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 and Audra Jensen, BCBAs and 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
🖱️ 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 28: You Can’t Punish a Skill Deficit Away (ABA & Special Education)
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
A quick reminder that behavior problems are not always “won’t do” problems. Sometimes they’re “can’t do yet” problems. In this Misfit Minute, Caitlin breaks down why consequences alone don’t teach skills like waiting, emotional regulation, frustration tolerance, or communication, and why practicing coping skills during calm moments matters so much.
Key Takeaways
• You can’t punish a skill deficit away—Consequences alone don’t teach missing skills
• Behavior often communicates missing abilities—Difficulty waiting, coping, or communicating may be skill deficits
• Replacement behaviors must be taught—Students need to learn what to do instead
• Practice during calm moments matters most—Skills are harder to learn when already escalated
• Reinforce progress, not perfection—Growth happens through repetition and support
• Shift from “defiance” to information—Repeated behavior may signal a need for more teaching and practice
• Long-term behavior change requires instruction—Not just reacting after the behavior happens
Resources
• Need support teaching replacement behaviors and coping skills? Check out these behavior support visuals: https://abainschool.com/k858
• “Can’t Do vs Won’t Do” visual → https://abainschool.com/mm15
• DTT vs NET teaching → https://abainschool.com/ep5
• Check out the FBA mini-series! Start here → https://abainschool.com/ep31
Join Us
• Join the Misfit Behaviorists Facebook group → https://abainschool.com/misfits
• Subscribe for more ABA and special education quick tips
• Share an example of a skill you realized needed teaching instead of consequences
Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists
😍 More, you say? We’re here for you!
- Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists
- YouTube | @themisfitbehaviorists
👋 Find us!
- Audra | ABA in School
- Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics
🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!
