What does “leisure” really mean, and who gets to decide what counts?

In this episode, Nicole Stewart and Christina Torres challenge some of the most common assumptions about leisure skills in ABA. Through honest conversation and real-life examples, they explore why leisure is more than toys or playtime, and how it connects to self-regulation, independence, relationships, and mental health.

They talk openly about screens, boredom, stimming, special interests, and the pressure parents feel to constantly entertain their children. You’ll hear practical strategies for teaching leisure skills in a way that feels natural, respectful, and sustainable—without forcing kids into activities that don’t fit who they are. The episode also highlights why honoring individual interests isn’t “giving up,” but instead opens doors to learning, connection, and autonomy.

If you’ve ever wondered how to help a child (or yourself) truly enjoy free time without guilt, this episode is for you.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify functions of leisure behavior as discussed in applied and family-centered contexts

2. Describe at least two evidence informed strategies for teaching leisure skills that respect individual preferences, developmental level and neurodivergent presentations.

3. Apply a behavioral lens to evaluate the appropriateness of a leisure activity by considering motivation, autonomy and generalization rather than social norms.

Season 2 of Reinforcing Conversation is sponsored by the New England Center for Children.

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Resources

• NeuroDND: Inclusive Tabletop Gaming Groups for Neurodiverse Kids
• South Orange Sensory Activation Vehicle: More Information

Citations

• Price, S. (2024). Finding their spark: Non-screen special interests for autistic children and teens. Rainmaker Publishing.
• Nuzzolo-Gomez, R., Leonard, M. A., Ortiz, E., Rivera, C. M., & Greer, R. D. (2002). Teaching children with autism to prefer books or toys over stereotypy or passivity. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 4(2), 80-87.

Nicole and Christina unpack what truly drives motivation in ABA; why it changes, how it impacts behavior, and how to respond. They break down motivating operations, the difference between skill and motivation deficits, and simple ways to boost engagement through “low effort, high reinforcement”. They discuss the utility of token economy systems and how to ensure extrinsic motivation is meaningful and functional. A quick, practical guide to understanding motivation and supporting learners with strategies that build confidence and independence.Learning Objectives:

1. Identify how intrinsic and extrinsic motivation contribute to learner engagement across settings.
2. Explain the role of token economies and reinforcement systems in increasing meaningful, functional participation.
3. Pinpoint parameters to consider when selecting reinforcement procedures, including potential for harm and potential for reinforcer dependency.

This season of Reinforcing Conversation is powered by ⁠The New England Center for Children⁠. Like, subscribe and share our podcast. We love hearing from you - please comment or contact us on social media!

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Citations:

• Cooper, J. O., Heron, T., & Heward, W. L. (2020). Applied behavior analysis. Pearson UK.
• Deleon, I. G., Iwata, B. A., & Roscoe, E. M. (1997). Displacement of leisure reinforcers by food during preference assessments. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 30(3), 475-484.

Keywords: ABA, applied behavior analysis, BCBA, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, RBT, registered behavior technician, autism, ADHD, anxiety, trauma, motivation, token economy, edibles, reinforcement, punishment, burn out, functional learning, early intervention

In this episode, Nicole and Christina unpack one of the most misunderstood concepts in ABA: control. From instructional and stimulus control to emotional regulation, boundaries, and autonomy, they explore how “control” shows up in real life, with kids, clients, and ourselves.

Through personal stories, clinical insight, and plenty of humor, they reframe control not as coercion, but as empowerment: helping learners build trust, flexibility, self-advocacy, and skills that actually matter in their world.

A must-listen for BCBAs, educators, and parents of neurodivergent kids who want ABA that’s compassionate, contextual, and human.

• Identify and explain at least 3 types of control utilized in ABA
• Describe at least two common misconceptions about control along with at least two strategies for reframing control as trust-building and autonomy supported teaching.
• Apply at least two flexible, naturalistic strategies to support learner autonomy and reduce reliance on coercive control

• This season of Reinforcing Conversation is powered by ⁠The New England Center for Children⁠.

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  Keywords: ABA, Applied Behavior Analysis, BCBA, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, RBT, Registered Behavior Technician, Autism, ADHD, Neurodivergent, Parenting, Control, Motivation, Empowerment, Autonomy

In this conversation, Chad Pearce joins Nicole & Christina to discuss the intricacies of recruiting within the ABA field, emphasizing the importance of passion in entrepreneurship, the need for niche recruiting, and the challenges faced by BCBAs in the job market. Chad shares insights on salary expectations, work-life balance, and the impact of AI on recruiting processes. The discussion also touches on the significance of company culture, the importance of asking the right questions during interviews, and the necessity of maintaining a good reputation in the industry. All three share personal anecdotes and offers advice for both candidates and employers in the ABA space.

This season of Reinforcing Conversation is powered by The New England Center for Children.

About Chad Pearce:

Chad Pearce: Chad Pearce is a retired U.S. Air Force veteran, entrepreneur, and father of five who brings over 20 years of leadership and service experience to the behavioral health and recruiting industries.

After retiring from the Air Force as a Chief Master Sergeant, Chad co-founded Recruit ABA in 2021 with his sister, Taylor Pearce, BCBA, blending her clinical expertise with his recruiting background to help ABA providers nationwide build stronger, mission-driven teams.

Guided by his Christian faith, Chad believes true success is measured by integrity, relationships, and impact. Whether supporting clients, mentoring others, or raising his family, his mission is to serve with purpose and honor God in every decision.

• Recruit ABA
• Recruit ABA on Instagram
• Recruit ABA on LinkedIn

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Keywords: ABA, BCBA, RBT, Applied Behavior Analysis, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Autism, Recruiting, Entrepeneurship

Explore how the financial health of an ABA practice directly impacts its ability to attract and retain top talent. Dive into the key business metrics that reveal whether a company is truly sustainable: from profit margins and payer mix to labor costs and overhead.

Listeners will walk away with a clear understanding of what “healthy” numbers look like for an ABA practice, why they matter for both employers and employees, and how financial transparency can build trust and stability within a team.

For employers, this episode offers practical benchmarks and red flags to help ensure payroll, benefits, and professional growth remain consistent for staff. For employees, it provides tools and questions to help evaluate whether a company’s business practices align with long-term stability and support.

We’ll connect the dots between financial practices and workplace culture, showing how strong business foundations ultimately lead to stronger teams and better care.

Ethan Schwarzbach is the CEO and Co-Founder of Flychain He has spent the last fifteen years working at the intersection of traditional finance and technology, with a specific focus on small business lending, banking, accounting, and payments. As the son of a small business owner in healthcare, he wanted to bring his knowledge of institutional financial products, services, and technology to support small businesses across healthcare. Find Flychain on Social Media:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• YouTube
• LinkedIn
• http://www.flychain.us/⁠

This season of Reinforcing Conversation is made possible with support from the New England Center for Children. The New England Center for Children, for over 50 years the worldwide leader in autism education and research. Through our schools, clinics, consulting services, and the ACE® ABA Software System, we are shaping a more inclusive future for all.

Optimize the financial health of your practice with our healthcare-specific tools: Accounting and Bookkeeping, Capital, and CFO Intelligence. Check out Flychain today

Welcome to our 2nd episode of Season two made possible with support from New England Center for Children.

In this episode, join Nicole and Christina for real talk about rapport, communication, and collaboration in behavior analysis. 🎧 Whether you’re an RBT, BCBA, or parent, this episode dives into how relationships drive real progress. We break down CEUs that matter, advocate for meaningful teamwork, and share stories from the field that remind us: ABA works best when it’s human.

Keywords: ABA, RBT, BCBA, CEUs, Behavior Analysis, Rapport, Collaboration, Autism, Professional Development, Ethics

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Citations:

• Sellers, T. P., Valentino, A. L., & LeBlanc, L. A. (2016). Recommended practices for individual supervision of aspiring behavior analysts. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 9(4), 274-286.
• O’Neill, P., Magnacca, C., Gunnarsson, K. F., Khokhar, N., Koudys, J., & Malkin, A. (2024). Cultural responsiveness in behavior analysis: Provider and recipient perceptions in Ontario. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 17(1), 212-227.
• Reeves, A. (2017). Teacher perceptions, use, and knowledge of applied behavior analysis-based techniques (Doctoral dissertation, Appalachian State University).
• Squires, M. E. (2023). Collaboration between special education teachers and board certified behavior analysts (Master's thesis, Brigham Young University).
• Denne, L. D., Hastings, R. P., & Hughes, J. C. (2017). UK parents’ beliefs about applied behaviour analysis as an approach to autism education. European Journal of Special Needs Education, 32(4), 543-555.
• Turgeon, S., & Lanovaz, M. J. (2021). Perceptions of behavior analysis in France: Accuracy and tone of posts in an internet forum on autism. Behavior and Social Issues, 30(1), 308-322.
• Law, V., Turner, L. B., & Brewer, A. T. (2024). Using Peer-Led Behavioral Skills Training to Teach Trainees Active and Empathic Listening Skills in a Virtual Environment. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 1-14.
• Taylor, B. A., LeBlanc, L. A., & Nosik, M. R. (2019). Compassionate care in behavior analytic treatment: Can outcomes be enhanced by attending to relationships with caregivers?. Behavior analysis in practice, 12(3), 654-666.

Welcome to Season 2 of Reinforcing Conversations, made possible with support from New England Center for ChildrenIn this episode of Reinforcing Conversations, hosts Christina Torres and Nicole Stewart discuss the importance of reflection in personal and professional growth, particularly for behavior analysts. They explore the significance of self-awareness, accountability, and the role of community in fostering development. The conversation also touches on the Dunning-Kruger effect, the value of mentorship, and the necessity of adaptability in practice. Listeners are encouraged to embrace mistakes as learning opportunities and to actively engage in their own growth journeys.Learning Objectives:

1. Behavior analysts will identify the importance of self-awareness in the role of accountability as a behavior analyst.

2. Behavior analysts will learn questions to ask themselves to increase accountability in practice and promote self-growth.

3. Behavior analysts will identify personal barriers and challenges they may face related to their own growth as a clinician.

Like, subscribe and share our podcast. We love hearing from you - please comment or contact us on social media!

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• Friedman, Z. L., & El-Roy, D. (2024). Exploring Interprofessional and Self-Compassion Competencies for Applied Behavior Analysis Professionals: A Qualitative Study. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 1-14.
• Penney, A. M., Bateman, K. J., Veverka, Y., Luna, A., & Schwartz, I. S. (2023). Compassion: The eighth dimension of applied behavior analysis. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 1-15.

We’re covering a very uncomfortable topic today: Punishment procedures in ABA. There are a lot of reasons why people are Anti-ABA, and punishment is just one of them. Christina and Nicole discuss the history of punishment in ABA including the most controversial punishment procedure, known as Contingent Electric Skin Shock. We’ll talk about how punishment is meant to be used in ABA, why families might get to this point, and red flags all team members should look for when considering punishment.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the ethical concerns associated with the historical and current use of punishment procedures in ABA, including more extreme uses of punishment.
2. Differentiate between ethical and unethical applications of punishment procedures within ABA, including the misuse of punishment and the lack of informed consent, assent, and least-restrictive alternatives.
3. Identify best practices that behavior analysts, team members, and families should consider when punishment procedures are proposed, with an emphasis on upholding client dignity, safety, and social validity.

Link to Podcast Referenced: Least of These Podcast, Episode 34: The Shocking Truth Part #7 - A Survivor Speaks

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Citations for this episode:

Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2019). Applied Behavior Analysis (3rd ed.). Pearson Education.

Leah Dee (Host). (2021, September 23). The “Shocking” Truth – A Survivor Speaks: Part 7 (Ep. 34) [Audio podcast episode]. In Least of These. Tiny Ranch Productions.

Ruhalter, K. (2023, September 11). Electric shock therapy is still allowed in one Mass. treatment facility—Advocates say change is long overdue. All Things Considered, WGBH News. Retrieved from WGBH website

Wikipedia contributors. (2025, May 19). Judge Rotenberg Center. In Wikipedia. Retrieved May 19, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judge_Rotenberg_Center