Behavioral Observations

29/11/2025

Dr. Francesca degli Espinosa returned to the podcast for another great conversation.

She recently published a paper in Perspectives on Behavior Science called, "Eye Contact: To Teach or Not to Teach? That is Not
the Question."

As you might imagine, this generated considerable discussion, and built on the conversation we last had on the podcast nearly two years ago.

Regardless of what your opinion is on this issue, I strongly recommend reading the article.

We also talk about her outstanding Substack Newsletter, "What Darwin Taught Me," highlighting a special series in which she writes about a few ABA practitioners in the not-so-distant future.

The series is a vehicle to discuss what can go wrong with AI run amok in our practice, so take it as a cautionary tale. We then talk about how to balance capitalizing on the tools we have at our disposal these days with maintaining the craft of competent, effective practice.

Full shownotes including links to all the resources are over at behavioralobservations.com!

24/11/2025

In this episode of Behavioral Observations, host Matt Cicoria welcomes Dr. Nathan Call, PhD, Associate Professor at Emory University School of Medicine, and John C. Borrero, Professor at UMBC Psychology Department, for a powerful conversation on what it really takes to make scholarship impactful across disciplines.

We can develop blindspots if we dismiss scientifically validated methods just because they’re “not how we do things.”

Qualitative research, implementation science, and participatory methods aren’t less rigorous. They’re just less familiar.

And if behavior analysts want to drive change in new contexts, we must build fluency in those methods.

Scholarship that crosses boundaries requires discipline, not shortcuts.

Because interdisciplinary work doesn’t dilute behavior analysis.

It elevates it.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here: https://youtu.be/k6Xoy3wPiWs

21/11/2025

In this episode of Behavioral Observations, host Matt Cicoria invites Dr. Nathan Call, PhD, Associate Professor at Emory University School of Medicine, and John C. Borrero, Professor at UMBC Psychology Department, to dissect a critical but often overlooked concept: boundary encounters.

We all talk about dissemination.

Incoming boundary encounters, getting outsiders to pick up our journals.

Outgoing boundary encounters, getting our work into their journals.

Each one requires its own strategy. And both are non-negotiable if we want real-world change.

Because if we’re only writing for ourselves, we’re not disseminating, we’re just distributing.

And distribution without uptake hinders progress.

You don’t need to compromise your science but you do need to think strategically about who sees it.

This is required listening for anyone serious about scholarly impact in behavior analysis.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here: https://youtu.be/k6Xoy3wPiWs

20/11/2025

In this episode of Behavioral Observations, host Matt Cicoria invites guests Dr. Nathan Call, PhD, Associate Professor at Emory University School of Medicine, and John C. Borrero, Professor at UMBC Psychology Department, to explore how scholarship in behavior analysis can shift from passive distribution to active dissemination that drives real-world impact.

Science isn’t just what you publish. It’s how your work changes the behavior of others.

Most behavior analysts aim to make a difference.

But the field’s current contingencies don’t always support work that spreads.

That’s why this conversation is important.

Frame scholarly work, everything from designing studies to publishing papers, as a repertoire.

And just like any response class, it’s shaped by reinforcement.

What gets published isn’t always what gets noticed.

Uptake is the true reinforcer but without intentional dissemination strategies, even great research won’t lead to real-world change.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here: https://youtu.be/k6Xoy3wPiWs

18/11/2025

Huge thanks to the Kentucky Association for Behavior Analysis for inviting me to talk about low tech, high impact strategies for preventing and responding to disruptive behavior in classrooms. The conference also featured great talks from Dr. Holly Gover and Tom Freeman on feeding and medications, respectively. Special shoutout to Brandon Franklin for being my Uber driver, AirBnB host, tour guide, and sherpa throughout my visit. If you're in the area next year, put this conference on your list!

07/11/2025

In this episode of Behavioral Observations, host Matt Cicoria is joined by Dr. Gabi Morgan, Assistant Professor at Bay Path University and David Adams, Clinic Director at Meier Clinics and Founder at New Life Psychology Group, to unpack what truly trauma-informed practice looks like specially during high-stakes moments of fear and dysregulation.

Fear is not a teachable moment.

No matter how well-crafted your intervention is, if a child is overwhelmed, terrified, or shut down, they’re not learning.

This is where many of well meaning people, get it wrong.

We confront the meltdown instead of calming the nervous system.

We try to teach instead of soothe.

If the goal is learning, the first move must be safety.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here: https://youtu.be/A5OuNxGhcT8

06/11/2025

Diagnosis isn’t function, it’s form.

In this episode of Behavioral Observations Podcast, host Matt Cicoria invites guests Dr. Gabi Morgan, Assistant Professor at Bay Path University and David Adams, Clinic Director at Meier Clinics and Founder at New Life Psychology Group, to unpack a critical topic: how trauma is diagnosed and why behavior analysts must tread carefully when navigating diagnostic language in clinical work.

As behavior analysts, we're trained to think functionally.

Yet, diagnoses are built on form on topographies, clusters, and symptom checklists.

And while these tools can be helpful in identifying patterns and guiding support...

They don't explain why the behavior occurs, that's where we need to look further.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here: https://youtu.be/A5OuNxGhcT8

05/11/2025

Trauma isn't what happens, it's how it's experienced.

In this episode of Behavioral Observations Podcast, host Matt Cicoria invites guests Dr. Gabi Morgan, Assistant Professor at Bay Path University and Dr. David Adams, Child and Adult Psychology, Clinic Director at Meier Clinics and Founder at New Life Psychology Group to explore trauma through the lens of behavior analysis, discussing trauma-informed care, its impact on neurobiology, and how to better support vulnerable populations.

We often think that trauma is the event itself, but it’s not.

Two people can experience the same adverse event. One walks away unshaken. The other walks away considerably distressed.

That difference matters, it means behavior analysts and therapists can’t just rely on visible history.

We must ask better questions, screen more thoughtfully.

Compassion doesn’t compromise science, it completes it.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here: https://youtu.be/A5OuNxGhcT8

24/10/2025

getting .aba off to a great start!

24/10/2025

One of my daughter's friends is majoring in Elementary Education. I'm guessing she had to do an assignment on classroom management and somehow found a few relevant BOP episodes, most notably Session 293 with Dr. Todd Haydon, where we discussed how increasing Opportunities to Respond gets students more on-task while reducing problem behavior.

Other notable elements include using Numbered Heads Together and playing peer-led Good Behavior Game.

As you can see here, it looks like the assignment also included an illustration or mind-map. Notice in this picture that my hair is black. I'm guessing Amanda did not have a gray crayon at her disposal. I'm grateful for both this artistic license as well as knowing that students in teacher prep programs - or at least this one - are learning about evidence-based classroom management practices.

21/10/2025

I have it on good authority that there are only 4 tickets left to NHABA - New Hampshire Association for Behavior Analysis's 2025 Conference. Some up and coming BCBA named Greg... I'm sorry, I'm blanking on his last name... is speaking. It should be great fun.

Let's sell this one out!

This year's conference features Dr. Greg Hanley as our keynote speaker! Learn about Today's ABA, strategies to maximize learner happiness, engagement, comfort, and assent while teaching critical skills and decreasing maladaptive behavior.