an interest-based, anti-ABA approach
cultivating connection
building capacity for agency and autonomy through interest-based skill-development
Here’s why ABA disconnects us
from our feelings, wants, & needs:
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) focuses on the external environment and externally observable and measurable behavior.
Reinforcement is given when external goals are reached.
Only providing access to pre-determined goals, strategies, and processes limits our ability to connect to our own ways of getting there.
When we have difficulty figuring out and communicating our feelings, wants, and needs, it can be because we have not had the opportunity to learn the skills to do so.
ultimately, the goal is world-building.
We will work together to: Map the foundation.
We do this to see what is possible within the systems that currently exist - the conditions of possibility. When everything is spelled out, it gives us an opportunity to choose what we want.
Daily Habits & Routines
Identify externally-defined goals, strategies, & processes
Daily routines
Home, Work, School
Interests
Identify and cultivate internally-defined goals, strategies, and processes;
This can look like interest-based activities. Instead of connecting interests and comfort items to external goals via positive reinforcement, these interests and comfort items are present at the start and used as a foundation.
We will work together to: Get interested.
Interests are a home base. Connecting to these will enable a space to come back to when things are difficult. Even when we move towards things that we want, it is stressful and takes creating a sustainable practice.
Map the Foundation
Identify externally- and internally-defined goals, strategies, & processes by examining daily routines.
We do this to see what is possible within the systems that currently exist - the conditions of possibility.
When everything is spelled out, it gives us an opportunity to actually choose what we want.
This sets the stage for practicing autonomy and agency.
Get Interested
This can look like interest-based activities. Instead of connecting interests and comfort items to external goals via positive reinforcement, these interests and comfort items are present at the start and used as a foundation.
Interests are a home base. Connecting to these will enable a space to come back to when things are difficult. Even when we move towards things that we want, it is stressful and takes creating a sustainable practice.
This is a practice that enables trust-building and autonomy. Someone wants to hear what you want to say.
Build curiosity.
Play with Possibility
This is a practice that enables trust-building and autonomy. Someone wants to hear what you want to say.
Play is a skill. Witnessing, patience, building generative discomfort for not knowing, limits/friction, small moves little moments; building capacity for what you want; connecting to feelings of that. staying with yourself.
We will work together to: Get interested.
Interests are a home base. Connecting to these will enable a space to come back to when things are difficult. Even when we move towards things that we want, it is stressful and takes creating a sustainable practice.
Curiosity
Build curiosity
Find and Cultivate Interests
This can look like interest-based activities. Instead of connecting interests and comfort items to external goals via positive reinforcement, these interests and comfort items are present at the start and used as a foundation.
Witnessing
This is a practice that enables trust-building and autonomy. Someone wants to hear what you want to say.
We will work together to: find what feels possible (and the friction).
Interests are a home base. Connecting to these will enable a space to come back to when things are difficult. Even when we move towards things that we want, it is stressful and takes creating a sustainable practice.
Possibility & Feeling
Build curiosity
Limits & Friction
This can look like interest-based activities. Instead of connecting interests and comfort items to external goals via positive reinforcement, these interests and comfort items are present at the start and used as a foundation.
Generative DiscomfortThis is a practice that enables trust-building and autonomy.
We will work together to: play (connect).
Interests are a home base. Connecting to these will enable a space to come back to when things are difficult. Even when we move towards things that we want, it is stressful and takes creating a sustainable practice.
Try something different Build curiosity
Roots & Coherence/Cohesion
This can look like interest-based activities. Instead of connecting interests and comfort items to external goals via positive reinforcement, these interests and comfort items are present at the start and used as a foundation.
Butterfly Effect (Little Moments, Little Movements)This is a practice that enables trust-building and autonomy.
We will work together to: (de)compose.
Narrative work. Movement work.
Life & Death
Build curiosity
Transition
This can look like interest-based activities. Instead of connecting interests and comfort items to external goals via positive reinforcement, these interests and comfort items are present at the start and used as a foundation.
Grief
This can look like interest-based activities. Instead of connecting interests and comfort items to external goals via positive reinforcement, these interests and comfort items are present at the start and used as a foundation.