The Misfit Behaviorists - Practical Strategies for Special Education and ABA Professionals – Details, episodes & analysis

Sometimes our students giggle, get wiggly, or completely check out when it’s time to write. Is it task avoidance? A skills gap? Sensory overload? In this Misfit Minute, Audra walks through 5 quick questions to help you figure out what’s really going on—and what to do about it—when pencil-and-paper tasks go sideways.

🔑 Key Takeaways
• Start with: Is it a can’t or a won’t? Skill deficits and motivation issues need different responses.
• If it’s a can’t, reduce the demand—use scribes, stamps, typing, or tracing to build participation.
• Use shaping to gradually increase writing tolerance—think small steps with strong reinforcement.
• If it’s a won’t, reassess the reinforcement—maybe the “then” isn’t strong or fast enough.
• Try shared turns—write together, take turns, and make it social and fun to build engagement.

📦 Resources Mentioned
• “Can’t Do vs Won’t Do” visual (in the Misfit Behaviorists FB group and linked in show notes) or here → https://abainschool.com/mm2w
• Related episode: 5 Preschool Behavior Strategies → https://abainschool.com/ep66 • Crisis Cycle Creation → https://abainschool.com/ep57 • FBA process starts here! → https://abainschool.com/ep31 
• ABA in School blog → https://abainschool.com
•  Free token boards → https://abainschool.com/ymnr

🙌 Join Us & Share
• Keep the conversation going in our Facebook group → https://abainschool.com/misfits
• Subscribe for more short tips + full-length strategy episodes
• Share this with a teammate who works with reluctant writers or early learners

Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists

😍 More, you say? We’re here for you! 

• Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists
• YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists

👋 Find us!

• Audra | ABA in School  
• Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics

🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

Sometimes behavior looks like defiance—but what if it's actually a missing skill? In this episode, Audra walks you through a simple visual tool to help determine whether a student’s challenging behavior is due to a skill deficit (“can’t”) or a motivation issue (“won’t”). Using her quadrant graphic, she explains the four learner profiles (Engaged, Frustrated, Avoidant, Resistant) and gives practical strategies for supporting each one.

Whether you're a teacher, para, or BCBA, this is a must-listen for decoding behavior and supporting students in meaningful ways.

🔑 Key Takeaways
• Use a skill × motivation quadrant to understand student behavior
• “Can’t” behaviors need scaffolding, skill building, and celebration of small wins
• “Won’t” behaviors require adjusted reinforcement, more choice, and real-world relevance
• There are 4 types of learners based on skill and motivation—support looks different for each
• Staff modeling matters: share your own learning struggles to build connection

📦 Resources Mentioned
• “Can’t Do vs Won’t Do” visual (in the Misfit Behaviorists FB group and linked in show notes) or here → https://abainschool.com/mm2w
• Related episode: 5 Preschool Behavior Strategies → https://abainschool.com/ep66 • Crisis Cycle Creation → https://abainschool.com/ep57 • FBA process starts here! → https://abainschool.com/ep31 
• ABA in School blog → https://abainschool.com
•  Free token boards → https://abainschool.com/ymnr

🙌 Join Us & Share
• Keep the conversation going in our Facebook group → https://abainschool.com/misfits
• Subscribe for more short tips + full-length strategy episodes
• Share this with a teammate who works with reluctant writers or early learners

Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists

😍 More, you say? We’re here for you! 

• Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists
• YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists

👋 Find us!

• Audra | ABA in School  
• Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics

🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

Preschool circle time doesn’t have to be chaos! 🎶 In this episode, we share simple strategies to keep little learners engaged, structured, and having fun—while meeting every student where they are. 🌟

🎧 Key Takeaways
• Purpose of Circle Time: Sets the tone for the day, offering structure and fun through songs, weather checks, and IEP skill practice. Adaptations are key to meeting the students where they are! 🌞
• Four Pillars of a Balanced Circle Time:
     1. Physical Movement: Gross or fine motor activities to keep kids engaged 🏃‍♂️
     2. Sensory Engagement: Incorporate sight, sound, and touch 🌈
     3. Social Interaction: Encourage greetings, peer interactions, and communication 🤝
     4. Cognitive Development: Incorporate pre-academic tasks like counting and identifying letters 🔤
• Circle Time Duration: Tailor it to your learners’ needs, generally 10-15 minutes for preschool, with shorter increments for younger or less-attentive children ⏱️
• Handling Refusals: Modify circle time to include small groupings, alternate activities, and sensory breaks for students who need it 🙋‍♂️
• Make It Fun: Use creative methods like sticker rewards, visual aids, and fun songs to maintain engagement and make learning enjoyable 🎶✨

🧰 Resources & Links
• Ideas for circle time songs: Simple, fun tunes like "Jack Hartmann" songs to keep kids engaged and interactive 🎵
• Visual aids: Use yes/no boards, weather charts, and name cards to boost participation and social skills 📊 Check out these circle time resources!
• Alternative activities: Quiet corner activities like puzzles for students who need a break 🧩 Try these calm corner visuals:
• Related Episodes: Misfit Minute #9 A fun circle time activity and Episode #18 Behavior Management Basics 

🤝 Join Us
      💬 Let us know your favorite data collection tip in the Misfit Behaviors Facebook Group
      🌟 Subscribe: Don’t miss upcoming episodes on practical strategies and must-have resources for behavior support!
      📢 Share this episode with a teacher, BCBA, or administrator looking for fresh approaches to special education and behavior analysis!
      💬 Let us know what YOU wanna talk about in our Facebook group  

Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists

😍 More, you say? We’re here for you! 

• Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists
• YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists

👋 Find us!

• Audra | ABA in School  
• Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics

🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

Reinforcement isn’t a trick, a loophole, or a bribe—it’s an evidence-based strategy that builds real behavior change. In this quick Misfit Minute, Caitlin shares a practical way to explain the difference between reinforcement and bribery—perfect for staff training or team refreshers.

🧠 Key Takeaways:
🔄 Reinforcement is proactive, planned, and delivered after the desired behavior
🚫 Bribery is reactive, often given during or after problem behavior to stop it
💼 Think of it like a paycheck: you work first, then get paid—that’s reinforcement!
🧠 Reinforcement is rooted in decades of research and builds long-term independence
🗣️ Use simple analogies (like paychecks) to help staff and families understand the difference

🛠️ Resources & Mentions:
💡 Great clip to use in staff meetings or paraprofessional trainings
📄 Want a free reinforcement vs. bribery handout? Check the Facebook group!

🙌 Join Us & Share
📱 Follow us on Instagram @MisfitBehaviorists for quick, practical tips
💬 Join the conversation in our Facebook group for extra resources https://abainschool.com/misfits
🎧 Subscribe to catch all our behavior strategy drops
👯‍♀️ Share this episode with a teammate who needs some fresh ideas!

Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists

😍 More, you say? We’re here for you! 

• Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists
• YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists

👋 Find us!

• Audra | ABA in School  
• Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics

🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

Are you drowning in data but still missing progress? In this episode, we’re talking about the five most common data collection mistakes we’ve seen (and made!)—and how to fix them. Whether you're a BCBA, teacher, or therapist, these tips will help you streamline your systems, support your staff, and actually use the data you're collecting.

🧠 Key Takeaways:
📊 Too much data = too little connection — Prioritize quality over quantity.
🧍‍♀️ Inconsistent systems can lead to confusing or unusable data—align your team early!
🧾 Vague definitions = meaningless data. Use clear, shared operational definitions.
🧩 Wrong tools = no follow-through — Choose formats your team can actually use.
⏰ Data with no review is wasted — Schedule regular check-ins and use what you gather.

🧰 Resources & Links
      🎯 Caitlin's IEP data tracker forms • Audra's FREE data forms via the weekly newsletter 
      🧩 Related Episodes: Misfit Minute for the best clipboards • Episode #16 Probe vs Trial data • Episode #13 Keeping Materials Organized

🤝 Join Us
      💬 Let us know your favorite data collection tip in the Misfit Behaviors Facebook Group
      🌟 Subscribe: Don’t miss upcoming episodes on practical strategies and must-have resources for behavior support!
      📢 Share this episode with a teacher, BCBA, or administrator looking for fresh approaches to special education and behavior analysis!
      💬 Let us know what YOU wanna talk about in our Facebook group  

Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists

😍 More, you say? We’re here for you! 

• Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists
• YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists

👋 Find us!

• Audra | ABA in School  
• Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics

🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

This week, we’re keeping it super simple—and super effective. Audra shares two of her favorite low-prep activities that boost engagement, joint attention, and early conversation skills using nothing more than a decorated box or bag and a few trinkets from around the room. Perfect for preschool, early intervention, and special education classrooms!

🔑 Key Takeaways
🧠 Use a Surprise Box to build early joint attention and excitement during circle time
💬 Try a Chat Bag for turn-taking, contingent conversation, and pronoun use
🪄 You don’t need fancy materials—just be silly, animated, and consistent
🗣️ Great for building social communication skills in young or minimally verbal learners
⏰ Works well at the start of group time to grab attention and build engagement

📦 Resources Mentioned
💬 Chat Chains Conversation Starter Activity (TPT)

🙌 Join Us & Share
💬 Join the conversation in our Facebook group for extra resources
🎧 Subscribe to catch all our behavior strategy drops
👯‍♀️ Share this episode with a teammate who needs some fresh ideas!

Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists

😍 More, you say? We’re here for you! 

• Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists
• YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists

👋 Find us!

• Audra | ABA in School  
• Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics

🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

Running social skills groups can be tricky—especially when you’re balancing different student needs, group sizes, and settings. In this episode, we unpack how to structure and differentiate social skills groups for learners at every level—whether you’re in a school, clinic, or classroom. From dyads to full-blown community outings, we’re breaking down what works (and what really doesn’t).

👥 Whether you're supporting early learners or advanced social thinkers, you'll walk away with practical strategies, game ideas, and real-talk about flexibility, planning, and data collection.

🗝️ Key Takeaways
      • 3 Types of Social Groups: Understand the difference between social behavior groups, early dyads, and advanced cognition groups—and when to use each.
      • Who Goes Where? Learn how to match learners thoughtfully (and realistically) in group settings.
      • Structure Matters: Tips for creating predictable routines and flexible lesson plans that work in both schools and clinics.
      • Simple Game Ideas: From UNO to Play-Doh, get low-prep group game ideas for every skill level.
      • Realistic Data Collection: How to track goals without losing your mind—or the moment.

🧰 Resources & Links
      🎯 Free Group visuals, lesson plans, and data AND Group Data Sheet Template
      🧠 Episode Mention: Michelle Garcia Winner – Social Thinking®
      🧩 Related Episode: Reverse Inclusion (Ep. 46) and Naturalistic Teaching (Ep. 5)
      💥 Beat the Teacher Game: Shop It Here
      📥 Grab our Favorite Low-Prep Group Games! Add to the list in our Facebook community:
            • Pop! the Pig
            • Pop-up Pirate
            • Don't Break the Ice
            • Animal Ring Toss
            • Kerplunk
            • Uno
            • Qwirkle
            • Blokus

🤝 Join Us
      💬 Let us know your favorite low-prep group activity in the Misfit Behaviors Facebook Group
      🌟 Subscribe: Don’t miss upcoming episodes on practical strategies and must-have resources for behavior support!
      📢 Share this episode with a teacher, BCBA, or administrator looking for fresh approaches to special education and behavior analysis!
      💬 Let us know how YOU connect with staff in our Facebook group  @TheMisfitBehaviorists
      📚 Connect: Follow us for more tips, tools, and discussions about all things behavior and education.  

Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists

😍 More, you say? We’re here for you! 

• Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists
• YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists

👋 Find us!

• Audra | ABA in School  
• Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics

🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

In this quick episode, Caitlin shares how to redirect student behavior without power struggles, using subtle, positive phrasing that preserves dignity and prevents escalation. Learn how to guide students clearly—without ever saying “No!”

💡 Key Takeaways
🔄 Redirection doesn’t need to be confrontational
💬 Use clear, positive language to say what to do instead
🧠 Build habits with consistent, gentle phrasing
🤝 Preserve student dignity and avoid resistance
✨ Try phrases like “Use a calm voice” or “Try again with walking feet”

📚 Resources & Visuals
🎧 Other episodes you’ll love:
🔗 Ep. 3: 6 Ways to Approach Challenging Behaviors and Trauma-Informed Care https://abainschool.com/ep3
🔗 Ep. 29: Functions of Behavior: The WHY more than the WHAT https://abainschool.com/Ep29
🧾 Misfit Behavior Strategy Calendar: 52 weekly staff tips! https://abainschool.com/behaviorcalendar
🎨 Visuals for Calm Communication https://abainschool.com/an1j

🙌 Join Us & Share
📱 Follow us on Instagram @MisfitBehaviorists for quick, practical tips
💬 Join the conversation in our Facebook group for extra resources https://abainschool.com/misfits
🎧 Subscribe to catch all our behavior strategy drops
👯‍♀️ Share this episode with a teammate who rocks redirection!

Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists

😍 More, you say? We’re here for you! 

• Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists
• YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists

👋 Find us!

• Audra | ABA in School  
• Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics

🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

🎙 Join Caitlin and guest Michelle Morris, an experienced self-contained classroom teacher, as they unpack real talk for new special ed teachers. From unexpected chaos to building strong staff dynamics, Michelle shares the five things she wishes she knew starting out—plus how to lean into your team and your strengths without losing your mind.

💡 Whether you're brand-new or deep in the trenches, this episode will leave you feeling seen, supported, and ready to pivot with grace.

🔑 Key Takeaways
🌀 Be flexible—plans change, behaviors erupt, and that’s okay
🙅 Don’t take things personally—from students or staff
🤝 Use your resources—you're not expected to do it all alone
✨ Play to your strengths (and your team’s!)
🧘‍♀️ Take breaks when you need them—it’s not weakness, it’s wisdom

📚 Resources and Ideas
🎧 Other episodes you’ll love:
🔗 Ep. 47: Managing Paras
🔗 Ep. 30: Supervising RBTs and Paras
🔗 Misfit Minute #5: Best Clipboards for data collection

Join Us...
🎙 Next Episode: Redirection Misfit Minute
🌟 Subscribe: Don’t miss upcoming episodes on practical strategies and must-have resources for behavior support!
📢 Share this episode with a teacher, BCBA, or administrator looking for fresh approaches to special education and behavior analysis!
💬 Let us know how YOU connect with staff in our Facebook group  @TheMisfitBehaviorists
📚 Connect: Follow us for more tips, tools, and discussions about all things behavior and education.  

Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists

😍 More, you say? We’re here for you! 

• Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists
• YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists

👋 Find us!

• Audra | ABA in School  
• Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics

🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

In this short and practical episode, we explore the power of pre-correcting behavior—a quick strategy to set students up for success before a problem even starts. You’ll learn how to spot patterns, cue expectations in the moment, and reinforce positive behavior with intention.

💡 Key Takeaways
🔍 Know the behavior patterns—when and where issues usually occur
🗣️ Use quick verbal cues right before problem moments
🎯 Reinforce success immediately with specific praise and rewards
📋 Pre-correction is easier than correction—set students up to shine
🎒 Keep visual cues on a lanyard or clipboard for fast, effective reminders

📚 Resources & Visuals
🎨 Lanyard Pre-Correction Visuals (rhyme + statement versions in color/B&W)
🖍️ Student Coloring Pages for Each Routine (included in the visuals)
📏 Line-Up Behavior Chant Visual – “1, 2, eyes on you…”

🙌 Join Us & Share
💬 Join the Facebook group for free downloads and behind-the-scenes discussions
🎧 Subscribe so you don’t miss a weekly strategy drop
👯‍♀️ Share this episode with a fellow teacher or behaviorist who needs an easy win!

Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists

😍 More, you say? We’re here for you! 

• Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists
• YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists

👋 Find us!

• Audra | ABA in School  
• Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics

🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!