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
• Instagram | @‌themisfitbehavioristspodcast
• YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists

👋 Find us!

• Audra | ABA in School
• Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics
• Sami | B.A.S.S.

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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
• Instagram | @‌themisfitbehavioristspodcast
• 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!

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
• Instagram | @‌themisfitbehavioristspodcast
• 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!