The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt Cicoria Podcast Por Matt Cicoria arte de portada

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 Higiene y Vida Saludable Psicología Psicología y Salud Mental
Episodios
  • Improving Health Routines for Adults with Disabilities Using Synchronous Reinforcement Strategies: Inside JABA 24
    Aug 28 2025
    In this episode of the Inside JABA Series podcast, we dive into a fascinating discussion on health-related routines for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Dr. Katie McHugh, Dr. Claudia Dozier, and Editor-in-Chief Dr. John Borrero share insights from their recent study, Synchronous Reinforcement Schedules Promote Tolerance of Health-Related Routines for Adults with Disabilities. The conversation explores how synchronous reinforcement schedules—where reinforcement occurs in real time alongside behavior—can improve tolerance for essential routines like toothbrushing, bathing, wearing medical devices, and more. The research team highlights case studies, methodological considerations, and the broader implications for clinical practice. Key Topics Covered ✅ Synchronous reinforcement schedules and why they may be more effective (and preferred) than delayed reinforcement. ✅ Applications for health routines such as toothbrushing, bathing, mask-wearing, GPS bracelets, helmets, and pulse oximeters. ✅ Collaborative service delivery with nursing and medical professionals. ✅ Challenges in participant consent and maintaining experimental control. ✅ Importance of measuring both behavioral outcomes and affective states. ✅ Future research directions, including reinforcer assessments, continuous vs. discontinuous schedules, and maintaining treatment effects. Next Steps and Future Directions Editorial updates for broader keyword usage to increase accessibility outside of behavior analysis. Comparing graduated exposure with contingent vs. synchronous reinforcement interventions. Implementing more systematic preference and reinforcer assessments in future studies. Exploring hybrid approaches (e.g., combining graduated exposure with synchronous reinforcement). Collecting more comprehensive data on participant affect and treatment integrity. Resources & References Dr. Dozier's lab website. Dr. Dozier's KU faculty page. KU ABS online and on-campus graduate programs. DeLeon, I. G., Hagopian, L. P., Rodriguez-Catter, V., Bowman, L. G., Long, E. S., & Boelter, E. W. (2008). Increasing wearing of prescription glasses in individuals with mental retardation. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 41(1), 137–142. Diaz de Villegas, S. C., Dozier, C. L., Jess, R. L., & Foley, E. A. (2020). An evaluation of synchronous reinforcement for increasing on-task behavior in preschool children. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 53(3), 1660–1673. Hardesty, E. M., Lerman, D. C., & Hardee, J. L. (2023). A comparison of synchronous and noncontingent stimulus delivery on task engagement. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 56(3), 664–673. Leslie, S. C., Dozier, C. L., Kamlowsky, M. E., McHugh, C. L., Diaz de Villegas, S. C., & Kanaman, K. C. (2024). Using synchronous reinforcement to increase mask wearing in young children. Behavioral Interventions, 39(1), 1–29. McHugh, C. L., Dozier, C. L., Diaz de Villegas, S. C., & Kanaman, N. A. (2022). Using synchronous reinforcement to increase mask wearing in adults with developmental disabilities. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 55(4), 1157–1171. Williams, D. C., & Johnston, J. M. (1992). Continuous versus discrete dimensions of reinforcement schedules: An integrative analysis. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 58(1), 205–228. Ellis, E. M., Ala’i-Rosales, S. S., Glenn, S. S., Rosales-Ruiz, J., & Greenspoon, J. (2006). The effects of graduated exposure, modeling, and contingent social attention on tolerance to skin care products with two children with autism. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 27(6), 585–598. Halbur, M., Kodak, T., McKee, M., Carroll, R., Preas, E., Reidy, J., & Cordeiro, M. C. (2021). Tolerance of face coverings for children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 54(2), 600-617. Richling, S. M., Rapp, J. T., Carroll, R. A., Smith, J. N., Nystedt, A., & Siewert, B. (2011). Using noncontingent reinforcement to increase compliance with wearing prescription prostheses. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 44(2), 375-379. Stark, L. J., Allen, K. D., Hurst, M., Nash, D. A., Rigney, B., & Stokes, T. F. (1989). Distraction: Its utilization and efficacy with children undergoing dental treatment. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 22(3), 297-307. About the Guests Dr. Catherine (Katie) McHugh – Researcher focused on health-related routines and intervention strategies for adults with disabilities. Dr. Claudia Dozier – Expert in reinforcement schedules and their applications across populations. Dr. John Barrero – Current JABA Editor-in-Chief and behavior analyst contributing to dissemination and accessibility of applied research.
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  • Improving Autism and Law Enforcement Interactions through ABA: Session 309 with Lyndsy Coffield
    Aug 20 2025
    In Session 309, I welcome Dr. Lyndsy Coffield, Director of Client Success at Apollo Behavior, to share her unique journey in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and her groundbreaking work training law enforcement officers on autism awareness. Dr. Coffield’s path into ABA began with an undergraduate degree in speech pathology, later becoming an RBT and eventually a BCBA. Today, she oversees intake and marketing at a growing clinic network in Georgia while also dedicating her research to improving police interactions with individuals on the autism spectrum. This episode explores the intersection of ABA careers, autism, and law enforcement training, highlighting the challenges and opportunities that come with bridging these worlds. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Entering the ABA Field Dr. Coffield’s journey from speech pathology to becoming a BCBA.Her leadership role at Apollo and overseeing client success in a multi-clinic system. Understanding Law Enforcement Culture Why credibility matters when teaching law enforcement officers about autism.Parallels between gaining parents’ trust in ABA and gaining officers’ trust in training. Police Academy Experiences Dr. Coffield’s firsthand experiences at a Citizens Police Academy: ride-alongs, call centers, and unit training.Surprising insights into the hidden volume of crime and emergencies in her community. Autism and Law Enforcement Training Common challenges officers face when interacting with individuals on the spectrum.Misinterpretations—such as stimming being mistaken for drug use—and how they can escalate situations.Practical strategies: slowing down, assessing intent, and waiting for backup when needed. Applying Behavior Analysis to Autism Training How ABA principles help officers understand and support autistic individuals.Tips for officers: allowing response time, keeping safe distances, and recognizing autism traits.The Blue Envelope Project and other community initiatives improving interactions. De-Escalation Training in Action A success story from Salem, NH, where effective autism training helped officers de-escalate high-risk encounters.Why calm, compassionate approaches make a lasting impact in policing. Body Camera Footage as a Training Tool Dr. Coffield’s dissertation analysis of 10 body cam videos involving autistic individuals.Key officer behaviors that worked: patience, spacing, and communication.Why both lecture-based training and Behavioral Skills Training (BST) are equally effective. Ongoing Autism and Law Enforcement Research Insights from Dr. Cofield’s dissertation (available on PubQuest).The need for additional studies and real-world ride-along experiences.Encouragement for ABA professionals to get involved in police training efforts. Why This Conversation Matters The intersection of autism, ABA, and law enforcement is a critical area where misunderstandings can have serious consequences. Dr. Cofield’s research and practical training insights provide a roadmap for safer, more empathetic, and more effective police interactions with autistic individuals. Whether you’re an ABA professional, law enforcement officer, or advocate for the autism community, this episode offers practical takeaways and inspiration to make a difference. Resources & Links Mentioned Lyndsy's DissertationThe Blue Envelope ProjectCareers at Apollo BehaviorLyndsy's appearance on The Beyond the Science Podcast This episode is brought to you by the following sponsors: 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.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
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  • Sleep, Autism, and Screen Time: Session 308 with Emily Varon
    Aug 12 2025
    Episode Overview In this episode, sleep expert Emily Varon returns to the Behavioral Observations Podcast to share her deep expertise in sleep improvement—especially within the autism community. Drawing from 15 years of experience, Emily emphasizes personalized approaches, the role of wearable technology, and the importance of sensitivity when discussing sleep challenges with families. She also discusses new research on screen time and its true impact on sleep latency, offering insights that can reshape how behavior analysts approach sleep-related interventions. Key Topics Covered Personalized Sleep Strategies Why one-size-fits-all sleep advice doesn’t work. How Emily uses wearables like the Oura Ring to identify sleep patterns and triggers. Note: check this out if you want to see if the Whoop Strap is a wearable technology is for you. The role of self-reflection and data tracking in improving sleep. Sleep Hygiene in the Autism Community Sleep as a primary reinforcer and the role of environmental variables. Key elements of good sleep hygiene: consistent schedules, avoiding late-night exercise, and structured bedtime routines. How these strategies apply equally to neurotypical and autistic individuals, with additional sensitivity for pre-existing diagnoses. Screens, Blue Light, and Sleep Latency The evolution of research on blue light and melatonin suppression. Insights from Michael Gradizar’s 2024 study showing only a minor, non-significant delay in sleep onset from screens. Why user behavior matters more than blue light itself—and how behavior analysts can address it. Sleep Research Gaps in Autism The distinction between medical and non-medical sleep researchers. Why more targeted studies in autism are needed, despite data collection challenges. Behavioral tendencies—rather than autism itself—as key factors in sleep disruption. Screen Time, Social Media, and Self-Regulation How apps are designed to maximize engagement and reinforce continued use. The impact of device removal on children’s emotions and behavior. Differences in personality and susceptibility to “dopamine hits” from scrolling. Children’s Sleep and Screen Time Variability Why short shows like Bluey may help some kids wind down, while disrupting others. Understanding sleep architecture and how disruptions affect mood and regulation. Real-world examples of activities (like bedtime reading) that can unintentionally delay sleep. Approaching Sleep Conversations with Families The importance of avoiding yes/no questions about sleep problems. Asking open-ended questions about sleep satisfaction. Building trust with families so they feel comfortable prioritizing sleep interventions. Next Steps for Listeners Special Offer: Use coupon code BXOB10 for 10% off The Sleep Collective course at readysetsleep.com. For BCBAs: Replace checkbox-style questions with open-ended ones about sleep satisfaction. Approach all autism-related cases assuming there may be underlying sleep challenges. For Families: Evaluate how screen time may be affecting your child’s sleep quality and onset. Assess whether your current bedtime routines are truly effective. Links & Resources The Sleep Collective Course – Save 10% with code BXOB10 Emily's first appearance on the BOP in Session 247 Michael Gradisar’s 2024 study on screen time and sleep latency Learn more about Emily Varon’s work at readysetsleep.com Why We Sleep, by Matthew Walker Huge thanks to the following sponsors who keep the lights on! 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!
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    1 h y 8 m
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