ABA Inside Track

Happy New Year, everyone! We kick off the (almost) 10th year of ABA Inside Track with a review of our recent holiday activities then get right back into our podcast research discussion with a bevy of amazing guests. First up we delve into the new (for behavior analysts) work of motivational interviewing with Dr. Monica Gilbert. Then we have three-guests-for one with Dr. Stephanie Peterson, Dr. Rebecca Eldridge, and Dr. Neil Deochand to learn about risk assessment and their development of the FARADT tool. Then we take pity on the least popular experimental design, the changing criterion, by giving it its own episode. Still not enough learning for your behavior analytic resolutions? Why not head over to the Stone Soup online conference with a $20 discount. Just register with the code ABAIT26 and enjoy a whole day of learning. Articles for January 2026 Motivational Interviewing w/ Dr. Monica Gilbert Gilbert, M. (2025). How to stop talking and start communicating with motivational interviewing: Building effective partnerships with caregivers: A practical guide for behavior therapists. Crystal Minds Psychological Services. Plattner, C. & Anderson, C. (2024). Creating a therapeutic alliance with caregivers: An introduction to motivational interviewing. Behavior Analysis in Practice. doi: 10.1007/s40617-024-00948-8 Christopher, P.J. & Dougher, M.J. (2009). A behavior-analytic account of motivational interviewing. The Behavior Analyst, 32, 149-161. doi: 10.1007/BF03392180   Risk Assessment w/ Dr. Stephanie Peterson, Dr. Rebecca Eldridge, + Dr. Neil Deochand Wiskirchen, R.R., Deochand, N., & Peterson, S.M. (2017). Functional analysis: A need for clinical decision support tools to weight risks and benefits. Behavior Analysis: Research and Practice, 17, 325-333. doi: 10.1037/bar0000088 Deochand, N., Eldridge, R.R., & Peterson, S.M. (2020). Toward the development of a functional analysis risk assessment decision tool. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 13, 978-990. doi: 10.1007/s40617-020-00433-y Schroeder, A.C., Peterson, S.M., Mahabub, M.B., & Dresch, M.K. (2025). A pilot evaluation of expert and novice use of the functional analysis risk assessment decision tool. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 18, 811-825. doi: 10.1007/s40617-020-00433-y   The Changing Criterion Design Klein, L.A., Houlihan, D., Vincent, J.L., & Panahon, C.J. (2017). Best practices in utilizing the changing criterion design. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 10, 52-61. doi: 10.1007/s40617-014-0036-x De Luca, R.V. & Holborn, S.W. (1992). Effects of a variable-ratio reinforcement schedule with changing criteria on exercise in obese and nonobese boys. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 25, 671-679. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1992.25-671 Brady, M.P., Kearney, K.B., Downey, A., Torres, A., & McDougall, D. (2022). Using mnemonics, remote coaching, and the range-bound changing criterion design to teach college students with IDD to make employment decisions. Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 57, 303-319. doi: 10.1177/215416472205700  

If you've never been to the Stone Soup online conference, you've been missing out. It's a full day of amazing speakers hitting all the topics you want to hear about. And, as a special discount for ABA Inside Track listeners, use the code ABAIT26 to get $20 off your registration. See you there in the chat!

We wrap up another year with our podcasting buddy, Matt Cicoria, from Behavioral Observations by looking at some of our favorite ABA trends of 2025 as well as discussing some of our most listened to episodes and opining on how we're both about to enter a full decade of behavior analytic podcasting. Plus a whole bunch of other seasonal rigamarole and foofarra. But NO POLITICS! Happy Holidays to all! See you in 2026.    

Since the 1970s the scientific field has been steadily improving in its use of meaningful consent practices. But how are we doing when it comes to the related practice of gaining client assent? This week we discuss the similarities and differences between both and take a pulse check as to how behavior analysis is doing to ensure only the best of practices when it comes to benefiting our clients whether in the research lab or clinic setting. If you think of assent practices as just willingness to enter the classroom, you definitely need to listen to this episode. This episode is available for 1.0 LEARNING CEU. Articles discussed this episode: Mead Jasperse, S.C., Kelly, M.P., Ward, S.N., Fernand, J.K., Joslyn, P.R., & van Dijk, W. (2025). Consent and assent practices in behavior analytic research. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 18, 826-841. doi: 10.1007/s40617-023-00838-5  Flowers, J. & Dawes, J. (2023). Dignity and respect: Why therapeutic assent matters. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 16, 913-920. doi: 10.1007/s40617-023-00772-6 If you're interested in ordering CEs for listening to this episode, click here to go to the store page. You'll need to enter your name, BCBA #, and the two episode secret code words to complete the purchase. Email us at [email protected] for further assistance.

Special guest, Denisha Gingles, returns to the show to update our perceptions of good leadership with a decidedly non-Western traditional mindset of culturally responsive practices. For example, did you know that some cultures appreciate a greater sense of unity from their leaders? Apparently one giant know-it-all doesn't necessarily make for the best boss—looking at you, American CEOs! Learn how embracing a more diverse workforce can also benefit goals of meaningful mentorship and growth in our field with some examples from the medical world and how much we really should learn from rugby. This episode is available for 1.0 CULTURAL (ETHICS) CEU. Articles discussed this episode: Sriram, V., Atwal, A., & McKay, E.A. (2024). Exploring aspects of mentoring for black and minoritised healthcare professionals in the UK: A nominal group technique study. BMJ Open, 14. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-089121 Kemzang, J., Bekolo, G., Jaunky, S., Mathieu, J., Contant, H., Oguntala, J., Rahmani, M., Louisme, M.C., Medina, N., Kendall, C.E., Ewurabena, S., Hubert, D., Omecq, M.C., & Fotsing, S. (2024). Mentoring for admission and retention of black socio-ethnic minorities in medicine: A scoping review. Journal of Medical Education and Curricular Development, 11, 1-9. doi: 10.1177/23821205241283805 Shaikh, A.N., Gummaluri, S., Dhar, J., Carter, H., Kwag, D. (2024). Application of the principles of anti-oppression to address marginalized students and faculty's experiences in counselor education. Teaching and Supervision in Counseling, 6, 94-105. doi: 10.7290/tsc06laio Laloo, E. (2022). Ubuntu leadership - an explication of an Afrocentric leadership style. The Journal of Values-Based Leadership, 15, 1-9. doi: 10.22543/1948-0733.1383 Mathur, S.K. & Rodriguez, K.A. (2022). Cultural responsiveness curriculum for behavior analysts: A meaningful step toward social justice. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 15, 1023-1031. doi: 10.1007/s40617-021-00579-3 If you're interested in ordering CEs for listening to this episode, click here to go to the store page. You'll need to enter your name, BCBA #, and the two episode secret code words to complete the purchase. Email us at [email protected] for further assistance.