The Misfit Behaviorists - Practical Strategies for Special Education and ABA Professionals

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 54: ABA Tools for Tolerance – Haircuts, Doctor Visits & More Apr 15, 2025

Show notes

This week, we’re diving into ABA strategies for building tolerance in real-life situations like haircuts, doctor visits, and dental appointments. Many learners with autism and anxiety struggle with these experiences, and traditional approaches like social stories aren’t always enough. We’ll break down how to desensitize fears, use reinforcement effectively, and teach coping skills to make these essential life skills more manageable.
🔑 Key Takeaways
✅ Meet learners where they are – Start with the smallest step they can tolerate and build up gradually.
✅ Break it down like a task analysis – Even sitting near a hair clipper or stepping into a waiting room is progress.
✅ Use real-life visuals & practice visits – Take pictures, arrange preview visits, and mimic the experience as closely as possible.
✅ Find powerful reinforcers – Whether it’s a favorite toy or a coping strategy, reinforcement helps learners push through discomfort.
✅ Teach coping skills proactively – Don’t just rely on external rewards—help learners self-regulate with breathing techniques, fidgets, or preferred items.
📚 Resources and Ideas
📌 Check out Episode 49 on anxiety!
📌 A couple social stories for young learners that might help: https://abainschool.com/wvvp and https://abainschool.com/13ou
📌 Coping Skills visuals
Join Us...
🎙 Next Episode: Consequence Strategies in the BIP – Reinforcing Success & Responding to Behavior
🌟 Subscribe: Don’t miss upcoming episodes on practical strategies and must-have resources for behavior support!
📢 Share this episode with a teacher, BCBA, or administrator looking for fresh approaches to special education and behavior analysis!
💬 Get Involved: Share your ideas in our Facebook group or tag us on social media. @TheMisfitBehaviorists
📚 Connect: Follow us for more tips, tools, and discussions about all things behavior and education.

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Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists
YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists

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Audra | ABA in School
Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics

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Ep. 53: Teaching Positive Behaviors – Part 10 of the FBA Mini-Series Apr 01, 2025

Show notes

Continuing on in our FBA-BIP mini-series, we're at Step 10! This week, we’re tackling one of the most important steps in behavior intervention planning—choosing the right replacement behavior. Just reducing problem behavior isn’t enough; we have to actively teach what to do instead in a way that’s functional, motivating, and sustainable.
🔑 Key Takeaways
✅ Replacement behaviors must meet the same function – If a student yells to escape a task, teaching them to request a break makes sense. Giving them a fidget does not.
✅ Make it easy & efficient – The new skill must be as quick (or quicker) than the problem behavior, or it won’t stick.
✅ Teach what’s already in their repertoire – If a learner can’t say, “Can I take a break?” yet, start with something simpler, like using a break card.
✅ Plan for sustainability – Reinforcement should be natural whenever possible, so skills can generalize without heavy external rewards.
✅ Extinction matters – If the old behavior still works sometimes, students will keep using it. Staff must commit to only reinforcing the replacement behavior.
📚 Resources and Ideas
📌 Check out Episode 12 on replacement behaviors!
📌 Teaching Positive Behaviors FREE visuals
📌 These Functions of Behaviors social stories might be helpful for your young learners!
Join Us...
🎙 Next Episode: ABA Tools for Tolerance -- Haircuts, Doctor Visits & More
🌟 Subscribe: Don’t miss upcoming episodes on practical strategies and must-have resources for behavior support!
📢 Share this episode with a teacher, BCBA, or administrator looking for fresh approaches to special education and behavior analysis!
💬 Get Involved: Share your ideas in our Facebook group or tag us on social media. @TheMisfitBehaviorists
📚 Connect: Follow us for more tips, tools, and discussions about all things behavior and education.

Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists
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Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists
YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists

👋 Find us!

Audra | ABA in School
Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics

🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

Ep. 52: BCBA in Schools vs. Clinics – Pros, Cons, and What to Expect Mar 18, 2025

Show notes

Join us as we break down the pros and cons of being a BCBA in a school vs. clinic setting, covering collaboration, job stability, workload, and more!
🔑 Key Takeaways
✅ Team Collaboration Matters – Schools often provide a built-in multidisciplinary team (SLPs, OTs, teachers, etc.), while clinics may have fewer collaboration opportunities.
✅ Family Involvement Differs – Clinics typically have more direct parent involvement due to insurance requirements, while schools rely on IEP meetings and teacher communication.
✅ Job Stability & Work-Life Balance – Schools offer predictable schedules, summers off, and union protections, while clinics can have more flexibility but higher burnout potential.
✅ Paperwork & Caseloads – Clinics may have intense insurance-driven documentation, while schools balance IEPs, FBAs, and larger caseloads.
✅ Making an Impact – Schools allow for systemic change across students and staff, while clinics often focus on intensive, individualized progress.
📚 Resources and Ideas
📌 ABAI & Autism NJ Conferences – Professional development opportunities for BCBAs in schools and clinics.
📌 Licensure & Certification Considerations – Some schools require dual certification (e.g., special education or school psychology).
📌 Work-Life Balance & Pay – Important factors to research when considering a BCBA role in either setting.
Join Us...
🎙 Next Episode: Step 10 of the FBA mini-series -- Teaching replacement behaviors
🌟 Subscribe: Don’t miss upcoming episodes on practical strategies and must-have resources for behavior support!
📢 Share this episode with a teacher, BCBA, or administrator looking for fresh approaches to special education and behavior analysis!
💬 Get Involved: Share your ideas in our Facebook group or tag us on social media. @TheMisfitBehaviorists
📚 Connect: Follow us for more tips, tools, and discussions about all things behavior and education.

Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists
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Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists
YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists

👋 Find us!

Audra | ABA in School
Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics

🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

Ep. 51: Antecedent Strategies in Behavior Plans – Part 9 of the FBA Mini-Series Mar 04, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we break down antecedent strategies—the proactive steps you can take to prevent challenging behaviors before they escalate. We explain how these strategies differ from setting event strategies, why they’re essential in a behavior plan, and how to apply them effectively in real-world settings.
🔑 Key Takeaways
✅ Antecedent vs. Setting Event Strategies – Learn the difference and when to use each.
✅ Proactive Supports – Identify triggers early and modify tasks before behaviors occur.
✅ Flexible but Clear Plans – Ensure strategies are individualized and easy to implement.
✅ Avoid Overloading Behavior Plans – Focus on the most effective strategies for each student.
✅ Monitor & Adjust – Track effectiveness and avoid changing strategies too soon.
📚 Resources and Ideas
📌 FBA Mini-Series Episodes – Catch up on previous episodes! 🎧 Start at the beginning
📌 Venn Diagram of Setting Event vs. Antecedent Strategies plus other antecedent strategy visuals
Join Us...
🎙 Next Episode: Pros and Cons of working as a BCBA in the clinical vs. school settings
🌟 Subscribe: Don’t miss upcoming episodes on practical strategies and must-have resources for behavior support!
📢 Share this episode with a teacher, BCBA, or administrator looking for fresh approaches to special education and behavior analysis!
💬 Get Involved: Share your ideas in our Facebook group or tag us on social media. @TheMisfitBehaviorists
📚 Connect: Follow us for more tips, tools, and discussions about all things behavior and education.

Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists
😍 More, you say? We’re here for you!

Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists
YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists

👋 Find us!

Audra | ABA in School
Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics

🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

Ep. 50: What to Do When You Don’t Know the Function of a Behavior Feb 18, 2025

Show notes

Struggling to address aggression in non-vocal learners? In this episode, Audra and Caitlin dive into practical strategies for managing sudden, seemingly random aggressive behaviors. They explore why behaviors might spike, the importance of consistent reinforcement, and how taking a step back can be the key to moving forward.
✨ Key Takeaways
🔄 When to Reset: If a learner’s aggressive behavior escalates, revisit earlier interventions, even if it feels like “going backwards.”
⭐ Know Your Learner: Conduct informal preference assessments regularly to keep reinforcers fresh and effective.
🧩 Consistency is Key: Ensure all team members are aligned on reinforcement strategies and behavior plans.
🎯 Dense Reinforcement Schedules: When needed, reintroduce primary reinforcers on a dense schedule to regain stability.
🌱 Progress Takes Time: Behavior change is a systematic process—don’t rush the fading of reinforcers or supports.
📚 Resources and Ideas
✔️ Caitlin's FREE guide on Function-Based interventions
✔️ Caitlin's resource for functions of behaviors
✔️ Audra's preference assessment and Caitlin's preference assessment
📘 Journal Articles – Some useful articles to check out:
"Aggression in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Presentation and Treatment Options" (examines the prevalence and characteristics of aggression in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder)
"Communication Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorder in Minimally Verbal Children" (evaluates the effectiveness of communication interventions for minimally verbal children with ASD)
📘 Cooper, Heron, & Heward (2020): Applied Behavior Analysis (3rd Edition) for reinforcement and preference assessment strategies.
📝 The Essentials of ABA: Reinforcement schedules and managing satiation.
Join Us...
🎙 Next Episode: Step 9 in the FBA Mini-Series: Antecedent Strategies
🌟 Subscribe: Don’t miss upcoming episodes on practical strategies and must-have resources for behavior support!
📢 Share this episode with a teacher, BCBA, or administrator looking for fresh approaches to special education and behavior analysis!
💬 Get Involved: Share your ideas in our Facebook group or tag us on social media. @TheMisfitBehaviorists
📚 Connect: Follow us for more tips, tools, and discussions about all things behavior and education.

Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists
😍 More, you say? We’re here for you!

Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists
YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists

👋 Find us!

Audra | ABA in School
Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics

🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

Ep. 49: Understanding and Addressing Anxiety in Autism – Strategies for Special Education Feb 04, 2025

Show notes

This episode explores the intersection of autism and anxiety, highlighting how to identify and address anxiety-driven behaviors in students with autism through evidence-based, student-centered approaches.
✨ Key Takeaways
✔️ We address a recent Facebook group question about trichotillomania and anxiety.
✔️ Recognizing Anxiety in Autism: Girls with autism often exhibit higher levels of social anxiety due to heightened awareness of social differences.
✔️ The Evolution of ABA: 20 years ago, internal events like anxiety were often ignored in behavior analysis. Today, there's a stronger focus on addressing underlying causes.
✔️ Avoid the "Whack-a-Mole" Game: Replacing a behavior without addressing the root issue can lead to other problem behaviors emerging.
✔️ Strategies That Work: Combine behavioral interventions (like DRI) with approaches that reduce anxiety triggers and stressors.
📚 Resources and Ideas
✔️ Grab the free anxiety visuals here
✔️ See the Calm Corner visuals to support your classroom here
📘 Journal Articles – Some useful articles to check out:
An update on anxiety in youth with autism spectrum disorders (reviews recent evidence regarding the characteristics, assessment, and treatment of anxiety in youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders)
Anxiety in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Clinical Characteristics and the Role of the Family (examines anxiety disorders as common psychiatric comorbidities in children and adolescents with ASD)
🌐 Find Dana at High Ground Divorces
Join Us...
🎙 Next Episode: Figuring out the function of a behavior when it's tricky!
🌟 Subscribe: Don’t miss upcoming episodes on practical strategies and must-have resources for behavior support!
📢 Share this episode with a teacher, BCBA, or administrator looking for fresh approaches to special education and behavior analysis!
💬 Get Involved: Share your ideas in our Facebook group or tag us on social media. @TheMisfitBehaviorists
📚 Connect: Follow us for more tips, tools, and discussions about all things behavior and education.

Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists
😍 More, you say? We’re here for you!

Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists
YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists

👋 Find us!

Audra | ABA in School
Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics

🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

Ep. 48: How to Create Effective Classroom Schedules for Special Education and ABA Settings Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

Creating a classroom schedule for special education and ABA settings can feel like solving a puzzle! In this episode, Caitlin and Audra share their strategies, tips, and tricks to make scheduling manageable and effective for students and staff. From color-coding and post-it notes to balancing para rotations, this episode will help you build a flexible schedule that works for everyone.
✨ Key Takeaways
🕒 Start with the non-negotiables: Plot out staff lunch breaks, student lunch, therapy schedules, and specials first.
🎨 Color-code by staff: Use colors to keep track of assignments and spot errors easily.
🔄 Rotate paras regularly: Avoid over-familiarity or burnout by switching up para-student pairings.
📋 Be flexible: Expect schedules to change often, especially in the first few weeks.
✨ Communicate clearly: Share schedules with paras and provide opportunities for feedback.
📚 Resources and Ideas
🗂 Master Schedule Template: Use a weekly layout to plan periods and staff rotations.
🖍 Color-Coding Tools: Grab some highlighters, clipboards, post-its, or digital apps for visual organization.
📑 Para Schedules: Provide individual schedules for easy reference (bonus tip: shrink for lanyards!).
🧩 “Busy Bin” Ideas: Keep extra prep materials handy for unexpected downtime.
Join Us...
🎙 Next Episode: More FBA/BIP planning coming soon!
🌟 Subscribe: Don’t miss upcoming episodes on practical strategies and must-have resources for behavior support!
📢 Share this episode with a teacher, BCBA, or administrator looking for fresh approaches to special education and behavior analysis!
💬 Get Involved: Share your ideas in our Facebook group or tag us on social media. @TheMisfitBehaviorists
📚 Connect: Follow us for more tips, tools, and discussions about all things behavior and education.

Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists
😍 More, you say? We’re here for you!

Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists
YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists

👋 Find us!

Audra | ABA in School
Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics

🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

Ep. 47: Managing Paras in Special Education: Building Teamwork, Accountability, and Clear Boundaries Jan 07, 2025

Show notes

Working with paras in special education classrooms can be both rewarding and challenging. In this episode, Audra and Caitlin share practical strategies for creating a positive, productive environment for paras, fostering teamwork, and addressing common issues like problem behaviors and resistance to change.
✨ Key Takeaways

📝 Set clear expectations: Overcommunicate and provide written resources like para binders for clarity.
🌟 Acknowledge strengths: Reinforce and assign tasks that align with your paras' skills while preventing burnout.
🛑 Address issues early: Redirect problem behaviors quickly and document actions for accountability.
🤝 Respect and teamwork: Approach paras with respect and encourage collaboration through team-building activities.
🔄 Support growth: Provide feedback, training, and creative solutions to address challenges like cliques or inexperience.

📚 Resources

🖼️ FREE Visuals from the episode today
🗂 Caitlin's Staff Training & Para Binder: This bundle includes the perfect professional development resources to help staff feel prepared to accommodate these learners.
🎥 Modeling Techniques: Use in-class opportunities to demonstrate best practices for paras.
📋 Documentation Tips: Track issues and interventions for clarity and communication with admin.
🤗 Random Acts of Gratitude: Small gestures, like bagels or coffee, can boost team morale.
💬 Join Our Facebook Group: Connect with us and share your experiences at The Misfit Behaviorists.

Join Us...
🎙 Next Episode: Setting up special education schedules!
🌟 Subscribe: Don’t miss upcoming episodes on practical strategies and must-have resources for behavior support!
📢 Share this episode with a teacher, BCBA, or administrator looking for fresh approaches to special education and behavior analysis!
💬 Get Involved: Share your ideas in our Facebook group or tag us on social media. @TheMisfitBehaviorists
📚 Connect: Follow us for more tips, tools, and discussions about all things behavior and education.
#abaclassroom #specialeducation #autismresources #abatherapy #behavioranalysis #teacherpodcast

Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists
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Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists
YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists

👋 Find us!

Audra | ABA in School
Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics

🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

Ep. 46: Reverse Inclusion in Special Education – Building Peer Connections and Social Skills Dec 17, 2024

Show notes

What if inclusion didn’t just mean “pushing students in” but also “inviting peers in”? In this episode, we chat with Megan Stenziano from Moms Managing Behavior about a game-changing approach called reverse inclusion. From lunch and recess to peer buddy programs and after-school activities, Megan walks us through how her school created inclusive, meaningful social opportunities for all students. We discuss creative ideas, practical solutions, and even a program so popular it had parents saying, “It’s harder to get into than Taylor Swift tickets!” 🎟️ Don't miss this one!
✨ Key Takeaways
📢 What is Reverse Inclusion? — It’s when general education students join self-contained classrooms to create more comfortable and familiar spaces for students with disabilities.
💡 Why It Works:
✔️ Students feel at ease in their "home turf" classrooms.
✔️ Tools, supports, and sensory needs are already in place.
✔️ Less stress from big transitions to noisy, unfamiliar spaces.
We talk about:
🤝 Peer Buddy Programs
🎨 Creative Inclusion Ideas
📈 How to Get Admin Buy-In
🧠 Take Data for Better Decisions
💪 Pro Tips for Starting Small
Ideas for Reverse Inclusion Activities:
ABA Art & Gym Specials — Invite related arts teachers to teach lessons in self-contained classrooms.
After-School Clubs — Sensory crafts, bead-making labs, and social skills clubs are all big hits.
Peer Lunch Buddies — Pair gen ed students with ABA students at lunch for more socialization.
📚 Resources
Here are the tools, people, and strategies mentioned in this episode:
Moms Managing Behavior — Learn more about Megan’s work supporting schools and families:
🌐 MomsManagingBehavior.com
📸 Instagram: @MomsManagingBehavior
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/momsmanagingbehavior
Join Us...
🌟 Subscribe: Don’t miss upcoming episodes on practical strategies and must-have resources for behavior support!
📢 Share this episode with a teacher, BCBA, or administrator looking for fresh approaches to inclusion!
💬 Get Involved: Share your best inclusion ideas in our Facebook group or tag us on social media. @TheMisfitBehaviorists
📚 Connect: Follow us for more tips, tools, and discussions about all things behavior and education.
Join the conversation on all things behavior analysis and special education support!
Instagram 📸 @TheMisfitBehaviorists
📣Join the Facebook group where we post show notes, freebies, and discuss episodes!
YouTube 🎥 https://www.youtube.com/@themisfitbehaviorists#abaclassroom
For more tips, tricks, and support you can find Caitlin at https://beltransbehaviorbasics.com and Audra at https://abainschool.com.

Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists
😍 More, you say? We’re here for you!

Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists
YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists

👋 Find us!

Audra | ABA in School
Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics

🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

Ep. 45: Must-Read Behavior Books for Teachers and BCBAs Dec 10, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, we’re sharing some of our favorite behavior books for teachers, BCBAs, and parents. From foundational ABA classics to practical sensory guides, we’ll explore resources that equip you with tools to better support your learners!
🎯 Key Takeaways
📚 Build Your Behavior Toolkit: The right books can equip parents, teachers, and behavior analysts with actionable strategies.
🧠 Diverse Perspectives: From ABA foundations to sensory needs, there's something for every professional and parent.
💡 Practical Insights: Books like The Behavior Code and Let Me Hear Your Voice offer real-world advice for navigating challenging behaviors.
🛠️ Accessible Formats: Whether it's quick-reference guides or in-depth reads, these resources are designed to be user-friendly and impactful.
🤝 Validation and Connection: Books can help professionals and parents feel understood while learning how to better support their learners.
📖 Books We Discussed
Let Me Hear Your Voice by Catherine Maurice
A foundational ABA resource for parents navigating early autism diagnoses.
Understanding Your Child’s Sensory Signals by Angie Voss
A quick-reference guide for identifying and addressing sensory challenges.
Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
Learn negotiation tactics that translate to managing tough behaviors.
Get 4 quick tips for teachers I created from this book
ABA Visual Language by Makoto Shibutani
Simplifies complex ABA terms with visuals and easy-to-understand explanations.
The Behavior Code by Jessica Minahan
A must-read for understanding and supporting students with anxiety, defiance, or withdrawn behaviors.
Join Us...
🌟 Subscribe: Don’t miss upcoming episodes on practical strategies and must-have resources for behavior support!
💬 Get Involved: Share your favorite books and resources in our Facebook group or tag us on social media. @TheMisfitBehaviorists
📚 Connect: Follow us for more tips, tools, and discussions about all things behavior and education.
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