Home dynamics are different than any other environment a person contacts. There are multiple competing contingencies, constantly fluctuating variables- laundry, meals, clean up, practice, therapy, appointments, medical issues, work, bills. Yet professionals often require parents to have the highest amount of fidelity regarding program implementation.

This is the point where the scientific and ever-growing, ever-expanding technological world collide and produce a something that supports the needs of caregivers and the clients while still building skills, maintaining rapport, and contining collaboration. In this LIVE chat, we meet with Alan and Stewart of Attend|Behavior to talk about meeting families where they’re at, building programs AND data collection that are accessible and usable, and improving the overall family dynamics. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Discuss alternative ways to provide program prompts and feedback to parents and caregivers.

2. Discuss the pros and cons of using technology such as an app alongside programming. 

Take Aways- your bite-sized educational noms

- Timing of prompts and reinforcement is a vital piece of any behavior analytic programming. Too early, too late, too delayed, and the desired may not happen or it may not be met with the current reinforcing contingencies (following through with programs isn’t always naturally reinforcing to start with!). Technology can improve the delivery of prompts, check-ins, and reinforcement by giving more immediate and reliable stimuli to the caregiver instead of waiting until the next appointment to debrief and provide feedback.

- While technology has many benefits, there are still potential issues- not always reliable (sometimes notifications are turned off), it can be an expensive resources that not all clients have access to. To elaborate, not all clients have access to smart phones, reliable internet access, supportive data plans. Practitioners also shouldn’t become reliant on technology to interact with clients and caregivers; being present and listening is an important part of building rapport and thus buy-in for program recommendations. 

Worth 1.5 Learning CEUs

Purchase CEUS for $8 at: https://atypicalba.com/product/ce-certification/

Have some interstellar discussion on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/atypicalba

Check us out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atypicalba/

Don't need CEUs but want to support the show? Click here to donate to the adventure: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AtypicalBA

Contact us at: info@atypicalba.com, CE@atypicalba.com

Music by: www.purple-planet.com

Being an adult is difficult. Being an adult with disabilities is even harder. And being a caregiver (parent, family member, direct care staff) can be overwhelming, discouraging, often times leads to burn out. Many of these dyads (individual and caregiver), will be forced to navigate multiple systems, interact and adhere to professional recommendations and treatments, not to mention long learning and reinforcement histories that can lead to tangled webs of competing, interlocking, and overlapping contingencies. Wahler 1980 discusses the difficulties of the “Insular Mother”- limited reinforcing interactions, demands and advice from all sides. Everything is a priority. Everyone else has the answers. Sadly, over the last 40yrs, not much has changed for these persons. Disabilities are still misunderstood, surrounded by preconceived notions and biases, family and caregiver dynamics overlooked, and there is still too much talking and not enough listening to those in the thick of it. It may seem a compliment to label these caregivers as “resilient”, but the truth of the matter is they are tired, broken, and struggling. Resilience can be costly and can lead to disingenuous consent, placations, and a lack of adherence to treatment and intervention recommendations. It’s tough to stay on top of things when the rest of the world is piling more things on. 

Working with adults presents its own unique challenges but utilizing Goldiamond’s Nonlinear Analysis and Constructional Approach can help bridge the gap between the frustrations and unheard cries of these caregiving dynamics and providing beneficial, effective, and successful supports.

Worth 1 Learning CEU

Purchase CEUS for $8 at: https://atypicalba.com/product/ce-certification/

Have some interstellar discussion on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/atypicalba

Check us out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atypicalba/

Don't need CEUs but want to support the show? Click here to donate to the adventure: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AtypicalBA

Contact us at: info@atypicalba.com, CE@atypicalba.com

Music by: www.purple-planet.com

“They blinded me with science!”

Many have had the experience of entering a session, excited to impart all the behavior analytic knowledge, only to watch the audience’s eyes glaze over. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand they’ve tuned out completely. The reality is, people go to professionals to get solutions for their problems, they don’t want a science class. It’s on the trainer to determine how to translate from technical jargon to a language that makes sense to the learner. 

And in this LIVE talk we’re going to talk about these translations and not just when working with humans, but also with animals! Our guest, Andrew Taylor-Baptiste, KPA CTP, Head Trainer at Operant Animal Training, has been honing this skill throughout his career, from working with dolphins and manta rays, to teaching puppies and their parents to live in harmony. He’ll discuss how he has applied behavioural techniques across a wide variety of settings and animals, along with the importance of exploring and learning about the species- communication methods, sleep and wake cycles, social behaviors are just some areas of curiosity. Knowing the organism inside and out can help make for efficient and successful training programs.

Learning Objectives:

1. Examine the idea of translating the science of behavior programs into language that our learner understands.

2. Describe the importance of learning the communication system of the learner when building new skills and maintaining current repertoires. 

3. Describe ways to provide choices throughout training and the short- and long-term value of choices.  

Take Aways- your bite-sized educational noms

- When people seek out help from professionals, they are seeking solutions, not a science class. Instructors should actively translate and reword information in such a way that the learner understands. This doesn’t mean that the scientific principles can’t and shouldn’t be taught! It means that instructors need to shape up the verbal and physical behaviors in their learners; set up the environment and learning for success.

- Animal training involves not only learning the communication and learning styles of the human participant but also the unique communication style of the animal, including their breed and specicies characteristics. It’s valuable to research what the animal’s natural inclinations and responses are and incorporate that into training to ensure success.

- Easy choices to provide- what the learner is working for (natural or contrived reinforcement), where the learner wants to work, when the session is over. Providing choices helps to establish trust and rapport between the learner and instructor. 

Worth 1.5 Learning CEUs

Purchase CEUS for $8 at: https://atypicalba.com/product/ce-certification/

Have some interstellar discussion on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/atypicalba

Check us out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atypicalba/

Don't need CEUs but want to support the show? Click here to donate to the adventure: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AtypicalBA

Contact us at: info@atypicalba.com, CE@atypicalba.com

Music by: www.purple-planet.com