The Practitioner Scientist Episode 2
FCT’s Pathway to Effective Practice

Show notes:
Functional Communication Training (FCT) is an evidence-based treatment through which problem behavior is replaced with communication. Dr. Mahshid Ghaemmaghami has implemented FCT within her practice as a behavior analyst for many years. Given her positive history with FCT as a practitioner, Dr. Ghaemmaghami was curious to learn more about the strengths and limitations of FCT according to the available published data. In this episode’s interview, Dr. Ghaemmaghami discusses her 2021 article from the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis entitled “Functional communication training: From efficacy to effectiveness.” Dr. Ghaemmaghami conducted a systematic review of 208 empirical studies of FCT and carefully examined the outcomes of 744 applications of the treatment with 640 study participants. In doing so, she managed to evaluate the degree to which the efficacy and effectiveness of FCT has been established, and provides a clear accounting of the areas of research that need to be addressed by behavior analysts in the future. Additionally, Dr. Ghaemmaghami provides guidance to practitioners on how they can interpret the evidence for FCT and can responsibly and effectively use this treatment in their work with clients.

Featured Guest:
Mahshid Ghaemmaghami, Ph.D., BCBA-D, FTF Behavioral Consulting, dr.g@ftfbc.com 

Follow her on ResearchGate at: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mahshid-Ghaemmaghami 

Interviewers;
John Staubitz, VKC- TRIAD, Vanderbilt University Medical Center,  John.staubitz@vumc.org  
Will Martin, Autism in Motion Clinics, willmartinbcba@gmail.com

FCT’s Pathway to Effective Practice with Mahshid Ghaemmaghami

The Practitioner Scientist Episode 3:
Exploring a Critique of Synthesized Contingencies with Billie Retzlaff

Show notes:
Countless function-based interventions have been designed by behavior analysts who initially conducted an isolated functional analysis (FA) over the past 40 years. Over the last five years, researchers have suggested that a FA variation called the Interview-Informed Synthesized Contingency Analysis (IISCA) may be an alternative assessment that can benefit practitioners and the learners they serve when individualizing Skill-Based Treatment (SBT). Dr. Billie Retzlaff has conducted many functional analyses and function-based interventions for learners in clinical and school settings, but has not yet encountered a situation in which an IISCA would be clinically beneficial in her judgement. Furthermore, Dr. Retzlaff and her colleagues hypothesized that synthesizing contingencies within a FA would lead to the iatrogenic effect of a learner’s behavior being evoked in the presence of novel establishing operations and discriminative stimuli, and that novel functional reinforcers would be induced for the target behavior. In this episode’s interview, Dr. Retzlaff discusses her 2020 article from the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis entitled “A translational evaluation of potential iatrogenic effects of single and combined contingencies during functional analysis.” Dr. Retzlaff tested this hypothesis by designing and executing a translational evaluation in which isolated-contingency FAs were used before and after a Synthesized Contingency Analysis (SCA) to determine if reinforcer induction occurred as a product of the SCA. Additionally, Dr. Retzlaff provides take-away points from this article, highlights key concerns with the IISCA and SCA, and provides recommendations for what steps practitioners can take as alternatives to the synthesis of contingencies in assessment.

Special Guest:
Billie J. Retzlaff, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Intermediate District #917 BCBA, billie.retzlaff@gmail.com 

Follow her on ResearchGate at: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Billie-Retzlaff 

Hosts:
John Staubitz, VKC-TRIAD, Vanderbilt University Medical Center,  John.staubitz@vumc.org  
Will Martin, Autism in Motion Clinics, wmartin@aimclinics.com 

Article Citation:
Retzlaff, B.J., Fisher, W.W., Akers, J.S. and Greer, B.D. (2020), A translational evaluation of potential iatrogenic effects of single and combined contingencies during functional analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 53: 67-81. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.595

Exploring a Critique of Synthesized Contingencies with Billie Retzlaff

Alison Peak, LCSW and Clinical Infant Mental Health Mentor discusses “ghosts and angels” in the nursery that impact parenting styles, the importance of building relationships with caregivers, and strategies for approaching parents who may have a history of adverse childhood experiences.  She offers suggestions on building rapport and meeting caregivers in a place of curiosity in order to build trust with families and maximize progress.

The Impact of Intergenerational Trauma on Child Development

Chuck Carringer, executive coach and trainer, discusses factors that impact performance in the workplace, strategies for increasing employee engagement, and the importance of giving effective feedback, especially when working across a multigenerational workforce.

Providing Effective Leadership

Connie Casha, M.Ed., director of MTSU’s Early Learning Program, discusses the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACES) on early brain development and how this can influence children later in life.  She emphasizes the importance of increasing executive functioning, building strong connections, reducing toxic stress, and the role that early interventionists can play in helping families overcome ACES.

Building Strong Brains and Adverse Childhood Experiences

Dayna Jones, OT, discusses a variety of skills that occupational therapists can target in early intervention such a fine motor, visual-motor, sensory processing, and self-care skills. She also identifies a variety of red flags that might warrant a referral to occupational therapy.

Developmental Milestones and the Impact of Occupational Therapy

Jennifer Henderson, SLP, discusses the developmental milestones of speech and language from birth to three, including examples of receptive language, expressive language, and articulation.  She also offers strategies early interventionists can use when working with early language learners.

Language Development and Speech Therapy

Jennifer Kelly, PT, DPT, discusses the developmental milestones of typical gross motor skills, pre-requisite skills to walking, and insight to what may have caused an overall increase in gross motor delays in infants. She provides some warning signs of atypical development and when to refer a child for a PT evaluation.

Gross Motor Development and Physical Therapy

Jessica Stollings, speaker, author, and president of ReGenerations, discusses generational differences that can impact perspectives and communication breakdowns that lead to points of friction in the workplace.  She shares strategies for improving communication and collaboration across generations and how to use a generational lens to connect with individuals of all generations.

Bridging Generational Gaps and Improving Communication to Increase Collaboration

TRIAD Educational Consultants, LaTamara Garrett, M.Ed., BCBA and Kristin Dorris, SLP, discuss strategies to increase caregiver engagement and participation while balancing professional coaching and modeling in early intervention. Learn about the 3 main components of practice-based coaching, some specific coaching strategies that can be applied to each of these components, and some of the characteristics of adult learning that are important aspects of caregiver and provider coaching.

Structuring Home Visits Using the Components of Practice-Based Coaching

Sam Davidson, speaker, author, and entrepreneur, discusses the importance of self-care, servant leadership, and team building in providing higher quality services.  He emphasizes the importance of pursing a healthy life balance to reduce stress and the underlying passion and core talents that many early interventionists have that can set them up for success.

Caring for Yourself and Working Together to Provide Better Services

Tiffani Dixon, Early Intervention Specialist, discusses the difference between Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) and intrauterine substance exposure.  She shares common challenges for families dealing with NAS and discusses strategies that can be used to help sooth infants and toddlers with NAS.

NAS and Intrauterine Substance Exposure: Pragmatic Approaches to Support Children and Families

The Promise of Discovery Episode 2: Language growth in in young children with disabilities

The Vanderbilt KidTalk project facilitates studies focused on language learning in young children with disabilities. Interventions typically focus on teaching partners (parents, siblings, peers, etc.) to support language development in children who have language delays. 

Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Researcher: Ann Kaiser, Ph.D., Susan Gray Chair in Education and Human Development; Professor of Special Education and Psychology

Interviewer: Elise McMillan, J.D., Director, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities; Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences

[VKC] Language Growth In Young Children With Disabilities

The Promise of Discovery Episode 4: Paul Yoder: A career in helping children learn to talk 

Paul Yoder, Ph.D., retired from Vanderbilt University in late 2019. A long-time Vanderbilt Kennedy Center investigator, he studied communication and language and intervention in children with language delays. In this episode, Yoder discusses what he learned over the course of his career about young children and communication.   

Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Researcher: Paul Yoder, Ph.D., Professor of Special Education (Retired)

Interviewer: Catherine Bush

[VKC] Paul Yoder: A career in helping children learn to talk

The Practitioner Scientist Episode 1
Safety, Control, Acceptability, and the World’s Fastest FA with Joshua Jessel

Show Notes: 
When behavior analysts seek to treat behavior that is dangerous or disruptive, they often rely upon a functional analysis (FA) to inform intensive individualized treatment. Dr. Joshua Jessel believes that FAs should be safe, informative, acceptable, and rapid, and has contributed significantly to the development and validation of innovative assessment procedures that exemplify these values. In this episode’s interview, Dr. Jessel discusses his 2019 article from Behavioral Interventions entitled “Does analysis brevity result in loss of control? A consecutive case series of 26 single-session interview informed synthesized contingency analyses.” Through a post hoc analysis of the initial test sessions from 26 interview-informed synthesized contingency analyses Dr. Jessel describes the extent to which control over targeted behavior can be demonstrated empirically in as little as 3, 5, or 10 minutes. Additionally, Dr. Jessel shares his practitioner scientist perspective, frames this article within the world of Applied Behavior Analytic (ABA) practice and scientific inquiry, and helps listeners understand the lessons that can be learned from this line of research.

Featured Guest: 
Joshua Jessel, PhD, BCBA-D, Department of Psychology, Queens College Joshua.jessel@qc.cuny.edu 
Follow him on ResearchGate at https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joshua-Jessel

Interviewers: 
John Staubitz and Will Martin, VKC- TRIAD, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
John.staubitz@vumc.org ; willmartinbcba@gmail.com 

Article Citation: 
Jessel J, Metras R, Hanley GP, Jessel C, Ingvarsson ET. Does analysis brevity result in loss of control? A consecutive case series of 26 single-session interview informed synthesized contingency analyses. Behavioral Interventions. 2019;1-11. https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.1695

Learn more at: https://vkc.vumc.org/vkc/podcast-ps/

Safety, Control, Acceptability, and the Worlds Fastest FA with Joshua Jessel

The Vanderbilt Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD) provides services and training for families, educators, and other professionals; conducts school consultations; and consults with community organizations.

Vanderbilt TRIAD

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