ABA on Tap

ABA on Tap is proud to present a very special, super tasty, full-bodied brew for this episode. It is our honor to host Stephen and April Smith from the 3 Pie Squared--ABA Business Leaders podcast. Dan and Mike were extremely grateful to have appeared as guests on their podcast in November of 2023. Stephen and April cover a variety of topics all under the umbrella of ethically and fiscally sound ABA practice. Their courses and consultation services have proven instrumental to hundreds, if not thousands, of ABA professionals across North America. You can pour this one over several times for sure. It's cold, a bit bitter, certainly sweet with a lot of clarity. It packs a punch--sip, relax and always analyze responsibly. All ABA on Tap brews pair well with cerebration. SO--if you are ready to enjoy the benefits of Magic Mind and boost your brain performance, please use the following link and use the discount code AOT to receive 20% off your purchase, and 56% off a subscription. https://www.magicmind.com/aot

Super craft brew for this episode. Dan and Mike take time to interview a parent, Jess, with her own, very unique experience with ASD and ABA intervention. Jess is a sole-provider with two young children, her youngest on the spectrum. She lends her insight and experiences regarding sibling rivalry, managing extended family attitudes about disability and services, as well as making herself available for said services. Jess gives an honest account of her struggles and better yet, provides an encouraging message for parents given her outcomes. Sip a nice and easy brew in this episode. Cheers to Jess and all hard-working, dedicated parents. Always analyze responsibly. AND--if you are ready to enjoy the benefits of Magic Mind and boost your brain performance, please use the following link and use the discount code AOT to receive 20% off your purchase, and 56% off a subscription. https://www.magicmind.com/aot

Continuing with the parenting brew, Dan and Mike lean yet again on a recipe from Jeremy Brown and Autism Parenting Magazine (link below). As was the case with the first two episodes of the season, the article provides a perfect blend of basic ingredients for cool, crisp and balanced parenting. This episode reviews all tips and strategies outlined in the article and expands to parenting in general, acknowledging that parents with autistic children may face unique situations well outlined by the author. An easy brew for all to enjoy--crisp, clean and refreshing. Always analyze responsibly. Article Link: https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/losing-patience-with-autistic-child/ AND--if you are ready to enjoy the benefits of Magic Mind and boost your brain performance, please use the following link and use the discount code ABAONTAP to receive 20% off your purchase, and 56% off a subscription. https://www.magicmind.com/ABAONTAP

Jeremy Brown, author of "11 Things Not To Do With An Autistic Child," an insightful article easily found online, provides so much to contemplate. that Dan and Mike pulled a second brew from his basic ingredients. To be honest, they simply take ingredients 6-11 from the list for this particular concoction. ABA on Tap is thankful for the author's parenting insight and uses an ABA filter to continue exploring the 'Do' aspect, while honoring the parenting gems in the article. This is a light and refreshing blend, 'thanks' to Jeremy Brown and his parenting wisdom. So get cozy, help yourself to a pour, and always analyze responsibly. Article Link: https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/what-not-to-do-autistic-child/ AND--if you are ready to enjoy the benefits of Magic Mind and boost your brain performance, please use the following link and use the discount code ABAONTAP to receive 20% off your purchase, and 56% off a subscription. https://www.magicmind.com/ABAONTAP

Welcome to Season 5 of ABA on Tap! In an effort to bring more support directly to parents, as well as ABA professionals, Mike and Dan kick off the season with an article review (link below). Right in line with the objective, an article from a parenting magazine about 'what not to do' with autistic children is reviewed for this brew. As has been the recipe on ABA on Tap, whenever Dan and Mike here 'don't', they automatically ponder the 'do' portion of such a recommendation. This episode takes advantage of an excellent resource and article geared toward parents, reviews the highlights, expands the discussion, and varies the possibilities. This is a light and refreshing blend, 'thanks' to Jeremy Brown and his parenting wisdom. So get cozy, help yourself to a pour, and always analyze responsibly. Article Link: https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/what-not-to-do-autistic-child/ AND--if you are ready to enjoy the benefits of Magic Mind and boost your brain performance, please use the following link and use the discount code ABAONTAP to receive 20% off your purchase, and 56% off a subscription. https://www.magicmind.co/abaontap

It has been an incredible run for ABA on Tap in 2023! Mike and Dan take a moment to recap all our discussions and themes. They give some hints about what is to come in season 5. Most importantly, Mike and Dan give THANKS! to all of you out there who collaborate with us and support the show in any way. ABA on TAP appreciates YOU! Enjoy this well-rounded ale and CHEERS to the new year and season 5 of ABA on Tap. Always analyze responsibly.

ABA is often seen as home-based in terms of its service location. While this may at times extend to the premise of 'community,' the procedures and protocols can appear very similar from place to place. However, just like behavior, the environment can have a substantial influence on how ABA can be practiced and implemented. One particular environment that presents clear constraints to practice is a classroom environment on a school campus. That is to say, there are clear guidelines, rules and expectations that point to one set of acceptable behaviors, with little to no margin of error allowed. Mike and Dan consider Mike's recent experiences going back onto a comprehensive school campus to work with students exhibiting challenging behaviors. While as ABA professionals, our content expertise are ready to create and implement behavior plans to address undesired behavior and promote replacement behaviors, schools can often dictate what said behavior plans should include, creating obstacles and unique problems toward effective collaboration and successful outcomes. This salty episode is sure to work up a thirst. Prepare yourself with a nice, tall, cool one and enjoy this important discussion on ABA in schools. AND--if you are ready to enjoy the benefits of Magic Mind and boost your brain performance, please use the following link and use the discount code ABAONTAP to receive 20% off your purchase: https://www.magicmind.co/ABAONTAP

Mike and Dan continue to bubble and brew over the challenges in the field of ABA intervention, and specifically the undervalued role of the RBT. They provide impressions and personal tales regarding their own professional transition from possibly the best reimbursement rates in the history of ABA intervention to a new outfit where said rates will be slashed by 60% and now match the rest of the field. Considering the premise that an RBT can make a more consistent and predictable living working at a fast food restaurant, ABA on Tap continues to examine and explore the role of private equity, insurance companies and behavior analysts in creating and sustaining this current crisis. Sit back, pour heavy, listen closely and always analyze responsibly. AND--if you are ready to enjoy the benefits of Magic Mind and boost your brain performance, please use the following link and use the discount code ABAONTAP to receive 20% off your purchase: https://www.magicmind.co/ABAONTAP

Private equity has entered the ABA services game with great fervor, making a tremendous impact on the field as a whole. In this episode, Mike and Dan take a close look at some 'crisis' elements created by the infusion of private equity and an aim to generate revenue, at times at the expense of the quality of services and client outcomes. At the same time, it can be discerned that ABA practitioners had developed some less than desirable habits prior to private equity, but certainly exacerbated now by the focus on fiscal health over developmental integrity. Moreover, while one would expect private equity to help make services more accessible, this episode also explores the tendency for private equity to turn a profit, then take the money and run, leaving clients and professionals alike with no recourse. This brew delivers a lot of different flavors and aromas, so be prepared. As always, we promise a smooth finish to wrap up this topic and hint at a continuation episode, as their is much to explore and reconcile within this idea of 'ABA in Crisis.' AND--if you are ready to enjoy the benefits of Magic Mind and boost your brain performance, please use the following link and use the discount code ABAONTAP to receive 20% off your purchase: https://www.magicmind.co/ABAONTAP

Continuity of quality service might be one of the most important aspects of treatment with successful outcomes. Quality can refer to a number of variables including a strong rapport between client (and family) and clinicians, built over time with a steady progression of engaging and reinforcing sessions. While case managers are part of this quality service, it is inevitably the registered behavior technicians (RBTs) who share the most time and encounters with client and family. often in the family home. Hence, the reality of turnover of staff, or perhaps the necessity for 'time-off,' can create a semblance of discontinuity in service all on its own. In this episode, Dan and Mike revisit a 'company line' oft used to promote parameters like 'sub' clinicians when assigned staff is unavailable for a session and client as usual--the RBT is 'a service, not a person.' All the while, Mike splits time between being a 'sub' of sorts himself, caring for his 2-year-old while 'mama' is away, as Dan and he analyze the pros and cons of seeing the RBT as a service, and not a person. Lots to analyze in this tasty brew--a hint of bitterness, perhaps a bit sour at times, but it promises a smooth finish. Enjoy all the layers, and always analyze responsibly. AND--if you are ready to enjoy the benefits of Magic Mind and boost your brain performance, please use the following link and use the discount code ABAONTAP to receive 20% off your purchase: https://www.magicmind.co/ABAONTAP

From vertically-oriented wall schedules to PECS to token and choice boards--ABA practitioners love their so-called 'visuals'. In this brewing session, Mike and Dan dissect the idea of these strange technologies to understand what is meant by 'visual,' especially if all parties involved are 'sighted' individuals. Taking the ideas of joint attention and naturalistic strategies, Dan and Mike are able to boil it down to the difference between what can be easily accessed visually in the environment, versus more artificially driven, icon-based, laminated squares. So, grab your favorite libation, turn off the laminator (as its jammed and you're out of laminating sheets anyway), and take a look all around, as you enjoy this illuminating pour of ABA on Tap. And of course, always analyze responsibly. AND--if you are ready to enjoy the benefits of Magic Mind and boost your brain performance, please use the following link and use the discount code ABAONTAP to receive 20% off your purchase: https://www.magicmind.co/ABAONTAP

In observation of Autism Acceptance and Awareness Month, Mike and Dan examine a very poignant and sharp criticism of ABA intervention strategies (link is below). Reviewed exactly as published on the website 'autisticscienceperson.com,' the current brew integrates several points of disapproval, as written by an author that identifies as autistic. While ABA on Tap welcomes a deep analysis of ABA itself and has entertained several detractors before, this particular point of contention presents a bit differently. Mike and Dan are able to diligently identify validity in the author's concern, and more importantly delineate and establish the notion of misuse of ABA, rather than accept the premise of ABA as an inherently abusive, philosophy of the science of both human, and non-human, animal behavior. So, grab a nice, tall, chilled glass and pour slowly. This one begins with some bitter notes up front but, as usual, Mike and Dan are able to guarantee a smooth finish. Enjoy and always analyze responsibly. https://autisticscienceperson.com/2023/03/31/autism-acceptance-week-and-applied-behavior-analysis/

Beginning with one of the most foundational ingredients available for this brew, Mike and Dan lean on hearty handfuls of Diana Baumrind's nominal research on parenting styles from back in the 1960s. Fresh off a healthy pour on 'Parent Education,' it makes perfect sense for the behavioral brew to examine styles of parenting. Many new flavors and 'hints' of different aromas have surfaced over the years---including terms like 'collaborative parenting', or the seemingly harsher but likely misconstrued 'commando parenting.' At the end of the day, Mike and Dan make a case for the basic four styles--authoritarian, authoritative, permissive and negligent--as first outlined by Baumrind, then renovated by Macoby and Martin in the 1980s. Research on parenting styles is robust and reliable, and a very useful tool in effective parent education on how to best employ ABA procedures and strategies. Be aware, this is a very tall pour, much more than a pint. But it's classic, cold and very refreshing--ENJOY! AND--if you are ready to enjoy the benefits of Magic Mind and boost your brain performance, please use the following link and use the discount code ABAONTAP20 to receive 20% off your purchase: https://www.magicmind.co/ABAONTAP

ABA on Tap is proud to introduce Jennifer Stephens, a BCBA and clinical counselor, in this latest installment of our behavioral brew. Jennifer is owner/operator of the Stephens Consulting Group in Kentucky and also a long time listener of ABA on Tap. She took inspiration from our inaugural episode 'Why 40-hours?' and has graciously agreed to join as a guest and continue the conversation. In this episode, you will hear more about considerations toward recommendation of levels of service as affected by client availability, fiscal motives as well as research-driven, empirical validation. Pour a nice, tall, cool one and enjoy---cheers! AND--if you are ready to enjoy the benefits of Magic Mind and boost your brain performance, please use the following link and use the discount code ABAONTAP20 to receive 20% off your purchase: https://www.magicmind.co/ABAONTAP

In considering traditional approaches to ABA intervention and the importance of imitation as a key building block in learning, you have probably heard the directive (discriminative stimulus) 'Do This' as an essential part of so-called non-verbal imitation programs. In this episode, Mike and Dan take some time to examine the premise of non-verbal imitation, its role in more traditional approaches as well as available adaptations to take this practice from the 'lab to living room.' Using the procedures as outlined in published research, this brew encourages an update to these imitation procedures toward a more child-directed, play-based feel and essence. So, 'do this'---sit back, relax and enjoy this refreshing, illuminating pour of ABA on Tap. If you are ready to enjoy the benefits of Magic Mind and boost your brain performance, please use the following link and use the discount code ABAONTAP20 to receive 20% off your purchase: https://www.magicmind.co/ABAONTAP

For this brew, Dan and Mike take time to incorporate some recent events with policing and the challenges faced by said institutions in providing training and support. Given current discussions and criticism of ABA methods and treatment, your hosts draw comparisons and parallels between the ideas of ABA intervention and policing as it relates to behavior management to preserve an acceptable 'peace' in the process, but perhaps more importantly, the goal of protecting and serving. Using the model of parenting styles to create a connection between the levels of authoritarianism appropriate to either endeavor, Dan and Mike elaborate on ideas to promote a less authoritarian and more authoritative tone overall. The discussion is rich in philosophical and scientific premises all the same, resulting in a stout, frothy and very satisfying libation. Enjoy! And always analyze responsibly.

Parents are an integral part of any successful ABA-based intervention protocol. The simple fact is, given a least restrictive level of services, parents should be enjoying a much greater amount of time with their children than the ABA provider is spending. Historically, this has seen a very necessary and natural evolution, moving from the idea of parent 'training' in ABA methods, to the more modern inception discussed here--parent education about ABA principles as they are actively included in all aspects of so-called intervention. More importantly, a constant flow of information on a variety of techniques, strategies and approaches, promoting a variety of actively desired contingencies, all supporting socially-significant behavior, should be ever present. All this is discussed in this installment of ABA on Tap. Sit back and enjoy--and feel grateful for parents all around who strive to offer their children the best available in all aspects of life. Cheers! *Please note we encountered some line 'noise' in this recording affecting the audio a bit--we apologize for this and will address the matter for future recordings. And if you are ready to start your own podcast today, please try Buzzsprout by following the link below. https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=721496

ABA has essentially become synonymous with treatment of ASD, and medically speaking, nothing else despite a wide-array of possibilities. Insurance mandates have now existed in many states across the United States for 10 or more years, but are specific to ABA as a recommended treatment for ASD. In this episode, Mike and Dan guide us through the idea of 're-specialization' for the ABA field, toward greater utility. Specifically, as inspired by Patrick Friman's 2010 publication on bringing ABA to the mainstream, expanding the utility of applied behavior analysis into a primary care role, while preserving and expanding our current expertise, serve as the main ingredients for this delightfully informative and prospectively delicious brew. Sit back, relax, and imbibe this stimulating libation of ABA on Tap. And of course-- always, always, analyze responsibly. And if you are ready to start your own podcast today, please try Buzzsprout by following the link below. https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=721496

What goes up must come down--after a two-part series on the idea of an 'escalation cycle,,' Dan and Mike could only follow up with a discussion on de-escalation. In this follow-up episode, Dan and Mike continue to utilize the notion of 'crisis' or 'assaultive' behavior and its management as a means to better understand and elucidate strategies for addressing day-to-day challenging behavior. While the behavior being emitted by the client or child is often the focus of intervention, perhaps a more important variable is the behaviors or stimuli active around that person and in their environment. Dan and Mike work to explain the key aspects of the de-escalation range of the full cycle and more importantly discuss what not to do as well as what to enact as a parent or professional working to help an individual come back down to baseline. Sit back, stay observant, acknowledge, empathize and ALWAYS analyze responsibly. And if you are ready to start your own podcast today, please try Buzzsprout by following the link below. https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=721496

As promised, a continuation of the discussion on the escalation cycle as filtered through the idea of crisis and so-called 'assaultive' behavior, and further how this model can be aptly utilized in considering challenging behaviors from day to day. While we often consider the child or person emitting the undesired behavior, Dan and Mike take time to include the responder as an active, and integral variable in the environment. Grab a few more ice cubes, freshen up your drink and take another sip of this tasty libation. And of course, always analyze responsibly. And if you are ready to start your own podcast today, please try Buzzsprout by following the link below. https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=721496