ABA Inside Track

ABA Inside Track

Wish you could do a better job keeping up with peer-reviewed journals? Why not listen to a podcast where behavior analysts discuss a variety of fascinating topics and the research related to them? Now you can spend your extra time thinking of ways to save the world with ABA.

  1. 23 HR AGO

    April Preview 2026

    April showers are fun, especially after winter snowstorms. Fortunately, we've thawed out a whole mess of episodes for you to enjoy this month including our latest grab bag. But what about the themed episodes? Glad you asked! First, we'll be talking all about relapse which includes discussions of resurgence and renewal (see, aren't you glad you're learning about this?). Then we're joined by Armando Bernal to discuss how PECS could be a key component of building up our support of assent practices. Finally we get real and talk about peer mediation. The kind where children support skill acquisition of their with cues and praise. Not the other one. That'll get its own episode someday. All that and a new LISTENER POLL! Articles for April 2026 Golden Grab Bag (Spring Grab Bag 2026) Loomis, K. Morales, L., Yeo, Y., & Fienup, D.M. (2026). Turning the page: Increasing young children's preference for looking at and engaging with books. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 59. doi: 10.1002/jaba.70051 Bigwood, L., Staples, E., & Sharp, R. (2026). Making preference assessments more acceptable and effective for people with dementia. Behavior Analysis in Practice. doi: 10.1007/s40617-025-01145-x Kaplan, B. A., Gelino, B. W., & Reed, D. D. (2018). A behavioral economic approach to green consumerism: Demand for reusable shopping bags. Behavior and Social Issues, 27, 20-30. doi: 10.5210/bsi.v.27i0.8003   Relapse Shahan, T.A. (2020). Relapse: An introduction. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 113, 8-14. doi: 10.1002/jeab.578 Mitteer, D.R., Greer, B.D., Fisher, W.W., Briggs, A.D., & Wacker, D.P. (2018). A laboratory model for evaluating relapse of undesirable caregiver behavior. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 110, 252-266. doi: 10.1002/jeab.462 Podlesnik, C.A., Ritchey, C.M., Muething, C., & Falligant, J.M. (2025). Different criteria affect prevalence of relapse of behavior targeted for treatment. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 58, 225-231. doi: 10.1002/jaba.2927 Muething, C., Call, N., Ritchey, C.M., Pavlov, A., Bernstein, A.M., & Podlesnik, C.A. (2022). Prevalence of relapse of automatically maintained behavior resulting from context changes. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 55, 138-153. doi: 10.1002/jaba.887   Assent and PECS w/ Armando Bernal Allen, L.L., Mellons, L.S., Syed, N., Johnson, J.F., & Bernal, A.J. (2024). Neurodiversity-affirming applied behavior analysis. Behavior Analysis in Practice. doi: 10.1007/s40617-024-00918-0 Doherty, A., Bracken, M., & Gormley, L. (2018). Teaching children with autism to initiate and respond to peer mands using picture exchange communication system (PECS). Behavior Analysis in Practice, 11, 279-288. doi: 10.1007/s40617-018-00311-8   Peer Mediation Morrison, L., Kamps, D., Garcia, J., & Parker, D. (2001). Peer mediation and monitoring strategies to improve initiations and social skills for students with autism. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 3, 237-250. doi: 10.1177/10983007010030040 Beaulieu, L., Hanley, J.P., & Roberson, A.A. (2013). Effects of peer mediation on preschoolers' compliance and compliance precursors. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 46, 555-567. doi: 10.1002/jaba.66 Grauvogel-MacAleese, A.N. & Wallace, M.D. (2010). Use of peer-mediated intervention in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 43, 547-551. doi: 10.1901/jaba.2010.43-547

    22 min
  2. 25 MAR

    Public Posting

    This week we're going back to the widget factory with a discussion of OBM research related to public posting. But don't worry: You can use this feedback technique anywhere and everywhere! From the classroom to the auto plant to the bicycle track, we review the research to see if this visual feedback technique is worth the tape needed to hang the data on the wall. And, even more important, if the folks whose behavior you're hoping to change are ok with having their performance out where everyone else can see it! This episode is available for 1.0 LEARNING CEU. Articles discussed this episode: Nordstrom, R., Lorenzi, P., & Hall, R.V. (1991). A review of public posting of performance feedback in work settings. Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, 11, 101-124. doi: 10.1300/J075v11n02_07 Miller, B.G., Livingston, C.P., Zerger, H.M., Valbuena, D.A., & Miltenberger, R.G. (2023). Evaluating public posting, goal setting, and rewards to increase physical activity in children. Behavioral Interventions, 38, 105-117. doi: 10.1002/bin.1902 Ayvazo, S. & Naveh, M.E. (2024). Self-monitoring and public posting improve competitive youth cyclists' training performance. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 57, 394-407. doi: 10.1002/jaba.1058 Perrin, C.J., Frederick, A., & Klick, S. (2016). Effects of public posting and goal setting on team performance in a residential setting. Behavioral Interventions, 31, 300-308. doi: 10.1002/bin.1451 If you're interested in ordering CEs for listening to this episode, click here to go to the store page. You'll need to enter your name, BCBA #, the two episode secret code words, and answers to the knowledge check questions to complete the purchase. Email us at abainsidetrack@gmail.com for further assistance.

    1hr 5min
  3. 23 MAR ·  BONUS

    (PREVIEW) The Anxious Generation Book Club

    Enjoy a short preview of our latest full-length Book Club episode.  Want to hear the whole thing and get 2.0 CEs for FREE? Subscribe to our Patreon today at the premium $10+ levels for that plus other bonuses! I don't want to sound like an old grump here, but kids these days with their devices and social medias are in trouble. What's that, you say? There's a whole book that not only agrees with that sentiment, but also has data to prove that the worsening outcomes of the world's youth are likely causal to the rise of social media and constant access to phones? Yes, it's Jonathan Haidt's "The Anxious Generation" and for our Spring Book Club, we've read it and are ready to discuss these eye-opening findings at with our regular crew. Fortunately, there's a lot more here than just evidence of the decline of play-based childhoods since the '80s and the significant rise of depression and anxiety in young adults since the 2010s. We've also got some ideas (some from the book and some from us) as to what we can do to turn this trend around. Rob and Diana put their youngest kid into a tall tower. That's not recommended by Haidt, but one can never be too careful! The full episode is available for 2.0 LEARNING CEUs. Patrons at the $10 and up level, as part of your subscription, you'll be able to earn these CEs for no charge! Subscribe to our Patreon today! Content discussed in this episode: Haidt, J., (2024). The anxious generation: How the great rewiring of childhood is causing an epidemic of mental illness. Penguin Press.

    44 min
  4. 18 MAR

    Social Preference Assessments w. Dr. Casey Clay

    When food and toys just aren't cutting it for your learning needs, here comes awesomely fun social interactions. But which to choose? Wiggle arms? Tickles? There's got to be a better way! This week friend of the show, Dr. Casey Clay, returns to run down options for using social interaction preference assessments. We'll dive into the development process of some of these tools, look at if types of interactions can be categorized by type, and determine if anyone on the show would work for hugs. This episode is available for 1.0 LEARNING CEU. Articles discussed this episode: Clay, C.J., Samaha, A.L., Bloom, S.E., Bogoev, B.K., & Boyle, M.A. (2013). Assessing preference for social interactions. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 34, 362-371. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2012.07.028 Morris, S.L. & Vollmer, T.R. (2020). A comparison of methods for assessing preference for social interactions. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 53, 918-937. doi: 10.1002/jaba.692 Clay, C.J., Samaha, A.L., & Kogoev, B.K. (2018). Assessing preference for and reinforcing efficacy of components of social interactions in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Learning and Motivation, 62, 4-14. doi: 10.1016/j.lmot.2017.03.008   If you're interested in ordering CEs for listening to this episode, click here to go to the store page. You'll need to enter your name, BCBA #, the two episode secret code words, and answers to the knowledge check questions to complete the purchase. Email us at abainsidetrack@gmail.com for further assistance.

    1hr 6min
  5. 11 MAR

    ABA and Down Syndrome w. Dr. Kathleen Feeley

    As the insurance landscape for ABA services continues to open up new avenues for families to search for the best evidence-based treatments (way to go MA!), BCBAs may find themselves unwittingly practicing outside of their scope of competence. Case in point: Working with clients with Down syndrome. So, rather than fall back on the "behavior analytic principles are true for all organisms" excuse, why not dive into the research on ABA and Down syndrome by listening to this week's episode. And, if that's not enough for you, how about hearing directly from Dr. Kathleen Feeley who has been supporting learners with Down syndrome with ABA methods for years. Nothing feels better than building one's competence in a new area! This episode is available for 1.0 DUAL-DIAGNOSIS (QABA)/1.0 LEARNING (BACB) CEU. Articles discussed this episode: Feeley, K.M. & Jones, E.A. (2006). Addressing challenging behaviour in children with Down syndrome: The use of applied behaviour analysis for assessment and intervention. Down Syndrome Research and Practice, 11, 64-77. doi: 10.3104/perspectives.316 Feeley, K. & Jones, E. (2008). Strategies to address challenging behaviour in young children with Down syndrome. Down Syndrome Research and Practice, 12, 153-163. doi: 10.3104/case-studies.2008 Feeley, K.M., Jones, E.A., Blackburn, C., & Bauer, S. (2011). Advancing imitation and requesting skills in toddlers with Down syndrome. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 32, 2415-2430. doi: 10.1016/j.ridd.2011.07.018 If you're interested in ordering CEs for listening to this episode, click here to go to the store page. You'll need to enter your name, BCBA #, the two episode secret code words, and answers to the knowledge check questions to complete the purchase. Email us at abainsidetrack@gmail.com for further assistance.

    1hr 8min

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Wish you could do a better job keeping up with peer-reviewed journals? Why not listen to a podcast where behavior analysts discuss a variety of fascinating topics and the research related to them? Now you can spend your extra time thinking of ways to save the world with ABA.

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