The ABA & OT Podcast #4: Sensory vs. Behavior - Do you see what I see? Early learning

ABAs and OTs look at early learning from two very different lenses. Mandy and Aditi define terms according to their sciences and give their insights on the case of Stella, a premature baby.

They take a closer look at the sensory and behavioral aspects of early motor development and the roles of classical and operant conditioning. Mandy and Aditi also explore tactile defensiveness, habituation, and desensitization which are all used to accelerate early learning and therapeutic outcomes.

HIGHLIGHTS

01:27 Shoutout to Dr. Kimberly Berens

08:38 Debunking myths: ABA's only deal with ASD clients

11:45 Two perspectives: What does early learning look like?

19:35 Reflexes: Learning through respondent and operant conditioning

27:55 Sensory processes in preemies

38:25 Case study: Interventions with Stella the premature baby

GLOSSARY

Primitive reflexes - Unlearned behaviors that are automatic responses that are essential for survival

Reflexes - Purpose of the reflex is to provide a baby with an internal alarm system to protect from danger 

Little Albert Experiment - A study that looked at fears or phobias in conditioning in infancy (Pavlovian conditioning) 

Tactile defensiveness - A pattern of observable behavioral and emotional responses which can be aversive and negative and out of proportion to certain types of tactile stimuli that most people would not find painful.

RESOURCES

Join our The ABA and OT Podcast Facebook Group to get access to the following resources:

Facebook group link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/397478901376425

EXTERNAL RESOURCES

"Blind Spots: Why Students Fail and the Science That Can Save Them" Book by Dr. Kimberly Berens - https://www.amazon.com/Blind-Spots-Students-Fail-Science-ebook/dp/B08HNJYW3T

QUOTES

15:54 "Behavior analysts believe that things unfold by exposure to the environment and by consequences delivered to those behaviors."

16:21 "For OTs, the developmental milestones serve as a general guideline or roadmap, if you will. They aren't necessarily a benchmark because we know that every child has their own timeline and trajectory."

30:40 "Learned behavior occurs through experiential learning while unlearned is more of a combination of biology and sensory experiences that occurs very early on."

35:47 "We know that there is a  biological basis for sensory processing differences which can lead to poor processing of sensory information and, in turn, results in atypical perceptions of pain and discomfort."

49:04 "I think we can empower parents if we make it very specific what we're asking them to do and teach them to take data to see if what we're prescribing is working or making it worse."