The ABA and PT Podcast
The ABA and PT Podcast

The ABA and PT Podcast

Mandy Mason

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Episodes

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The Mission of the ABA and PT Podcast is to record and document the work and journeys of major contributors to ABA and Precision Teaching, and thereby stand for incorporating standard measurement and the use of the standard celeration chart into our work and lives. Our pledge is to honour those who have dedicated their life to this field such that my daughter and those that need it, benefit from science and all our field has discovered, that is at risk of getting lost. And the bottom line is that we all need it.

Recent Episodes

Episode #18 - The Precision Positive Interaction Project - Jack Auman and Abigail B. Calkin
NOV 4, 2025
Episode #18 - The Precision Positive Interaction Project - Jack Auman and Abigail B. Calkin
Jack Auman and Dr. Abigail Calkin, two previous guests, are both returning in this episode as we explore how simple gestures like smiles and waves can have an enormous impact on another’s verbal behavior. We discuss the power of charting positive interactions and the ripple effect, butterfly effect as Jack describes it, of positivity in a world often overshadowed by negativity. We also share our thoughts on personal data collection in behaviour analysis, examining how using this data may impact inner behaviour of thoughts, feelings and urges. In this episode, you’ll learn about: How Jack was inspired to create the Precision Positive Interaction Project (PPIP). Why shifting from protest to positive action can be proactive rather than reactive. The possibility of recognizing positivity amidst chaos and world events beyond your control. How historical figures like Pavlov inspire modern personal data tracking methods. Why positive affirmations and mindfulness practices are so useful in challenging environments. How charting personal data aids in understanding and managing one's own behaviour. How positive interactions can shift mindsets and influence daily life trajectories. A story about addressing trauma in military personnel using positivity. Insights gained from monitoring students' positive and negative statements. How a positive upbringing shapes your outlook and approach to life.   Dr. Abigail Calkin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abigail-calkin-62305334/  Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abaandptpodcast  Join our The ABA and PT Podcast Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/397478901376425  The Standard Celeration Society https://celeration.org/  
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64 MIN
Episode #17 - A Life of Precision Teaching Meeting AI - Dr. Rick Kubina
OCT 11, 2025
Episode #17 - A Life of Precision Teaching Meeting AI - Dr. Rick Kubina
Today we’re welcoming Dr. Rick Kubina, who is Director of Research at CentralReach as well as Professor of Special Education at The Pennsylvania State University. A trailblazer in precision teaching and the science behind human behavior, we talk about his journey from volunteering at a mental health asylum when he was 16 years old to becoming a pivotal figure in education. Dr. Kubina explains the balance between teaching and entrepreneurial ventures, sharing candid insights from his journey in integrating consulting within his academic career. Our discussion also explores the impact of AI in teaching, the ethical considerations behind it, and the importance of human interaction. In this episode, you’ll learn about: Why Dr. Kubina is at the forefront of Precision Teaching and Behavior Science. How his education at Youngstown State University shaped his career. How PrecisionX (formerly known as Chartlytics) revolutionizes Precision Teaching and data analysis. Why balancing teaching and business ventures was pivotal for Dr. Kubina. How AI can transform data analysis and prediction in Precision Teaching. Why ethical considerations are crucial in integrating AI in education and healthcare. Why digital charting offers advantages over traditional paper charts in Precision Teaching. Why responsible AI usage is essential to prevent misuse in fields like ABA. How low code platforms enable non-technical users to create functional applications. Why the human element remains irreplaceable despite technological advancements in education. How systemic issues prevent the widespread adoption of Precision Teaching tools like the Standard Celeration Chart.   Dr. Kubina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickkubina CentralReach: https://www.centralreach.com Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abaandptpodcast Join our The ABA and PT Podcast Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/397478901376425 The Standard Celeration Society Papers on Destandardization: https://celeration.org/charting-standards/  
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73 MIN
Episode #16 – Try the Chart - Dr. Hank Pennypacker
JUN 9, 2023
Episode #16 – Try the Chart - Dr. Hank Pennypacker
Dr. Hank Pennypacker, a pioneer in the Science of Human Behavior, shared profound insights about the standard celeration chart in amongst the many wisdoms he describtes in this podcast. Despite its limited adoption, he emphasized the immeasurable value of the chart to those wanting to make accurate predictions about behavior. Dr. Pennypacker passionately advocates for the widespread use of precise measurement to fields involving human behavior and why percent correct lacks the arguably greatest contribution of B.F. Skinner's, being Rate of Response, and Hank's contribution of celeration as a measure to predict future performance. He also talks about his contributions to identification of early breast detection through this program, Mammacare.  Join us as we delve into the Hank's 6 decade career in Behavior Science and his discussions of the Standard Celeration chart in his advice to Try the Chart!   Join our The ABA and PT Podcast Facebook Group to get access to the following resources: Facebook group link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/397478901376425 Check out the podcast on your favorite platform! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-aba-and-ot-podcast/id1538336498 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7ieqLjFH8ekw2DA0VTWJno Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL3RoZWFiYWFuZG90cG9kY2FzdC9mZWVkLnhtbA== Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-aba-and-ot-podcast Podbean: https://theabaandotpodcast.podbean.com Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abaandptpodcast   HIGHLIGHTS 0:05 Dr. Hank Pennypacker’s journey: From teaching psych to transforming behavior 15:00 The success and challenges of incorporating self-charting and personalized learning 21:45 Collaborating with Ogden: Pioneering precision teaching and behavior change 30:11 Developing technology and training for effective breast self-examination 39:17 Hope for the future of precision teaching and charting 49:11 The challenges of promoting the use of the chart in the field of ABA and its value in making accurate predictions and anticipating behavior   RESOURCES About Dr. Hank Pennypacker: https://www.abainternational.org/constituents/bios/henrypennypacker.aspx Link to Engineering the Upswing (book): https://www.engineeringtheupswing.org The MammaCare Method: https://mammacare.org/   QUOTES 41:05 "The power of the measurement system lies in the recognition of the fact that the frequency is the correct measure of behavior." - Dr. Hank Pennypacker 49:26 “It's not easy. I don't pretend otherwise but that doesn't make it invaluable.” - Hank Pennypacker 49:51 “If you're in any kind of activity in which you have to anticipate what's going to happen, and what's going to happen is behavior, you're better off if you're using a device which allows you to make accurate predictions.” - Dr. Hank Pennypacker  
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54 MIN
Episode #15 - The Carolyne Letters with Dr. Abigail Calkin
OCT 27, 2022
Episode #15 - The Carolyne Letters with Dr. Abigail Calkin
In this episode, we take a quick side step from ABA to talk about one of the most hotly debated issues in the US right now and one that Precision Teacher Abigail Calkin writes about in her book, The Carolyne Letters; A Story of Birth, Abortion, and Adoption . In this episode, Abigail poses questions and talks about the complexities of pregnancy and parenthood and the impact those complexities have on family units. Abigail Calkin, a published author and a precision teacher, will shed some light on the choices each woman faces when she becomes pregnant. In her book, Abigail explores the three choices a young mother,Amelia, faced.  The book is divided into three sections, and in each section, Amelia, the young mother in the narrative, writes letters to the three Carolynes in the story explaining her choices. Abigail also discusses how she used the celeration chart while she was pregnant to count fetal movements, and a whole lot more! I hope you enjoy this wonderful author talking about The Carolyne Letters.    Join our The ABA and PT Podcast Facebook Group to get access to the following resources:Facebook group link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/397478901376425Check out the podcast on your favorite platform!Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-aba-and-ot-podcast/id1538336498 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7ieqLjFH8ekw2DA0VTWJnoGoogle Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL3RoZWFiYWFuZG90cG9kY2FzdC9mZWVkLnhtbA==Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-aba-and-ot-podcastPodbean: https://theabaandotpodcast.podbean.comFollow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abaandptpodcast HIGHLIGHTS 3:20 The inspiration behind the book, The Carolyne Letters. 8:24 Abigail introduces Amelia and Carolyne, the main characters in the book. 9:59 Should you keep the baby if you knew they would likely die soon or have severe disabilities? 12:37 The court’s ruling on a minor’s request for permission to have an abortion. 16:10 Why a lot of young women become pregnant after losing a loved one. 19:22 Advantages of programs that teach teenagers how to be parents. 25:53 The growing US trend of men getting vasectomy procedures while women get their tubes tied. 33:44 A summary of the book's sections. 44:38 How Abigail's experience becoming a mother affected the way she wrote the book. 49:12 The viewpoint of a woman who has experienced both legal and illegal abortion, as well as the current movement to make abortion illegal. 1:02:27 Counting fetal kicks using the standard celeration chart. 1:31:46 Abigail got a job at the University of Oregon after not getting a contract renewal because of pregnancy 1:38:19 Why do some people love precise instruction and stick with it, while others don't?  1:47:53 How she tallies the data on charts at the start of the day.   RESOURCES The Carolyne Letters: A Story of Birth, Abortion and Adoption by Abigail Calkin (*Amazon affiliate link) Abigail’s website - www.abigailbcalkin.com   QUOTES 49:17 “It's interesting to me to have lived in the times of illegal abortion, legal abortion, and now we're moving into illegal abortion. And frankly, I don't think that's going to work.” 55:09 “The issue is not pregnancy. The issue is [that] society is changing, and it's changing dramatically.” 58:14 “We're only one race, it is the human race.” 59:15 “Our whole worldwide culture is changing.” 59:56 “Choice is there, and you can choose to have a child—keep the child and give the child up for adoption, or have an abortion.” 1:00:00 “If abortion is illegal, there is no choice. There's only one option. And you have to go with that option. And to me, that's not what a democracy or Republicans are about.”
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126 MIN
Episode #14 - The Truth Behind Neuropsychological Testing with Dr. Kimberly Berens
OCT 19, 2022
Episode #14 - The Truth Behind Neuropsychological Testing with Dr. Kimberly Berens
Be prepared for Dr. Kimberly Berens’ extraordinarily important message regarding learning disabilities!  In the US, 20% of kids are considered to have a learning disability of some kind. Dr. Berens explains in Episode 14 of the podcast that only a tiny fraction of children—less than 1%—have a real neurological impairment. This suggests that more kids are being labeled with learning disabilities that are Explanatory Fictions, as opposed to measuring learning across time and assessing for skill deficits that account for why a child struggles with reading or other learning. This episode explores the reasons behind children's academic difficulties, the truth behind neuropsychological testing, and the damaging effects that the DSM-5 learning disability labeling of children has.  Dr. Berens explains that labels that children are given are predominantly a result of ineffective instructional environments as opposed to a made up reason for what is occurring in the brain. Most importantly, Dr. Berens explains what we can do to disrupt this vicious cycle and improve children's learning abilities. She explains that for the majority of children, “school does not work” and why. She makes it clear that she is not blaming teachers, but rather that teachers need explicit training in behavior science and effective teaching practices. You’ll hear Dr. Berens' real anger at a professional that after testing a student’s performance on one occasion, then makes a profound leap to explain that the reason for the performance is due to something in the brain that cannot be measured, and that there is no scientific support for the label given to the child.   Dr. Berens then reviews a case study of a student with a Neuropsychological Report versus the type of report that a Precision Teacher would produce, to look at skill deficits a child has to account for their reading challenges, as opposed to a hypothetical construct of why the student performed badly on a test one time. Dr. Berens is a scientist-educator, a precision teacher, and the founder of Fit Learning. She is also the author of the book, Blind Spots: Why Students Fail... and the Science that Can Save Them.  Her stand is to transform education on the planet through the use of behavior science, and how that science can change the world.   Join our The ABA and PT Podcast Facebook Group to get access to the following resources: Facebook group link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/397478901376425 Check out the podcast on your favorite platform! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-aba-and-ot-podcast/id1538336498 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7ieqLjFH8ekw2DA0VTWJno Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL3RoZWFiYWFuZG90cG9kY2FzdC9mZWVkLnhtbA== Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-aba-and-ot-podcast Podbean: https://theabaandotpodcast.podbean.com Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abaandptpodcast   HIGHLIGHTS 3:19 The truth behind neuropsychological testing and learning disabilities. 6:11 The types of assessments that neuropsychologists conduct. 8:04 What distinguishes a scientific method from an Explanatory Fiction? 21:48 Common forms of disabilities, backed by neuroscience. 28:21 Why does Dr Berens think school is ineffective? 51:51 The application of behavior science to video game creation. 54:37 Imitation is the main method by which infants learn; it is not a genetic trait. 1:00:17 What can we do to change this vicious cycle? 1:17:41 Scientific illiteracy: The difference between neuroscience and neuropsychology. 1:24:22 A sneak preview of what Dr Berens will discuss at the Annual Conference of the Standard Celeration Society in Denver in November 2022 as the keynote speaker.    RESOURCES Learn more about Dr. Kimberly Beren’s work: https://www.drkimberlyberens.com   Listen to her podcast episodes: https://www.drkimberlyberens.com/new-pageNow to Next with Nanton featuring Kimberly Berenshttps://p
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87 MIN