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The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt Cicoria

The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt Cicoria

De: Matt Cicoria
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 This is a podcast about the field of Behavior Analysis. Each episode will feature an interview with a Behavior Analyst where we discuss a specific topic in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. Some of these topics include functional behavioral assessment, treating severe behavioral disorders such as aggression and self-injurious behavior, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), behavioral ethics, autism treatment, parenting, and the history of Applied Behavior Analysis. Ciencia Ciencias Sociales Hygiene & Healthy Living Psicología Psicología y Salud Mental
Episodios
  • AI, Applied Behavior Analysis, and the Future of Clinical Tools: Frontera Series on AI with Sydney Holmes

    AI, Applied Behavior Analysis, and the Future of Clinical Tools: Frontera Series on AI with Sydney Holmes
    Jun 12 2025
    Behavior Analysis Meets Artificial Intelligence

    In the second installment of Behavioral Observations' Frontera Series on AI, I had the pleasure of speaking with Sydney Holmes, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and master’s level psychologist.

    Sydney is also the Clinical Product Lead at Frontera, where she’s helping bridge the gap between behavior analysis and artificial intelligence in some really exciting ways.

    Did you miss the first Frontera Series interview with CEO and Founder, Amol Deshpande? Check it out here!

    We covered everything from using AI tools for clinical work and content creation, to how machine learning is reshaping supervision, diagnostics, and parent support.

    From Marine Biology to Behavior Analysis

    Sydney has a unique background. She started in marine biology and eventually found her way to psychology and behavior analysis. Today, she’s at the forefront of tech innovation in her role at Frontera, where she combines clinical insight with product development.

    What is Digital Phenotyping?

    One of the more fascinating parts of our conversation was about digital phenotyping. Frontera is using AI to analyze real-world video data in order to track, measure, and interpret client behavior—helping clinicians make faster, more informed decisions.

    Teaching AI to Understand Behavior

    Sydney described the challenges of teaching machines to detect nuanced behaviors like crying or vocal stereotypy. It takes close collaboration between BCBAs and engineers to develop AI tools that are truly clinically useful.

    Enhancing Diagnostics and Supervision with AI

    We talked about how Frontera is helping BCBAs with autism diagnostics, supervision, and quality assurance through smart automation. Their platform supports more efficient monitoring of RBT sessions and helps maintain fidelity to treatment protocols.

    Real-Time RBT Session Review and Feedback

    Frontera’s video tools allow for recording of every RBT session, making it possible to provide objective, real-time feedback. The goal is to support staff in a way that’s consistent and non-punitive, which aligns with what we know about effective supervision.

    Improving Parent Engagement with Mobile Apps

    Sydney also discussed how their mobile app allows caregivers to submit short videos of their interactions with their child. This enables BCBAs to provide timely, video-based coaching and collect meaningful data outside of traditional session settings.

    Advice for Behavior Analysts Embracing AI

    Her advice for clinicians? Stay curious but skeptical, lean into collaboration, and look for ways to use technology to enhance—not replace—the human side of behavioral healthcare.

    Learn More

    To learn more about Frontera’s tools and mission, visit frontera.health. You can also connect with Sydney and the team on LinkedIn and other social platforms.

    Thanks for listening and supporting the podcast. If you found this conversation helpful, be sure to subscribe and share it with a colleague!
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    42 m
  • Supporting Parents in ABA Services with Valencia Harper from Apollo Behavior: Session 301

    Supporting Parents in ABA Services with Valencia Harper from Apollo Behavior: Session 301
    May 29 2025
    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 BehaviorValencia Harper on LinkedInTiny 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.
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    51 m
  • Chronic Absenteeism and School Refusal: Session 300 with Kristen McNeely

    Chronic Absenteeism and School Refusal: Session 300 with Kristen McNeely
    May 14 2025

    Kristen McNeely joins me for an informative discussion about the challenging topic of School Refusal and Chronic Absenteeism.

    If you are in any way connected to a school community, you've probably heard about this difficult and growing problem. As we discuss in this episode, school refusal is an ever-growing concern, and it manifests itself in numerous ways.

    Kristen is both a BCBA and a Licensed Marital and Family Therapist in California, and she spends nearly all of her time working with parents who have children who engage in school refusal.

    In this episode, we cover:

    • The distinction between the terms Chronic Absenteeism and School Refusal.
    • How School Refusal can be thought of as a continuum of attendance patterns.
    • The role of anxiety in these response patterns.
    • Assessing the function of School Refusal behaviors.
    • Helping parents intervene with School Refusal.
    • The importance of wrap around supports for severe cases.
    • How School Refusal can turn into what's known as Failure to Launch.

    You're going to want to listen all the way through to the end because she closes the show not only some awesome advice for the newly minted, but a poignant personal story.

    Resources mentioned in this podcast:

    • The School Avoidance Alliance.
    • Kearney and Silverman (2010). Measuring the Function of School Refusal Behavior: The School Refusal Assessment Scale.
    • SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions).
    • Episode 58 of ABA Inside Track (Interview with Christopher Kearney).
    • Kristen's website.
    • Kristen's Instagram.

    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!
    • 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.
    • 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.
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    1 h y 17 m
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