HERD: Set the Stage for Success
Ever wonder why the same challenging behaviors seem to happen over and over again? Understanding what influences behavior can help you move beyond reacting in the moment and start recognizing patterns that point toward meaningful change.
HERD is a practical, self-paced course that introduces the foundations of behavior and helps you discover ways to create conditions for success for you and your child.
What If Challenging Behavior Is Giving You Clues?
When challenging behavior keeps happening, it's easy to feel frustrated, question what you're doing, or wonder what to try next.
But behavior doesn't happen in a vacuum. What's happening before, during, and after a behavior can offer important clues about what may be influencing it.
HERD helps you slow down, look beyond the behavior itself, and begin recognizing patterns. Instead of searching for a quick fix, you'll learn to ask useful questions and consider practical changes that can make everyday situations more successful.
You don't need perfect responses. You need a better understanding of what's happening.
Welcome to the HERD
HERD gives you a practical way to think about behavior and identify opportunities for change. Each part of the framework helps you consider a different piece of the picture.
H-Help
Look for what behavior may be communicating and identify the skills or support your child may need.
E-Engage
Build cooperation and participation by considering connection, motivation, and meaningful ways to involve your child.
R-Regulate
Recognize how emotions, stress, and the demands of a situation can affect behavior. Learn why regulation can be an important step before problem-solving and learning.
D-Design
Make thoughtful changes to routines, environments, expectations, and supports to create conditions for success.
Together, these principles help you move from reacting to individual moments toward understanding patterns and making intentional changes.
Practical Learning for Real Life
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Short, focused lessons
Bite-sized video lessons introduce foundational behavior concepts in approachable, easy-to-understand language.
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A companion workbook
Guided activities and reflection prompts help you connect what you're learning to your own experiences and recognize patterns in everyday situations.
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Practical strategies
Explore ways to adjust your responses, support skill development, and create conditions that make success more likely.
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Learn at your own pace
Work through the material on your schedule and return to key concepts as you continue practicing what you've learned.
Understanding Before Changing
HERD isn't about perfect parenting, eliminating every challenging behavior, or finding one strategy that works in every situation.
It's about learning to notice what may be influencing behavior, approaching difficult moments with curiosity instead of judgment, and making thoughtful changes that support both you and your child.
These principles guide the HERD framework and the practical strategies you'll explore throughout the course.
Look for patterns, not perfection.
Connection before correction.
Regulate first, then learn.
Design for success.
About Your Instructor
Danina Thatcher, M.S., BCBA, LBA, is passionate about making behavioral science understandable and accessible to parents and families. Through her experience working with individuals and families across a variety of settings, she has seen how understanding behavior and using practical, evidence-based strategies can help create the conditions for meaningful growth and positive change.
Danina founded Alces Academy to give families an approachable way to learn about behavior and discover strategies they can use in everyday life. She understands that finding the right support can feel overwhelming, and believes families deserve practical guidance that meets them where they are—without judgment or the expectation of perfect parenting.
The HERD course was designed with busy families in mind. Each short, focused lesson introduces a key concept and offers practical ideas you can begin applying at home. Accompanying workbooks help you reflect on what you’re learning, recognize patterns, and put the strategies into practice at your own pace.
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s understanding behavior, creating conditions for success, and helping your family grow and thrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
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HERD is designed for parents and caregivers who want to better understand behavior and respond to everyday challenges with greater confidence. Whether you're navigating routines, big emotions, transitions, or recurring struggles, this course offers practical tools you can use with your family. No background in behavioral science is needed.
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You'll learn foundational behavior principles and how to recognize patterns, understand what may influence behavior, and create conditions that support success. The HERD framework—Help, Engage, Regulate, and Design—provides a practical way to apply what you learn in everyday situations.
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Lessons are short and designed with busy families in mind. You can work through the material at your own pace, pause when needed, and return to the lessons and workbook as you practice new strategies.
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Yes! The course includes a companion workbook with activities and opportunities to reflect on what you're learning. It helps you identify patterns, connect course concepts to your own experiences, and put practical strategies into action.
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Every child and family is different, so no single strategy works in every situation. HERD teaches foundational principles to help you better understand behavior and make thoughtful decisions about what to try. The goal isn't to follow a perfect formula, but to find approaches that fit your child, your family, and your circumstances.
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No. HERD is an educational course designed to help parents understand and apply foundational behavior principles. It isn't individualized assessment, therapy, or a substitute for professional support when that level of care is needed. You can use what you learn alongside other services your family may receive.
Ready to better understand your child’s behavior and feel more confident navigating challenging moments? HERD gives you practical, evidence-based tools to recognize patterns and create conditions for success. Enroll today to access self-paced video lessons, a companion workbook with reflection activities, and 12 months of learning at your own pace. 12 months of course access. Refunds available within 7 days of purchase if less than 25% of the course is completed.
Before Enrolling
Your purchase is subject to the HERD Course User Agreement, including the 12-month access period and 7-day refund policy.