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
• Instagram | @‌themisfitbehaviorists
• YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists

👋 Find us!

• Audra | ABA in School
• Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics
• Sami | B.A.S.S.

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

Every teacher knows those days when everything seems to erupt at once. In this episode, Audra and Caitlin share five quick, practical de-escalation strategies that help you shift from chaos to calm—without losing your sanity or your sense of humor. From using proactive visuals to setting the emotional “temperature” of the room, these are tools you can use right away in any classroom or therapy setting.

🔑 Key Takeaways
• Prevention is your protection: Plan ahead with visuals, pre-corrections, and clear expectations to reduce triggers before they start.
• Your calm = their calm: Be the thermostat, not the thermometer—your energy sets the tone. Use a calm voice, slow pacing, and neutral body language.
• Give space and choices: Two choices = one win. Allow time and space for students to regulate and make a decision before stepping back in.
• Delay, don’t deny: Instead of “no,” try “yes, later” or “no, but you can…” to reduce confrontation and maintain relationships.
• Practice before the fire: Role-play refusals and problem moments before they happen to help students (and staff!) respond with calm and confidence.

📦 Resources & Links
• Free De-Escalation Strategy Visual → https://abainschool.com/deescalate
• Related Episode: Ep. 57 The Crisis Cycle → https://abainschool.com/ep57
• Related Episode: Ep. 6 6 Ways to Approach Challenging Behaviors and Trauma-Informed Care → https://abainschool.com/ep6

🤝 Join Us
💬 Share your favorite classroom de-escalation strategies in the Misfit Behaviorists Facebook Group → https://abainschool.com/misfits
🎧 Subscribe on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform → https://www.youtube.com/@themisfitbehaviorists
📢 Tag us when you try one of these tips in your classroom—we love hearing what works for you!

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

😍 More, you say? We’re here for you!

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

👋 Find us!

• Audra | ABA in School
• Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics
• Sami | B.A.S.S.

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

Sometimes the issue isn’t that your behavior plan is “bad”—it’s that it’s not being followed with fidelity. Before you rewrite the whole thing, pause and check: are all staff on the same page, teaching replacement skills, and delivering reinforcement consistently? In this Misfit Minute, Caitlin shares some tough love and practical reminders about when you actually need a new plan versus when you just need to work the one you’ve got.

🔑 Key Takeaways
⦁ Consistency is critical—most plans fail because they aren’t followed, not because they’re wrong.
⦁ Fidelity matters: check if reinforcement, teaching, and responses are happening as written.
⦁ Communicate with your team before making major changes.
⦁ Small tweaks may help, but give the current plan time to work.
⦁ Collect data first, then decide if a new plan is necessary.

📦 Resources Mentioned
⦁ Related episodes: Start the FBA mini-series here → https://abainschool.com/ep31part1 and FBA Miniseries on Antecedent Strategies → https://abainschool.com/ep51
⦁ Do We Need an FBA? blog post → https://abainschool.com/do-we-need-an-fba/

⦁ FBA template → https://abainschool.com/mkmg or https://abainschool.com/pmcf

🙌 Join Us & Share
⦁ Join the conversation in our Facebook group
⦁ Subscribe so you don’t miss future Misfit Minutes and full-length strategy episodes
⦁ Share this episode with a teammate who needs proactive classroom strategies!

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

😍 More, you say? We’re here for you!

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

👋 Find us!

• Audra | ABA in School
• Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics
• Sami | B.A.S.S.

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

Being a BCBA in a public school means more than behavior plans—it’s about collaboration, data, and supporting teachers on RTI and MTSS teams. In this episode, we share tips for building relationships, starting with Tier 1 strategies, and making sure your role feels valuable (not overwhelming!) to your general education colleagues.

🔑 Key Takeaways
• Start simple: Review Tier 1 supports before jumping to FBAs or complex plans.
• Bring tools: Have ready-to-use data sheets and low-prep interventions for teachers.
• Collaborate first: Ask teachers what’s already working and build from there.
• Show, don’t tell: Bring visual examples like token boards or contracts to spark ideas.
• Build trust: Celebrate teacher wins and keep follow-ups short, consistent, and encouraging.

📦 Resources & Links
• Free Tier 1 Interventions Checklist → https://abainschool.com/tier1
• Related Episodes: Ep. 58 Bridging the Gap → https://abainschool.com/ep58 and Ep. 14 Life as a School Based BCBA guest → https://abainschool.com/ep14

🤝 Join Us
💬 Share how you support RTI/MTSS teams in the Misfit Behaviors Facebook Group → https://abainschool.com/misfits
🌟 Subscribe: Don’t miss future episodes with practical BCBA strategies → https://www.youtube.com/@themisfitbehaviorists
📢 Share this episode with your RTI team, BCBA colleagues, or administrators to spark collaboration and support!

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

😍 More, you say? We’re here for you!

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

👋 Find us!

• Audra | ABA in School
• Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics
• Sami | B.A.S.S.

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

Offering students simple choices can reduce pushback and boost cooperation. In this Misfit Minute, we break down how to turn everyday directives into opportunities for autonomy and engagement.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Choice = Power: Even small choices give students autonomy and reduce resistance
• Circle Time Example: Let students choose where or how they sit instead of forcing one option
• Directive Reframe: Switch “Put your things away and line up” to “Do you want to line up first or pack up first?”
• Weekly Challenge: Rewrite one classroom directive as a choice that works for you and your students

📦 Resources Mentioned

• Related episodes: Pre-Correcting Behavior → http://abainschool.com/mm7 and FBA Miniseries on Antecedent Strategies → https://abainschool.com/ep51
• Free classroom tools & resources inside the Misfit Behaviors Facebook Group → https://abainschool.com/misfits

🙌 Join Us & Share

• Join the conversation in our Facebook group → https://abainschool.com/misfits
• Subscribe so you don’t miss future Misfit Minutes and full-length strategy episodes
• Share this episode with a teammate who needs proactive classroom strategies!

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

😍 More, you say? We’re here for you!

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

👋 Find us!

• Audra | ABA in School
• Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics
• Sami | B.A.S.S.

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

Teaching little ones with big feelings can be equal parts joyful and challenging. In this episode, we share five simple, effective strategies for supporting early learners in preschool and special education settings. From using visuals to keeping it playful, you’ll walk away with practical tools you can try tomorrow.

🔑 Key Takeaways
• Keep it visual: Use simple schedules, choice boards, and social stories to support communication and independence.
• Narrate everything: Model positive language with calm, playful tones (think Mr. Rogers or Miss Rachel style).
• Prevention matters: Catch behaviors early with pre-corrections, sensory breaks, and proactive supports.
• Repetition is key: Expect to teach skills 50+ times—consistency builds mastery.
• Play is better than lecture: Embed learning into games, role play, and parallel play for lasting impact.

📦 Resources & Links
• Related Episodes: Episode #64 Preschool Circle Time
Episode #18 Behavior Management Basics
• If you need some preschool circle time ideas, check these out!

🤝 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
• Instagram | @‌themisfitbehaviorists
• YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists

👋 Find us!

• Audra | ABA in School
• Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics
• Sami | B.A.S.S.

🖱️ 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’s Misfit Minute is all about catching behaviors before they escalate. Caitlin breaks down how to spot the earliest warning signs—like a shift in posture or a sigh—and why waiting until the meltdown starts is already too late. Learn how small, proactive strategies can prevent big challenges in the classroom.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Escalation is the “tip of the iceberg” — behaviors begin long before yelling or refusal.
• Early signs might include subtle changes like silence, avoidance, or body language.
• Use antecedent strategies such as offering choices, adjusting tasks, or modifying the environment.
• Proactive support reduces the likelihood of major problem behaviors.
• Reflection matters: ask, “What could I have done a few minutes earlier?”

📦 Resources Mentioned

• Related episode: FBA Miniseries on Antecedent Strategies
• Free classroom tools & resources inside the Misfit Behaviorists Facebook Group

🙌 Join Us & Share

• Join the conversation in our Facebook group
• Subscribe so you don’t miss future Misfit Minutes and full-length strategy episodes
• Share this episode with a teammate who needs proactive classroom strategies!

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

😍 More, you say? We’re here for you!

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

👋 Find us!

• Audra | ABA in School
• Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics
• Sami | B.A.S.S.

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

If it’s not generalizing, it’s not functional. In this episode, we break down what true mastery looks like, how to plan for maintenance from the start, and practical ways to “teach loosely” so skills stick across people, places, and materials.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Redefine Mastery: Ditch “80% for 3 days” as the finish line—probe across time (weeks), people, places, and materials.
• Plan for M+G Early: Write IEP goals that embed generalization (different staff, tables, exemplars) and maintenance checks.
• Teach Loosely ≠ Teach Sloppily: Use multiple exemplars (sizes, fonts, colors), varied instructions, and rotate staff from day one.
• Schedule Maintenance: Build in review times (e.g., Friday maintenance, quick sweeps after work sessions) and intersperse mastered items.
• Use Natural Opportunities: Count lunch boxes, read names on cubbies—teach outside the data squares for real-life use.
• Team Communication Wins: Share what works across classroom, gym, lunch, recess; align prompts and exemplars.
• Match the Learner: Some learners need tight scaffolds; others generalize quickly—individualize criteria and pacing.

🧰 Strategies You Can Use Tomorrow

• Goal Writing Upgrades: “Match letters with different colored cards, at different tables, with different staff, across two weeks at 80%.”
• Exemplar Rule of 3: Teach each concept with ≥3 versions (e.g., tiger photos, clipart, figurine).
• Mastered Bin System: Keep a “M” bin of mastered targets to intermix with new learning.
• Quick Maintenance Routines: 3–5 min daily spot-checks; Friday review block.
• Motivate Naturally: Embed practice before preferred activities (recess, lunch) for built-in reinforcement.

📦 Resources & Links

• Related Episodes: Episode #16 Probe vs Trial-by-Trial data and Episode #5 DTT vs NET

🤝 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
• Instagram | @‌themisfitbehaviorists
• YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists

👋 Find us!

• Audra | ABA in School
• Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics
• Sami | B.A.S.S.

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