Terminology Tuesday: Behavior Momentum

Let's talk some ABA with my favorite strategy: behavior momentum

Behavior Momentum is a antecedent strategy where you present a client/student with simple demands before a target task. The target task is the one that the client/student is currently learning and more difficult.

The momentum part of this is the instructor should provide the instructions/demands in a rapid order which allows the student/client to get praise/reinforcement quickly between each task. The high level of reinforcement increases the motivation for the student/client to comply with the target demand.

Is that enough terminology to make your head explode?! Let me apply it to everyday examples.

An example from my job: When teaching my student expressive color identification (the target task is "What color is it?- Purple"
"How old are you?"-->  "I'm 3" -->  Teacher gives a high five
"Touch nose" --> Student touches nose --> Teacher says "great job"
" What's your name?" --> "My name is Meghan" --> Teacher gives fist bump
"What color is it?" --> "Purple" --> Teacher gives high five praise

Example outside of work:
Going to the gym when running is the hardest part of the work out
First you do 10 burpees (because you are insane) --> easy no problem --> happy with yourself
Then you do 20 jumping jacks --> no sweat --> still happy with your work out
After you ride a mile on a bike --> complete the mile in 3 minutes --> happy with how successful you are with your completion of each physical activity
Last you run a mile on the treadmill (the target task)
** You felt accomplished after each successful task you are more likely to run your designated target**

Although I mostly use a highly contrived methods for behavior momentum when working with kiddos, there are examples where an individual can be the instructor and the client (intrinsic reinforcement, which is a topic for another Tuesday).

What is your favorite teaching procedures? Where do you see behavior momentum?

Struggle with The Job Switch/ May Bucket List

One major issue I have found when working in the field of behavior analysis, is the emotional toll it takes when switching a job. For most switching a job just focuses on changing pay, new co-workers, and different work environment. These are all honorable aspects to consider a new placement, but when your work is directly affecting lives of others it is difficult.

Now I am not glorifying behavior analysis as the only field that has this issue- doctors, therapists, teachers all have to face this. The rewards in these jobs are amazing- seeing the development of your clients based on your hard work. But there is also the horrible feeling you get when you tell a student/client you are leaving.

I have had reactions of joy, anger, and the worst rejection from clients and their families. Regardless of the emotions from the clients I still feel as though I stabbing each client and their families in the back. I feel as though I have become a monster in a matter of seconds. On the other hand I know that this is common for the field, I cannot be a therapist for the rest of my life and I hope that I will continue to make improvements (some by trial-and-multiple-errors) in others lives.

This coming week I have an interview for a summer program (and hopefully longer) in a near by town. Their ABA practices are highly developed for a public school system and well respected in the ABA field. I would love to develop a career there and the availability for elementary school staff is right up my alley. Come June if all goes as planned I have to tell my students whom I have been working with since early October that the fun train with Miss Meghan ends here.

So I ask, is there anyone out there that has perfected the script to let clients know you will not be returning???

BUCKET LIST FOR MAY (based off of The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin)

• Healthier decisions: So far I have traded my daily coffee to a protein shake, been using my gym membership at least 3 times per week, and packing only healthy options for lunch at work. 
• Reinstate Hobbies: I began reading for pleasure again (American Gods by Neil Gainman), planning craft projects, and began drawing again.
• Studying Habits: finishing up all mentoring book keeping, purchasing the BACB modules, and set a study schedule with a friend for the exam.
• Schedule in Friends: something I have put off during school was making time for friends, this shall be changing.

Let's Try This Again

About Me: I am a recent graduate of Simmons College Behavior Analysis program. I have been working as an ABA Therapist for 2.5 years and plan on taking the boards exam in August. After undergraduate school I thought I wanted to go into clinic psychology. Low and behold, one day I looked in the local paper- a job listing for a one-on-one ABA Therapist. Since then I have been hooked. Graduate school was not easy but it solidified my passion for working with kids.

I have wanted to write a blog for a few years now, but had no idea what to write about. Crafts? My love for Harry Potter? Work? Life?

I think now I have my niche- writing about journey to becoming a BCBA, interesting articles in the field, tips and tricks for ABA therapist, and anything in between.

Stay tuned