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

Misfit Minute #6: How to Teach Replacement Behaviors That Actually Work

In this bite-sized episode, we dive into a powerful mindset shift: don’t just teach the rule—teach the replacement behavior. Saying “don’t do that” isn’t enough. Real behavior change happens when we teach students exactly what to do instead.💡 Key Takeaways:🚫 Saying “don’t do that” doesn’t teach a skill—replacement behaviors do🔁 Replacement behaviors aren’t add-ons—they are the behavior plan🧩 Prompting, modeling, and reinforcing appropriate actions is essential❓ Before correcting behavior, ask: “Have I taught what I want to see instead?”🌱 Teaching new behaviors is about building skills, not just managing disruption📚 Resources & Inspiration🔗 Tantrums to Transformation: Positive Behavioral Support to Address Challenging Behaviors 🔗 Episode 12 Managing Problem Behaviors Through Replacement Skills 🔗 Episode 55 How to Reinforce Replacement Behaviors and Respond to Problem Behavior 📌 Follow us on Instagram @MisfitBehaviorists for daily tips and visuals and especially join us on Facebook where we house all the freebies!🎧 Subscribe so you never miss your weekly quick win and share this with someone you care about!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. 59: Making Your BIP Work: Data Collection and Fidelity in FBAs - Part 13 of the FBA Mini-Series

Part 13 (the last step) of the FBA Mini-Series!You’ve got the plan… now let’s make sure it actually works. In this final episode of our FBA Mini-Series, Audra and Sami walk you through how to track behavior data, define roles, build fidelity, and make sure your BIP stays meaningful. This is the wrap-up you didn’t know you needed, filled with practical ways to follow through on everything you’ve created!🔑 Key Takeaways🧠 Track what matters – Collect data on both the target and replacement behaviors📈 Keep it doable – Simple, regular data is better than complex forms no one uses🧍‍♀️ Assign clear roles – Know who is collecting what, when, and how🔍 Check fidelity – Use plan-specific and general fidelity checklists to stay on track💬 Share updates – Include teachers and families in celebrations and progress🎯 Define mastery – Know when the plan has “worked” and what comes next♻️ Keep it alive – BIPs should be living documents that evolve with the student📚 Resources and Ideas📌 Free Download: Fidelity Checklist Template 📌 Related Episodes:– Ep. 54: Creating the Behavior Plan – Part 10 – Ep. 12: Managing Problem Behaviors Through Replacement Skills Join Us...🎙 Next Episode: Behavior Responses (positive/negative reinforcement/punishment) Made Clear! 🌟 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 if you use a Fidelity Checklist in your BIPs in our Facebook group  @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 | @‌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 #5: Best Clipboards for Data Collection and Token Boards in Special Education

💡 Key Takeaways:🖊️ Use a dual-sided clipboard with a whiteboard front and chalkboard back for both data and student visuals🎯 Turn the chalkboard side into a Velcro token board or quick-reinforcer tracker🧵 Small quarter-sheet clipboards are perfect for mini data sheets and can be worn on lanyards or fit in your pocket💼 Clipboards aren't just for paper—they’re flexible tools that can help paraprofessionals stay organized and responsive🙌 Use these tools to make reciprocal visuals, portable schedules, or motivation systems for students on the move📚 Resources Mentioned:🔗 Whiteboard/Chalkboard Clipboard 🔗 Standard small clipboards 6x9 🔗 Mini-small color clipboards 4.7x7.3 🔗 Mini-small black clipboards 4x6 📚 Resources & Inspiration📝 Want to go deeper? Listen to Ep.18: Behavior Management Basics or Ep. 2: 2 Ways to Hack Your Data Collection 📌 Follow us on Instagram @MisfitBehaviorists for daily tips and visuals and especially join us on Facebook where we house all the freebies!🎧 Subscribe so you never miss your weekly quick win and share this with someone you care about!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. 58: Bridging the Gap: Building Teacher-BCBA Collaboration for Student Success

🤝 Join Caitlin and Audra as they dive into the crucial topic of fostering strong working relationships between school-based BCBAs and teachers! Learn from their real-world experiences – both successes and challenges – in building mutual respect and understanding for the benefit of students.💡 It's all about teamwork! Discover how to move beyond potential roadblocks and create effective partnerships.🔑 Key Takeaways✅ Lead with trust—respect teachers’ expertise, time, and lived experience🧠 Use teacher-friendly language and avoid behavior jargon (save “DRO” for later)🎯 Ask open-ended questions to understand their struggles before jumping to solutions💡 Use simple tools like “What’s Working / Not Working” to frame tough conversations🧍 Mirroring emotions and validating teachers’ experiences builds connection📉 Even if you don’t become best friends, aim for collaboration over compliance🪄 Pro tip: Genuine praise in front of others goes a long way in building rapport📚 Resources and Ideas🎧 Previous Relevant Episodes:🔗 Episode 3: 6 Ways to Approach Challenging Behaviors and Trauma-Informed Care 🔗 Episode 10: Navigating Difficult Conversations with ABA Staff 📖 Book Recommendations:🔗 Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It by Chris Voss  - Discussed for its insights on communication and building understanding.🔗 Let Them by Mel Robbins 📝 Freebie:💡 Caitlin's "What's Working/What's Not Working" visual for facilitating positive meeting starts Join Us...🎙 Next Episode: Part 13 of the FBA mini-series, MASTERY! 🌟 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📚 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 | @‌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 #4: Power of Praise: Encouraging Positive Actions in Students

🎙️ Misfit Minute #4: POWER Up Your Praise – Praising What You Want RepeatedTired of generic praise that doesn't seem to stick? Caitlin highlights the power of behavior-specific praise – telling students exactly what they did well. Learn why focusing your positive attention can cultivate the behaviors you want to see and shift the tone of your classroom.💡 Behavior grows where attention flows. Let's make sure it's flowing towards the positive!🔑 Key Takeaways✅ Be Behavior-Specific: Move beyond "good job" to praise like "Thanks for using a quiet voice" or "I noticed you cleaned up right away."✅ Attention Flows Where Behavior Grows: If we only focus on what's wrong, that's what we'll keep seeing.✅ Targeted Praise Matters: While some students might not need constant praise, those still learning expectations definitely do.✅ Aim for the 4:1 Ratio: Strive for four positive comments for every correction to build confidence.✅ Start Small, See Big Shifts: Catch one student doing something right and call it out – it can change the whole classroom dynamic.📚 Resources & Inspiration📝 Want to go deeper? Listen to Episode 28: Building Relationships with Students for more ideas! 📌 Follow us on Instagram @MisfitBehaviorists for daily tips and visuals and especially join us on Facebook where we house all the freebies!🎧 Subscribe so you never miss your weekly quick win and share this with someone you care about!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!