11 Tips for Consulting in Public School Settings, Session 74

The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt Cicoria

When things are going as they should, I usually have two to four interviews recorded and ready to go at any given time. However, for several reasons I got behind the 8-ball as the saying goes. And when a recent interview was cancelled I was left without a third show for January. So rather than go without, I thought I'd put out a solo episode, and share some general thoughts I have regarding consulting in public school settings. The timing of this was oddly fortuitous, mainly because I've been thinking a lot about the "soft skills," in the practice of Behavior Analysis. As a result, I sat down at my computer and made a bullet list of what 11 tips or suggestions for effective consultation. As I mention in the beginning of the episode, I do not present these from up upon a soapbox. I learned many of these lessons the hard way. Another thing I'd like to mention is that many of these tips sound really obvious, and can be thought of as belonging in the realm of common sense. But I ask you to trust me, because common sense doesn't always prevail. Here are the two articles I mentioned: Compassionate Care in Behavior Analytic Treatment (Taylor, LeBlanc, & Nosik, 2018). Maintaining Professional Relationships in an Interdisciplinary Setting (Brodhead, 2015). Lastly, given that this is my first solo episode, feel free to send me some feedback. I plan on sticking with the interview format, but I'd love to know how a show like this is received in case this situation comes up again. This session of The Behavioral Observations Podcast is sponsored by Praxis Continuing Education & Training: Join Praxis Continuing Education & Training for the 4-day ACT BootCamp for Behavior Analysts workshop in Reno, Nevada, with Steven C. Hayes, Evelyn Gould, Mark Dixon, and David Sloan Wilson. This will take place March 7-10, 2019, and will provide 32 Type 2 CE's! This BootCamp is designed to provide behavior analysts a foundational understanding of acceptance and commitment training (ACT). ACT’s conceptual and empirical basis has strengthened considerably over the last three decades, and it is now fully entering into the armamentarium of BCBAs in areas like parent training, staff management & development, organizational work, work with developmentally delayed populations or the chronically mentally ill, educational settings with special needs students, and beyond. What’s new at this BootCamp? Prosocial methods for groups! All successful behavior analysis programs have to deal with groups, whether it be with schools, agencies, businesses, or their own staff. This year, we will emphasize how ACT and RFT can empower organizational and team effectiveness. Renowned evolutionary scientist David Sloan Wilson, PhD, will train you on how to implement Prosocial, a new method for helping groups work better together. For more details, click here, and if you do decide to go, use code BEHAVEOBS19 at checkout to save $50!