Coach Me If You Can Hosts Beth and Amie Interview Dr. Barbera on ABA in Public Schools

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This interview is a little different than others featured on the show; today Beth and Amie from Coach Me If You Can interview me. You’ll hear a little of my back story, which I’ve shared before, as well as some advice from my resources on ABA and BCBAs in schools.

A Positive Approach

You’ll hear me quote over and over in this episode and many others, “You have to have 8 positives to every negative.” This is at the core of my approach and has to be the core of ABA in schools. I’ve seen too much negativity and tension in classrooms, both with students and paraprofessionals, and that just is not going to work. I talk with Beth and Amie about how The Verbal Behavior Approach and Turn Autism Around are founded in positivity and how my new course, Train the Trainer, is all about continuing that positive approach.

BCBAs in Schools

During my time with The Verbal Behavior Project, I spent a lot of time in schools and contracted privately as a BCBA to be involved with IEPs. It is often so common to see BCBAs brought in at the last moment to do damage control, but BCBAs need to be utilized to be proactive, prevent problem behavior, and collaborate with the teacher and IEPs for realistic goals.

Because this is a feature recorded originally for Amie and Beth’s podcast, we close out with some questions about me personally! I shared about my mastermind group, how I became motivated in the online learning space, and some other fun facts about what I enjoy. I really enjoyed this chat and thought Amie and Beth asked some great questions.

Beth Mand and Amie Krummick on the Turn Autism Around Podcast

Amie Krummick is an NSSEO District Coach who has been working in the field of education for over 20 years. She was trained as a school psychologist, and I have supported school districts, families, and students with autism during this time. Amie led the team in her previous district in setting up Structured Teaching classrooms for students with social communication and sensory needs. She also completed the necessary steps and was an Autism Coach with IATTAP, completed the Level I Social Thinking Clinical Training in San Jose, California, and most recently passed my BCBA exam. Amie has also worked with students from early childhood through transition age and continues to have a strong interest in coaching teams around verbal behavior, using Social Thinking concepts in their everyday work with students, and executive functioning skills.

Beth Mand is part of the team of NSSEO District Coaches and the DHH Satellite Program Facilitator. Since joining the world of education in 2005, Beth has worked as a paraprofessional, general education teacher, and special education teacher, supporting diverse populations in a variety of settings. She holds degrees in general education, special education, and administration. In her coaching role, she has supported book studies, professional learning opportunities, job embedded coaching, and surrounding the VB-MAPP Assessment and instructional practices surrounding verbal behavior.

You’ll Learn

Dr. Mary Barbera’s Story and Fall into the Autism World.
The importance of a positive approach.
Finding ABA in schools and training staff.
How are BCBAs utilized in school involvement?
A look at Dr. Mary Barbera’s inspiration and free time.

Resources