Behaviour Speak with Ben Reiman

We’re back with Episode 2 in our Special Series on The Constructional Approach. In this conversation, Madhura Deshpande discusses various aspects of behavioural analysis, focusing on the transition of clients to adult settings, the effectiveness of constructional approaches in medical procedures, and the importance of active participation in achieving rapid results. She emphasizes the need for proper staff training, ethical collaboration in behavioural pharmacology, and the significance of recognizing and building on existing repertoires to improve client outcomes. The discussion also touches on the development of an app to track medication effects and the challenges faced in staff turnover within the field.

Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)

BACB: 1.5 Learning
IBAO:  1.5 ABA Topics
QABA: 1.5 General
CBA/CPD:    1.5 Learning  

Follow us!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behaviourspeak/

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/behaviourspeak/

Contact

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/madhuraaba/

Proactive Behaviour Analysts :

https://www.pactba.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/pactba/

https://www.instagram.com/proactiveba/

Links:

The Constructional Approach Website

https://theconstructionalapproach.com/

The Constructional Approach Facebook Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/700952357829957

The Institute for Applied Behavior Science at Endicott College

https://www.endicott.edu/academics/schools/institute-for-applied-behavioral-science

Special Series On The Constructional Approach on Behaviour Speak

Episode 250: The Constructional Approach:  A Primer with Awab Abdel-Jalil

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-250-the-constructional-approach-a-primer-with-awab-abdel-jalil/

 

Articles and Books Discussed

Deshpande, M., Cauchi, J. & Gerhardt, P. The SAFER Tool: Promoting Independence and Safety in Sexual Education for Individuals with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities. Sex Disabil 43, 32 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-025-09909-7

Deshpande, M., Weil, L., Renshaw, E., Duyile, L., & Cox, D. J. (in review). Bridging behavioural pharmacology and behaviour analysis: A guide to developing practical medication data collection tools for practitioners. Behavior Analysis in Practice.

In this conversation, Madonna Bonny shares her journey from her early experiences in Georgia to becoming a BCBA and opening her own center in Georgia. She discusses the evolution of autism services in Georgia, the importance of parent involvement, and the role of the International Behaviour Analysis Organization (IBAO) in supporting ABA development. Madonna highlights the barriers faced in the ABA field, shares success stories from her practice, and reflects on the cultural dynamics of working with families in Georgia. She emphasizes the need for continued training and support for behaviour analysts and the importance of understanding the unique challenges faced by autistic individuals and their families.

Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)

BACB: 1.0 Ethics
IBAO:  1.0 Cultural
QABA: 1.0 General
CBA/CPD:    1.0 Cultural Diversity  

Follow us!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behaviourspeak/

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/behaviourspeak/

Contact

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/madonna-bonny-38993a45/?isSelfProfile=false

Links:

International Behavior Analysis Association

https://theibao.com/

Related Behaviour Speak Episodes

Episode 242: Behaviour Analysis in Moldova with Olga Sirbu, BCBA, LBA, IBA

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-242-behaviour-analysis-in-moldova-with-olga-sirbu-bcba-lba-iba/

Episode 229: Behaviour Analysis in Kyrgyzstan with Dr. Anastasiia Iun

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-229-behavior-analysis-in-kyrgyzstan-with-dr-anastasiia-iun/

Episode 215 : Behavior Analysis in Turkiye with Dr. Buket Kısaç Demiroğlu

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-215-behavior-analysis-in-turkiye-with-dr-buket-kisac-demiroglu/

Episode 184 Behaviour Analysis in Ukraine with Alla Moskalets

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-184-behavior-analysis-in-ukraine-with-alla-moskalets/

In this conversation, Awab Abdel-Jalil discusses the evolution and significance of the constructional approach in behavior analysis. Awab Abdel-Jalil is the Associate Vice President of Applied Research at Upstate Caring Partners in Utica, NY, and a doctoral candidate at Endicott College under the mentorship of Dr. Joe Layng. He emphasizes the importance of understanding historical context, the role of ascent in learning, and the scrutiny faced by ABA, which can lead to positive changes. Awab shares his personal journey into the field, the influence of mentorship, and the legacy of Israel Gold Diamond. He also addresses common misunderstandings of nonlinear contingency analysis and highlights the growing resources available for practitioners. The conversation concludes with insights into future directions in constructional therapy and the importance of harnessing negative reinforcers in practice.

Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)

BACB: 1.5 Learning
IBAO:  1.5 ABA Topics
QABA: 1.5 General
CBA/CPD:    1.5 Learning  

Follow us!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behaviourspeak/

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/behaviourspeak/

Contact

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/awab-abdel-jalil-64541a196/

Upstate Caring Partners:

https://www.upstatecp.org/

The Institute for Applied Behavior Science at Endicott College

https://www.endicott.edu/academics/schools/institute-for-applied-behavioral-science

 

Links:

The Constructional Approach Website

https://theconstructionalapproach.com/

The Constructional Approach Facebook Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/700952357829957

Claire St. Peter on The Behavioral Observations Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5NLz4wfAT9paQfzvut11K1

Articles and Books Discussed

Abdel-Jalil, A., Linnehan, A. M., Yeich, R., Hetzel, K., Amey, J., & Klick, S. (2023). Can there be compassion without assent? A nonlinear constructional approach. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-023-00850-9

 Goldiamond, I. (2002). Toward a constructional approach to social problems: Ethical and constitutional issues raised by Applied Behavior Analysis. Behavior and Social Issues, 11(2), 108-197. https://doi.org/10.5210/bsi.v11i2.92 (Original work published in 1974).

Goldiamond, I. (1984). Training parents and ethicists in nonlinear behavior analysis. In R. F. Dangel & R. A. Polster (Eds.), Parent training: Foundations of research and practice (pp. 504–546). Guilford.  

Layng, T. V. J., & Abdel-Jalil, A. (2022). Toward a constructional exposure therapy. Advances in Cognitive Therapy, Fall, 8–11. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/373767631_TOWARD_A_CONSTRUCTIONAL_EXPOSURE_THERAPY

Layng, T. V. J., Andronis, P. T., Codd III, R. T., & Abdel-Jalil, A. (2022). Nonlinear contingency analysis: Going beyond cognition and behavior in clinical practice. Routledge. 

Liden, T. A., & Rosales-Ruiz, J. (2024a). Constructional parent coaching: A collaborative approach to improve the lives of parents of children with autism. Behavior Analysis in Practice. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-024-00944-y

Linnehan, A. M., Abdel-Jalil, A., Klick, S., Amey, J., Yeich, R., & Hetzel, K. (2023). Foundations of preemptive compassion: A behavioral concept analysis of compulsion, consent, and assent. Behavior Analysis in Practice. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-023-00890-1 

Scallan, C. M., & Rosales-Ruiz, J. (2023). The constructional approach: A compassionate approach to behavior change. Behavior Analysis in Practice. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-023-00811-2  

Wilder, D. A., Ingram, G., & Hodges, A. C. (2021). Evaluation of shoe inserts to reduce toe walking in young children with autism. Behavioral Interventions, 37(3), 754–765. https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.1860

 

Books coming this summer: 
Nonlinear Contingency Analysis: Going Beyond Cognition and Behavior in Clinical Practice. Second Edition. 
Layng, T. V. J., Andronis, P. T., Codd III, R. T., & Abdel-Jalil, A.

Applications in Nonlinear Contingency Analysis. 
Abdel-Jalil, A., & Linnehan, A. (Editors)

Today, I’m joined by Eliana Pozzi — a behaviour analyst, autistic self-advocate, parent, and the founder of ABA en Casa. Eliana’s journey into Applied Behaviour Analysis didn’t begin in a clinic or a graduate program, but at home — shaped by her lived experience as an autistic woman and as a mother to her daughter, Sienna, who experiences autism and ADHD.

What began as a deeply personal search for understanding and support evolved into a powerful mission: to make ABA accessible, culturally responsive, and truly useful for families. Through ABA en Casa, Eliana challenges the idea that behaviour-analytic knowledge should be locked behind credentials. Instead, she centers parents as capable, thoughtful change agents — especially within Spanish-speaking and culturally diverse communities.

In this conversation, we talk about private events, emotions, and the limits of focusing only on observable behaviour — particularly for nonverbal children whose internal experiences are often misunderstood or overlooked. Eliana shares how the environment shapes behaviour, why compassion and logic matter in teaching, and how community can reduce isolation for parents navigating complex systems.

Much of Eliana’s advocacy and education lives on Instagram, where she connects with thousands of families through @abaencasa, translating behavioural concepts into practical, relatable tools rooted in real life. You can also explore her work at abaencasa.com and learn more about her professional journey on LinkedIn.

Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)

BACB: 2.0 Ethics
IBAO:  2.0 Cultural
QABA: 2.0 General
CBA:    2.0 Cultural  

Follow us!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behaviourspeak/

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/behaviourspeak/

Contact:

Eliana Pozzi/ABA en case

https://www.instagram.com/abaencasa/reels/

https://www.abaencasa.com/about

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elianapozzi/

Related Behaviour Speak Episodes

Behaviour Speak: Latino Voices

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/category/latino-voices

In this conversation, Kent Corso, a licensed clinical psychologist and board-certified behaviour analyst, discusses the critical issue of suicide prevention. He emphasizes the importance of organizational behaviour management and the role of behaviour analysts in addressing suicidal behaviours. The conversation explores the PROSPER model for proactive suicide prevention, the significance of cultural context, and the need for community involvement and training for first responders. Misconceptions about suicide and mental health are also addressed, highlighting the necessity for a more nuanced understanding of these issues.

 

Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)

BACB: 1.5 Learning
IBAO:  1.5 ABA Topics
QABA: 1.5  General
CBA:    1.5  Learning  

Follow us!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behaviourspeak/

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/behaviourspeak/

Contact:

Dr. Kent Corso

https://ncrbehavioralhealth.com/about

PROSPER  (Click this link to find the next training!)_

https://www.prospertogether.net/

 

Related Behaviour Speak Episodes

Episode 105: Suicide Prevention with Autistic Individuals with Lauren Pagliara and Susan Tirella

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-105-suicide-prevention-with-autistic-individuals/