ABA Inside Track

ABA Inside Track

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Wish you could do a better job keeping up with peer-reviewed journals? Why not listen to a podcast where behavior analysts discuss a variety of fascinating topics and the research related to them? Now you can spend your extra time thinking of ways to save the world with ABA.

Recent Episodes

OCT 14, 2026
Shaping - CE Instructor: Dr. Jackie MacDonald
IMPORTANT NOTICE: To earn CEUs for listening, you MUST sign up and listen to this episode on our website to get credit. To listen for the fun of learning? Just push play! Email us at [email protected] for further assistance. In our effort to cover every topic in behavior analysis ever, we're heading back to a basic, but key, topic: shaping. Is this is your 10th review of loading the problem loader? Or have you been too scared to utilize shaping because you've never mastered the art of the approximation? This episode goes from the basic steps in teaching more complex physical behaviors all the way to the nuances of verbal responding. Y'know, just like shaping. Learning Objectives: Participants will describe why shaping was better than reinforcing verbal attempts at gaining terminal outcome in verbal behavior. Participants will describe the most vital components of shaping in clinical work. Participants will describe how to use targeting and shaping to teach a clinical skill. This episode is available for 1.0 LEARNING CEU. Articles discussed this episode: Ferguson, D.L. & Rosales-Ruiz, J. (2001). Loading the problem loader: The effects of target training and shaping on trailer-loading behavior of horses. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 34, 409-424. doi: 10.1901/jaba.2001.34-409 Newman, B., Reinecke, D., & Ramos, M. (2009). Is a reasonable attempt reasonable? Shaping versus reinforcing verbal attempts of preschoolers with autism. The Analysis of Verbal Behavior, 25, 67-72. doi: 10.1007/BF03393070
59 MIN
OCT 5, 2026
October 2026 Preview
The podcast is coming out a few days early just to give you a little more time to get tickets to one (or more) of some of our favorite conference events of the year. Not enough time to book a flight, sadly. But, if you're in the area, we strongly encourage you to check out one of the options we discuss in the episode. The only thing scary about this month is how to find time to attend all of the amazing conferences, talks, and events given by some of the best minds in behavior analysis! But whether you're attending BABAT, the Thompson Center for Autism Conference, the latest Skinner Session, IABS's ABA in Public Schools Conference, or all of the above, you'll have a bunch of new episodes from ABA Inside Track to enjoy during your commutes. First we go back to basics with a sucessively approximate review of shaping procedures. After that, returning guest, Dr. Judah Axe, shares some of his favorite articles by B.F. Skinner and why studying from the field's OG still holds meaning in the modern day. And then we all sit criss-cross applesauce and discuss what makes for a good circle time and what do do when your circle goes pear-shaped. So, get thee to a behavior analytic conference, after downloading our new episodes, of course. And, who knows...you might even see us there in person! Articles for October 2026 Shaping w/ Dr. Jackie MacDonald Ferguson, D.L. & Rosales-Ruiz, J. (2001). Loading the problem loader: The effects of target training and shaping on trailer-loading behavior of horses. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 34, 409-424. doi: 10.1901/jaba.2001.34-409 Newman, B., Reinecke, D., & Ramos, M. (2009). Is a reasonable attempt reasonable? Shaping versus reinforcing verbal attempts of preschoolers with autism. The Analysis of Verbal Behavior, 25, 67-72. doi: 10.1007/BF03393070 The Legacy of B.F. Skinner w/ Dr. Judah Axe Skinner, B.F. (1984). An operant analysis of problem solving. The Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 7, 583-613. doi: 10.1017/S0140525X00027412 Skinner, B.F., (1948). Superstition in the pigeon. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 38, 168-172. doi: 10.1037/0096-3445.121.3.273 Circle Time w/ Dr. Diana Parry-Cruwys Barton, E.E., Reichow, B., Wolery, M., & Chen, C. (2011). We can all participate! Adapting circle time for children with autism. Young Exceptional Children, 14, 2-21. doi: 10.1177/1096250610393681 Seifert, A.M. & Metz, A.E. (2017). The effects of inflated seating cushions on engagement in preschool circle time. Early Childhood Education Journal, 45, 411-418. doi: 10.1007/s10643-016-0797-7 Crozier, S. & Tincani, M. (2007). Effects of social stories on prosocial behavior of preschool children with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37, 1803-1814. doi: 10.1007/s10803-006-0315-7 Vargo, K.K., Heal, N.A., Epperley, K., & Kooistra, E. (2014). The effects of a multiple schedule plus rules on hand raising during circle time in preschool classrooms. Journal of Behavioral Education, 23, 326-343. doi: 10.1007/s10864-014-9199-3
17 MIN
SEP 23, 2026
How Good Have We Really Gotten at Supervision - CE Instructor: Dr. Amber Valentino
IMPORTANT NOTICE: To earn CEUs for listening, you MUST sign up and listen to this episode on our website to get credit. To listen for the fun of learning? Just push play! Email us at [email protected] for further assistance. Can it really be 10 years since Sellers, Valentino, and LeBlanc laid out an amaing and actionable list of supervision activities for behavior analysts to follow? Yup, you're that much older! And while you're undoubtedly better than your younger self, could the field of supervision say the same thing? This week Dr. Amber Valentino joins us to share the growth of supervision research in ABA, the areas and practices where we can still improve, and a new means of objectively evaluating just how well (or...not) your supervision behaviors are going. Learning Objectives: Participants will describe the five target areas described in Sellers et al. (2016). Participants will identify why relationship building is vital in supervision. Participants will describe the advantages of using the supervision calculator. This episode is available for 1.0 SUPERVISION CEU. Articles discussed this episode: Sellers, T.P., Valentino, A.L., LeBlanc, L.A. (2016). Recommended practices for individual supervision of aspiring behavior analysts. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 9, 274-286. doi: 10.1007/s40617-016-0110-7 Valentino, A.L., Fuhrman, A.M., & Beck, J. (2024). The development of a calculator for objectively evaluating supervisory behaviors in practice. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 17, 932-944. doi: 10.1007/s40617-024-00946-w
62 MIN
SEP 16, 2026
(SUPERVISION) Using Peer Feedback in Supervision - CE Instructors: Dr. Jackie MacDonald + Dr. Diana Parry-Cruwys
IMPORTANT NOTICE: To earn CEUs for listening, you MUST sign up and listen to this episode on our website to get credit. To listen for the fun of learning? Just push play! Email us at [email protected] for further assistance. We spend a lot of time as supervisors using our brilliant, veteran brains to pass wisdom on to those under our supervisory purview. But does that mean that our friends and colleagues don't have anything useful to add to our learning experience? Jackie and Diana lead a discussion of what is known about utilizing peer feedback to improve learning and training outcomes. While peer feedback may have worked great when improving typing behavior, how does it support learning in a BST paradigm? And could it ::GULP:: maybe take the place of our sages on the stage approach? Learning Objectives: Participants will describe advantages and disadvantages of using peer feedback Participants will describe the recommendations on how to promote peer feedback. Participants will identify the steps of using peer-led BST on teaching empathic skills. This episode is available for 1.0 SUPERVISION CEU. Articles discussed this episode: Fraidlin, A., Van Stratton, J.E., McElroy, A., & Aljadeff, E. (2023). Peer feedback: Recommendations for behavior analysts' training and supervision. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 16, 696-708. doi: 10.1007/s40617-022-00761-1 Tittlebach, D., Fields, L., & Alvero, A.M. (2008). Effects of performance feedback on typing speed and accuracy. Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, 27, 29-52. doi: 10.1300/J075v27n04_02 Law, V., Turner, L.B., & Brewer, A.T. (2024). Using peer-led behavioral skills training to teach trainees active and empathetic listening skills in a virtual environment. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 19, 250-263. doi: 10.1007/s40617-024-00954-w
61 MIN