Tier 3 Montessori

12/13/2025

Here’s a little description of how our behavioral and Montessori approaches align; different words with a molecular view (because science), but overall the same objective 🎉

“The Hardest Part of Helping? Knowing When NOT To.

In Notebooks, B.F. Skinner captured a powerful moment:
Nearly ten-year-old Lisa struggled with a stubborn jar lid. His instinct? Jump in and help. But he paused…

The wisdom: Help when help is truly needed—before frustration sets in. Don't create impossible challenges. But if frustration happens? Let it pass, then assist.
It's counterintuitive. It's hard. But it's how we shape resilient, capable, confident people.

…This is the power of behavioral science: understanding not just what to do, but when and why.

Together, we're Shaping A Kinder World—one where we help children build strength, not dependence.”

The Hardest Part of Helping? Knowing When NOT To.

In Notebooks, B.F. Skinner captured a powerful moment:
Nearly ten-year-old Lisa struggled with a stubborn jar lid. His instinct? Jump in and help. But he paused.

Lisa persisted. She figured it out. And she built skills for next time.

Then Skinner asked himself the tougher question: What if she'd gotten frustrated? Started swearing? Jabbing at the lid in anger?

His answer surprised even him: Still don't help.

Why? Because helping in response to frustration teaches children that anger and dramatics work better than persistence. We accidentally reinforce the very behaviors that undermine their developing competence.

The wisdom: Help when help is truly needed—before frustration sets in. Don't create impossible challenges. But if frustration happens? Let it pass, then assist.
It's counterintuitive. It's hard. But it's how we shape resilient, capable, confident people.

This is the power of behavioral science: understanding not just what to do, but when and why.

Help us share this knowledge. The B.F. Skinner Foundation makes evidence-based wisdom accessible to parents, educators, and caregivers everywhere.

✨ Your gift DOUBLES through December 31! A generous donor is matching all contributions up to $15,000.

Together, we're Shaping A Kinder World—one where we help children build strength, not dependence.

Donate today: https://donorbox.org/support-the-b-f-skinner-foundation



Full quote in comments ⬇⬇
BF Skinner, Notebooks, From a passage titled: Shall I Ever Learn?

12/07/2025

Yes! People are finally starting to see 👀

It’s a long one but summarizes my experiences as a parent, educator, & professional pretty well:

✨Find a new way!
You don’t have to fall into the pathology trap! There are so many of us out here trying to do good work without the confines of the pathology model - sure, an autism diagnosis may win your child an IEP for special education services or financial accessibility to behavioral health & provider services if you already have insurance but it’s not required to find compassionate & supportive teams like ours who think outside the box like you and your child.

“The Children Who Don’t Fit
In the face of an unyielding education system, more parents are discovering that their children simply don’t fit, a terrifying possibility when achievement in school can determine achievement in life. At that point, the best thing to do is to prove that your child has a mental disorder. With a doctor’s diagnosis, at least, adaptations are possible.

In this way, the rise in diagnoses is also a revolt against education policymaking that strips away the particulars of people, treating them as interchangeable data points. The best teachers understand that every child has a distinct way of learning. This is especially true for children who fall outside the ever-diminishing definition of normal.”

Keep reading 🫶 I hope there’s no paywall!

From A.D.H.D. to anxiety, disorders have risen as the expectations of childhood have changed.

12/06/2025

I think I accidentally deleted my 1st share here so I'm posting again 😅

I'll be there Wednesday - will I see you too?

https://www.instagram.com/p/DRzhpyXEbbO/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

https://mindbodybehavior.co/permissionformore/signup

Register Now for Permission for More!

12/06/2025

📣 For anyone following compassionate ABA!

12/04/2025

Parents working with schools or ABA providers, just go ahead and share this if they’re still confused about assent-based and compassionate, trauma-informed ABA 🫶

Teachers, this may not make any sense to you but sharing with your SpEd directors or other behavioral support staff may help them get it ✅

The world of behavior analysis goes SO much further than the “ABA” being sold in boxed bundles 📦

Going way back to 2015, while I was knee-deep in my Montessori training & ABA master’s courses, wondering if I would continue to become a BCBA or just continue learning for my own good 🤔 it was Dr. Megan DeLeon and Ryan O. & his Daily BA that kept me putting that one foot in front of the other 😅

12/02/2025

More excellent research for you, hot off the press! 🎉

Individuals with a diagnosis of autism are often reported to have challenges recognizing emotions in themselves and others, and many teaching programs for emotional recognition utilize facial expressions as an emotional indicator of what is felt. Although facial expression is an important component,...

11/30/2025

Worth checking into!

11/28/2025

🎯💯

Inclusive classrooms benefit from proactive, not reactive, behavior support.

11/28/2025

11/26/2025

This is great news that people are finally recognizing ABA outside of early intervention & autism 🎉

This one here looked at ages 22-68:

“Adults between the ages of 22 and 68 in day habilitation programs learned an average of five new skills per month, over six months, in areas like communication, hygiene, and independent living;

Participants experienced a 23% reduction in maladaptive behaviors, such as self-injury, aggression, and elopement;

More than 400 direct support professionals received training in ABA-informed practices, and providers reported greater confidence in addressing complex behavior and reducing burnout; and

The immediate use of ABA strategies led to observable client progress and increased independence in daily routines.”

Through advocacy, programs that promote inclusion, and engaging the community, The Arc creates tangible changes in the community and in the lives of people with disabilities.