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

Keywords

Morningside Academy, education, behavior analysis, generative instruction, standardized testing, precision teaching, educational practices, teaching strategies, student growth

Takeaways

• Morningside Academy focuses on students who fall behind in traditional education.
• The learning guarantee ensures students make at least two years of growth.
• Behavior analytic principles are integral to instructional decision-making.
• Standardized testing can be useful for measuring growth but has limitations.
• Precision teaching and the standard acceleration chart are effective tools for tracking progress.
• Homogeneous achievement grouping is crucial for effective teaching.
• Active coaching is more effective than traditional training workshops.
• Project Follow Through demonstrated the effectiveness of direct instruction.
• Educators should focus on creating environments that foster student engagement.

Summary

Kyle and Andrew Kieta, Executive Director at Morningside Academy, discuss the innovative practices at Morningside Academy, a school designed for students who struggle in traditional educational settings. Andrew shares insights into the academy's philosophy, the importance of behavior analysis in education, and the effectiveness of precision teaching. They also explore the role of standardized testing, the challenges educators face, and actionable steps for improving educational practices.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Cooperant Learning Podcast

01:48 The Journey to Morningside Academy

04:49 Understanding Morningside Academy's Philosophy

07:40 The Learning Guarantee and Student Growth

10:43 Behavior Analysis in Education

13:36 Standardized Testing and Its Implications

16:46 Precision Teaching and the Standard Acceleration Chart

24:27 Fluent Behaviors and Real-World Application

27:04 Challenges in Educational Systems

28:50 The Importance of Homogeneous Achievement Grouping

33:33 Coaching and Active Learning in Education

35:14 Project Follow Through and Its Impact

39:05 Global Educational Initiatives and Collaborations

41:49 Actionable Steps for Educators and Policymakers

Keywords

behavior analysis, healthcare, dental procedures, desensitization, phobias, virtual reality, health disparities, individuals with disabilities, systematic desensitization, quality of life

Takeaways

Healthcare is an essential aspect of behavioral intervention.

Desensitization can reduce the need for general anesthesia in dental procedures. Phobias can be reversed.

Systematic desensitization is an empirical method for "undoing" fear responses to environmental stimuli.

Virtual reality can be an effective tool for desensitization in dental settings.

Healthcare disparities affect individuals with disabilities significantly.

Quality of life should be the ultimate goal in behavioral analysis.

Behavior analysts must advocate for better healthcare access for their clients.

Understanding the root causes of behaviors can lead to better health outcomes.

The goal of treatment should be long-term health and well-being, not just immediate results.

Summary

In this conversation, Kyle Steury and Dr. Steve Sparks engage with Brandon Franklin, a chief behavior analyst at Lee Specialty Clinic, discussing the critical intersection of healthcare and behavior analysis. They explore the importance of addressing healthcare needs for individuals with disabilities, particularly in dental settings. Franklin shares insights from his dissertation on desensitization techniques for dental procedures, emphasizing the need for behavioral approaches to alleviate anxiety in medical settings. The discussion highlights the systemic disparities in healthcare access for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and advocates for a focus on quality of life as the ultimate goal in behavioral programming.

Sound bites

"Phobias can be acquired through direct exposure."

"Innovative approaches can transform dental care."

"Quality of life should be the ultimate goal."

Chapters

00:00 Brandon Franklin's Background and Experience

04:23 Dissertation Focus: Dental Procedures and Desensitization

12:46 Healthcare Disparities and Access Issues

17:35 Phobias and Systematic Desensitization

21:30 The Roots of Phobia

22:48 Understanding Fear: Systematic Desensitization Explained

32:06 Innovative Approaches: Virtual Reality in Desensitization

44:16 Needle Phobia: Insights and Implications for Healthcare

48:55 Beyond Goals: Focusing on Long-Term Health Outcomes

Brandon M. Franklin, MS, BCBA, LBA, is a highly experienced and dedicated Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Behavior Analyst, currently serving as Chief Behavior Analyst at Lee Specialty Clinic. With a career spanning over a decade in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Brandon has built a reputation for clinical excellence, compassionate care, and leadership in behavioral healthcare services for individuals with developmental disabilities. Brandon is actively pursuing his Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis at Cambridge College, further deepening his expertise in evidence-based interventions. He holds a Master of Science in ABA from Spalding University and a Bachelor of Science in Justice Administration from the University of Louisville. He is licensed as a behavior analyst in both Kentucky and Tennessee.

Email: FranklinDevelopmentalHealth@gmail.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-franklin-64225494/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealbeefee

Website: https://leespecialtyclinic.com

In today's conversation Andrew Bulla joins CL to explore the intersections of behavior analysis and animal training. They discuss the importance of assent, the LIMA principle, and the role of animal models in understanding behavior. Andrew shares his journey from working with neurodivergent individuals to training animals, emphasizing the lessons behavior analysts can learn from animal trainers. The discussion highlights the significance of choice, autonomy, and functional analysis in behavior change, as well as the need for integrating insights from animal training into behavior analysis practices.

Dr. Andrew Bulla earned his Bachelor’s degree from Saint Joseph’s University in psychology with a minor in autism studies. Upon graduating, he completed his master’s and doctoral degrees in behavior analysis from Western Michigan University, and subsequently became a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst in 2014. He is currently an associate professor of psychology and program chair for behavior analysis programs at Georgia Southern University – Armstrong Campus. Drew is also a consultant for Morningside Teachers’ Academy, where he helps coordinate and run the Summer Institute to teach individuals all over the world about the Morningside Model of Generative Instruction. Drew has worked at a variety of organizations over the course of his career including autism centers, community mental health agencies, animal facilities, several school districts, and internationally with schools in Lima, Peru delivering consultative services in Spanish. During his time in these positions, Dr. Bulla applied behavior analysis to a variety of learners and situations. He has worked in autism early intervention, ancillary programs including social and recreational skills, the assessment and treatment of challenging behaviors, academic interventions for students with and without disabilities, instructional design, and animal training including loggerhead sea turtles and grey wolves. Drew has published and conducted research in the areas of self-management, instructional design, precision teaching, physical activity, the experimental analysis of behavior, and animal training and welfare. He has published his research in a variety of journals including the Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, The Mexican Journal of Behavior Analysis, Behavior Analysis in Practice, Journal of Behavioral Education, The European Journal of Behavior Analysis, Psychology in the Schools, and Behavior Analysis: Research and Practice. Dr. Bulla has presented over 100 peer-reviewed presentations, posters, and workshops at regional, national, and international conferences. He is currently a board member for the Standard Celeration Society and has served as the Lead Guest Editor for a special issue of Behavior Analysis in Practice on precision teaching, and is currently on the editorial boards for Behavior Analysis and Practice and Behavior and Social Issues.

Intersection of Applied Behavior Analysis and AI | Cooperant Learning Podcast

In this episode of Cooperant Learning, Dr. David Cox and Ryan O’Donnell join us to explore the intersection of applied behavior analysis and artificial intelligence. We dive into real-world case applications, the opportunities and pitfalls of corporate interest in AI solutions, potential risks of sacrificing quality for efficiency, and privacy and HIPAA issues. David and Ryan discuss the mission of their AI and ABA initiative Project Chiron and examine the philosophical and ethical questions that come with integrating AI into behavior science.

🔹 Topics we cover:

Practical case uses of AI in ABA Corporate influence and the push for efficiency

A behavioral account of chatbot "behavior"

Balancing technological innovation with quality of care

Philosophical and ethical considerations in merging AI with behavior science

If you’re interested in where ABA is headed in an AI-driven world, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss.

David J. Cox, Ph.D., M.S.B., BCBA-D

A full-stack data scientist and behavior analyst with nearly two decades of experience at the intersection of behavior science, ethics, and AI. Dr. Cox is a thought leader on ethical AI integration in ABA and the author of the forthcoming commentary Ethical Behavior Analysis in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. He’s published over 70 articles and books on related topics in academic journals and, quite possibly, the only person in the field with expertise in behavior analysis, bioethics, and data science.

Ryan L. O'Donnell, M.S., BCBA

With a background in behavior science and digital storytelling, Ryan stopped short of the Ph.D. track to build a distinctive path through filmmaking, science communication, and CEU production. Known for producing high-quality, film-level CEU content with thought leaders like Patrick C. Friman, Susan G. Friedman, and Kent Johnson, he’s directed and produced over 200 hours of online courses, including the acclaimed documentaries This Way of Thinking, The History of Applied Behavior Analysis: Part 1 and The Morningside Model.

Check out The Behavior Academy and Project Chiron: https://www.thebehavioracademy.com/behavior-analysis-and-artificial-intelligence