Hello Autumn

Tis the season of the leaving changing, warm sweaters, and the smell of cinnamon is in the air: AUTUMN!

Also this is the season of the beginning of school. I have started getting used to my new job and I hope my students feel the same. There has been some hiccups here and there but overall I am feeling confident of my work. Although I have been a behavior therapist for a few years the amount of work can still be daunting. From IEP goals to managing behavior plans it can be stressful making sure that you are doing all that you can for your students.

That being said here is my autumn bucket list:

TRAVEL
- A day trip to Salem (witches, Halloween, and museums- oh my!)
- Apple Picking in New Hampshire
- Nature Hikes to see the foliage
- Watch a high school football game (go Tigers!)

HOLIDAYS
- Make an epic Halloween couples costume (Egon Spangler and Janine from Ghostbusters)
- Hand out candy for Halloween
- Make some delicious Thanksgiving side dishes/desserts
- FRIENDS-GIVING!

PROJECTS
- The Harry Potter banner (see above)
- Fun drink coasters
- Halloween/Thanksgiving decorations
- Begin working on Christmas presents

HEALTH
- Continue swimming and cycling twice a week
- Stay away from as much candy as possible around Halloween
- Focus on drinking more water
- Keep to a max of 4 coffees a week

CAREER
- Take the boards exam
- IEP work, behavior plans, and creating more effective data sheets
- Study ASL
- Become more active in the after school activities


When I am not working on the bucket list I will most likely be in footie pajamas sticking my nose in a book. Or looking something like this:

Where are you going? Where have you been?

So it has been close to a month since I have posted. There have been several life changes that have occurred that have left very little free time. Here is a run down:

Career: I am now a BT for a high school (of all places). The students so far are great, low levels of problematic behaviors. Most of my days are shadowing students in their assigned classes, assisting with homework, and collecting data for IEP goals. It is a completely new environment, there is so many different opportunities for these students from majoring in subject areas, after school programs, and the freedom of an open campus. The coworkers are super helpful and down to earth. The entire school staff seems to be friendly and most who are hired make a career within this school district. Also the BCBA that supervised me during the summer program will be working on my case load, yay having my work hours count.

Home: FINALLY I am moved into my new place with the boyfriend. It is taking some time getting used to each of our different schedules but it is coming along. It is great since we do have weekly activities put in place so we each get some solo time to chill. Also great news is we have an office where I have been able to begin studying for the boards again.

Personal Goals: With a job, a home, and health in check things are falling into place. I joined a gym where one of my classmates from Simmons goes to and we are planning a work out schedule. I am excited to get swimming, cycling, and running weekly. Also I am in the works of working some after school activities at work which should be a great experience.

As I begin studying I will be posting more about ABA theories and techniques. Furthermore, I will begin posting craft projects and all things autumn.

What is up with that?

So August I have a few questions already:

1. Why did I have to get rear ended when I was at a full stop by a woman eating a cheeseburger at 8am?
2. Why do I have to miss 3 days of work?
3. Why is whip lash so painful?

Luckily there was no damage to my car, but now I have to stay out the rest of the week at work. Ugh 3 days of no work makes Meghan a dull girl. I am not a very good patient because I am super fidgety even though I know I should be resting. Also I tend not to take meds even though I know they are prescribed to help. So I blog instead to get my mind off the fact that I cannot move my neck.

Summer camp is now in its final week and a half and I am sad but also excited. The kids have been so good this summer and my co-workers have been super helpful. The days go by so fast and half of the day is spent at the pool which is fun for everyone. Although now I can start thinking about my position come September. Meaning I still have to clothes shop (professional attire with high school kids) and make a map because that school is massive.

With September comes moving into the city. So much stuff to still go through to either donate or pack that my head is about to explode. Its game time for a bunch of life changes and I am stuck lying down perfectly still. Ugh help!

August Bucket List

I can't believe today is the first day of August! The summer has flown by with many ups and downs. Unfortunately my application for the BCBA exam was denied for August (thanks Simmons). After 3 weeks of playing email tag with the boards, one experience audit, and long winded conversation with Simmons about the errors- I get denied. For anyone that reads this blog, if you are completing your mentoring here are a few things you HAVE TO DO in order to be accepted.

1. Work 30 or more hours a week where a BCBA is overseeing you
2. Do NOT have group meetings more than once in a two week period
3. Your mentor meetings can only be 5% of your work experience for that week (so if you meet every two weeks you have to have a 3hr meeting to get the full 60 hours of work accounted for).
4. Make sure you save a hard copy of every single feedback form
5. When applying for the exam, submit an original copy of your EVF(s)
6. Start the modules EARLY as I had posted in the past, they are time consuming and the last thing you want is to feel rushed.

That being said, I am going to focus on the positives with my August Bucket List:

1. Studying: Now that I have a few more months to study I can take the modules at a less stressful pace as well as review CHH and other text. Goal for the modules= at least 60% complete
2. Moving: I will be moving closer to the city this coming September and I need to get a move on donating and packing. September 1st will be here before we know it!
3. Exercise: Focus on running 3 times a week and adding arm/abs to the routine
4. Work: I have 2 more weeks left for summer program! The experience has been wonderful but I am ready to have a week and a half off before the school year begins.
5. Reading: I will finish the current book I am reading The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime and begin reading a book from the stack of books I have collecting dust.
6. Blogging: I will focus on posting more terminology, interesting research, study tips, etc.
7. Craft: I have a list of crafts I have been meaning to make, this month I will at least make 2 of them (some are scrabble letter coasters, dry erase office calendar with paint chips, etc.)
8. Shopping: With my new job in the fall I need to rock the "business casual" dress code. This is new for me and I have to start the process of buying more appropriate attire. Looks like my days of yoga pants and converse are over!
9. Vacation: Plan a few fun things for my week off like going to the beach or hanging out with friends have not seen in a long time.

What are your plans for August? How are you preparing for the end of Summer 2014?

Delayed and Immediate Reinforcement for Running

This post is mostly for myself to keep up with my running routine. Lately with personal and work changes I need something consistent and a healthy alternative is the ticket. At first I was doing well with running at least three times a week, but within the past few weeks I have been slipping. So here is a list of delayed and immediate reinforcement from running:

IMMEDIATE:
1. Freeing up my inner dimension: I am so concerned about my pace, breathing, and dodging obstacles (other people, trash cans, dogs, etc.) that I have no time to think about life stressors.
2. Sweat it out: sweating can be conditioned to be a reinforcer
3. Environment: Running outside is a lot easier than being stuck on a treadmill due to the scenery. Living in a coastal town it is beautiful to see sail boats, sea birds, and other landmarks to take your mind off of the fatigue.

DELAYED:
1. Checking off of my schedule: I am an individual who is highly reinforced by having a To-Do list everyday. When running is on the schedule it is more reinforcing to check off the list.
2. Making progress: when you begin to run farther and farther distances it becomes more reinforcing to keep running. Whether its just adding .10 of a mile or accomplishing a hill sprint all of it will get me to be more motivated to put on those sneakers.
3. Restful nights sleep: Based on my summer schedule I run in the early evenings which makes falling asleep all the easier.
4. Common Interest: A few friends of mine have been running for years, so it can tend to come up in conversation. So when it comes to advice I have a pool of knowledge to go to.
5. Smiles: Mentalism, but running a few times a week makes me happy with myself. Is it self reinforcement? I think so! But I am happy with my healthy choices and appearance.

And last but not least: What is the one thing that is true about all humans? We can lie.

What other immediate/delayed reinforcers do you rely on to get off the couch?

How to relax after a long day a work.

Operational definition of relaxation: Any instance in which a Behavior Therapist is removed from the work environment and engages in a hobby or non-ABA related tasks. For example, after work Meghan blares show tunes in her car on the way home. A non example would be Meghan going to a library after work and studies ABA terminology for 4 hours.

I understand this definition needs some work but you get the overall picture. As you could tell this week has been long and somewhat stressful. I am still happy with my current position and the kids are great. But as any Behavior Therapists knows even good days require you to be fully committed to whatever student you are working on and taking full advantage of any training moment. Which can get draining at times.

I have come up with a list activities that help me relax after a long day:

1. Exercise: Now for most this sounds like the last thing they would like to do after a long day of working with kids, but hear me out. I am not putting any duration or magnitude requirements for working out. It could be something as simple as doing a plank for 1min or taking a walk. Recently I have been running outside, for me it causes me to focus on my pace/breathing to the point where I can no longer think about work. Then when you are done you have accomplished something and more relaxed to tackle whatever you like.

2. Spending time with a pet: The greeting when you get home from a dog is one of the most amazing happiness boosters in the world. My dog has a tendancy to run around the house 5 times, shake from the power of her tail wagging, and give you about 20 kisses before you even have a chance to put your bag down. After the shock of your arrival home, the dog will most likely lay right next to you and you end up mindlessly petting them into sleep. Relaxing for both parties

3. Binge Watching: I have to admit most nights I watch one episode of a show and by the end I can't keep my eyes open. Netflix has been my saving grace many a night when I could not calm down from work. Try watching something that doesn't require your full attention and full of jokes. My go-to shows are: Parks & Rec, Trailer Park Boys, and Freaks and Geeks. 

4. Craft Fest 2014: When in doubt and nothing else seems appealing I log onto Pinterest and craft up a storm. From no sew blankets to doodles of weird looking owls. Also all of this de-stressing crafting makes christmas time a lot cheaper/easier. Latest craft: Smash Booking (easiest way to spend sometime and put all of those random keepsakes to use).

Those are the major 4 activities that I do to relax after work. What do you do to zen out?

BDS Modules- Reinforcing or Punishing Study Behavior?

As I get closer to taking the boards exam I have noticed one thing- the modules by Behavior Development Solutions are very difficult! Now I thought the program for my masters was difficult but these modules requiring 100% accuracy is crossing the border to making studying highly aversive.

Now are they worth it? Let's break it down....

PROS
- SUCCESS: Based on data collected, the individuals who complete the modules are 90% or more likely to pass on the first try compared to those who just study from The White Book (CHH- like you didn't know).
- QUESTION FORMAT: all multiple choice and worded similarly to the questions on the current exam
- EASY NAVIGATION: broken down into subject matter making studying up to you
- FLUENCY & ACQUISITION: have to meet 100% on both in order to complete that module

CONS
- TIME CONSUMING: one afternoon I spent 4 hours and only completed 6% of the modules
- EXPENSIVE: for a 6 month membership you are paying close to $250 and it goes up and up if you want access for a year (this is on top of paying the application and testing facility fee for the exam).
- MASTERY CRITERION: having to get nothing less than 100% on every single acquisition and fluency section is difficult (some I had to retake multiple times because I would miss 1 or 2 questions).

I would recommend reviewing The White Book and notes from classes when studying to decrease the probability of burning out (learned this the hard way). What tricks do you use when studying for a major exam? What subject area in ABA is the most challenging to you (ethics is a tough one for me)?

In the end it will all be worth it! Also lets end with an ABA joke.