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

Ep. 64: Preschool Circle Time Tips for Engagement, Structure, and Special Education Success

Preschool circle time doesn’t have to be chaos! 🎶 In this episode, we share simple strategies to keep little learners engaged, structured, and having fun—while meeting every student where they are. 🌟🎧 Key Takeaways• Purpose of Circle Time: Sets the tone for the day, offering structure and fun through songs, weather checks, and IEP skill practice. Adaptations are key to meeting the students where they are! 🌞• Four Pillars of a Balanced Circle Time:     1. Physical Movement: Gross or fine motor activities to keep kids engaged 🏃‍♂️     2. Sensory Engagement: Incorporate sight, sound, and touch 🌈     3. Social Interaction: Encourage greetings, peer interactions, and communication 🤝     4. Cognitive Development: Incorporate pre-academic tasks like counting and identifying letters 🔤• Circle Time Duration: Tailor it to your learners’ needs, generally 10-15 minutes for preschool, with shorter increments for younger or less-attentive children ⏱️• Handling Refusals: Modify circle time to include small groupings, alternate activities, and sensory breaks for students who need it 🙋‍♂️• Make It Fun: Use creative methods like sticker rewards, visual aids, and fun songs to maintain engagement and make learning enjoyable 🎶✨🧰 Resources & Links• Ideas for circle time songs: Simple, fun tunes like "Jack Hartmann" songs to keep kids engaged and interactive 🎵• Visual aids: Use yes/no boards, weather charts, and name cards to boost participation and social skills 📊 Check out these circle time resources! • Alternative activities: Quiet corner activities like puzzles for students who need a break 🧩 Try these calm corner visuals: • Related Episodes: Misfit Minute #9 A fun circle time activity and Episode #18 Behavior Management Basics  🤝 Join Us      💬 Let us know your favorite data collection tip in the Misfit Behaviors Facebook Group      🌟 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!      💬 Let us know what YOU wanna talk about in our Facebook group  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!

Misfit Minute 10: Reinforcement vs. Bribery – What Teachers and BCBAs Need to Know

Reinforcement isn’t a trick, a loophole, or a bribe—it’s an evidence-based strategy that builds real behavior change. In this quick Misfit Minute, Caitlin shares a practical way to explain the difference between reinforcement and bribery—perfect for staff training or team refreshers.🧠 Key Takeaways:🔄 Reinforcement is proactive, planned, and delivered after the desired behavior🚫 Bribery is reactive, often given during or after problem behavior to stop it💼 Think of it like a paycheck: you work first, then get paid—that’s reinforcement!🧠 Reinforcement is rooted in decades of research and builds long-term independence🗣️ Use simple analogies (like paychecks) to help staff and families understand the difference🛠️ Resources & Mentions:💡 Great clip to use in staff meetings or paraprofessional trainings📄 Want a free reinforcement vs. bribery handout? Check the Facebook group!🙌 Join Us & Share📱 Follow us on Instagram @MisfitBehaviorists for quick, practical tips💬 Join the conversation in our Facebook group for extra resources https://abainschool.com/misfits🎧 Subscribe to catch all our behavior strategy drops👯‍♀️ Share this episode with a teammate who needs some fresh ideas!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!

Ep. 63: 5 Data Collection Mistakes BCBAs and Special Educators Should Avoid

Are you drowning in data but still missing progress? In this episode, we’re talking about the five most common data collection mistakes we’ve seen (and made!)—and how to fix them. Whether you're a BCBA, teacher, or therapist, these tips will help you streamline your systems, support your staff, and actually use the data you're collecting.🧠 Key Takeaways:📊 Too much data = too little connection — Prioritize quality over quantity.🧍‍♀️ Inconsistent systems can lead to confusing or unusable data—align your team early!🧾 Vague definitions = meaningless data. Use clear, shared operational definitions.🧩 Wrong tools = no follow-through — Choose formats your team can actually use.⏰ Data with no review is wasted — Schedule regular check-ins and use what you gather.🧰 Resources & Links      🎯 Caitlin's IEP data tracker forms • Audra's FREE data forms via the weekly newsletter        🧩 Related Episodes: Misfit Minute for the best clipboards • Episode #16 Probe vs Trial data • Episode #13 Keeping Materials Organized 🤝 Join Us      💬 Let us know your favorite data collection tip in the Misfit Behaviors Facebook Group      🌟 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!      💬 Let us know what YOU wanna talk about in our Facebook group  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!

Misfit Minute #9: Easy Circle Time Ideas for Joint Attention and Conversation Skills

This week, we’re keeping it super simple—and super effective. Audra shares two of her favorite low-prep activities that boost engagement, joint attention, and early conversation skills using nothing more than a decorated box or bag and a few trinkets from around the room. Perfect for preschool, early intervention, and special education classrooms!🔑 Key Takeaways🧠 Use a Surprise Box to build early joint attention and excitement during circle time💬 Try a Chat Bag for turn-taking, contingent conversation, and pronoun use🪄 You don’t need fancy materials—just be silly, animated, and consistent🗣️ Great for building social communication skills in young or minimally verbal learners⏰ Works well at the start of group time to grab attention and build engagement📦 Resources Mentioned💬 Chat Chains Conversation Starter Activity (TPT) 🙌 Join Us & Share💬 Join the conversation in our Facebook group for extra resources 🎧 Subscribe to catch all our behavior strategy drops👯‍♀️ Share this episode with a teammate who needs some fresh ideas!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!

Ep. 62: How to Run Social Skills Groups in Schools and Clinics

Running social skills groups can be tricky—especially when you’re balancing different student needs, group sizes, and settings. In this episode, we unpack how to structure and differentiate social skills groups for learners at every level—whether you’re in a school, clinic, or classroom. From dyads to full-blown community outings, we’re breaking down what works (and what really doesn’t).👥 Whether you're supporting early learners or advanced social thinkers, you'll walk away with practical strategies, game ideas, and real-talk about flexibility, planning, and data collection.🗝️ Key Takeaways      • 3 Types of Social Groups: Understand the difference between social behavior groups, early dyads, and advanced cognition groups—and when to use each.      • Who Goes Where? Learn how to match learners thoughtfully (and realistically) in group settings.      • Structure Matters: Tips for creating predictable routines and flexible lesson plans that work in both schools and clinics.      • Simple Game Ideas: From UNO to Play-Doh, get low-prep group game ideas for every skill level.      • Realistic Data Collection: How to track goals without losing your mind—or the moment.🧰 Resources & Links      🎯 Free Group visuals, lesson plans, and data AND Group Data Sheet Template      🧠 Episode Mention: Michelle Garcia Winner – Social Thinking®      🧩 Related Episode: Reverse Inclusion (Ep. 46) and Naturalistic Teaching (Ep. 5)       💥 Beat the Teacher Game: Shop It Here       📥 Grab our Favorite Low-Prep Group Games! Add to the list in our Facebook community:            • Pop! the Pig             • Pop-up Pirate             • Don't Break the Ice             • Animal Ring Toss             • Kerplunk             • Uno             • Qwirkle             • Blokus 🤝 Join Us      💬 Let us know your favorite low-prep group activity in the Misfit Behaviors Facebook Group      🌟 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!      💬 Let us know how YOU connect with staff in our Facebook group  @TheMisfitBehaviorists      📚 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!