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

Audra Jensen, Caitlin Beltran, Sami Brown
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Are you a teacher looking for support with students with diverse needs or behavior management in the classroom? Tune into The Misfit Behaviorists podcast, hosted by Caitlin Beltran, Audra Jensen, and Sami Brown, three BCBAs (and two special education teachers), as they bring you actionable tips to behavior reduction and skill acquisition. Listen to evidence-based strategies with a student-centered focus as they share practical advice for special education teachers, behavior support teachers, BCBAs, and ABA professionals.  Whether you're seeking advice or just want to laugh, new to the field or a veteran looking for a fresh perspective, tune in for this unique blend of professional expertise and real-life experience. Weekly episodes will be concise, because we know your time is limited! Don’t miss it!  Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: https://abainschool.com/misfits 😍 More, you say? We’re here for you! Apple podcast | abainschool.com/misfitsonappleInstagram | @themisfitbehavioristsYouTube | @themisfitbehaviorists👋 Find us! Audra | abainschool.comCaitlin | beltransbehaviorbasics.comSami | behavioranalyticsupport.com🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

  1. Misfit Minute 21: Handling Staff Pushback with Curiosity Instead of Control

    14H AGO

    Misfit Minute 21: Handling Staff Pushback with Curiosity Instead of Control

    Staff pushback happens. Eye rolls, sighs, and the dreaded “we already tried that” can make even the calmest team lead feel defensive. In this Misfit Minute, Caitlin talks about shifting from control to curiosity when staff resist new strategies and how asking the right questions builds trust, buy-in, and stronger teams. 🔑 Key Takeaways • Staff pushback often comes from burnout or feeling unheard 😮‍💨—not resistance for the sake of resistance. • Curiosity beats control 🔍—asking “What didn’t work last time?” opens the door to real insight. • You don’t lose authority by asking questions 💬—you gain collaboration. • Empathy creates buy-in 🤍—acknowledging that new strategies feel hard reduces defensiveness. • Modeling flexibility invites flexibility 🔄—your tone sets the tone. • “We’re in this together” builds teams that grow with you, not against you 🤝 📦 Resources to check out • Join the Misfit Behaviorists Facebook Group → https://abainschool.com/misfits 🙌 Join Us & Share • How do you respond when staff push back? • What questions have helped you build buy-in? • Share your experiences in the Misfit Behaviorists Facebook Group 💬 • Know a BCBA or teacher navigating staff resistance? Send them this Misfit Minute 💙 Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists 😍 More, you say? We’re here for you! Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists Instagram | @‌themisfitbehaviorists YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists 👋 Find us! Audra | ABA in School Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics Sami | B.A.S.S. 🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

    2 min
  2. Ep. 73: Five Easy Social Games for Preschool and Special Education Classrooms

    FEB 3

    Ep. 73: Five Easy Social Games for Preschool and Special Education Classrooms

    Sometimes you just need five minutes, not a full lesson plan. In this episode, Audra and Caitlin share five simple social games you can pull out during transitions, brain breaks, or those in-between moments when it’s not time for intensive instruction but kids still need structure. These low-prep “pocket-size” games are designed for preschool, kindergarten, and special education classrooms and can be easily adapted for small groups or social skills instruction. 🔑 Key Takeaways • Not every moment needs intensive teaching ⏱️—quick social games can reconnect and regulate learners. • Keep games flexible 🧩—adjust group size, prompts, and structure based on your students. • Emotions games build more than feelings vocabulary 😊—they support imitation, perspective-taking, and joint attention. • Partner games encourage natural peer interaction 🤝—without over-prompting or pressure. • Structured silliness matters 🎲—play with clear expectations supports engagement and cooperation. • Filler time doesn’t have to feel chaotic 🔄—having go-to games reduces stress for students and staff. 📦 Resources Mentioned • Simple Social Games ideas FREEBIE → https://abainschool.com/urve • Related Episodes: How to Run Social Groups → https://abainschool.com/ep62 • Misfit Behaviorists Facebook Group → https://abainschool.com/misfits 🙌 Join Us & Share • What are your go-to quick social games or brain breaks? • Which of these would your students love most? • Share your ideas or photos in the Misfit Behaviorists Facebook Group 📸 • Know a teacher or BCBA who needs easy social games? Send them this episode 💙 Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists 😍 More, you say? We’re here for you! Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists Instagram | @‌themisfitbehaviorists YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists 👋 Find us! Audra | ABA in School Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics Sami | B.A.S.S. 🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

    12 min
  3. Misfit Minute 20: One Simple Visual Change That Can Improve Student Behavior

    JAN 27

    Misfit Minute 20: One Simple Visual Change That Can Improve Student Behavior

    Small changes can make a big difference. In this Misfit Minute, we’re talking about one simple, actionable challenge you can try this week: update just one classroom visual. Whether it’s a schedule, emotion card, or token board, visuals only work when they’re relevant, motivating, and actually being used. This episode breaks down why visuals stop working over time and how a quick refresh can improve engagement and behavior. 🔑 Key Takeaways • Visuals only work if they’re relevant and used 👀—what worked in September may not work now. • Start small 🧩—update just one visual for one student. • Schedules may need a refresh 📅—try real photos, add an “all done” or “surprise” spot, or simplify. • Emotion cards should grow with learners 😊—mix in real faces, emojis, adults, kids, and newer emotions like bored or embarrassed. • Token boards can lose their power 🎯—change the theme, increase motivation, or fade and thin reinforcement. • Sometimes removing a visual is progress ✂️—if it’s no longer needed, it’s okay to let it go. 📦 Resources to check out • FREE token boards → https://abainschool.com/2s6q • Digital token board (LOVE using this!) → https://abainschool.com/ncbl • Visual task analyses for Life Skills classrooms → https://abainschool.com/jmvt • Emotion identification visuals for social-emotional learning → https://abainschool.com/93a6 • School-Based BCBA & Teacher Resources → https://abainschool.com or https://beltransbehaviorbasics.com/  🙌 Join Us & Share • Which visual are you updating this week? • Did you swap it, refresh it, or remove it altogether? • Share a photo or tell us what changed in the Misfit Behaviorists Facebook Group 📸 • Small tweaks count—and we’d love to see what worked for your students 💙 • 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! Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists Instagram | @‌themisfitbehaviorists YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists 👋 Find us! Audra | ABA in School Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics Sami | B.A.S.S. 🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

    4 min
  4. Ep. 72: Center-Based Learning in the ABA Classroom - Practical Tips for Staffing, Data, and Differentiation

    JAN 20

    Ep. 72: Center-Based Learning in the ABA Classroom - Practical Tips for Staffing, Data, and Differentiation

    Center-based learning can feel overwhelming in ABA and self-contained classrooms—especially when staffing is tight, learner needs vary widely, and data collection feels nonstop. In this episode, Caitlin and Audra break down how to actually run centers in an ABA classroom without burning out your staff or your students. From staffing rotations to flexible grouping, this conversation focuses on practical, realistic ways to make center-based learning work in real classrooms. 🔑 Key Takeaways • Centers ≠ small group instruction 📍—they serve different purposes and need different planning. • Not every learner needs intensive teaching at the same time—shrinking DTT groups reduces pressure and chaos. • Plan staff and student rotations intentionally 🔄—rotate people, not just activities, to prevent burnout. • Structured play is work for many learners 🎲—design play centers with intention and support. • Start small 🧩—introduce centers in short bursts before increasing expectations or duration. • It’s okay to pause data collection 📊—focus on routines and transitions first when rolling out centers. 📦 Resources Mentioned • Related Episodes: Ep. 9 Superhero Skills to Battle Burnout → https://abainschool.com/ep9 Misfit Minute 17 How to Make Transitions Easier for Students with Autism → https://abainschool.com/mm17 • 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 structure centers in your ABA or self-contained classroom? • What’s worked—or totally flopped—for your team? • Share your ideas in the Misfit Behaviorists Facebook Group → https://abainschool.com/misfits • Know a teacher or BCBA struggling with centers? Send them this episode 💙 Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists 😍 More, you say? We’re here for you! Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists Instagram | @‌themisfitbehaviorists YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists 👋 Find us! Audra | ABA in School Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics Sami | B.A.S.S. 🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

    14 min
  5. Misfit Minute 19: How to Share Difficult Behavior Updates with Families

    JAN 13

    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! Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists Instagram | @‌themisfitbehaviorists YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists 👋 Find us! Audra | ABA in School Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics Sami | B.A.S.S. 🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

    2 min
  6. Ep. 71: Time Management & Supervision Strategies for Busy BCBAs

    JAN 6

    Ep. 71: Time Management & Supervision Strategies for Busy BCBAs

    Ever feel like your BCBA schedule is just one long game of “calendar Tetris”? Between driving to in-home sessions, juggling billable hours, supervising staff, and trying to have a life outside of work, it can feel impossible to fit it all in. In this episode, Audra and Caitlin break down 10 practical, doable strategies to help you build a sustainable schedule—whether you’re clinic-based, school-based, or driving from house to house—without sacrificing supervision quality or your own sanity. 🔑 Key Takeaways • Plan backwards from priorities. Start with non-negotiables (IEPs, supervision, contract hours, family time). Protect those boundaries before adding anything else. • Stop nickel-and-diming your time. Say “let’s debrief later” instead of responding to every hallway request. Constant yes-ing leads straight to burnout. • Cluster your work. Group by location, building, or grade level to cut down on travel and get more quality time where it matters. • Build in buffer time. Avoid back-to-back scheduling. Use small breaks to wrap data, reset materials, and mentally transition. • Theme your days. Assign predictable “observation,” “feedback,” or “planning” days to make unstructured tasks easier to manage. • Use hybrid & overlapping supervision. Mix in-person and telehealth when appropriate, and overlap tasks (observation + data review) when allowed. • Enter with a focus. Know your purpose before you walk in—modeling, feedback, goal review, or program check—and prep staff so everyone’s aligned. • Reinforce staff intentionally. Use specific praise, tailor feedback style to each person, and follow up with quick notes to build strong relationships. • Use tools that fit you (and your team). Digital or paper—organize systems in ways that make efficiency possible and accessible for everyone. • Protect your own reinforcement. Schedule admin time, hold boundaries, unplug when needed, and prioritize mental stamina so you can do ethical, effective work. 📦 Resources & Links • Grab the 10 Tips visual → https://abainschool.com/reg7 • Related Episodes: Battling Staff Burnout → https://abainschool.com/ep9 Managing paras → https://abainschool.com/ep47 • Join the Misfit Behaviorists Facebook Group → https://abainschool.com/misfits 🤝 Join Us 💬 Tell us your best tip for managing travel time. Drop your thoughts in the Misfit Behaviorists Facebook Group. 🎧 Subscribe on YouTube or your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode. 📢 Know a BCBA or teacher drowning in their schedule? Send them this episode so they know they’re not alone. Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists 😍 More, you say? We’re here for you! Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists Instagram | @‌themisfitbehaviorists YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists 👋 Find us! Audra | ABA in School Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics Sami | B.A.S.S. 🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

    18 min
  7. Misfit Minute 18: Stop Comparing Your Classroom — Focus on What Your Students Need

    12/16/2025

    Misfit Minute 18: Stop Comparing Your Classroom — Focus on What Your Students Need

    Some days it feels like every classroom around you is perfectly color-coded, freshly laminated, and Instagram-ready… and yours is, well, real life. In this Misfit Minute, Audra shares a mindset reset for teachers who feel stuck in the comparison spiral. Your classroom doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s—your heart work is what changes lives. These five quick tips help you shift from comparing to caring so you can focus on what truly matters: your students. 🔑 Key Takeaways • Celebrate the invisible wins ✨—the tiny moments that show real growth for you and your students. • Curate your feed and your feelings—follow voices that uplift, not drain. • Make one connection a day 🤝—a small moment of eye contact or empathy can shift the whole vibe. • Create a “done list” ✔️—notice what did get accomplished instead of everything left undone. • Celebrate the real wins—messy macaroni frames count. Perfect displays aren’t the goal; authentic learning is. 📦 Resources Mentioned • Join the Misfit Behaviorists Facebook Group • Related episode: Ep. 9 Superhero Skills to Battle Burnout → https://abainschool.com/ep9 • Free Token Boards → https://abainschool.com/ymnr • ABA in School Blog → https://abainschool.com 🙌 Join Us & Share • Share your favorite small win in your room! → https://abainschool.com/misfits • Subscribe for weekly behavior insights + full-length episodes • Send this episode to a teammate who needs a little "pump" this week! Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists 😍 More, you say? We’re here for you! Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists Instagram | @‌themisfitbehaviorists YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists 👋 Find us! Audra | ABA in School Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics Sami | B.A.S.S. 🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

    4 min
  8. Ep. 70: Modernizing ABA Assessment – Flexibility, Self-Awareness, and Real-Life Skills

    12/09/2025

    Ep. 70: Modernizing ABA Assessment – Flexibility, Self-Awareness, and Real-Life Skills

    Every BCBA and teacher has lived the moment: you pour months into an intervention… only to open an assessment and think, “Wait. Where did all that progress go?” In this episode, Caitlin sits down with Casey Barron and Dr. Anika Hoybjerg—creators of the Meaningful Outcomes Treatment and Assessment Scale (MOTAS)—to talk about why so many traditional tools miss the skills that matter most, and how the MOTAS fills those gaps with flexible, functional, and family-aligned assessment practices. 🔑 Key Takeaways • Why MOTAS? It addresses gaps in VB-MAPP/ABLLS/AFLS—especially flexibility, perspective taking, self-awareness, and AAC communication. • Flexibility Matters: Rigid routines often block participation, independence, and community access—yet many assessments don’t measure this growth. • Generalization Is Built In: The MOTAS scoring system highlights independence and generalization & maintenance from the start. • One Scoring System: A consistent 0–5 scale across all 20 domains makes scoring faster, clearer, and more useful for treatment planning. • Insurance-Friendly: The DSM-5 criteria and medical necessity links are included—huge time-savers for BCBAs writing plans and submitting authorizations. • Comprehensive Without Being Overwhelming: Practitioners can use a whole domain or just supplement missing areas like AAC, self-awareness, or perspective taking. • Practical for All Ages: Designed for ages 5+, with an early-learner (0–5) version coming in 2026. 📦 Resources & Links • Learn more about the MOTAS through Different Roads to Learning (ask the creators for their 20% discount!)  • Follow MOTAS updates from Casey & Anika → anika.hoybjerg@abilearningcenter.com and https://abilearningcenter.com/ • Related Episodes: Crisis Cycle → https://abainschool.com/ep57 FBA Mini-Series → https://abainschool.com/ep31part1 • Join the Misfit Behaviorists Facebook Group → https://abainschool.com/misfits 🤝 Join Us 💬 Tell us if you’ve tried the MOTAS or want to! Drop your thoughts in the Misfit Behaviorists Facebook Group. 🎧 Subscribe on YouTube or your favorite podcast app so you never miss an episode. 📢 Tag us on Instagram when you try a goal or domain from the MOTAS—we love seeing what resonates! Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists 😍 More, you say? We’re here for you! Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists Instagram | @‌themisfitbehaviorists YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists 👋 Find us! Audra | ABA in School Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics Sami | B.A.S.S. 🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

    26 min
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About

Are you a teacher looking for support with students with diverse needs or behavior management in the classroom? Tune into The Misfit Behaviorists podcast, hosted by Caitlin Beltran, Audra Jensen, and Sami Brown, three BCBAs (and two special education teachers), as they bring you actionable tips to behavior reduction and skill acquisition. Listen to evidence-based strategies with a student-centered focus as they share practical advice for special education teachers, behavior support teachers, BCBAs, and ABA professionals.  Whether you're seeking advice or just want to laugh, new to the field or a veteran looking for a fresh perspective, tune in for this unique blend of professional expertise and real-life experience. Weekly episodes will be concise, because we know your time is limited! Don’t miss it!  Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: https://abainschool.com/misfits 😍 More, you say? We’re here for you! Apple podcast | abainschool.com/misfitsonappleInstagram | @themisfitbehavioristsYouTube | @themisfitbehaviorists👋 Find us! Audra | abainschool.comCaitlin | beltransbehaviorbasics.comSami | behavioranalyticsupport.com🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

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