The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt Cicoria cover art

The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt Cicoria

The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt Cicoria

Written by: Matt Cicoria
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 This is a podcast about the field of Behavior Analysis. Each episode will feature an interview with a Behavior Analyst where we discuss a specific topic in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. Some of these topics include functional behavioral assessment, treating severe behavioral disorders such as aggression and self-injurious behavior, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), behavioral ethics, autism treatment, parenting, and the history of Applied Behavior Analysis. Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Science Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Smarter Study Strategies Using Cover, Copy, and Compare: Session 318 with Sarah Frampton

    Smarter Study Strategies Using Cover, Copy, and Compare: Session 318 with Sarah Frampton
    Dec 10 2025
    In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Sarah Frampton, who conducts research on, amongst other things, improving how we teach, learn, and organize information using behavior-analytic strategies. We explore her career journey, her research on graphic organizers and the Cover, Copy, Compare (CCC) strategy, and the broader implications for stimulus equivalence, educational technology, and effective teaching. In This Episode, You'll Learn: How Sarah's unconventional path led her from economics and psychology into Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).Why note-taking and structured learning strategies, like CCC, matter for retaining and applying complex information.How stimulus equivalence principles can enhance learning beyond direct instruction.Insights from Sarah's research combining CCC with graphic organizers, including practical takeaways for educators and learners (see Frampton, Vesely and Jackson, 2025).How visual learning tools and educational technology can improve engagement and retention.Strategies for training learners to use these approaches independently and effectively. Highlights From Our Conversation: Sarah's Path Into ABA Sarah shares how a thesis requirement and a Craigslist job posting led her to ABA, including formative experiences working with Dr. Alice Shillingsburg at the Marcus Autism Center. These experiences sparked her interest in efficient, broadly applicable learning strategies. Why Note-Taking Strategies Matter We discuss the value of graphic organizers and the Cover, Copy, Compare (CCC) strategy: Graphic organizers visually display relationships between concepts.CCC is a structured, active-response method that strengthens memory, similar to flashcards. Sarah emphasizes how behavior-analytic techniques can support higher-order thinking processes often considered "cognitive." CCC and Stimulus Equivalence Sarah walks through stimulus equivalence with clear examples, showing how teaching certain relations can produce broader learning without direct instruction. She also highlights a study where CCC and graphic organizers helped learners prepare for tests—even under intentionally challenging conditions. Graphic Organizers in Action Key findings from Sarah's research: Learners who drew more structured organizers performed better.Teaching organizer use during test conditions did not hinder performance.Visualizing relationships among stimuli predicted task success. Training Learners to Use These Strategies Sarah outlines her training sequence, including pre-tests, video instruction, practice with familiar material, and application to abstract stimuli. A core goal was strategy generalization—ensuring learners could apply CCC to new material independently. Fig. 1 from Frampton, et al. (2025) Fig. 2 from Frampton, et al. (2025) Research Findings Most participants quickly mastered abstract relations and passed post-tests after brief training. Notably, all participants used the CCC strategy—some even more meticulously than required. Educational Technology, Engagement, and Mediation Participants reported the educational technology intervention was easy to use and helpful, contrasting with high dropout rates in similar studies. Sarah also describes how participants naturally used private verbal behavior, such as naming stimuli or creating stories, to aid learning. Visual Learning Tools in ABA We discuss the broader application of visual supports—graphic organizers, flashcards, handwriting—and their role in enhancing learning efficiency for both adults and children with autism. Looking Ahead Sarah previews her upcoming presentation at the Verbal Behavior Conference, covering generative learning and assessment tools. We also explore how collaboration and community can reduce burnout and increase long-term job satisfaction in ABA in the "advice for the newly-minted" segment. Resources & Links Session 287: BiDirectional Naming with Caio Miguel.Session 80: Verbal Behavior and Relational Frame Theory, with David Palmer and Josh Pritchard.Shillingsburg, et al. (2016). A Preliminary Procedure for Teaching Children with Autism to Mand for Social Information.Frampton and Linehan (2024). The effects of a training package to teach note taking on the formation of equivalence classes. Sponsor shoutouts! Office Puzzle: A thriving ABA practice depends on systems that actually support your team, not slow them down. If you've struggled with software that's buggy, hard to navigate, or offers little support when you need it most, you're not alone. That's why so many practices are switching to Office Puzzle. Go to officepuzzle.com/bop to learn more!Frontera. Consider taking a demo of Frontera's Assessment Builder and see how the ethical application of AI technologies can help you serve clients and save you time! Your first assessment report is free. And if you use code BOP25 you'll get an additional five assessments for just $100. So head to fronterahealth.com to check...
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    1 hr and 36 mins
  • Eye Contact and AI in ABA Treatment: Session 317 with Francesca degli Espinosa

    Eye Contact and AI in ABA Treatment: Session 317 with Francesca degli Espinosa
    Nov 29 2025
    In Session 317, I sit down with Dr. Francesca Delia Espinoza to revisit one of the most foundational—but often misunderstood—topics in behavior analysis: eye contact. We explore why eye contact shouldn't be treated as a simple objective, but instead understood within its broader social and developmental context. Francesca explains how eye contact is better re-framed as "eye-looking," and why behavior analysts need a strong conceptual foundation for evaluating when, how, and why to teach it. We discuss her recent paper in Perspectives on Behavior Science, which encourages practitioners to analyze the controlling variables behind eye contact rather than relying on rote teaching procedures. We then shift into the role of eye contact in autism development and early intervention. Francesca discusses how deviations in gaze behavior can influence a child's learning trajectory, and why early, naturally occurring social contingencies can make such a significant difference. We also touch on the potential aversiveness of eye contact for some individuals, and how to navigate that ethically and effectively. Our conversation expands into related research on social media, gaze avoidance, and how adults and children with autism engage differently with eye-related cues online. Francesca also talks about her Substack newsletter, "What Darwin Taught Me," which blends behavioral science with accessible and engaging writing. From there, we explore her creative work in conceptual fiction, including her "Aura" series from her Substack Newsletter — a not-too-distant science-fiction world where behavior analysts work alongside AI systems that analyze sessions, generate programs, and support day-to-day clinical tasks. This leads us into a broader discussion about the role of AI in applied behavior analysis, including its promises, limitations, and the importance of preserving hands-on clinical expertise. Francesca describes one of the short stories in the Aura series about behavior analysts who travel to developing countries, only to realize their reliance on technology becomes a liability when the systems fail. It's a striking reminder that behavior change happens in real time, and nothing replaces skilled human interaction. We close by reflecting on how emerging technologies—AI, automation, and digital platforms—might shape the future of ABA for better or worse. Resources and References Mentioned: Francesca's Substack: "What Darwin Taught Me" (Aura storyline here)Stromberg, et al. (2025). Shaping Social Eye Contact in Children With Autism Via Telehealth: A Parent-Implemented InterventionSkinner (1986): "What Is Wrong With Daily Life in the Western World?"The Craft of Applied Behavior Analysis: Session 181 with Francesca Degli EspinosaEye Contact, Joint Attention, and Autism: Session 238 with Francesca Degli EspinosaCline (2012). Ready Player One (pro tip: skip the movie, read the book)The Matrix Sponsor Shoutouts! Frontera. Consider taking a demo of Frontera's Assessment Builder and see how the ethical application of AI technologies can help you serve clients and save you time! Your first assessment report is free. And if you use code BOP25 you'll get an additional five assessments for just $100. So head to fronterahealth.com to check it out!MindBodyBehavior's Certified Health Coach Program. If you're a BCBA looking to use your ABA skills to help people live healthier lifestyles, learn how to do it the right way, with expert instruction, mentoring, and guidance from Sarah Burby. Better still, podcast listeners can save $$$ by using the code BOP10 at check out. Click here to learn more!HRIC Recruting. Cut out the middleman and speak directly with Barbara Voss, who's been placing BCBAs in great jobs all across the US for 15 years.The 2026 Stone Soup Conference! This is one of the best values in the online conference space. I'm actually going to be one of the speakers at this year's event, along with a great cast of other characters you're probably familiar with. Save on your registration by using promo code PODCAST26!Behavior University. Their mission is to provide university quality professional development for the busy Behavior Analyst. Learn about their CEU offerings, including their 8-hour Supervision Course, as well as their RBT offerings over at behavioruniversity.com/observations. Don't forget to use the coupon code, PODCAST to save at checkout!The 2026 Verbal Behavior Conference! Taking place March 26–27, 2026, in Austin, Texas, or livestream and on-demand on BehaviorLive. Presenters will include Drs. Mark Sundberg, Patrick McGreevy, Caio Miguel, Alice Shillingsburg, Sarah Frampton, Andresa De Souza, and Danielle LaFrance will share how Skinner's analysis of verbal behavior can guide the assessment and treatment of generative learning challenges in children with autism and other developmental disabilities. And don't miss the special pre-conference workshop on Wednesday, March 25.
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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • Making ABA Research Matter: Practical Dissemination Strategies for Behavior Analytic Scholars, Inside JABA 25

    Making ABA Research Matter: Practical Dissemination Strategies for Behavior Analytic Scholars, Inside JABA 25
    Nov 19 2025
    Episode Overview In this special episode of the Behavioral Observations Podcast, I had the honor of celebrating the 25th installment of the Inside JABA Series. This one was particularly meaningful because it also marks the final appearance of Dr. John Borrero in his role as Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. I invited John to reflect on his three-year tenure—what he learned from reading an enormous volume of manuscripts, how his thinking evolved, and why adapting our language is essential if we want behavior analysis to reach broader audiences. From there, we transitioned into an informative conversation with Dr. Nate Call from Emory University. Nate's recent work focuses on how we can better disseminate applied behavior analysis, not just distribute it. His paper, Scholarship as an Operating Class: Strategies and tactics for increasing dissemination of applied behavior analysis, has already shifted how I think about how our field packages and shares research. In this episode, Nate walked us through actionable strategies for increasing the reach and impact of our work. Key Topics Covered in This Episode 1. John Borrero's Reflections from the Editor's Chair John looked back on his three years as Editor-in-Chief, and I asked him what surprised him most. He talked about: How important clear, accessible language is for disseminationWhy behavior analysts must evolve how we communicate without losing our scientific rootsEfforts to make JABA papers more accessible through translated articlesWhat it's like to manage a massive editorial workflow and team 2. The Real Difference Between Dissemination and Distribution Nate clarified something that—and I'll admit—I hadn't always thought deeply about: there's a big difference between making your work available and ensuring your work is actually used. Nate described it like: Distribution = scattering seedsDissemination = preparing the soil so they actually grow He also explained why early-career researchers often focus on distribution out of necessity, and how we can transition to more deliberate dissemination strategies over time. 3. Scholarship as an Operant Class Nate walked me through the framework behind his recent paper. He described scholarly behavior as something shaped by contingencies—just like anything else. We talked about: How individual and systemic consequences shape publishing choicesWhy some of the most high-impact papers come from individuals rather than large labsConcrete strategies we can use to increase the visibility and influence of our work 4. Boundary Encounters and Second-Generation Innovations I asked Nate about how ideas move between disciplines, and he introduced the concept of boundary encounters. We discussed: Incoming vs. outgoing boundary encountersHow second-generation innovations help behavior analysis reach audiences outside our traditional spacesWhy these interactions are essential if we want ABA to have a broader societal impact 5. Expanding Our Methodological Toolkit We took a deep dive into methodology and talked about the strengths of single-subject designs—as well as their limitations. Nate made a compelling case for: When behavior analysts should consider Randomized Control Trials, implementation science, or mixed methodsWhy diversifying methodologies helps us answer questions that matter to educators, policymakers, and grant reviewersWhat we lose when we rely exclusively on traditional single-subject approaches 6. Participatory Action Research and Social Validity I asked Nate to explain participatory action research, and he shared a powerful example involving first responders and families in crisis situations. He emphasized: The importance of involving stakeholders earlyHow PAR elevates social validity and contextWhy many federal funders now expect qualitative or participatory componentsHow behavior analysts can begin building these skills, even if it feels unfamiliar 7. Measuring Our Impact More Effectively We also explored how to know whether dissemination is working. Nate and I discussed: Bibliographic network analysisAlt-metric measuresThe importance of citing intentionally to strengthen high-quality scholarship within the field 8. Nate's Advice for New BCBAs To close the episode, I asked Nate what he'd tell new behavior analysts entering the field. He encouraged them to: Read widely—far beyond behavior-analytic journalsBecome conversant in different research methodsBuild collaborations with experts in qualitative, mixed, and implementation-science approachesThink functionally about their own scholarly and professional behavior 9. Resources Mentioned in this Podcast Foxx (1996). Translating the Covenant: The behavior analyst as ambassador and translatorChawla (2020). Science is getting harder to readCritchfield, et al. (2013). A half century of scalloping in the work habits of the United States CongressKlein and Thompson (2025). AbundanceThe Prisoner's ...
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    1 hr and 9 mins
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