note that neither of us are health or fitness professionals. We're not attempting to provide specific advice for listeners that's outside of our scopes of expertise. Instead, a better framing of this episode is to consider this a conversation between two BCBAs talking about how they apply behavior-analytic principles in their own lives. As such, if you're looking to make changes to your fitness, please consider working with a credentialed professional, with the input of your primary care provider. You can follow Michal on TikTok or LinkedIn here and here. If you'd like to learn more about working at Apollo, you can read about them here. Articles and resources mentioned: Camp and Hayes (2012). Assessing and Increasing Physical Activity. Donaldson and Normand (2009). Using goal setting, self-monitoring, and feedback to increase calorie expenditure in obese adults. Hustyi, Normand, and Larson (2013). Behavioral assessment of physical activity in obese preschool children. The aforementioned Whoop Strap. This podcast is brought to you by: Frontera. Consider taking a demo of Frontera's Assessment Builder and see how the ethical application of AI technologies can help you serve clients and save you time! Your first assessment report is free. And if you use code BOP25 you’ll get an additional five assessments for just $100. So head to fronterahealth.com to check it out! 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! Apollo Behavior. If these Apollo Series podcasts have you wondering about what it's like to work there, check out their current job openings in the greater Atlanta area and beyond!

Sydney Holmes, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Clinical Product Lead at Frontera, discusses the exciting intersection of AI and behavior analysis. She shares insights on digital phenotyping, revealing how AI analyzes video data to enhance client care. Sydney recounts her unique journey from marine biology to psychology, emphasizing the crucial collaboration needed between BCBAs and engineers. The conversation explores the innovative tools being developed, aiming to revolutionize autism diagnosis and facilitate real-time communication between therapists and caregivers.

When it comes to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), much of the focus is often placed on data collection, program goals, and measurable outcomes for the child. But what about the parents? Supporting caregivers is a critical, and sometimes overlooked, component of effective ABA services. In a recent podcast episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Valencia Harper, a seasoned clinician from Apollo Behavior, to talk about her thoughtful approach to working with families. Long-time listeners may remember Valencia from our Apollo Case Study Series, where she and her colleagues discussed mentoring new practitioners. This time around, we shifted gears to focus on her insights into caregiver collaboration—and the conversation did not disappoint. From Smoothies to Strategy: Valencia’s Journey Valencia opened up about her own career beginnings, including a memorable (and messy) first day involving a smoothie spill. That moment, though humbling, marked the start of a journey that led her to become the confident and effective BCBA she is today. Through years of experience, she has developed a deep appreciation for the unique challenges parents face—and a toolkit for meeting them with empathy, clarity, and respect. What Parents Really Need from ABA Providers Throughout the episode, Valencia shared key insights into how BCBAs can better support the families they serve. Here are a few highlights from our discussion: 1. Listening Builds Rapport Rather than jumping into solutions, Valencia emphasizes the power of active listening. Parents often come to the table with a wealth of experience and emotion. Taking time to truly hear them builds trust and sets the tone for collaboration. 2. BCBAs Don’t Have to Know Everything It can be tempting to feel like we have to have all the answers. But Valencia reminds us that being transparent about what we don’t know—while showing a commitment to learning—can strengthen relationships rather than weaken them. 3. Prioritize Parental Concerns Instead of sticking strictly to what the data says, Valencia encourages clinicians to take parent priorities seriously. If bedtime battles or sibling conflicts are top of mind for the family, addressing those concerns can lead to more engagement and faster progress. 4. Clarify ABA Jargon Parents may struggle with technical terms or misunderstand the purpose of certain procedures. Valencia discusses how breaking things down into digestible language helps reduce frustration and builds empowerment. 5. Combat Learned Helplessness Some caregivers come into services feeling defeated or disconnected. Valencia talks about how to gently challenge that mindset and offer small, achievable strategies that rebuild parental confidence. 6. Teach How to Set Limits Supporting families doesn’t stop with behavior plans. Valencia shares tips for coaching parents on how to set clear, developmentally appropriate limits without escalating the situation. 7. Responding to "We've Already Tried That" This common phrase can be frustrating for clinicians, but Valencia reframes it as an opportunity to validate parents’ experiences and reintroduce strategies with better context or support. Inside Apollo’s Approach to Caregiver Training Valencia also gave us a behind-the-scenes look at how Apollo Behavior structures its caregiver support. From structured training sessions to informal check-ins, their model integrates parent collaboration as a core component of service delivery—not an afterthought. Resources Mentioned in the Episode If you're looking to dive deeper into the themes we discussed, here are a few recommended reads and links from the show: Apollo Behavior Valencia Harper on LinkedIn Tiny Humans, Big Emotions: How to Navigate Tantrums, Meltdowns, and Defiance to Raise Emotionally Intelligent Children―An Essential Guide for Caregivers of Children from Infancy to Age Eight. Managing Meltdowns and Tantrums on the Autism Spectrum. Clinical Interviewing, 7th Edition. AIM: Accept, Identify, Move. This podcast is brought to you by: Frontera. Consider taking a demo of Frontera's Assessment Builder and see how the ethical application of AI technologies can help you serve clients and save you time! Your first assessment report is free. And if you use code BOP25 you’ll get an additional five assessments for just $100. So head to fronterahealth.com to check it out! 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.  The Behavioral Toolbox. Check out our courses for school-based and other behavioral professionals, including our newest one, Motivational Interviewing: Getting Educator Buy-In.  

Kristen McNeely, a BCBA and Licensed Marital and Family Therapist from California, shares her expertise on the rising issues of school refusal and chronic absenteeism. She distinguishes between these terms, emphasizing the role of anxiety in children's attendance patterns. McNeely discusses effective strategies for parents to intervene, the importance of wraparound support, and the psychological impacts on families post-COVID. She also offers personal insights and resources to help navigate these challenging situations, making it a must-listen for concerned parents.

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Bill Ahearn, the Director of Research at The New England Center for Children, shares his insights on the complexities of repetitive behavior and anxiety in individuals with autism. He highlights the importance of tailored interventions like Response Interruption and Redirection while navigating stereotypic and self-injurious behavior. Bill also emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary collaboration in behavioral therapy and reflects on his pride in being a behavior analyst. His experiences provide a unique lens into effective strategies and understanding emotional complexities in treatment.

El Estado del Análisis de la Conducta en Puerto Rico con la Dra. Yaniz Padilla Dalmau En este episodio, tuve el honor de conversar con la Dra. Yaniz Padilla Dalmau, una de las voces más comprometidas y visionarias en el desarrollo del análisis de la conducta en Puerto Rico. A través de una charla llena de realidades, aprendizajes y esperanza, exploramos el estado actual de la práctica de ABA en la isla, los desafíos sistémicos que enfrentan las familias y profesionales, y el impacto de barreras lingüísticas, económicas y estructurales. Yaniz comparte no solo el panorama de necesidades, sino también el poder de la acción colectiva, el liderazgo comunitario y la importancia de diseminar ABA de manera ética, culturalmente sensible y alejada de mentalidades colonialistas. Aprendimos sobre iniciativas locales inspiradoras, el nacimiento de PRABA, y recomendaciones esenciales para quienes desean construir cambios reales y sostenibles en nuevas comunidades. Un episodio que nos invita a reflexionar sobre cómo practicamos, para quién practicamos, y cómo podemos hacerlo mejor, siempre honrando la cultura y el valor de las comunidades que servimos. The State of Behavior Analysis in Puerto Rico with Dr. Yaniz Padilla Dalmau In this episode, I had the honor of speaking with Dr. Yaniz Padilla Dalmau, one of the most committed and visionary voices advancing the field of behavior analysis in Puerto Rico. Through a conversation filled with realities, lessons, and hope, we explore the current state of ABA practice on the island, the systemic challenges faced by families and professionals, and the impact of language, economic, and structural barriers. Yaniz not only highlights the needs but also shows the power of collective action, community leadership, and the importance of disseminating ABA ethically, with cultural sensitivity, and free from colonialist mindsets. We learn about inspiring local initiatives, the formation of PRABA, and essential recommendations for those who wish to build real, sustainable change in new communities. This episode invites us to reflect on how we practice, for whom we practice, and how we can do better—always honoring the culture and the value of the communities we serve.

Steve Ward returns to the podcast to talk about a paper he recently published with co-author Teresa Grimes, titled, "50 Practical Ways to Alter the Relative Efficiencies of Behaviors." In this conversation, we review the highlights of this paper, and discuss things like The Matching Law, making desired behavior more efficient in generating reinforcement, making problem behaviors less efficient, and how altering reinforcement parameters like delay, magnitude, and schedules can enhance learner progress. We also talk about the work that Steve does with his company, Whole Child Consulting, as well as a Q & A he will be doing on this topic that's coming up on April 23rd, 2025. Steve is the author of Teaching Good Learner Repertoires, What You Need To Know About Motivation And Teaching Games: An In-Depth Analysis, and other popular texts relevant to Behavior Analysts working in a variety of settings. If you'd like to work with Steve or find supplementary materials on the things he likes to talk about, check out his website, Whole Child Consulting. Resources discussed in this podcast: Ward and Grimes (2025). 50 Practical Ways to Alter the Relative Efficiencies of Behaviors. Ward, Parker, and Perdikaris (2016). Task as Reinforcer: a Reactive Alternative to Traditional Forms of Escape Extinction. Perone (2003). The Negative Effects of Positive Reinforcement. Steve's earlier appearances on the BOP in Session 111 and Session 187. Anxiety? ABA has something for that! (Steve's Behavior University webinar, use promo code PODCAST at checkout to save $$$). Please note that we had some internet disruptions during our recording but I don't think they detracted from the overall intelligibility of the conversation. This podcast is brought to you by: Frontera. Consider taking a demo of Frontera's Assessment Builder and see how the ethical application of AI technologies can help you serve clients and save you time! Your first assessment report is free. And if you use code BOP25 you’ll get an additional five assessments for just $100. So head to fronterahealth.com to check it out! 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.  The Behavioral Toolbox. Check out our courses for school-based and other behavioral professionals, including our newest one, Motivational Interviewing: Getting Educator Buy-In. 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!