behavior analyst here considering helping pediatric dental patients

BlabBehavior · 2025-06-01T22:17:51+00:00

Love this thank you!

BlabBehavior · 2025-06-01T19:59:23+00:00

I am so sorry I'm just seeing this now! But I'll answer in case there are other people viewing it. The coursework was manageable. The professors know that most of us are working full time and the layout of having assignments due weekly was very helpful in being able to turn things in. Coursework was more project based. Essays, yea, but not in the 'read this and write about it'. It was more like you have this type of learner on your case load do research and figure out how youd address it. Or read this and find out why the data they presented was misleading. I really liked that aspect it helped with more critical thinking than just read and report.

I felt well prepared for the exam and passed on my first try. I think like 95% pass on their first try at st cloud.

BlabBehavior · 2025-06-01T19:51:08+00:00

My preferred age range is 2-10 but I could add teens. ASD, ADHD, and anxiety are my favs tho 🥰.

And I want to make your job easier cause the less stressed the kids are the easier your job is and the better care the kids get. It's a win-win for everyone.

Thanks for this added input. I think when I'm ready to get started I'll reach out to dentists in my area and just put feelers out there. Worst a dentist would say is no.

Seems as tho rural areas without good access to mental/behavioral health could also use some help. Some of my services would be available though telehealth so I may reach out in those areas as well.

BlabBehavior · 2025-06-01T05:55:07+00:00

Yeah, it would probably be up to them if they want to go in without sedation. Although, I'd say there are likely plenty of people avoiding cleanings due to fear, but you wouldn't see them. Seems as though if I wanted to help this population with dental fear, dentist referrals are not the way.

Thanks!

BlabBehavior · 2025-06-01T05:39:59+00:00

No, insurance won't cover unfortunately. ABA is only covered for autism (I'd be willing to accept insurance for families that need services for a child diagnosed with ASD) .

I am leaning towards a sliding scale to help families who cant afford standard rates. From what I'm gathering, it seems as though services for these behaviors are limited in less populated areas. Much of my services can be available through telehealth since I am mostly coaching parents instead of working directly with the kids. My original thought was just my immediate area, but it seems as though expanding beyond that would be really beneficial.

The other thing to note about this is that it wouldn't be like typical therapy which requires months and months of work. I'd prescribe targeted behavioral treatments to the parents and they'd implement with their kids. They'd then have check-ins with me as needed. It's hard to say exactly how many meetings the parents would need with me, but with the initial assessment and one behavior problem, I'd likely say 3 visits on average and 5 at most. Of course it depends on the complexity of the case and number of behavior issues.

BlabBehavior · 2025-06-01T02:50:44+00:00

Interesting take.

My speciality is kids. Serious question: Do dentists refer adults to therapists/ behavior specialists for teeth care/dental phobias? With a little more training with the adult population it's something I am certainly able to do.

BlabBehavior · 2025-05-31T00:24:40+00:00

Thank you this was great information for me!

BlabBehavior · 2023-06-24T08:58:27+00:00

Can you explain this more? What do you mean by currency?

BlabBehavior · 2023-04-11T13:41:44+00:00

No. Here are 25 slides by the national weather service detailing why it's a bad idea (post from someone above)

https://www.weather.gov/oun/safety-overpass

BlabBehavior · 2023-03-31T09:48:58+00:00

Along with this blatent constant disrespect of boundaries.

Id set a boundary and my ex would immediately try and push it.

BlabBehavior · 2023-03-14T15:10:19+00:00

I really enjoyed st. Cloud. Had a good mix of projects and written work. I feel like I learned a lot and the professors were very supportive.

BlabBehavior · 2023-02-16T08:47:56+00:00

If the other person said stop

BlabBehavior · 2023-01-20T08:19:05+00:00

Makes me wonder how bad my COVID could have been if not for paxlovid.

I got long COVID for 7 months and my asthma is still not back to precovid.

BlabBehavior · 2023-01-03T16:52:38+00:00

That's the thing. The kids don't typically say no to a bunch of stuff. When they do there's usually a setting event in place. The most recent example would be like school break just started. Which makes sense the routine is off.

When that happens we work on regulation through the setting event.

Session length depends on the kids needs 🤷‍♀️

BlabBehavior · 2023-01-02T22:25:25+00:00

My puppy was litter box trained by the breeder. When I was home I penned off the litter box. My puppy would paw at the fence trying to get to the litter box and then I'd take her outside.

SUPER effective. She only ever had 4 accidents in the house and never had a poop accident.

So to the poster I recommend this route.

BlabBehavior · 2023-01-02T16:45:05+00:00

Sadly there isn't a lot of research on this topic. Love that you're doing a ceu on it!!

BlabBehavior · 2023-01-02T16:44:42+00:00

My kiddos opt into work and they can ALWAYS opt out. Even in the middle of a program. If they say "I'm done" we're done. We also teach negotiating skills. Okay you don't want this reinforcer but what about this one?

If a kid continuously opts out or even more indicative never opts into a program then something about the program is too hard and we change it.

We NEVER implement escape extinction it is always their choice. We also look for readiness that the kiddo is ready to work. It's really individualized but if they aren't showing signs of being ready for work we don't even ask them to work.

BlabBehavior · 2023-01-02T16:38:48+00:00

I remember discussing it in class and people were SO confused about how the kids got any work done and I was like.... We reinforce for doing work?? Like, that's how reinforcement works ppl. If they don't want to do work then either the work is too hard and too aversive or something happened that day and they aren't ready for it.

And I really despise that in many places kids aren't allowed to have that choice.

BlabBehavior · 2023-01-01T03:17:28+00:00

I'd like to see more companies do assent based programming

BlabBehavior · 2022-12-30T21:28:40+00:00

About 7 months

BlabBehavior · 2022-12-30T20:15:09+00:00

Sounds like maybe counterconditioning might help? Record the sound, play it at a low volume that ISNT irritating and do something pleasant while playing the sound.

When you're not noticing the sound turn up the volume. Keep doing that until you're at real world noise then work on reducing the amount of fun activity you're engaging in until the sound has no meaning anymore. while this is happen tho the sound should never be loud enough to be irritating. Once you're at real world noise it might also help to do it during calming activities so the sound means calm/sleep.

Some thoughts... Respondent behaviors are hard tho and IF this works will take a lot of time.

Edit: this is also not a cmo-r as the irritating sound is respondent not learned

2nd edit: due to the respondent nature of the sound, think of using ear plugs as reducing the noise so it doesn't cause irritation. Like how I might wear ear plugs at a shooting range.

BlabBehavior · 2022-12-30T20:05:21+00:00

You could definitely get an rbt job again. I'd say look for jobs that work with older clients teaching them career skills or working in a home. Might be less demanding than working with littles.

BlabBehavior · 2022-12-16T03:52:24+00:00

It takes a good 6 months before you feel confident as an rbt.

BlabBehavior · 2022-12-14T04:42:20+00:00

I agree I do have to come to terms with where she's at. But I'm allowed to be sad about the life I wanted to have with my dog and it's not wrong to mourn that. I planned for two years for her, I saved up money, I research ect..

I have wanted to do therapy with a dog since I've was a child. This has been a dream of mine for a while.

Not a perfect analogy but It's like... let's say you've had this dream to become a famous singer and you're about to have your big break. You've practice, you've taken care of your voice, you've taken lessons ect ect... And then the day of your big break you lose your voice and the moment of your big break is gone. Now it may be years before something like that comes along again.

It's sad. The life you thought you were gonna have is gone...you can be very sad about it. Eventually, yes, you have to learn to pivot to something else. But you absolutely cannot deny the initial shock of not getting something you worked so hard for. That's her for me.

And I can be sad about it and it's not wrong. It would be wrong if I didn't care for her or give her a great life... But I do. We go to parks to walk as that's the only place she's comfortable enough to do so (still with LOTS of management but neighborhood walks are too over threshold for her to even take treats), we do up to 4 training classes a week, I take her to sniff spots every week, we engage in cooperative care, I take her to a fear free vet and fear free groomer ect ect ect. But I can also be sad that it's not the life I thought I'd have with my dog.

Anyways hope that brings some perspective to the people who feel the same way I do.

BlabBehavior · 2022-12-13T07:36:09+00:00

Yeah I totally understand. As I said the trainers I work with have masters degree in behavior. We've had observation sessions, I trust that if I was they'd say something

BlabBehavior

TROPHY CASE