Noncompliance isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s quiet, avoidant, and easy to miss until it grows into something bigger. In this Misfit Minute, we break down the difference between passive vs active noncompliance and why recognizing the difference early helps you respond calmly, support regulation, and prevent escalation into unsafe behaviors.

🔑 Key Takeaways
• Not all noncompliance looks the same 👀 — passive noncompliance is quiet avoidance, while active noncompliance is disruptive and visible.
• Catch it early ⛰️ — it’s much easier to support students during passive noncompliance than after behaviors escalate.
• Think “can’t vs won’t” 🧠 — skill deficits need support and modification; motivation issues need reinforcement and engagement strategies.
• Passive noncompliance calls for gentle support 🤍 — quick prompts, choices, first/then, and small motivation boosts can help students get started.
• Active noncompliance needs regulation first 🔄 — short directives, movement breaks, coping strategies, and validation help reset before returning to work.
• Pushing demands during escalation rarely works 🚫 — address regulation and underlying needs before expecting task completion.
• Neutral, supportive tone prevents power struggles 🎯 — focus on helping students be successful, not “winning” the moment.

📦 Resources to check out
• Join the Misfit Behaviorists Facebook Group → https://abainschool.com/misfits
• “Can’t Do vs Won’t Do” visual → https://abainschool.com/mm2w
• Related episode: 5 Preschool Behavior Strategies → https://abainschool.com/ep66 • Crisis Cycle Creation → https://abainschool.com/ep57 • FBA process starts here! → https://abainschool.com/ep31
• ABA in School blog → https://abainschool.com
• Free token boards → https://abainschool.com/ymnr

🙌 Join Us & Share
• Do you see more passive or active noncompliance in your classroom?
• What strategies help you catch behaviors before they escalate?
• Share your experiences in the Misfit Behaviorists Facebook Group 💬
• Know a teacher or BCBA who could use this distinction? Send them this Misfit Minute 💙

Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists

😍 More, you say? We’re here for you!

• Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists
• Instagram | @‌themisfitbehaviorists
• YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists

👋 Find us!

• Audra | ABA in School
• Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics
• Sami | B.A.S.S.

🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

When another professional walks into your classroom, things can get complicated fast. In this episode, Audra and Caitlin answer a listener question about what to do when support staff, behavior consultants, or other specialists aren’t showing up in the way you expected. They share practical, professional ways to navigate power dynamics, clarify roles, and protect your classroom while keeping relationships intact.

🔑 Key Takeaways
• Document objectively and consistently 📋 — focus on facts, patterns, and student impact, not emotions.
• Start with direct communication 🤝 — go to the source before escalating to admin or supervisors.
• Frame concerns around student safety and learning 🧠 — this keeps conversations professional and grounded.
• Ask clarifying questions instead of making accusations ❓ — misunderstandings about roles happen more than you think.
• Protect your classroom systems 🏫 — keep running behavior plans, data collection, and instruction regardless of who enters the room.
• Give clear, specific tasks when possible 🧩 — structure can help overwhelmed or unclear support staff succeed.
• Sometimes you can only control your response 🔄 — do your best, stay professional, and focus on student outcomes.

📦 Resources Mentioned
• Join the Misfit Behaviorists Facebook Group → https://abainschool.com/misfits
• Submit future episode topics in the group 💬

🙌 Join Us & Share
• Have you ever had to navigate tricky staff dynamics in your classroom?
• What strategies helped you keep things professional and student-focused?
• Share your experiences in the Misfit Behaviorists Facebook Group 📸
• Know a teacher or BCBA who needs this conversation? Send them this episode 💙

Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists

😍 More, you say? We’re here for you!

• Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists
• Instagram | @‌themisfitbehaviorists
• YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists

👋 Find us!

• Audra | ABA in School
• Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics
• Sami | B.A.S.S.

🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!

Staff pushback happens. Eye rolls, sighs, and the dreaded “we already tried that” can make even the calmest team lead feel defensive. In this Misfit Minute, Caitlin talks about shifting from control to curiosity when staff resist new strategies and how asking the right questions builds trust, buy-in, and stronger teams.

🔑 Key Takeaways
• Staff pushback often comes from burnout or feeling unheard 😮‍💨—not resistance for the sake of resistance.
• Curiosity beats control 🔍—asking “What didn’t work last time?” opens the door to real insight.
• You don’t lose authority by asking questions 💬—you gain collaboration.
• Empathy creates buy-in 🤍—acknowledging that new strategies feel hard reduces defensiveness.
• Modeling flexibility invites flexibility 🔄—your tone sets the tone.
• “We’re in this together” builds teams that grow with you, not against you 🤝

📦 Resources to check out
• Join the Misfit Behaviorists Facebook Group → https://abainschool.com/misfits

🙌 Join Us & Share
• How do you respond when staff push back?
• What questions have helped you build buy-in?
• Share your experiences in the Misfit Behaviorists Facebook Group 💬
• Know a BCBA or teacher navigating staff resistance? Send them this Misfit Minute 💙

Join the Facebook group for collaboration and freebies: The Misfit Behaviorists

😍 More, you say? We’re here for you!

• Apple podcast | The Misfit Behaviorists
• Instagram | @‌themisfitbehaviorists
• YouTube | @‌themisfitbehaviorists

👋 Find us!

• Audra | ABA in School
• Caitlin | Beltran’s Behavior Basics
• Sami | B.A.S.S.

🖱️ Rate, Review, Like & Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode! Showing this love helps us get out to more educators out there!