In this episode of Everyday ABA, the hosts explore the transition from high school to military enlistment through the lens of applied behavior analysis (ABA). Listeners will learn about the ASVAB, how to choose the right military branch, and the step-by-step process of enlisting. The episode offers actionable ABA strategies like goal setting, reinforcement, and behavior chains to help teens build habits and stay motivated. Designed for high school graduates, parents, educators, and future service members, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the path to military life.

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After listening to the episode, participants will be able to:

• Identify key behavioral principles (e.g., goal setting, reinforcement, motivating operations) as they apply to preparing for military enlistment.
• Describe how each step involved in transitioning from high school to military service can be supported using applied behavior analysis (ABA).
• Evaluate how support systems and environmental variables impact motivation and follow-through in high-stakes behavioral transitions.

References:

• College Vine Expert. (2025, June 17). High school to military transition: Statistics? CollegeVine.
• Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2020). Applied behavior analysis (3rd ed.). Pearson Education Inc.
• GoArmy. (2025, July 13). Understanding the ASVAB.
• Keyworth, C., Epton, T., Goldthorpe, J., Calam, R., & Armitage, C. J. (2020). Delivering opportunistic behavior change interventions: A systematic review of systematic reviews. Prevention Science, 21(3), 319–331.
• Military.com. (2014, November 16). Getting the scoop on MEPS.
• Military.com. (2025, June 19). Join the military: Steps to joining the military.

In this episode of Everyday ABA, host Paola Ortiz (BCBA), along with RBTs Brittanny and Leslie, sit down with Armando Bernal, a neurodivergent BCBA for a candid conversation about the negativity, criticism, and the ongoing controversy surrounding Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Armando shares his personal journey with an autism diagnosis, the power of parental support, and how evolving perceptions of ABA have been shaped by social media, public discourse, and lived experience. Together, they unpack both the valid concerns and harmful practices associated with ABA’s history, while also highlighting where the field is growing. The discussion emphasizes the importance of consent, community engagement, and understanding behavior as communication, while also addressing the value of autistic voices in clinical spaces, and the need for transparency and ethical reform in behavior therapy.

☕ Support your favorite ABA podcast hosts by showing them love at buymeacoffee.com/everydayaba

⭐ Help EveryDay ABA reach more people by following the show + , turning on automatic downloads, and leaving a 5-star review!

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @EveryDayABA.3 for daily ABA insights and behind-the-scenes podcast updates.

📖 Get your CEU certificate HERE

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After listening to the episode, participants will be able to:

• Compare historical practices in early ABA with contemporary ethical guidelines emphasizing reinforcement and assent.
• Define assent and self-advocacy practices in ABA and describe strategies for supporting autonomy in clients.
• Evaluate the importance of social validity and person-centered goal selection for aligning ABA practice with neurodiversity-affirming care.
• Identify evidence-based practices that emphasize parent involvement and collaboration to enhance client outcomes in ABA treatment.

References:

Bearss, K., Johnson, C., Smith, T., & Lecavalier, L. (2015). Effect of parent training vs parent education on behavioral problems in children with autism spectrum disorder: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA, 313(15), 1524–1533.

Eaves, L. C., & Ho, H. H. (2008). Young adult outcome of autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 38(4), 739–747.

Leaf, J. B., Cihon, J. H., Ferguson, J. L., Milne, C. M., Leaf, R., McEachin, J., & Ross, R. K. (2022). Contemporary ABA and the good behavior therapist: Changing with the times. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 15, 1–15.

Schreibman, L., Dawson, G., Stahmer, A. C., Landa, R., Rogers, S. J., McGee, G. G., Kasari, C., Ingersoll, B., Kaiser, A. P., Bruinsma, Y., McNerney, E. K., Wetherby, A., & Halladay, A. (2015). Naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions: Empirically validated treatments for autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(8), 2411–2428.

👤 Guest Expert:

Armando Bernal is a neurodivergent board certified behavior analyst. Armando is also the founder of Autism International Consulting, PLLC, a self-advocacy-centered organization which provides in-home ABA, in-clinic ABA, and international consultation. He provides autistic consultation, parent and therapist consultation, speaking engagements for companies across the nation, and supervision and mentorship to other BCBAs and therapists. He is also the distributor of the podcast, “A Different Path.” He hopes to spread awareness and acceptance of autism by interviewing and sharing the stories of other individuals with autism. Armando has also participated in several collaborations with Vanderbilt University and the Suny Empire State University meant to further support self-advocacy and independence for individuals with autism.

Listen to his podcast A Different Path

His company https://www.autismintl.com/

In this episode of Everyday ABA, Paola, Leslie, and Brittanny break down how to use applied behavior analysis (ABA) to help students transition successfully from high school to college. They share real-life strategies for parents, students, and educators to build independence, manage time, stay motivated, and avoid common pitfalls of college life. Learn how self-monitoring, reinforcement, and creating supportive environments can make the college experience less stressful and more successful for young adults.

☕ Support your favorite ABA podcast hosts by showing them love at buymeacoffee.com/everydayaba

⭐ Help EveryDay ABA reach more people by following the show + , turning on automatic downloads, and leaving a 5-star review!

📲 Follow us on Instagram: @EverydayABA.3 for daily ABA insights and behind-the-scenes podcast updates.

📖 Get your FREE CEU certificate HERE

Get a 10% Discount at Tiny Explorings! Buy The Shoes!

After listening to the episode, participants will be able to:

• Identify common environmental and social variables that impact college students’ independent functioning and describe how to modify them using ABA strategies.
• Explain the concept of person–environment fit and how it relates to successful behavioral outcomes for young adults in new educational settings.
• Develop examples of behavior contracts, self-monitoring systems, or reinforcement schedules that promote study habits, time management, and independence in college students.
• Analyze the role of social support systems and how they interact with individual behavior to prevent dropout and promote mental health continuity during the transition to college.
• Demonstrate how to teach and fade prompts effectively to build independent living skills for adolescents before they enter college.

References:

• Cirillo, Francesco. The Pomodoro Technique: The Acclaimed Time-Management System That Has Transformed How We Work. Crown Currency, 2018.
• Cooper, J.O., Heron, T.E., & Heward, W.L. (2020). Applied Behavior Analysis, Third Edition. Pearson Education Inc. Sprick, R. S., & Baldwin, K.
• Frederick, L. D., Deitz,S.M., Bryceland,J.A., & Hummel,J.H. (2000). Behavior Analysis, Education, and Effective Schooling. Context Press/New Haringer Publications.
• Geller, L. L., & Greenberg, M. (2009). Managing the Transition Process From High School to College and Beyond: Challenges for Individuals, Families, and Society. Social Work in Mental Health, 8(1), 92–116.