Podcast Episode: Upgrading Your ABA Intake Interviews: Staff Skills, Systems, and Clinical Decisions with Dr. Kristen Byra

In this episode of In the Field: The ABA Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Kristen Byra, seasoned clinician and founder of Upskill ABA, to dig into one of the most critical—and often overlooked—components of clinical practice: the intake assessment. Kristen shares how standardizing this process through decision models can improve both clinical outcomes and staff performance, while still honoring clinical judgment and caregiver input.

We explore how decision models support newer and experienced BCBAs alike, how they can reduce burnout by eliminating guesswork, and how they build stronger, more meaningful caregiver interviews that go beyond surface-level questions.

Key Topics:

• What Makes a Quality Intake Assessment: Kristen shares what’s often missing from our assessments and how to design interviews that lead to better treatment plans and more meaningful caregiver involvement.
• Decision Models 101: What they are, how they differ from decision trees, and how they can support—but not replace—clinical judgment.
• Bridging Research and Practice: We talk through the challenges BCBAs face in accessing and applying literature, and how tools like decision models bring curated resources and practical guides to the front lines of care.
• Training Through Tools: Kristen explains how decision models double as a training tool for newer BCBAs by prompting deeper thinking and standardizing high-quality practices.
• Caregiver Interviews with Purpose: From asking the right questions to respecting caregiver time and building rapport, we dive into strategies to gather accurate, actionable data that’s aligned with caregiver priorities.
• Scope, Fit, and Clinical Judgment: We discuss how assessments can help determine organizational fit, when to refer out, and how to avoid unintentionally overpromising services.

Key Takeaways:

• Great assessments go beyond checklists. They require intentional questions, empathy, and a clear link to treatment planning.
• Decision models can reduce variability across assessors and provide a knowledge base that supports training and quality improvement.
• Clinical judgment is enhanced—not replaced—by well-designed tools that prompt deeper consideration and offer actionable next steps.
• BCBAs must balance standardization and flexibility while prioritizing caregiver input and values.
• Refusing services when there’s a misalignment isn’t just okay—it’s ethical. But how we do it matters.

Keywords: ABA Intake Assessment, Clinical Decision Model, Supervision, ABA Tools, Caregiver Interview, Standardized Assessment, ABA Treatment Planning, Social Validity, Kristen Byra, Upskill ABA, Applied Behavior Analysis

Connect with Kristen:

• Website: www.upskillaba.com
• LinkedIn: Kristen Byra
• Beta Access: Interested in beta testing the Intake Interview Decision Model? Visit her site or connect via LinkedIn to participate.

Subscribe to the Podcast: Don’t forget to subscribe to In the Field: The ABA Podcast for more insights and interviews with experts in behavior analysis. Visit www.sidekicklearning.net for more resources on fieldwork supervision and continuing education opportunities!

Disclaimer:

BCBA®, BACB® [or any other BACB® trademark used] is/are registered to the Behavior Analytic Certification Board® BACB®. This website and products are not in any way sponsored by the BACB®.

All information and products are for educational purposes only.

🎙️ “In the Field” – Group Supervision Part 2
Hosted by Allyson Wharam

🎧 Episode Overview:

In this follow-up episode, Allyson Wharam dives into how to structure group supervision so it’s not just compliant—but meaningful and competency-building. She shares practical frameworks, specific activities, and answers listener questions about logistics, coordination, and group dynamics.

Instructional Strategies that Work in Group Supervision:

• Peer Presentations
  Let trainees lead on focused subtopics—teaching builds fluency and confidence.
• Case Consultation vs. Case Studies
  Use real cases for collaborative problem-solving or walk through crafted scenarios to guide clinical reasoning.
• Guided Technical Skill Practice
  Bring in BST to teach practical skills like data collection, graphing, shaping, and writing measurable goals.
• Big-Picture Discussions
  Use prompts that push trainees from definitions into decision-making and judgment.
• Ethical Dilemmas
  Practice navigating tricky ethical situations as a group—great for building perspective-taking and problem-solving.
• Research Reviews & Resource Shares
  Have trainees bring articles, tools, or protocols and discuss how they’d apply them.

Managing Documentation & Logistics:

• Tracking Group Supervision
  Keep clear records. The BCBA must document the group session properly for each trainee.
• Multiple Supervisors? Coordinate
  When more than one BCBA is involved, align expectations ahead of time to avoid miscommunication or mixed messages.
• Use Shared Tools
  Supervision platforms, Slack, or Teams can centralize notes, tasks, and follow-ups for everyone involved.

💬 Listener Q&A Highlights:

• “Does the BCBA running group supervision need to be on the trainee’s contract?”
  Yes—if they’re providing supervision, they need to be formally on the contract.
• “How do you follow up on competencies introduced in group?”
  Introduce and model in group, then individual sessions are for practicing and assessing.
• “How do you manage dominating voices or people who are always late?”
  Set norms early, reinforce participation expectations, and follow up individually as needed.
• “How often should group supervision include client-specific content?”
  It should be part of the mix—but vary sessions to include both client-specific and general skill development.

💡 Practical Takeaways:

• Repeatable Structures Make It Sustainable
  Use a rotating menu of activities—like skill practice, discussions, or presentations—to stay organized and efficient.
• Use Group to Build, Individual to Apply
  Think of group sessions as the classroom and individual sessions as the lab.
• Clear Communication Is Key
  Especially when multiple supervisors are involved, make collaboration and documentation a priority.
• Set the Tone Early
  Group dynamics matter—co-create norms and revisit them when needed.

🔗 Want to Submit a Question?
Head to www.sidekicklearning.net/podcast to submit scenarios, dilemmas, or questions about supervision.

📤 Share & Subscribe:
If this helped you rethink your approach to group supervision, share it with your team. And make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next!

Disclaimer:

BCBA®, BACB® [or any other BACB® trademark used] is/are registered to the Behavior Analytic Certification Board® BACB®. This website and products are not in any way sponsored by the BACB®.

All information and products are for educational purposes only.

🎙️ Podcast Summary: “In the Field” – Group Supervision Part 1
Hosted by Allyson Wharram

🎧 Episode Overview:
In this solo episode, Alison War introduces the first part of a two-part series on group supervision in BCBA fieldwork, based on her workshop at the National APBA Convention. She covers group supervision’s definition, benefits, challenges, and strategies.

🧩 What is Group Supervision?

• A supervised meeting with up to 10 trainees, regardless of supervisors present.
• Must be interactive, not passive or individual supervision done in a group.
• Regulatory limits: max 50% of monthly supervision hours in group; at least 50% individual.

🌟 Why Use Group Supervision?

• Reduces isolation, especially for remote or school-based trainees.
• Builds peer networks that extend beyond supervision.
• Promotes professional growth through interpersonal skills and collaborative problem-solving.
• Offers exposure to diverse client cases for generalization.
• Enables development of giving and receiving peer feedback.

🚧 Common Barriers & Solutions:

1. Trainee Variability

• Diverse backgrounds and skill levels.
• Solutions: align content, pair experienced with new trainees, provide pre-session materials.

1. Individualized Feedback

• Difficult in group settings.
• Use group time for general feedback; save detailed feedback for individual sessions.

1. Ensuring Equal Engagement

• Risk of passive participation.
• Use interactive tools (Pear Deck, Nearpod), cold calling, wait time, and limit groups to 7–8 trainees.

1. Supervisor Planning Time

• Requires intentional planning.
• Use templates, send agendas early, group content monthly, and use structured curricula.

🛠️ Tips for Effective Group Supervision

• Develop a repeatable session framework.
• Combine low-prep and high-impact activities like trainee presentations.
• Use practical resources: templates, guides, and skill-practice tools.

📣 Listener Questions!
Alison invites listeners to submit questions or scenarios on supervision, leadership, or training for future episodes.

📌 Coming Next: Part 2
Allyson will cover session structure, activities, and answer listener questions.

Disclaimer:

BCBA®, BACB® [or any other BACB® trademark used] is/are registered to the Behavior Analytic Certification Board® BACB®. This website and products are not in any way sponsored by the BACB®.

All information and products are for educational purposes only.