2018 – Why Haven't They Done That Yet?

External Incentives DECREASE Intrinsic Motivation: Implications for Classroom Management

December 19, 2018

This blog post is another in a relatively long string of posts describing why I do not feel reward or incentive-based management systems are appropriate models for school-wide behavioral management (previous posts here). Up until now, I have been addressing the issue from an educational perspective with a particular focus on how rewards can turn … More External Incentives DECREASE Intrinsic Motivation: Implications for Classroom Management

Nonverbal Learning Disabilitiess: an Endophenotype Across Neurodevelpmental Disorders

October 30, 2018

I started working with a student and kept finding they had a pattern of strengths and weaknesses academically that was familiar to a nonverbal disability that I had studied in many neurodevelopmental disorders. In talking to this student’s parents, I learned that what I saw made sense. The student has a genetic disorder similar to … More Nonverbal Learning Disabilitiess: an Endophenotype Across Neurodevelpmental Disorders

Students Do Not Deserve Your Sarcasm

September 28, 2018

This is a post that has been long coming. I write a lot about the importance of communication and clarity in teaching autistic and developmentally disabled students. A lot of the time I feel like I am fighting an uphill battle in saying this. I ask teachers to stop ridiculing and verbally teasing disabled kids, … More Students Do Not Deserve Your Sarcasm

Why ABA is not Effective: A Behavior Analysis Perspective

August 29, 2018

A Theoretical Aside I have repeatedly mentioned here on this blog that I am not a fan of Applied Behavioral Analysis (link). I have stated that I hold these objections for various reasons: I consider ABA to be compliance training and I have grave concerns regarding the long-term consequences of teaching disabled youth that compliance … More Why ABA is not Effective: A Behavior Analysis Perspective

Defining Reinforcement and Punishment for Educators

July 31, 2018

An Educational Aside I am watching the US education system not very subtly invite punishment back into the mainstream classroom. This appears to be driven by the field of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA). Recently their governing body started to loosen the reins on the therapeutic application of aversive stimuli and intervention plans have since started … More Defining Reinforcement and Punishment for Educators

Why Haven't They Done That Yet?

Michael Ryan Hunsaker, Ph.D.

Year: 2018