The ABA Speech Podcast - Easy Strategies For Parents and Professionals

Ron Demuesy joins me to unpack the vital and often nuanced role of school-based BCBAs. Unlike outsourced consultants, in-house BCBAs provide consistent presence, accessibility, and a deeper connection with students and staff.Ron shares key insights for success:Mind your language: Be technically accurate without drowning in jargon.Ditch the forms: Gather meaningful information through conversation, not paperwork.Focus on skill-building: Address behaviors by teaching replacement skills, not just stopping actions.Find and be a mentor: Growth doesn’t end with certification—keep learning and connecting.In addition to his school-based work, Ron serves as a lead consultant at FTF Consulting, teaching others to analyze and build skills for individuals with severe problem behaviors, while also contributing to research initiatives.And don’t forget—our School-Based BCBA Startpack is there to help you hit the ground running, and we’d love for you to join us for a live Q&A with Ron on September 9th from 7 to 8 PM EST. You deserve to feel supported in the critical, transformative work you do every day.#autism #speechtherapyWhat’s Inside:Ron’s must-knows for school-based BCBAs.Resources for school-based BCBAs.What is FTF Consulting?Mentioned In This Episode:Purchase the School Based BCBA Starter Pack ABA Speech Membership ABA Speech: Home

On today’s episode, I’m joined by Allyson Wharam, BCBA, instructional designer, and founder of Sidekick Learning. Allyson is the creator of one of the most comprehensive and thoughtfully designed 40-hour RBT courses I’ve come across. Her background in instructional design brings a fresh and interactive approach to RBT and BCBA training.We talk about how the RBT certification has grown rapidly and why quality training is more important than ever. Allyson explains what goes into becoming an RBT and how her course supports new professionals with engaging, person-centered content. We also dive into how BCBAs can feel unprepared when stepping into supervisory roles and how her supervision curriculum fills that gap.Whether you're a clinic owner, new BCBA, or someone supporting trainees, this conversation is full of helpful insight on training, supervision, and compassionate care.Allyson also shares details on our upcoming collaboration. On August 19, I’ll be presenting a free live CEU course on joint attention through Sidekick Learning, and I’d love for you to join us.#autism #speechtherapy What’s Inside:What makes Allyson’s 40-hour RBT course uniqueThe steps to RBT certification and required competenciesWhy supervision is a challenge for new BCBAs and how to support themIntegrating compassion and social validity into training contentMentioned in this episode:Sidekick LearningSupervision Sidekick on InstagramAllyson Wharam on LinkedInABA Speech ConnectionFree CEU on Joint Attention – August 19RBT Training Use coupon code: ABASPEECH

Jennifer Houston joins me to share her journey from speech‑language pathologist (SLP) to dual‑credentialed SLP/Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)—a rare “unicorn” duo found in fewer than 500 professionals worldwide. After more than two decades of diverse SLP roles, Jennifer found herself increasingly drawn to addressing challenging behaviors across her caseload. Motivated by this evolving passion and a push from her boss, she pursued BCBA certification, blending her communication expertise with applied behavior analysis to better support her clients.In our conversation, Jennifer tackles common misconceptions about both fields and describes her thoughtful approach to professional introductions. She emphasizes the importance of gently educating colleagues about the shared foundations of speech‑language pathology and behavior analysis, fostering collaboration rather than competition.Jennifer is also an active member of ABA Speech Connection, our community that provides science‑backed resources on the latest developments in ABA. She explains how this network helps her stay current and deliver evidence‑based interventions. Highlighting that education doesn’t end at graduation, Jennifer contrasts what she loves about our live courses—robust chat interactions—with the flexibility of ABA Speech’s comprehensive course library, underscoring her belief in lifelong learning. #autism #speechtherapy What’s Inside:Becoming dually certified: SLP to SLP/BCBA.Common misconceptions cross the fields of Speech Pathology and ABA.Finding common ground across professions.Utilizing ABA Speech Connection to bolster learning across the career.Mentioned In This Episode:Speech Membership - ABA Speech  ABA Speech: Home

We’ve made it to the final installment of my mini summer series!In today’s episode, I’m asking an important question: Do you feel valued at work?Feeling valued and building mutual trust are key ingredients for meaningful collaboration, which is essential in the work we do as providers.I’m sharing practical, collaborative phrases you can use to build trust and strengthen your professional relationships. (You’ll also find a link to a free phrase bank—a helpful part of a larger freebie I offer!)The truth is, we don’t get much formal training on how to collaborate—especially with colleagues from different backgrounds or disciplines. That’s something I’m passionate about changing through ABA Speech, so be sure to check us out!You’ll learn phrases like“How do you usually approach this? I want to make sure we’re aligned on our strategies.”How we show up in the world and with each other matters. We don’t want to work in silos. We want synergy. Because when we collaborate well, we can transform not just the lives of the learners in front of us—but ripple outward beyond the therapy room.#autism #speechtherapy What’s Inside:Practical phrases to foster collaboration.How to create a positive working relationship with different disciplines.Highlighting training in collaboration across the field. Mentioned In This Episode:ALP for AAC SLP/BCBA collaborative phrases—Speech Therapy Hack #30 Speech Membership - ABA Speech  ABA Speech: Home

Explore the vital role of verbal imitation in speech therapy and why context is key for meaningful communication development. Learn how Speech-Language Pathologists and Board Certified Behavior Analysts can work together to set functional goals and strategies. Discover the importance of early and frequent collaboration, including assessing and planning as a cohesive team. Delve into useful resources like the Autism IEP Goal Bank to enhance therapeutic outcomes. Plus, a sneak peek into future discussions on communication disorders!

Discover the complexities of AAC collaboration as professionals sometimes clash over communication strategies. Learn practical steps to enhance teamwork, focusing on familiarity with devices and clear communication goals centered around the student. Explore the importance of joint assessments and consistency in programming AAC devices. Most importantly, find out how effective collaboration can improve outcomes and keep families connected, ensuring everyone is on the same page.

Explore the delicate dance of collaboration between speech therapists and BCBAs. Learn how to handle disagreements without jeopardizing professional relationships. A simple framework is introduced to help navigate treatment discussions, emphasizing the power of open-mindedness. Discover the value of multidisciplinary approaches in enhancing outcomes for individuals with autism. Packed with strategies, this bite-sized session is perfect for professionals seeking effective teamwork.

Ryan Hogan, a school psychologist from Fort Worth, Texas, and creator of the popular meme account @worldsokayestschoolpsych, brings unique insights to the conversation. He shares his experience navigating the IEP process both as a professional and a parent of a child with autism. Humor and empathy are key themes as he addresses the importance of protecting your online space while advocating for children with special needs. He emphasizes compassion in IEP meetings and the transformative impact of personal experience on professional practice.

Leila Farschian, Special Educator and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), is someone who gets things done. She has lived these problems in the field and is actively working to solve them. Her story offers practical insight and inspiration to you in your daily work. As founder of the Global Schoolhouse Project, Leila partners with the International Healthcare Network on Closing the Digital Divide, a project bringing digital devices into schools in Johannesburg, South Africa. It’s not just about providing tech. She works directly with teachers and students to train them in effective use while identifying the barriers and gaps that limit access.Through her BCBA work, Leila also developed a range of lessons, curriculum, and tools. To share these more broadly, she created ABA Toolbox, a per-learner platform that automates and scales her resources across clinics. It supports her own practice and others in the district, all with a multidisciplinary, child-centered approach.Leila’s work is a reminder that real progress often starts with individuals who take action. Whether she’s expanding tech access in underserved schools or streamlining care with practical tools, the best businesses are started by those who understand the problems. #autism #speechtherapy What’s Inside:The difficulties and differences between jobs in the ABA field.Closing the Digital Divide with the Global Schoolhouse Project.What is the ABA Toolbox?Mentioned In This Episode:ABA ToolboxGlobal Schoolhouse Project Speech Membership - ABA Speech  ABA Speech: Home

I am talking all things biz with Mellanie Page, founder and CEO of The ABA Collective. Mellanie, a trailblazer in the field, creates high-quality programs that go beyond the traditional boundaries of ABA. Mellanie joins us to talk about entrepreneurship, finding your niche, and the value of starting before everything feels perfect.If you’ve got that entrepreneurial spark, a voice nudging you toward something more —you’re in the right place. Mellanie shares how stepping into the gaps she saw in the field led her to build impactful offerings like CEUs, conferences, and the OBM Practitioners Program. This program offers  a thoughtful blend of modules, mentorship, and community—a natural path for future business owners.More and more clinicians are moving toward business ownership, and Mellanie’s story is a great reminder that there’s room for creativity and passion in this space. Her top advice? If the return is there, the investment is worth it. Think long-term. And most importantly, action creates clarity — you don’t have to have it all figured out to begin.#autism #speechtherapy What’s Inside:High-quality programs beyond the traditional application of ABA.Starting your own digital business.Blending clinical work and entrepreneurship.Mentioned In This Episode:Mellanie Page (@theabacollective) on InstagramMellanie Page | BCBA CEUsMellanie Page on LinkedInSpeech Membership - ABA Speech  ABA Speech: Home