Empowering Parents
with Michael Reynolds Jr
Behavior Bites Podcast - Ep45July 31, 2024Are you more of a speak only when necessary or a nonstop talker?
Is it more important to be liked or to be authentic?
During today’s meal— I speak with a dedicated behavior analyst who specializes in parent training about being authentic, those ah-ha moments with clients and families, and using your PTO.
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Amuse-Bouche
What does authenticity mean to you, and how do you honor it in your work?
Appetizer
How did you get into Behavior Analysis?
What motivated you to start The Parent Trap?
Palate Cleanser
When you played football, describe your favorite post-victory meal
Entree
What’s something people seem to misunderstand about you?
How do you practice self-care and balance life/work?
Where is your favorite place you’ve traveled?
Dessert
What is your favorite thing about what you do?
Excerpts from the Episode
(*Paraphrased highlights assisted by AI)-
Michael discusses the importance of authenticity in his work, particularly in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis, which is typically female-dominated. As a Black man, he emphasizes the need to stay true to himself, regardless of the environment or audience. He shares how he has learned to accept that his approach may not resonate with everyone, but he remains committed to those who appreciate his authenticity.
Mike shares his journey into ABA and founding "The Parent Trap" which focuses on parent and caregiver training. He believes parents are crucial in their children's progress and stresses the importance of their engagement. He uses a direct, goal-oriented approach and is selective about working with parents who are committed to the process.
Michael also discusses being misunderstood due to his quiet nature, attributing it to a traumatic childhood that taught him the power of words.
He elaborates on needing alone time to recharge, especially after social activities, and highlights the importance of work-life balance, saying “no”, and using PTO to prevent burnout. He emphasizes the value of travel in learning and adapting to new environments, sharing experiences from his trips to Tokyo, Rome, Barcelona, and Munich.
Finally, Michael's favorite aspect of his job is witnessing parents' "aha moments" when they understand and apply behavioral strategies successfully.
Mr. Mike also weighs in on pineapple on pizza.
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To me, authenticity means being true to who I am and maintaining honesty and integrity in everything I do. I believe that by being genuine and transparent, I can build trust and foster meaningful connections with others.
I recognize that I am not for everyone, and that's okay. Being authentic means understanding and accepting that my true self may not resonate with everyone, but it will attract those who appreciate and value who I am.
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I think that parents are what matter most. I've seen great parents that are bought into the program, that are generalizing, that are maintaining, and I see their children progress exponentially. I've also seen the parents that don't buy in, I hate to say it, have excuses on why they didn't do this or why they didn't do that, and why their child is not progressing at a certain level or where they think their child should be.
The Parent Trap was birthed from those two oppositions. I wanted to focus specifically on the parent and caregivers because they make the biggest changes. Sometimes I don't think parents recognize that.
ABOUT Mike
Michael Reynolds Jr, MS, BCBA, LBA
Since 2013, I’ve been providing direct ABA services to families and clients affected by Autism and related disorders in both clinical and administrative settings. Throughout the years I have acquired a Master's level education in Psychology (MS), specializing in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) while also obtaining my Board Certification as a Behavior Analyst (BCBA) as well as a Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA).
During the chaos of 2020, I was motivated to start The Parent Trap as I noticed the glaring deficits and gaps in the parent training model utilized within ABA therapy. The vision of this company is to empower parents and caregivers throughout their ABA journey.
I have guided families from their initial intakes and assessments and lead them to the point of graduation of ABA services entirely. With the knowledge and experience I have attained, I am able to pinpoint and focus on the exact issues and barriers caregivers might be facing with their children on a daily basis. By delivering honest feedback, relatable topics, and practical examples, I aim to ensure the success of each and every client serviced.
CONNECT with Mr. Mike
Instagram: @Theparenttrapllc
Facebook: The Parent Trap LLCTikTok: @theparenttrapllcYouTube: The Parent Trap LLCPlease support our podcast by leaving a rating or review!
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Visit my Podcast page to learn more about Behavior Bites!
