Welcome to 2026! In this episode, we dove into the world of behavioral gerontology and the world of behavior analysis with older adults. We’re joined by Dr. Jon Baker who helped break down what behavioral gerontology is, how it’s evolved, and what current research tells us about supporting the aging community in meaningful and effective ways. We talk honestly about the challenges practitioners face in this space — from bringing behaviorism to a medical model, navigating mental health concerns, isolation, and cognitive changes that come with aging.

What really stood out in this discussion is how hopeful this work can be. Even later in life, behavior is still adaptable, learning is still possible, and individualized, compassionate interventions can make a real difference. This episode is about seeing aging not as a closed door, but as a stage of life where thoughtful behavioral support still matters.

Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Banter 02:51 Housekeeping and Why This Topic Matters 05:37 Welcoming Dr. Jon Baker 08:41 What Is Behavioral Gerontology, Really? 11:21 What Gerontology Looks Like in Practice 14:06 Behavioral Health and Aging 16:54 Do Behavioral Interventions Still Work as We Age? 19:56 Challenges in Behavioral Gerontology 22:57 Behavioral Plasticity and Aging 26:06 Behavior as Communication 28:59 Real-World Case Examples 31:54 Why Individualized Approaches Matter 35:04 Research Gaps and What We Still Don’t Know 38:08 Mental Health and Aging 41:04 Can Memory Loss Be Reversible? 43:39 Brain Injury vs. Neurocognitive Disorders 47:01 How to Get Into Behavioral Gerontology 49:46 Sustainability of Interventions 52:56 Final Thoughts and Listener Engagement

Our Guest: Dr. Jonathan Baker is chair and associate professor in the Department of Psychology at Western Michigan University.

Prior to joining WMU, he was an associate professor and coordinator of the gerontology certificate program, as well as a faculty member in the behavior analysis and therapy program in the Rehabilitation Institute at Southern Illinois University. He received a certificate in gerontology from the University of Kansas and is a Doctoral level Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D).

Baker is on the editorial board for the Analysis of Verbal Behavior and Behavior Analysis: Research and Practice. He has served as a guest Action Editor for TAVB and the Psychological Record, and serves as a guest reviewer for the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, the Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, The Behavior Analyst, Behavior Analysis in Practice, The Psychological Record and The American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease & Other Dementias.

He is also the former president of the Mid-American Association of Behavior Analysis, former chair of the Behavioral Gerontology Special Interest Group with ABAI, and is on the Board of Directors for the Behavior Analyst Certification Board.

Resources:

Behavioral gerontology at home: Retaining self-care skills in an older adult with major neurocognitive disorder through stimulus control and subtle prompt hierarchies from spousal caregiver.

Expanding the Consumer Base for Behavior-Analytic Services: Meeting the Needs of Consumers in the 21st Century

Listen now: 🎧 Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/7jEtOKZjbww4TCL9YfOMZF?si=490b8beed95c406b 🍎 Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cooperant-learning-podcast/id1817490272 ▶️ YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@cooperantlearning 🌐 Website → https://www.cooperantlearning.com

Connect with us: 📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/cooperantbx/ 🎵 TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@cooperantlearning 📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/people/Cooperant-Learning/61564380433792/?_rdr

Keywords

behavior analysis, micro-credentials, education, BCBA, training, professional development, instructional design, ABA

Summary

In this conversation, Dr. Kent Johnson discusses the evolution of competence in behavior analysis, emphasizing the need for a new approach to training and professional development. He introduces the concept of micro-credentials as a way to demonstrate mastery of specific skills, comparing and contrasting it with traditional CEUs. The discussion highlights the importance of maintaining scientific principles in the field while adapting to the changing landscape of education and practice. Johnson advocates for a grassroots approach to developing micro-credentials, aiming to enhance the relevance and effectiveness of professional development in behavior analysis.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Competence in Behavior Analysis

11:29 The Evolution of Behavior Analysis

17:06 Understanding Micro-Credentials

39:06 Micro-Credentials in Practice

55:48 Future of Micro-Credentials and CEUs

Guest

Dr. Kent Johnson:

Founder and Executive Director, Morningside Academy, Seattle, Washington, 1980 to 2023 Founder and Executive Director Emeritus, 2023 into the future

• Morningside operates a scientifically driven “catch up” school, with a program for children and youth with learning and attention problems, and a “get ahead” program for average and above-average middle school youth.

• Morningside Academy’s procedures have been formalized as The Morningside Model of Generative Instruction (MMGI), including instructional design, classroom management, teaching procedures, and student and program evaluation procedures.

Founder and Director, Morningside Teachers’ Academy, Seattle, Washington, 1990 to present Founder and Executive Director Emeritus, 2023 into the future

• Morningside is also an international center for teacher education and coaching, internships, and instructional design training. We focus upon reading, mathematics, writing, thinking, reasoning, problem-solving and organizational skills. We have implemented MMGI in 142 schools, school districts, agencies, and businesses throughout the United States and Canada since 1991. Morningside hosts an annual Morningside Summer Institute (MSI), as well as school-year trainings. See our website, www.morningsideacademy.org for details.

Author and Publisher, Morningside Press, Seattle, WA, 1990 to present

• Morningside is also a laboratory for developing instructional methods and instructional materials.

• We have published 34 instructional programs, including scripted instruction, frequency building practice exercises, and procedures for classroom implementation in reading, writing, and mathematics

President-Elect, Association for Behavior Analysis International, 2023-24 President, Association for Behavior Analysis International, 2024-2025 President, Society for Behavior Analysis, 2025-2026 (the not-for-profit arm of ABAI)

Further reading: Oregon State University: What is a micro-credential? https://ecampus.oregonstate.edu/news/what-is-a-microcredential/

Education Week: This Teacher PD Approach Has Spread to More Than 30 States https://www.edweek.org/leadership/this-teacher-pd-approach-has-spread-to-more-than-30-states/2025/05

Listen now:

🎧 Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/7jEtOKZjbww4TCL9YfOMZF?si=490b8beed95c406b

🍎 Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cooperant-learning-podcast/id1817490272

▶️ YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@cooperantlearning

🌐 Website → https://www.cooperantlearning.com

Connect with us:

📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/cooperantbx/

🎵 TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@cooperantlearning

📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/people/Cooperant-Learning/61564380433792/?_rdr

Keywords

behavior analysis, parenting, parent coaching, Mandy Grass, family behaviorist, ABA, behavior management, parenting challenges, mental health

Kyle and Dr. Sparks welcome Mandy Grass, a BCBA and parent coach known as @thefamilybehaviorist on social media. They discuss Mandy's journey into behavior analysis, the challenges of parenting, and the importance of making behavior analysis accessible to all parents. Mandy shares her insights on making ABA relatable, navigating conflicting information online, and real-world applications of behavior analysis in parenting. The conversation emphasizes empathy, understanding, and practical strategies for parents facing everyday challenges.

Guest

Mandy Grass is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), parent coach, and mother of three. With over a decade of experience in education and behavior analysis, she began her career as a special education teacher supporting students with significant behavioral needs before becoming a BCBA in 2015. Since then, Mandy has worked with hundreds of families and school districts to teach evidence-based strategies that help children thrive at home and in the classroom. She’s also built a community of nearly 700,000 people on social media, where she shares real-life, practical tools (and a healthy dose of humor) to make parenting feel a little lighter and a lot more doable.

Check out Mandy on TikTok and Instagram: @thefamilybehaviorist and at her website thefamilybehaviorist.com.

Listen now:

🎧 Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/7jEtOKZjbww4TCL9YfOMZF?si=490b8beed95c406b

🍎 Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cooperant-learning-podcast/id1817490272

▶️ YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@cooperantlearning

🌐 Website → https://www.cooperantlearning.com

Connect with us:

📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/cooperantbx/

🎵 TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@cooperantlearning

📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/people/Cooperant-Learning/61564380433792/?_rdr