In this introductory class, Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Special Education teacher Dodi Pritchett teaches parents the foundations of compassionate, evidence-based behavior support. This isn't about forcing compliance or changing who your child is. It's about learning to understand the WHY behind behavior, strengthening communication, building meaningful skills, supporting greater independence, and creating more opportunities for connection and learning in everyday life.

In this first session, Dodi Pritchett, MEd, BCBA, LBA introduces a compassionate, relationship-centered approach to understanding and supporting children’s behavior. Rather than immediately asking, “How do I stop this behavior?” we begin with a different question: What might this behavior be communicating? In Class 1, you’ll learn how the lens we use to view behavior can shape the way we respond to our children, and how our own experiences and assumptions may influence what we see.

Dodi Pritchett, MEd, BCBA, LBA continues our journey toward understanding children’s behavior through curiosity, compassion, and connection. Rather than immediately asking, “How do I stop this behavior?” we explore a different question: What changed, and what might this behavior be telling us? You’ll learn how to slow down, observe what is actually happening, and separate the facts you can see from the stories and assumptions we may unintentionally attach to a child’s behavior.

In Class 3 of Natural Geniuses, Dodi Pritchett, MEd, BCBA, LBA introduces the Enhanced Choice Model and explores how offering children meaningful choices can increase cooperation, reduce resistance, and create a greater sense of safety, predictability, and autonomy. Building on our previous classes about understanding behavior and identifying the “why” behind what children do, this class begins shifting from observation into practical strategies parents can use in everyday life.

In Class 4, BCBA Dodi Pritchett explores one of the most important foundations for helping children learn and thrive: regulation before teaching. In this class, we learn how stress can affect a child’s ability to access their skills, how to recognize early “whispers” of dysregulation before behavior escalates, and how to reduce stress through connection, co-regulation, meaningful choices, and support. We introduce the pathway: Notice → Support → Connect → Check Readiness → Teach.

In Class 5, BCBA Dodi Pritchett introduces Practical Functional Assessment (PFA) and teaches parents how to look for patterns behind challenging behavior. Rather than focusing on one incident or using labels, we explore what changes across time, settings, people, expectations, and outcomes. You’ll practice comparing hard moments with times things go well to identify what may help your child feel Happy, Relaxed, and Engaged (HRE).

In Class 6, BCBA Dodi Pritchett introduces Skills-Based Treatment (SBT) and moves us from understanding behavior to teaching new skills. Learn why Happy, Relaxed, and Engaged (HRE) is the foundation for learning and explore the progression from functional communication to tolerance, cooperation, and real-life application. In this class we focus on building skills within a safe, supportive environment while individualizing the process to each child.