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Episode 6
Advancing Preschool Inclusion with NDBIs
About This Episode
In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Sophia D’Agostino, Assistant Professor at Utah State University in the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling. Her research and teaching focus on early childhood special education with a mission to improve preschool inclusion for children with disabilities. Dr. D’Agostino’s work centers on Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs) in preschool classrooms, particularly in community-based programs such as Head Start, state-funded preschools, childcare programs, and inclusive early childhood special education settings. Her research investigates how NDBI strategies are implemented in real-world classrooms, how comfortable teachers feel using them, and what supports are needed for high-quality implementation.
Advancing Preschool Inclusion with NDBIs
Dr. Sophia D’Agostino
About Our Guest Speaker
Dr. Sophia D’Agostino
Dr. Sophia D’Agostino is an Assistant Professor of Special Education at Utah State University, where she teaches in the early childhood special education (birth to five) program. She earned her PhD in Human Development and Family Studies from Michigan State University in 2019 and previously worked as an early childhood special education teacher, coach, and consultant. Her research focuses on improving meaningful preschool inclusion for young children with disabilities through the use of Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs) in community-based early learning settings. She is passionate about teacher preparation, professional coaching, and socially valid practices that enhance the quality of inclusive education. Dr. D’Agostino also explores innovative approaches such as telehealth-based training and coaching to support implementation fidelity, generalization, and sustainability in real-world classrooms.
Show Notes
In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Sophia D’Agostino, Assistant Professor at Utah State University in the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling. Her research and teaching focus on early childhood special education with a mission to improve preschool inclusion for children with disabilities. Dr. D’Agostino’s work centers on Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs) in preschool classrooms, particularly in community-based programs such as Head Start, state-funded preschools, childcare programs, and inclusive early childhood special education settings. Her research investigates how NDBI strategies are implemented in real-world classrooms, how comfortable teachers feel using them, and what supports are needed for high-quality implementation.
Episode Highlights:
What the Research Shows – Developmentally based NDBI strategies (rooted in child development) are used more often and with higher quality by preschool teachers than strategies viewed as “more behavioral,” such as communicative temptations and structured teaching episodes.
Bridging Gaps in Practice – Why teachers are less comfortable with behavioral strategies, and how professional learning can increase their confidence and skill.
Addressing Misconceptions – Insights from the NDBI Special Interest Group (SIG) at ABAI on common myths, such as:
NDBIs are ABA-based and align with the seven dimensions of ABA.
NDBIs are not the same as Natural Environment Teaching (NET).
NDBIs are not “watered down” — they integrate the strengths of ABA and developmental science.
Implementation Barriers – Why insurance funding, research perceptions, and lack of awareness remain challenges to NDBI adoption.
Training & Dissemination – How the NDBI SIG is working to provide resources, publish in behavior analytic journals, and support students seeking NDBI-specific training opportunities.
Sophia’s Journey – From early childhood teacher to inclusive preschool program leader, to discovering NDBIs and becoming BCBA-certified, blending ABA with developmental science in her research and teaching.
Future Directions & Opportunities:
Volunteer opportunities with the NDBI SIG for dissemination, social media, and advocacy.
Upcoming events like the NDBI Connections Conference to foster collaboration and expand the reach of NDBIs in the ABA and early childhood communities.
Episode Resources
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