Today we have the pleasure of taking with Madyline Ekins, BCBA. Madyline is a Seattle-based author and a mom to two energetic boys. After more than a decade of experience in education and behavior, she holds a Master's in Special Education and is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst. It was through her work and the everyday adventures of raising her own children that she realized her true calling: helping kids build emotional resilience. Her debut book, Julian the Bear, was inspired by this passion and the loving support of her family.
During our conversation we discuss the importance of teaching social emotional skills for learners of all ages, Madyline’s amazing social skills camps she has created, as well as her new book that teaches using grounding techniques as a calming and coping strategy.
You can find Madyline’s book, Julian the Bear, on Amazon and Esty. And you can find her at @clubbranchingout
In today’s episode we get to talk with Dr. Shelby Dorsey, Ph.D, BCBA. Dr. Shelby Dorsey, is a neurodivergent behavior analyst, mom, and entrepreneur dedicated to bridging the gap between behavior science and everyday parenting. With more than 15 years of experience across Texas and Oklahoma, she specializes in parent training for neurodivergent families—equipping parents with practical, compassionate strategies that truly work in real life—and mentors BCBAs and ABA trainees to do the same.
After earning her Ph.D. in Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis, Shelby launched her own practice, blending clinical expertise with creativity and community building. Shelby also runs the SD store, an online boutique where behaviorist-inspired art meets wearable advocacy.
Today during our talk, Shelby shares her journey as both a professional and a parent, the common questions she hears from families, and the mindset shifts that make parent training more effective. Her biggest takeaway for listeners? Neither parenting nor parent training is about perfection—it’s about creating flexible, affirming systems that help kids and families thrive.
Explore her work, writing, and apparel at theSD.store, where behavior analysis meets creativity, community, and real-world impact.
@drshelbydorsey on IG
www.drshelbydorsey.com
www.thesd.store
Today we have the joy of talking with Nicole Parks, BCBA, LBA, IBA. Nicole has been working as a behavior analyst for two decades and has worked with clients of all ages. She has experience in early intervention, substance abuse, psychiatric disorders, organizational behavior management and acceptance and commitment therapy. She founded Rooted Consultation in 2020 to help new and established businesses focus on ethical and sustainable business practices. Nicole’s love for behavior science and expanding the reach of ABA has driven her to advocate for behavior analysts in spaces outside of autism and developmental disabilities.
During our conversation today, we discuss Nicole’s experience with forensic behavior analysis and her work as a behavior analyst supporting patients in the psychiatric hospital. We dive into how she facilitated collaboration between the medical, mental health, and behavior analytic approach to help enhance therapeutic environments and improve outcomes for her patients. We also discuss Nicole’s passion for expanding the field of Applied Behavior Analysis and how she has found new avenues to help support future generations of behavior analysts.
You can find Nicole at rootedconsultation.com and on instagram at @rootedconsultation
Today we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Annie McLaughlin about all things IEP Advocacy. Dr. Annie McLaughlin is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, former special educator, a mom of three, and IEP advocate. She works primarily with families navigating the special education system. She also teaches other behavior analysts how to start or add IEP advocacy to their business through a course called Pivot into IEP Advocacy.
During our conversation, we dive into challenges faced by parents and professionals, importance of collaboration amongst the IEP team, understanding federal and state laws, and great resources to help anyone learning how to navigate this process.
You can find Annie at www.iepadvocacytraining.com and on instagram at @iepadvocateannie
Today we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Diane Hudson, PhD, BCBA about her social groups supporting neurodivergent teenage girls.
Dr. Diane Hudson is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst working with Neurodivergent kids, teens, and their people. She works with clients individually and in small groups, both in person in Jackson, WY and virtually across the United States. Dr. Hudson is a strong believer in building community, honoring individuals, and fostering skills to help her clients find and thrive on their own unique paths.
During our discussion we dive into how she came to start her groups, how she uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help her clients work on phycological flexibility, and how she helps support the whole family system.
You can learn more about her and her approach at abc-pathways.com.
Today we discuss what to do when you encounter different common parenting and teaching scenarios. We give our advice on how as behaviorist and moms we would handle these types of situations. We discuss identifying the functions of behavior, teaching replacement behaviors, and doing your best to be calm and consistent with your implementation.
We specifically address what to do when…
-your toddler is hitting you
-transitioning away from an item or location is hard
-a child is having a tantrum in the classroom
-a student isn’t motivated to do work
-your child won’t sit down for meals
-your child is having negative interactions with a sibling
Today we discuss Evidence-Based Practices (EBP) for Autism. We discuss what EBP are, why they are important, and how to implement some of the most common EBP. We specifically go through: Reinforcement/Differential Reinforcement, Behavioral Momentum, Functional Communication Training (FCT), Discrete Trial Training (DTT), Naturalistic Environment Training (NET), and Social Skills Training.
Find more resources on Evidence-Based Practices below:
AFIRM Modules-
https://afirm.fpg.unc.edu
EBP Report-
https://autismpdc.fpg.unc.edu/ebps/
Today we have the pleasure of speaking with Dena Kelly, LPC, BCBA, LBS. Dena is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Board Certified Behavior Analyst who is renowned for her over 15-year dedication to improving children's eating, enhancing their quality of life, and positively impacting their families. After over a decade of direct feeding intervention, Dena founded Focused Approach, developing comprehensive feeding programs and training professionals and caregivers in interventions grounded in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
Dena shares how to identify if your child is experiencing picky eating or a medical feeding issue, how to get medical intervention and what a feeding program might look like, as well as how she incorporates using positive reinforcement strategies to increase healthy eating behaviors.
Today we discuss strategies to help with interfering behaviors such as non-compliance, stereotypy, perseveration, and elopement. We discuss identifying the function of behavior, finding functionally equivalent replacement behaviors, evaluating if it is a skill or motivation issue, as well as teaching appropriate boundaries. For all behaviors we advocate for finding compassionate and positive ways to help with behavior change.
Today we have the pleasure of speaking with Leanne Page, BCBA, LBA. Leanne is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, the founder of parentingwithaba.org, mom of two, author, and parent coach. We discuss how she came to specialize in parent training, helpful parenting strategies for all parents, as well as her new book The Calm and Connected Journal. We dive into how her new book uses the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) to help parents connect with their children and be the kind of parent they have always wanted to be.
https://www.parentingwithaba.org/
https://www.instagram.com/parentingwithaba/
Today we discuss the history of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) and how these strategies and research can be applied today. We discuss the beginning of Behaviorism with B.F. Skinner, how the field of ABA has evolved, and how you can use these principles and strategies to make meaningful behavior change in your own life.
https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/87-years-ago-a-legendary-psychologist-discovered-skinners-law-its-still-the-secret-to-sticking-with-your-new-years-resolution/91104510
https://www.simplypsychology.org/operant-conditioning.html
https://www.verywellmind.com/operant-conditioning-a2-2794863
Today we discuss different behavioral strategies that are helpful in the classroom or when taking care of multiple children. We discuss the different types of group contingencies, how to use group reward systems or token economies and how to engage students in group work.
Todays episode we discuss how to set children up for success when tackling conflict and bullying. We discuss prerequisite skills such as perspective taking, tolerating no, and understanding boundaries in relationships. We dive into how to teach what a bully is and how children should respond to bullying. Finally, we share tools such as using a contingency map and kidpower.org to help support children with these difficult topics.
https://www.kidpower.org
https://youtu.be/GBSDZRPraz0?si=ElKAUHoxgaJuoR05
Episode 27: Behavior Breakthrough with Bailey Payne, BCBA
Today we have the pleasure of speaking with Bailey Payne, BCBA about her new book Behavior Breakthrough. We discuss her function based approach to behavior change as well as her heavy focus on utilizing reinforcement to its fullest potential. We go into the difference between reinforcement and bribing and how to focus on the good in your children to help change their behavior for the better.
Behavior Breakthrough: 12 Skills to Transform Behavior at Home and in the Classroom
https://a.co/d/2ZMip9T
https://www.baileypayne.com
Today we break down 7 modern parenting tips based on a cosmotogether.com article and give a behavioral prospective on these tips. These tips include: embracing technology, using intrinsic motivation, encouraging independence, balancing screen time, teaching emotional intelligence, being flexible and adaptable, and raising global citizens. We discuss how these tips can be useful to both learners with and without disabilities and how they can be implemented using behavioral strategies.
https://cosmotogether.com/blogs/news/7-new-age-parenting-tips-for-the-modern-parent
Today we discuss strategies and tips to help reduce stress around the holidays. Recognizing that this is a special time with many new events and changes in routine going on, we share how to set children with and without disabilities up for success. Some of these strategies include visual supports and schedules, helping them know who they will be around and navigating expectations with your children and other family members. We hope this helps everyone have a joyous holiday season ahead!
Today we had the pleasure of talking with Tina Stewart about advocating for her son Jaxon. Tina is a mom to four beautiful children, including her son Jaxon who has Autism. Tina discussed what is was like advocating for him through the process of getting him diagnosed with Autism, to getting the correct therapies, to advocating and collaborating with school professionals. Tina also shared what is it like to parent and support all of her children while helping Jaxon reach his highest potential in life.
Today we discuss the importance of early intervention in developmental and intellectual disabilities. We discuss what signs to look for that you may need early intervention or to further pursue a diagnosis. We discuss the differences between public school early intervention and private therapy such as Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy. We discuss what an assessment for early intervention may entail and what early intervention would look like in both the public and private spaces.
Today we go into a general overview of how to teach academic skills. We discuss considering environmental factors, how to pace a lesson and balance maintenance vs. new concepts. We also talk about using reinforcement to help motivate and reinforce these types of skills.
Today we discuss how to teach skills to successfully interact in different settings in the community. We discuss teaching setting specific skills, safety skills in the community as well as how to deal with interfering behavior in the community. We hope this episode sets your learner up for success and independence in the community!