The Behaviorist Bookclub | Podcast on RSS.com

The Behaviorist Bookclub

The Behaviorist Bookclub

by Matt Harrington, BCBA

How To Mental Health

Isolated FA & FCT: Targeting Multiply-Controlled Behavior

In this episode of the Behaviorist Book Club, Matt Harrington breaks down Morris et al.’s (2023) case study on multiply isolated functions of problem behavior. You’ll learn how to distinguish multiply controlled from synthesized reinforcement, see a real-world FA and dual FCT interventions with a 15-year-old learner, and explore the clinical implications for choosing the right assessment and treatment pathway. Want the full article details and resources? Check out the show notes at www.behavioristbookclub.com/blog.

Behaviorist Book Club: Quick ABA Research to Practice

In this episode of the Behaviorist Book Club, Matt Harrington unpacks Helvey et al.’s 2023 study on pairing functional and non-functional reinforcers in FCT for aggression and self-injury. You’ll learn how isolated vs. combined reinforcement arrangements were evaluated, why most clients preferred escape + tangibles over escape alone, and what this means for centering client voices and boosting long-term social validity. Ready to dive deeper? Check out the show notes for article links and supporting resources at www.behavioristbookclub.com/blog.

Compassionate ABA: Empathy, Interviewing & Client-Centered Care

In this episode, Matt reviews Rohrer et al.’s 2023 study on teaching compassion skills to behavior-analysis master’s students—outlining 11 observable caregiver-interviewing behaviors, a simple didactic-plus-practice training model, and its impact on skill mastery and empathy scores. He reflects on compassion’s roots in social validity and the Ethics Code, challenges us to infuse client and caregiver priorities into every assessment and treatment plan, and asks where interpersonal skills training belongs in ABA education. Check out the show notes for article links and supporting information at www.behavioristbookclub.com/blog.

Mastering Procedural Integrity: Fidelity Tips for ABA

In this episode Matt Harrington breaks down procedural integrity—what it really means, why errors of omission and commission derail our interventions, the top barriers busy practitioners face when tracking fidelity, and five practical strategies to keep your treatments on track. Want the article links and all the supporting resources? Check out the show notes at www.behavioristbookclub.com/blog.

Mastering ABA Supervision: Essentials for New BCBA Supervisors

In this episode of the Behaviorist Book Club, Matt Harrington unpacks key insights from Fraidlin et al.’s 2023 article “Designing a Successful Supervision Journey,” guiding new BCBAs through goal setting, self-assessment, skill building, ethical decision-making, and ongoing professional development. Whether you’re a first-year BCBA seeking structured support or an experienced supervisor refining your coaching approach, learn practical recommendations for fostering effective, collaborative supervisory relationships. Check out the show notes for article links and supporting resources at www.behavioristbookclub.com/blog.

Solving ABA Supervision: Fees, Conflicts & Quality Strategies

In this episode of the Behaviorist Book Club, Matt Harrington dives into Crystal Slanzi and Tyra Sellers’ article on the financial, logistical, and ethical hurdles of paying for BCBA supervision—and offers practical solutions like clear contracting, competency-based goals, and diversifying your supervision settings. Tune in for strategies to maximize your learning, minimize conflicts of interest, and build a stronger foundation as a behavior analyst. Check out the show notes for article links and supporting information at www.behavioristbookclub.com/blog

Behavior Skills in Minutes: Master Caregiver Training with Feedback

In this episode of the Behaviorist Book Club, Matt Harrington walks us through LeBlanc et al.’s 2018 component analysis of Behavioral Skills Training (BST) for caregiver instruction delivery. Discover how instruction, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback each contribute to skill acquisition—and why, in the moment, descriptive feedback emerges as the single most powerful driver of behavior change. Plus, learn practical tips for streamlining BST when time is tight so you can maximize caregiver competence and client outcomes. Check out the show notes for direct links to the full article and all supporting materials at www.behavioristbookclub.com/blog.

ABA Insights: Matrix Training for Generative Language

In this episode of the Behaviorist Book Club, Matt dives into Frampton et al. (2016) and the power of matrix training to promote generative language with children on the autism spectrum. You’ll learn how carefully selected diagonal targets can unlock rapid recombination of words—teaching three phrases to generate nine or more—and discover practical tips for scaling these methods across verbs, nouns, pronouns, sight words, s-blends and beyond. Ready to transform your language programs and work smarter, not harder? Check out the show notes for article links and all supporting resources at www.behavioristbookclub.com/blog.

ABA Research to Practice: Master Assessments & Interventions

In this episode, Matt breaks down Hagopian et al.’s Augmented Competing Stimulus Assessment (A-CSA), showing how its four-phase approach—free access, prompted engagement, response blocking/redirection, then repeated free access—can identify and teach effective competing stimuli for treatment-resistant, automatically maintained behaviors. He highlights why every assessment you use should directly inform your intervention and offers practical tips for fading and generalizing A-CSA protocols. Check out the shownotes for article links and supporting information at www.behavioristbookclub.com/blog.

ABA Research Unpacked

In this episode of the Behaviorist Book Club, Matt Harrington shifts gears from problem behavior to skill acquisition, breaking down Valentino et al.’s 2018 study on using a quick prerequisite skills assessment to pinpoint the most effective mand training modality for each learner. Discover how assessing foundational skills like motor and vocal imitation can prevent wasted time, reduce frustration, and accelerate communication outcomes. Ready to streamline your interventions and get better results faster? Check out the show notes for article links and all the supporting materials at www.behavioristbookclub.com/blog.

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