The Misfit Behaviorists - Practical Strategies for Special Education and ABA Professionals
Are you a teacher looking for support with students with diverse needs or behavior management in the classroom? Tune into The Misfit Behaviorists podcast, hosted by Caitlin Beltran, Audra Jensen, and Sami Brown, three BCBAs (and two special education teachers), as they bring you actionable tips to behavior reduction and skill acquisition. Listen to evidence-based strategies with a student-centered focus as they share practical advice for special education teachers, behavior support teachers, BCBAs, and ABA professionals.
Whether you're seeking advice or just want to laugh, new to the field or a veteran looking for a fresh perspective, tune in for this unique blend of professional expertise and real-life experience. Weekly episodes will be concise, because we know your time is limited! Don’t miss it!
Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: https://abainschool.com/misfits
😍 More, you say? We’re here for you!
- Apple podcast | abainschool.com/misfitsonapple
- Instagram | @themisfitbehaviorists
- YouTube | @themisfitbehaviorists
👋 Find us!
- Audra | abainschool.com
- Caitlin | beltransbehaviorbasics.com
- Sami | behavioranalyticsupport.com
🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!
The Misfit Behaviorists - Practical Strategies for Special Education and ABA Professionals
Misfit Minute 16: When Writing Tasks Cause Behaviors: Helping Students Stay Focused
Sometimes our students giggle, get wiggly, or completely check out when it’s time to write. Is it task avoidance? A skills gap? Sensory overload? In this Misfit Minute, Audra walks through 5 quick questions to help you figure out what’s really going on—and what to do about it—when pencil-and-paper tasks go sideways.
🔑 Key Takeaways
• Start with: Is it a can’t or a won’t? Skill deficits and motivation issues need different responses.
• If it’s a can’t, reduce the demand—use scribes, stamps, typing, or tracing to build participation.
• Use shaping to gradually increase writing tolerance—think small steps with strong reinforcement.
• If it’s a won’t, reassess the reinforcement—maybe the “then” isn’t strong or fast enough.
• Try shared turns—write together, take turns, and make it social and fun to build engagement.
📦 Resources Mentioned
• “Can’t Do vs Won’t Do” visual (in the Misfit Behaviorists FB group and linked in show notes) or here → https://abainschool.com/mm2w
• Related episode: 5 Preschool Behavior Strategies → https://abainschool.com/ep66 • Crisis Cycle Creation → https://abainschool.com/ep57 • FBA process starts here! → https://abainschool.com/ep31
• ABA in School blog → https://abainschool.com
• Free token boards → https://abainschool.com/ymnr
🙌 Join Us & Share
• Keep the conversation going in our Facebook group → https://abainschool.com/misfits
• Subscribe for more short tips + full-length strategy episodes
• Share this with a teammate who works with reluctant writers or early learners
Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists
😍 More, you say? We’re here for you!
- Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists
- Instagram | @themisfitbehaviorists
- YouTube | @themisfitbehaviorists
👋 Find us!
- Audra | ABA in School
- Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics
- Sami | B.A.S.S.
🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!
