We’re covering a very uncomfortable topic today: Punishment procedures in ABA. There are a lot of reasons why people are Anti-ABA, and punishment is just one of them. Christina and Nicole discuss the history of punishment in ABA including the most controversial punishment procedure, known as Contingent Electric Skin Shock. We’ll talk about how punishment is meant to be used in ABA, why families might get to this point, and red flags all team members should look for when considering punishment.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the ethical concerns associated with the historical and current use of punishment procedures in ABA, including more extreme uses of punishment.
2. Differentiate between ethical and unethical applications of punishment procedures within ABA, including the misuse of punishment and the lack of informed consent, assent, and least-restrictive alternatives.
3. Identify best practices that behavior analysts, team members, and families should consider when punishment procedures are proposed, with an emphasis on upholding client dignity, safety, and social validity.

Link to Podcast Referenced: Least of These Podcast, Episode 34: The Shocking Truth Part #7 - A Survivor Speaks

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Citations for this episode:

Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2019). Applied Behavior Analysis (3rd ed.). Pearson Education.

Leah Dee (Host). (2021, September 23). The “Shocking” Truth – A Survivor Speaks: Part 7 (Ep. 34) [Audio podcast episode]. In Least of These. Tiny Ranch Productions.

Ruhalter, K. (2023, September 11). Electric shock therapy is still allowed in one Mass. treatment facility—Advocates say change is long overdue. All Things Considered, WGBH News. Retrieved from WGBH website

Wikipedia contributors. (2025, May 19). Judge Rotenberg Center. In Wikipedia. Retrieved May 19, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judge_Rotenberg_Center

Another rebroadcast of a live webinar! This time, Christina is joined by Attorney James J. Hux all about employee rights and the sticky situations ABA professionals want to be aware of. This episode of Labor Laws Made Easy is the first in a 4-part series available on behavior Live and focuses on wages and hours laws. Join Christina, Attorney Hux and Nicole to learn more about how employers and employees can protect themselves and ensure fair, legal practices.

Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Labor laws vary by state—please consult a licensed attorney for guidance specific to your situation.

Purchase the webinar & CEUs here

• Describe the potential legal and financial consequences (e.g., fines, lawsuits, audits) for misclassifying workers or failing to follow wage laws.

• Understand both employer and employee rights when it comes to wages, classification, and benefits — and learn how to respond ethically and legally if those rights are violated.

• • Recognize how withholding pay, improper deductions, or delayed payments can create ethical and legal risks for businesses and negatively affect employee well-being

  
  

  About James J. Hux: James J. Hux is an employment law attorney based out of Ohio. His passion lies in making sure that everyone’s voice is being heard. A graduate of the University of Cincinnati College of Law, Hux started his own law practice in 2017 specializing in workers rights.

  Find him: @attorneyhux on TikTok, Instagram and LinkedIn

  http://huxlawfirm.com/

  Like, subscribe and share our podcast. We love hearing from you - please comment or contact us on social media!

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  Email us: rf.conversations@gmail.com

This episode of the podcast crosses over into Nicole & Christina's original partnership: The ADHD Exchange. The ADHD Exchange is a series of workshops designed to provide in-depth knowledge and practical strategies for supporting individuals with ADHD. This specific session focuses on working collaboratively with parents.

This topic is designed to reshape the way behavior analysts, and other clinicians approach parent coaching. Rooted in a low-dosage ABA model and informed by real-world practice with families of children with ADHD and other neurodivergent profiles, this episode emphasizes collaboration, compassion, and practicality. This episode is a must for parents or caregivers who are unsure of what to expect in "parent training" or who are not getting the support they are looking for.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe strategies to build collaborative partnerships with parents that align intervention goals with family values and visions, and uphold neurodiversity-affirming practices.

2. Apply ABA techniques within parent coaching to promote sustainable behavior change and inform skill acquisition targets in direct therapy for clearer cohesive programming across the board.

3. Analyze ethical and compassionate practices for supporting parents of neurodivergent children while respecting family autonomy and cultural differences.

Purchase the webinar & CEUs here

Check out the rest of the ADHD Exchange on BehaviorLive!

Resources & Citations:

Marchese, N.V., Weiss, M.J. Supporting Behavior Analysts in Providing Compassionate Care: The Development of the Parent Partnership Questionnaire (PPQ). Behav Analysis Practice (2023). https://doi-org.proxy.wexler.hunter.cuny.edu/10.1007/s40617-023-00827-8

https://activeparenting.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AP4-SURVEY-1.pdf

Fogg, B. J. (2020). Tiny habits: The small changes that change everything. Harvest.

https://livesinthebalance.org/our-solution/

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Email us: rf.conversations@gmail.com