The Misfit Behaviorists - Practical Strategies for Special Education and ABA Professionals

Why Students Behave Differently with Different Teachers (ABA without the Jargon)

Have you ever heard someone say, "They never do that for me!" or "She behaves completely differently in my class."? In this episode, Caitlin breaks down one of the most

FBA vs. BIP Explained: What's the Difference? (ABA terms explained)

What exactly is the difference between an FBA (Functional Behavior Assessment) and a BIP (Behavior Intervention Plan)? These two terms are often used together, but they

Motivating Operations Explained (EO vs. AO Made Simple)

Have you ever had a student suddenly stop working for a favorite reward? Or wondered why a reinforcer works one day but not the next? The answer may not be the reinforce

Positive vs. Negative Reinforcement and Punishment Explained (ABA Without the Jargon)

Positive reinforcement. Negative reinforcement. Positive punishment. Negative punishment. These four ABA terms are some of the most misunderstood concepts in behavior an

ABCs of Behavior Explained: Antecedent, Behavior, and Consequence in Plain English

Welcome back to ABA Without the Jargon, the mini-series where we take common ABA and special education terms and translate them into everyday language. In this episode,

What Is ABA? Applied Behavior Analysis Explained in Plain English

Welcome to the first episode of ABA Without the Jargon, a new mini-series from The Misfit Behaviorists where we take common ABA and special education terms and translate

Misfit Minute 29: That Time I Learned About Literal Language and the “Down” Internet

A quick story from an ABA clinic about a student checking the floor to see if the “down” internet had literally fallen down. This Misfit Minute is a reminder that languag

Misfit Minute 28: You Can’t Punish a Skill Deficit Away (ABA & Special Education)

A quick reminder that behavior problems are not always “won’t do” problems. Sometimes they’re “can’t do yet” problems. In this Misfit Minute, Caitlin breaks down why cons

Misfit Minute 27: That Time I Learned About... Sensory Overload in Autism (A Simple Moment That Changed Everything)

A quick story from early in my autism journey that completely shifted how I understand sensory overload. One small moment in a speech therapy room turned into a lifelong

Misfit Minute 26: The Runaway Puppy Lesson for When Behavior Plans Don’t Work (ABA Strategies)

What happens when your well-planned behavior strategy falls apart in real life? This quick episode uses a runaway puppy story to break down what to do in the moment—espec

Misfit Minute 25: Paraprofessional Not Keeping Up? Coaching & Support Strategies for ABA Classrooms

What do you do when a paraprofessional just can’t keep up with the pace, data, or demands of your classroom? Before jumping to frustration, this Misfit Minute walks you

Misfit Minute 24: 5 Things I Wish I Knew as a New Special Education Teacher

In this Misfit Minute, Audra shares five career lessons she wishes she’d learned earlier as an educator: don’t overplan—use one strong activity with built-in extensions i

Ep. 76: How to Talk to Parents When Behavior Isn’t Improving (Data-Driven IEP Conversations)

In this episode, Audra and Caitlin tackle one of the hardest parts of working in special education and behavior support: talking with families when things are not improvi

Misfit Minute 23: Quick Tips on How to Run Small Group & Dyad Instruction in ABA Classrooms

Running small groups in an ABA classroom can feel like juggling flaming data sheets. Two learners. Two programs. Two sets of behaviors. In this Misfit Minute, Caitlin sha

Ep. 75: Special Education Burnout, Post-COVID Behavior Changes & Classroom Realities

The past few years have reshaped classrooms in ways many educators are still trying to make sense of. In this episode, Audra and Caitlin react to real conversations from

Misfit Minute 22: Passive vs Active Noncompliance in the Classroom

Noncompliance isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s quiet, avoidant, and easy to miss until it grows into something bigger. In this Misfit Minute, we break down the differenc

Ep. 74: How Teachers Can Set Boundaries and Collaborate with School Support Staff

When another professional walks into your classroom, things can get complicated fast. In this episode, Audra and Caitlin answer a listener question about what to do when

Misfit Minute 21: Handling Staff Pushback with Curiosity Instead of Control

Staff pushback happens. Eye rolls, sighs, and the dreaded “we already tried that” can make even the calmest team lead feel defensive. In this Misfit Minute, Caitlin talks

Ep. 73: Five Easy Social Games for Preschool and Special Education Classrooms

Sometimes you just need five minutes, not a full lesson plan. In this episode, Audra and Caitlin share five simple social games you can pull out during transitions, brain

Misfit Minute 20: One Simple Visual Change That Can Improve Student Behavior

Small changes can make a big difference. In this Misfit Minute, we’re talking about one simple, actionable challenge you can try this week: update just one classroom visu