Table for One
with Rosie Jeffers
Behavior Bites Podcast - Ep15May 24, 2023Does your mind ever wander while listening to a podcast? Do you ever wish you could ask a podcast host a question?
During today’s meal — It’s an all out buffet while I answer listener submitted questions.
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First Plate
- Has behavior analysis changed you as a pet owner?
- What are your future goals and how are you planning for them?
Second Plate
- How do you stay positive when the ABA world is essentially burning?
- Best work advice?
- Do you feel financially responsible?
Palate Cleansers
- Favorite childhood memory?
- Favorite thing to eat when you are on a date with yourself?
- Favorite way to eat a potato?
- Your go-to comfort food?
- Your go-to Dunkin' order?
- What restaurant do you recommend the most?
- Greatest breakfast you ever had & your comfort breakfast?
Entrees
- Favorite & least favorite thing about being a BCBA?
- Do you miss being a technician?
- How do you let go of the moments/sessions where you feel like you failed or came up short?
Desserts
- How you met your husband?
- When you are alone, what do you find the most valuable to fill your cup?
Excerpts from the Episode
(*Paraphrased highlights)-
Overall, my life as a cat owner has changed. When I was in grad school, and I was learning the principles of behavior science, I used a lot of them to shape my cat's behavior. Our cat, Tokki, I love him, but he’s a jerk and he kind of does whatever he wants to do sometimes. However, I have trained him to do certain things. For example, we let him outside on a leash, and in order for him to gain access to outside, he has to jump up and hit the doorknob. I used to point to the knob, but now he just knows. Also, when giving him treats I like when he stands on his hind legs. So I also taught him how to do that through a shaping procedure.
I've also been fostering kittens for about three years. With them, I use a lot of the science to train them on how to be really good… I’ve also fostered feral kittens, and used our science to socialize them. So just being present in the room with them and talking. I do a lot of just talking when I'm in the room so they can get used to my voice because sometimes the presence isn't enough…
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By being part of a community.
When I started, I was really lonely. I didn't have anyone to bounce ideas off of and didn’t have a support system. After a lot networking through Instagram and webinars, I found others who align with my values. Now if I'm feeling down, I can just look at my community and see all of the great things that they're doing.
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Donuts, donuts, always donuts.
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Seeing the progress that happens and the “aha” moments with clients, parents, RBTs. When I can see the light bulb turn on and things are really clicking, or they have a great idea—those are the moments that I live for.
It’s amazing when kids communicate the first time, but I think my favorite is when someone else can make that aha moment. They reiterate something that I've said in the past and they realize, “now I understand why you are so passionate about this!”
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Logistical things. I get really annoyed with scheduling. I get tired of driving. I really don't like writing reports. I feel like they are an energy drain for me. So all of those logistical things that come with probably every job, those are my least favorite.
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Petting a cat =^_^=
ABOUT Rosie
Rosie Jeffers, MAT, BCBA, LABA (she/her)
Rosie Jeffers is a behavior analyst who is passionate about four things in life— food, behavior analysis, cats, and travel. She began working in ABA in 2015 after four years of working in management.
She’s dedicated to dissemination and community building in the ABA field.
Rosie’s work includes: three CEU courses with Study Notes ABA — A DINK’s Guide to Caregiver Coaching, Soft Skills – This Time, It’s Personal, and We Need to Talk: A Webinar on Ethics — as well as a Child-Led ABA Workshop with ABA Across Environments.
She is a member of multiple organizations including: APBA, MassABA, BABAT, and an Advocate/Ally Member of BABA.
Her dissemination efforts can be found through her Behavior Bites podcast, this website, and through her Instagram where she relates yummy pictures of food to behavior analysis.
Rosie lives and works on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Connect with Rosie
* Chat with me on Instagram— @rosie.eats.bx
* Browse this website to learn more about me!
Visit my Podcast page to learn more about Behavior Bites!
