Behavior-mom.com is a science based parenting website that provides resources for parents of children across all ages and stages
Children do well if they can, if they can’t we need to figure out why so we can help.
-Ross Greene
About me:
I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D) with a doctoral degree in child clinical psychology. I have spent my career focused on the application of behavioral principles to support autistic people. I advocate for a warm, compassionate, positive, child focused parenting approach. I’ve published dozens of peer reviewed articles and book chapters in the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA). Topics of my publications have included early language development, supervision, and ethics. I’ve also published a book, which helps ABA practitioners understand how to integrate research into their clinical practice.
Most importantly, I’m a mom to a wonderful kid who keeps me running, jumping, and coming up with new blog ideas daily! I reside in the San Francisco Bay area with my husband, young son, and a ridiculously rambunctious French bulldog, Scribbles.
About this website:
Behavior-mom.com is a science based parenting website that provides resources for parents of children across all ages and stages.
I created this website because as a new mom, I constantly searched the web for support with parenting. I discovered a lot of information and tips about common parenting struggles, but found I had to use my background in behavior analysis and psychology to interpret (and successfully apply) many of the strategies. I wondered what parents without a background in human behavior did to solve common parenting problems. As I continued my journey and spoke with other parents, I realized they were struggling. In our discussions, I was able to provide basic suggestions and tips that helped them through difficult parenting struggles. These interactions opened my eyes to the need for parents to have resources and support – the kind that can truly be effective! I created this website to share information about the science of human behavior in an easy to consume, digestible way for parents.
Behavior-mom is different than other parenting websites because instead of simply giving you tips and strategies, I provide a reason for the use of strategies and basic information about human behavior. By having this knowledge, you can understand some of the science behind behavior and use that basic understanding to problem solve when things don’t go exactly how you planned.
On this website, you’ll find infographics, short videos, blogs, visuals and other supports to help you learn new ways to support your child’s growth and development.
You’ll find that all my blogs, and much of the main text on this website links back to a video library (see list below!). These videos are brief (under 3 minutes!) and intended to teach you about a basic ABA concept that will help you implement strategies. You can also simply watch the video by itself to develop basic scientific knowledge before reading the blogs and other content.
Please note that although I spend my working day focused on supporting children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), behavior-mom.com is NOT an autism or ABA therapy website. If you are the parent of a child with autism, your child likely needs specific and individualized support. This individualized support should be provided by a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA). You can find an individual ABA practitioner or an ABA company in your area by going to the Behavior Analyst Certification Board website (bacb.com) and clicking “find a certificant.”
Video library
• Antecedent
• Chaining
• Consequence
• Differential Reinforcement
• Extinction
• Functions of behavior
• Mands
• Motivation
• Pairing
• Private events
• Prompting
• Reinforcement
• Rule governed behavior
• Shaping
• Self-Management
• Setting events
• Stimulus control
• Task Analysis
• Three step guided compliance
• Three-term contingency
• Verbal Behavior
About Behavior Analysis
Behavior analysis is the study of human behavior. If you’ve ever taken a psychology 101 course, you probably remember hearing about bells, dogs, and a guy named Pavlov. Perhaps you remember the name B.F. Skinner or John B. Watson and something about rats hitting levers. Before you go running for the hills, know that behavior analysis is a science and is built upon basic principles that govern human behavior. These principles were discovered by researchers such as Skinner and Pavlov in the 1920s, though the ideas did not gain popularity and application until many years later. “So what does that have to do with my kid?” A lot – I’m getting there, I promise! But a bit more history first…
If you’ve worked with or know an individual with autism, you may have also heard of a guy named Ivaar Lovaas. Lovaas did some groundbreaking research in the 1960s demonstrating that applying basic behavioral principles could be amazingly effective with children with autism. Lovaas’ work really brought behavior analysis to a specific population and made the science more recognizable. Today, Applied Behavior Analysis (known in the mainstream media as “ABA therapy”) is the only widely accepted (and funded) treatment for individuals with ASD. The science can be applied to teach individuals with autism things like language, safety skills, hygiene, and academics!
“So, what about my kid!? They do not have autism…” Behavior analysis can be applied to your life, and to your child! Behavior is behavior is behavior – meaning that there are not different principles governing a child with autism’s behavior – they apply and govern your child’s behavior too. And you know what? Those same principles also govern OUR behavior! This means that basic strategies based on behaviorism, if used correctly can be quite effective in addressing common child behavior concerns. You can:
- Teach language early in your child’s development
- Manage tantrums
- Establish independent toileting skills
- Teach your child to sleep through the night (at any age!)
- Teach safety skills
- Establish responsibility in the home
- Reduce sibling rivalry and fighting
- Teach self-management
…and more! Simply by ensuring your strategies are based on basic principles of human behavior. Importantly, you can apply basic behavioral principles in a kind, loving, positive, compassionate way that makes you feel great as a parent and positively supports your child’s development. ABA is a compassionate science and using it can be positively transformative for your life and for your parenting approach.
And I’m here to help you! So, sit back, relax, grab a cuppajo (while your kid screams in the background?) and read/watch/listen to transform your parenting approach today!