Misfit Minute 19: How to Share Difficult Behavior Updates with Families

Talking with families about hard things is part of the job—but it doesn’t have to feel awkward, cold, or overly clinical. In this Misfit Minute, Caitlin shares four practical tips for sharing difficult behavior updates, regressions, or service concerns with families in a way that builds trust and keeps the relationship collaborative. The goal isn’t to deliver “bad news.” It’s to partner with families and open the door to problem-solving together.

🔑 Key Takeaways
• Start with a strength or shared goal 🌱—ground the conversation in what’s working and what you’re working toward together.
• Be direct, but kind—objective language builds clarity without blame.
• Drop the jargon 🧠—families don’t need deficit-heavy or technical language to understand concerns.
• Invite collaboration 🤝—ask what they’re seeing and frame concerns as a shared problem to solve.

📦 Resources Mentioned
• Join the Misfit Behaviorists Facebook Group → https://abainschool.com/misfits
• The Misfit Behaviorists Podcast → https://abainschool.com
• School-Based BCBA & Teacher Resources → https://abainschool.com or https://beltransbehaviorbasics.com/

🙌 Join Us & Share
• How do you share difficult updates with families while keeping trust intact?
• Drop your strategies in the Misfit Behaviorists Facebook Group → https://abainschool.com/misfits
• Share this episode with a teammate navigating a tough family conversation this week

Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists

😍 More, you say? We’re here for you!

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• Instagram | @‌themisfitbehaviorists
• YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists

👋 Find us!

• Audra | ABA in School
• Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics
• Sami | B.A.S.S.

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