In today's episode, we delve into Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a debilitating lung condition affecting millions worldwide. Characterized by obstructed airflow, COPD's symptoms—ranging from persistent cough and phlegm to life-threatening exacerbations—stem from the progressive degradation of lung structure. This disease is exacerbat…

In this episode, Jennifer Hofferber breaks down how to create a personalized expectation list for paraprofessionals. This strategy is crucial for maintaining structure and efficiency in a special education setting, where adaptability and clear communication are paramount. Jennifer walks us through exactly how to create and utilize this list as a su…

In this episode, special educator, Jenny Walmsley, explores the topic of using Positive Affirmations. One minute of positive affirmations per day can result in significant improvement of inner behaviors like thoughts and feelings. Jenny shares the research behind this strategy as well as the practical application of this precision teaching procedur…

In today's episode, we dive into the surprisingly nuanced world of mosquitoes, revealing their role as the deadliest animal on Earth due to their capacity as disease vectors. While shark attacks capture headlines, mosquitoes quietly claim up to a million lives annually by transmitting diseases like malaria, dengue, and yellow fever. We explore the …

This week's podcast dives into the harrowing legacy of the Tuskegee syphilis study, a dark chapter in American history that began in 1932. This study blatantly ignored ethical principles that and represented a grievous lapse in justice, respect, and beneficence in clinical research. The exposure of this unethical experiment in the 1970s led to sign…

Special Education Teacher, Dawn Ellis, shares 5 tips for effectively training your team. Dawn breaks down some common challenges for successful collaboration and gives an overview of how to overcome these obstacles. 5 Steps: 1. Clarify roles and expectations. 2. Establish open communication. 3. Provide relevant training. 4. Collaborate on IEP imple…

In this episode, Abby Moehringer shares one of the most important steps to do after a behavior happens. Abby is a special education teacher and BCBA. She breaks down the essential step of repairing after a behavior happens. Abby discusses why this step is important, when repair should happen, and the actionable steps to take when initiating how to …

This podcast explores the evolution of ethical standards in clinical research, highlighted by the Declaration of Helsinki. Initially drafted in response to historical abuses, the Declaration enforces principles ensuring patient well-being, informed consent, and fair treatment across studies. It mandates transparency in protocol, independent reviews…

In this episode, Jana Sarno breaks down the art and science of a behavior consultation. Jana points to the evidence-based framework needed for consultation and training but also highlights the importance of “soft skills” needed for this process to be successful. Jana explains essential strategies such as reflective listening to truly improve the co…

Today we delve into the intricate relationship between diabetes and gastrointestinal health, focusing on a condition known as gastroparesis. Gastroparesis slows down the stomach's ability to empty food, a condition exacerbated by diabetes. The episode explores how diabetes disrupts the normal functioning of the enteric nervous system—our body's "se…

Explore the world of breathing and its complications in this podcast, where we delve into the surprisingly complex mechanism of breathing and the common but often unrecognized condition of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Affecting approximately one billion people globally, OSA disrupts sleep by blocking the airway, leading to snoring, restless night…

The new course the Practical Behavior Approach is officially open for enrollment. This course is designed for general ed teachers, special ed teachers, clinicians, paraprofessionals, and parents supporting children with challenging behaviors. This course will prepare you to prevent, respond, and build. The strategies are rooted in the science of Ap…

In this podcast episode, we explore the crucial role of the gut microbiome, a complex ecosystem within us composed primarily of bacteria that perform essential functions for our health. We discuss how the microbiome influences everything from nutrient absorption to immune response and how its imbalance leads to conditions like ulcerative colitis. H…

Resilience is the ability to bounce back after stress, failure, hardship, or adversity. Resilience is closely related to emotional regulation and problem solving. In this episode, learn why resilience is an essential life skill and some practical ways to build resilience throughout the day in both home and school settings. Join The Practical Behavi…

This podcast delves into the prevalent issue of high blood pressure, a condition impacting nearly half of all Americans and contributing to severe health complications like heart attacks and strokes. Despite numerous available medications, many patients struggle with treatment effectiveness and adherence. The episode explores an innovative approach…

In this enlightening episode, we delve into the pivotal role of sunlight and its influence on our health, focusing on Vitamin D production. Despite widespread belief in the benefits of Vitamin D supplements, research reveals a complex reality. While supplementation does increase Vitamin D levels in the blood, it often fails to alleviate associated …

Emotional Regulation is the ability to cope with the range of emotions. In this episode, I break down what emotional regulation is and why it’s important. Then we review what two major things can hinder the development of emotional regulation. Emotional Regulation skill building can be broken into 3 areas: pre-regulation, naming/validating emotions…

In this episode, Dr. Joe Lockavitch breaks down why reading comprehension is important and how we can reach out to more struggling readers. Dr. Joe is a former classroom teacher, school psychologist, university professor, special education director, applied reading researcher, and is the author and developer of The Failure Free. Reading Program. Dr…

In this podcast, we unravel the intricacies of thyroid function and delve into the complexities of hypothyroidism, a condition marked by insufficient thyroid hormone production. The thyroid gland, nestled in the neck and resembling a butterfly, plays a pivotal role in regulating metabolic processes through the synthesis and release of hormones such…

When a child is in crisis mode, they are not ready to learn. In a meltdown situation, our goal as the adult is to keep the child safe and reflect on how to prevent this in the future. In this episode, we explore what to do in an episode of explosive behavior. We go through the 6 steps of de-escalation on how to safely move the child through the epi…

This April 1st we’re taking a satirical look at manual heart repair using a woven-material-backed pressure sensitive tape. Participate in clinical research! www.ENCOREdocs.com Share with a friend. Rate, Review, and Subscribe to the ENCORE Research Group podcast to be notified when new episodes are released. Follow us on Social Media: Facebook Insta…

In this Women’s History Month special, we delve into the extraordinary life and groundbreaking work of Dr. Gerty Cori, the first American woman to win a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Born into a Jewish family in Prague in 1896, Gerty overcame societal barriers to become a pioneering researcher alongside her husband, Carl Cori. Their collab…

Decreasing negative behavior actually happens away from the negative behavior. That means we have the most success in long-term behavior reduction by preventing problem behaviors before they start. It may sound easier said than done but there are some essential strategies that you can add to your classroom, home, or clinical practice to readily avo…

In this episode, we embark on a journey through the intricate highways of the bloodstream, exploring the fascinating world of lipoproteins. These ingenious packages, comprised of lipids and proteins, navigate the watery terrain of blood, ferrying essential nutrients and molecules like cholesterol to cells throughout the body. But our adventure take…

Practical Functional Assessment and Skills Based Treatment were designed by Dr. Greg Hanley as an effective and ethical alternative to reducing extreme problem behaviors. In this episode, three school administrators share their experiences implementing PFA and SBT on a district wide level. Lisa Xagas, the Assistant Superintendent for Student Servic…

Welcome to our latest podcast episode where we peel back the layers of adult acne, diving deep into the science behind this common yet often misunderstood skin condition. From the humble beginnings of puberty to the complex factors contributing to acne formation, we explore the journey from zits to treatments. Join us as we dissect the role of seba…

In this episode, we review Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs) and how they can be used in both a clinical or classroom setting. Dr.Jamie Hughes-Lika shares her expertise on this topic. She defines what NDBIs are, how they are different than traditional ABA, and how child-led teaching works. Dr. Hughes-Lika is a Board Certif…

Delve into the intricate world of kidney function and the complexities of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in our latest episode, where we unravel the fascinating mechanisms behind how kidneys filter blood several times a day. From nephrons to glomeruli and podocytes, we explore the vital role played by these microscopic structures. With over 13% of th…

Having your team on the same page is essential for the successful implementation of behavior plans. In this episode, Amanda Borosh, BCBA, breaks down why staff training is important and how to overcome some of the challenges. Amanda shares actionable strategies for getting team buy-in and improving follow-through. Amanda is a licensed special educa…

Explore the remarkable journey of Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis, an unsung hero of public health whose advocacy for hand hygiene in 19th-century maternity wards sparked a medical revolution. Our latest episode delves into Semmelweis's story, from his groundbreaking efforts that saved countless lives to the tragic consequences he faced. Join us as we uncover…

In this special episode, I share an excerpt from a recent live workshop. This session is titled Can’t Do or Won’t Do. Every decision we make is shaped by our skills and abilities to perform the action and our motivation to do so. In this clip from the workshop, I share how to approach challenging behaviors from a can’t do or won’t do perspective. -…

Lois Letchford is a reading specialist who is passionate about teaching struggling students how to read. In this episode, Lois dives into the problems with many traditional literacy approaches and the impact this can have on students. She shares some key strategies for building reading skills by building engagement and focusing on comprehension. Lo…

Julia DeNey founded Sense-ational You, an adaptive apparel brand for autistic children who need help regulating so they are empowered to be successful no matter where they are. In this episode, Julia discusses what sensory needs are and how they can impact behavior. She explores the area of tactile sensory needs and how different clothing can be ch…

Tim Kretchman is the founder of Action Driven Education and a former teacher and administrator. In this episode, Tim shares how to identify “just right” accommodations for students in a range of settings. Tim shares the four key variables that make accommodations work - strengths, needs, degree of need, and fit to the instructional setting. Tim sha…

Katherine Saint, Ph.D., LPC, BCBA-D, Katherine has her doctorate in Behavior Analysis and is a Licensed Professional Counselor. In this episode, we discuss the 4 attachment styles from a behavior analytic perspective. Katie shares what learning histories typically lead to each attachment style and what supports we can give to help those individuals…

Elizabeth Klein is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Clinical Director of an ABA program that delivers therapy in home, school, clinic, and community settings. She noticed a common challenge with children with autism across settings - eating problems. In this episode, Elizabeth discusses with eating challenges are common for children with auti…

When creating successful inclusion, there can be many obstacles along the way. Rebekah Poe, M. Ed. is an award-winning former special education teacher and a national teaching conference presenter. Rebekah shares what inclusion is and some tips and strategies for making inclusion effective and possible. She shares how to work with reluctant teacher…

Extinction is the process of removing or discontinuing reinforcement for a behavior. This would then reduce or eliminate the behavior. However, this strategy can have some challenges during implementation. In this episode, Dr. Billie Retzlaff breaks down what extinction is and what are some alternatives to reduce problem behaviors. She dives into n…

Independent work is essential to running a successful classroom. This allows small group instruction to happen and builds critical life skills of work endurance and sustained attention. Many independent work systems include task boxes. Task boxes include one activity and often students rotate between assigned task boxes. In this episode, I share 3 …

Dr. Rachel Schwartz, PhD, BCBA-D breaks down sexuality education in special education. She reviews how teachers and related services fit in to providing this conversation. Dr. Schwartz shares what topics are appropriate for what ages and why these are essential life skills for all learners. She tackles tricky topics such as how to work with staff m…

Dr. Taylor Day is a licensed child psychologist and parental coach who specializes in autism and neurodivergent affirming care. In this episode, Dr. Tay shares her Whole Family Approach™ which focuses on the needs of parents and siblings of autistic children, as well as the children themselves. We discuss how to provide education and support that v…

Effective leadership is imperative for both BCBAs and classroom teachers. Within a clinic or in-home setting, BCBAs manage and lead Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs). Janelle Upthegrove is the owner of Grover Behavioral Services and shares her insight and strategies for creating a positive and effective work environment. Janelle discusses usin…

Training teams on behavior plans and strategies is essential to successful implementation. In today’s episode, school-based BCBA and former special ed teacher, Meghan Edwards is breaking down how to approach team training from start to finish. She covers how to get started with a new plan or team, how to find training time, ways to build buy in, an…

Dr. Norrine Russell is the founder of Russell Coaching for Students, which uses an innovative method of coaching for complex students. In this episode, Dr. Russell dives into the complicated skill of problem-solving. She shares why problem-solving is such an important yet difficult skill for students to learn. She gives specific examples and strate…

Practical Functional Assessment and the Skills Based Treatment Approach is a proven effective and applicable approach to severe problem behavior. In this episode, special educator and behavior consultant, Erica Vogt, shares her experience with PFA-SBT in a school setting. Erica breaks down the PFA-SBT process, gives some real-world examples, and di…

Whether your students are engaging in off-task behaviors or more extreme and dangerous problem behaviors, there are some universal key strategies you need for positive behavior change. These mindsets and frameworks are imperative for decreasing problem behavior and teaching positive, prosocial responses. In this episode, I share the 5 key strategie…

Gina Russell is a former preschool special education teacher and currently works in early intervention. Gina is a blogger on The Autism Helper team sharing best practices for early childhood. In this episode, Gina shares 5 ways to foster early language development. These strategies are all actionable ways to build awareness, interest, and curiosity…

Lupe Castaneda is a BCBA with over 20 years of experience in both the public and private setting. In this episode, Lupe shares some key strategies for successful consultations and relationships with teachers and staff. Lupe discusses how to overcome the challenges of finding time and getting buy-in when training teams on behavior plans. We also dis…

Liliana Diaz-Vazquez is a certified licensed bilingual speech-language pathologist. In this episode, she shares best practices for supporting bilingual students in the classroom. Liliana explores common misconceptions regarding multilingual students with language delays such as speaking multiple languages will cause regression or confusion. She giv…

Running small groups allows you to provide differentiated and individualized instruction to your students. But the process of setting up centers can be overwhelming. In this episode, we go through the steps for getting started with centers. We review situations such as having low or no staff and students that aren’t able to work independently yet. …