Constructional Behaviour Analysis

In this powerful episode of Behaviour Speak, Ben sits down with Oliver Roschke and John Wooderson of Constructional Solutions to explore how the constructional approach can transform positive behaviour support.
Together, they unpack how many PBS systems—particularly within highly regulated environments—have drifted toward risk management, compliance, and behaviour reduction, often losing sight of the original aim: improving quality of life.
Oliver and John challenge the field to move away from a pathological orientation focused on “problem behaviours” and instead ask a much more human question:
What does this person want their life to look like?
The conversation explores:
The origins of PBS and its evolution in Australia
The influence of Israel Goldiamond, Tom Gilbert, Ted Carr, and Risley
Why restrictive practices can become systemically reinforced
How “problem behaviour” may be the most efficient path to valued outcomes
The power of dual social contracts with both participants and staff
Case examples involving school trauma, dementia care, social isolation, and highly restrictive environments
What practitioners can do tomorrow to start moving from a pathological to a constructional approach to PBS
This episode is both a critique and an invitation: to build systems, services, and supports that center autonomy, meaningful outcomes, and human dignity.
Key takeaway:Don’t start with what needs to stop. Start with where the person wants to go.
ontinuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)
BACB: 1.5 EthicsIBAO:  1.5 EthicsQABA: 1.5 EthicsCBA/CPD: 1.5 Ethics 
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Contact Oliver and John:
Constructional Solutions
https://constructionalsolutions.com.au/
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-roschke-5ba05074/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-wooderson-6257798a/
Links:
The Constructional Approach Facebook Group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/700952357829957/?ref=share&mibextid=wwXIfr
Articles and Books Referenced:
Wooderson, J. R., Roschke, O., Fox, R. A., & Hayward, B. A. (2026). Moving from a pathological to a constructional approach to positive behaviour support in Australian disability services. Research and Practice in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/23297018.2026.2644354
Carr, E. G., Dunlap, G., Horner, R. H., Koegel, R. L., Turnbull, A. P., Sailor, W., ... & Fox, L. (2002). Positive behavior support: Evolution of an applied science. Journal of positive behavior interventions, 4(1), 4-16. https://doi.org/10.1177/109830070200400102
Donnellan, A. M., LaVigna, G. W., Negri-Shoultz, N., & Fassbender, L. L. (1988). Progress without punishment: Effective approaches for learners with behavior problems. Teachers College Press.
Goldiamond, Israel (1974). Toward a Constructional Approach to Social Problems. Behavior and Philosophy 2 (1):1.
 
Special Series on The Constructional Approach
This episode is the fourth installment in our ongoing series on the constructional approaches in behaviour analysis. I encourage you to check out the first three episodes. If you are new to this topic, Episode 250 is a great place to start 
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-250-the-constructional-approach-a-primer-with-awab-abdel-jalil/
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-252-applications-of-the-constructional-approach-with-dr-madhura-deshpande/
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-257-a-compassionate-approach-to-exposure-therapy-with-danielle-cohen/
Episodes on Positive Behaviour Support
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-23-person-driven-positive-behaviour-support-for-traumatic-brain-injury-with-dr-kate-gould-dpsych/
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-43-family-centred-positive-behaviour-support-with-dr-joseph-lucyshyn-phd-bcba-d-part-1/
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-44-family-centred-positive-behaviour-support-with-dr-joseph-lucyshyn-phd-bcba-d-part-2/
 

In this episode, Ben sits down with Danielle Cohen to explore Constructional Exposure Therapy (CET)—an emerging, compassionate approach grounded in the constructional framework of behaviour analysis. Rather than focusing on eliminating fear or escape behaviour, CET identifies the behaviour the person needs to access meaningful outcomes—and systematically teaches it in a way that maintains choice, assent, and low distress throughout. Danielle shares how this approach: - Reframes reinforcement through the lens of critical consequences - Uses shaping with negative reinforcement in a practical, ethical way - Prioritizes multiple pathways to success (and genuine assent) - Allows learners to opt out—without stopping progress Through powerful case examples—including supporting a learner through a blood draw and teaching independent nail clipping in under an hour—this episode highlights what’s possible when we truly align effectiveness with compassion.
 
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jjk7LrWWM1Y
This episode is presented by our founding academic partner, the Doctor of Education in the field of Applied Behaviour Analysis program at Western University’s Faculty of Education. 
Program Information: https://www.edu.uwo.ca/graduate-education/edd/applied-behaviour-analysis.html
How to apply: https://www.edu.uwo.ca/graduate-education/apply.html
Program brochure: https://www.edu.uwo.ca/graduate-education/edd/foe120_edd_aba_r1.png
Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)
BACB: 1.0 LearningIBAO:  1.0 ABA TopicsQABA: 1.0 GeneralCBA/CPD: 1.0 Learning  
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LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/behaviourspeak/
Contact
Danielle on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-cohen-bcba-0a247a213/
Links:
Facebook group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/700952357829957/?ref=share&mibextid=wwXIfr
Article on CET: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Awab-Abdel-Jalil-2/publication/373767631_TOWARD_A_CONSTRUCTIONAL_EXPOSURE_THERAPY/links/64fb1cd510813375f267dc4e/TOWARD-A-CONSTRUCTIONAL-EXPOSURE-THERAPY.pdf
Exposure therapy literature review: Abdel‐Jalil, A., Baldwin, J. N., & Leaf, J. B. (2024). Exposure‐based treatments for fear and reactivity to medical procedures: A systematic review of the literature with implications for research and practice. Behavioral Interventions, 39(3), e2010.
Concept analysis on assent: Linnehan, A.M., Abdel-Jalil, A., Klick, S. et al. Foundations of Preemptive Compassion: A Behavioral Concept Analysis of Compulsion, Consent, and Assent. Behav Analysis Practice (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-023-00890-1
Another paper on compassion and assent: https://www.maracalearning.com/assets/can-there-be-compassion-without-assent_-a-nonlinear-constructional-approach.pdf
To learn more about the constructional approach, check out the first two episodes in our seriesEpisode 250: The Constructional Approach: A Primer with Awab Abdel-Jalil
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-250-the-constructional-approach-a-primer-with-awab-abdel-jalil/
Episode 252: Applications of the constructional approach with Madhura Deshpande
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-252-applications-of-the-constructional-approach-with-dr-madhura-deshpande/
 
 

We’re back with Episode 2 in our Special Series on The Constructional Approach. In this conversation, Madhura Deshpande discusses various aspects of behavioural analysis, focusing on the transition of clients to adult settings, the effectiveness of constructional approaches in medical procedures, and the importance of active participation in achieving rapid results. She emphasizes the need for proper staff training, ethical collaboration in behavioural pharmacology, and the significance of recognizing and building on existing repertoires to improve client outcomes. The discussion also touches on the development of an app to track medication effects and the challenges faced in staff turnover within the field.
Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)
BACB: 1.5 LearningIBAO:  1.5 ABA TopicsQABA: 1.5 GeneralCBA/CPD:    1.5 Learning  
Follow us!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behaviourspeak/
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/behaviourspeak/
Contact
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/madhuraaba/
Proactive Behaviour Analysts :
https://www.pactba.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/pactba/
https://www.instagram.com/proactiveba/
Links:
The Constructional Approach Website
https://theconstructionalapproach.com/
The Constructional Approach Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/700952357829957
The Institute for Applied Behavior Science at Endicott College
https://www.endicott.edu/academics/schools/institute-for-applied-behavioral-science
Special Series On The Constructional Approach on Behaviour Speak
Episode 250: The Constructional Approach:  A Primer with Awab Abdel-Jalil
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-250-the-constructional-approach-a-primer-with-awab-abdel-jalil/
 
Articles and Books Discussed
Deshpande, M., Cauchi, J. & Gerhardt, P. The SAFER Tool: Promoting Independence and Safety in Sexual Education for Individuals with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities. Sex Disabil 43, 32 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11195-025-09909-7
Deshpande, M., Weil, L., Renshaw, E., Duyile, L., & Cox, D. J. (in review). Bridging behavioural pharmacology and behaviour analysis: A guide to developing practical medication data collection tools for practitioners. Behavior Analysis in Practice.

In this conversation, Awab Abdel-Jalil discusses the evolution and significance of the constructional approach in behavior analysis. Awab Abdel-Jalil is the Associate Vice President of Applied Research at Upstate Caring Partners in Utica, NY, and a doctoral candidate at Endicott College under the mentorship of Dr. Joe Layng. He emphasizes the importance of understanding historical context, the role of ascent in learning, and the scrutiny faced by ABA, which can lead to positive changes. Awab shares his personal journey into the field, the influence of mentorship, and the legacy of Israel Gold Diamond. He also addresses common misunderstandings of nonlinear contingency analysis and highlights the growing resources available for practitioners. The conversation concludes with insights into future directions in constructional therapy and the importance of harnessing negative reinforcers in practice.
Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)
BACB: 1.5 LearningIBAO:  1.5 ABA TopicsQABA: 1.5 GeneralCBA/CPD:    1.5 Learning  
Follow us!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behaviourspeak/
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/behaviourspeak/
Contact
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/awab-abdel-jalil-64541a196/
Upstate Caring Partners:
https://www.upstatecp.org/
The Institute for Applied Behavior Science at Endicott College
https://www.endicott.edu/academics/schools/institute-for-applied-behavioral-science
 
Links:
The Constructional Approach Website
https://theconstructionalapproach.com/
The Constructional Approach Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/700952357829957
Claire St. Peter on The Behavioral Observations Podcast
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5NLz4wfAT9paQfzvut11K1
Articles and Books Discussed
Abdel-Jalil, A., Linnehan, A. M., Yeich, R., Hetzel, K., Amey, J., & Klick, S. (2023). Can there be compassion without assent? A nonlinear constructional approach. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-023-00850-9
 Goldiamond, I. (2002). Toward a constructional approach to social problems: Ethical and constitutional issues raised by Applied Behavior Analysis. Behavior and Social Issues, 11(2), 108-197. https://doi.org/10.5210/bsi.v11i2.92 (Original work published in 1974).
Goldiamond, I. (1984). Training parents and ethicists in nonlinear behavior analysis. In R. F. Dangel & R. A. Polster (Eds.), Parent training: Foundations of research and practice (pp. 504–546). Guilford.  
Layng, T. V. J., & Abdel-Jalil, A. (2022). Toward a constructional exposure therapy. Advances in Cognitive Therapy, Fall, 8–11. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/373767631_TOWARD_A_CONSTRUCTIONAL_EXPOSURE_THERAPY
Layng, T. V. J., Andronis, P. T., Codd III, R. T., & Abdel-Jalil, A. (2022). Nonlinear contingency analysis: Going beyond cognition and behavior in clinical practice. Routledge. 
Liden, T. A., & Rosales-Ruiz, J. (2024a). Constructional parent coaching: A collaborative approach to improve the lives of parents of children with autism. Behavior Analysis in Practice. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-024-00944-y
Linnehan, A. M., Abdel-Jalil, A., Klick, S., Amey, J., Yeich, R., & Hetzel, K. (2023). Foundations of preemptive compassion: A behavioral concept analysis of compulsion, consent, and assent. Behavior Analysis in Practice. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-023-00890-1 
Scallan, C. M., & Rosales-Ruiz, J. (2023). The constructional approach: A compassionate approach to behavior change. Behavior Analysis in Practice. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-023-00811-2  
Wilder, D. A., Ingram, G., & Hodges, A. C. (2021). Evaluation of shoe inserts to reduce toe walking in young children with autism. Behavioral Interventions, 37(3), 754–765. https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.1860
 
Books coming this summer: Nonlinear Contingency Analysis: Going Beyond Cognition and Behavior in Clinical Practice. Second Edition. Layng, T. V. J., Andronis, P. T., Codd III, R. T., & Abdel-Jalil, A.
Applications in Nonlinear Contingency Analysis. Abdel-Jalil, A., & Linnehan, A. (Editors)