The How to ABA Podcast

Burnout is not only exhaustion. It is that sinking feeling of being out of alignment with what matters most. In this episode, we open up about the real challenges BCBAs and therapists face: overwhelming caseloads, lack of follow-through, and situations we cannot control. Instead of pushing through the pressure, we explore how ACT helps us acknowledge our feelings, name what is really happening, and reconnect with our values.We talk about psychological flexibility, common thought traps, and why fixing burnout is not the goal. The goal is learning to tolerate discomfort while taking committed, values-driven action. You will hear how we use the ACT Values Matrix to shift from frustration to clarity and how compassion for ourselves and others can change the way we show up at work.What’s Inside:What burnout really looks like for BCBAs and therapistsHow ACT helps us accept what we cannot controlUsing values-based action to reduce overwhelmPractical strategies for building psychological flexibilityMentioned in This Episode:HowToABA.com/joinHow to ABA on YouTubeFind us on FacebookFollow us on Instagram 

Starting your career as a BCBA can be exciting, but it’s easy to stumble if you don’t know the common pitfalls. In this conversation, we unpack the biggest mistakes new BCBAs make and how to avoid them so you can build confidence, create meaningful programs, and set yourself and your clients up for success.We talk about why skipping a thorough assessment can derail your programming, how to choose the right assessment tool for each learner, and why focusing on compassion over compliance makes all the difference. You’ll also hear why building relationships with families and caregivers is just as important as data collection and how slowing down to connect can make your sessions more effective.If you’re new to the field or mentoring someone who is, this episode is packed with real-world advice to help you avoid common traps and focus on what truly matters—creating lasting impact through thoughtful, compassionate practice.What’s Inside:The most common BCBA mistakes (and how to prevent them)How to choose assessments that truly fit your learner’s needsWhy compassion and relationship-building are key to successMentioned in This Episode:Episode 219: Choosing the Right Assessment: Practical Tips for BCBAsFlexible Application of ACT in Parent Training, Staff Supervision, and Client SupportHowToABA.com/joinHow to ABA on YouTubeFind us on FacebookFollow us on Instagram 

Are behaviorism and ACT really two different worlds, or have we been separating concepts that naturally belong together? In this episode, we dig into how Acceptance and Commitment Training actually grew out of behaviorism, and why understanding that relationship can make our work more compassionate, flexible, and effective. We talk about what compassion looks like in ABA beyond troubleshooting and problem-solving. Sometimes the most powerful intervention is simply acknowledging a child’s frustration, naming the feeling, and sitting with it for a moment before moving into action. We share how ACT brings psychological flexibility, mindfulness, and values-based action into our sessions—without losing the observable, measurable, data-driven foundation we rely on as behavior analysts. You’ll hear practical examples with learners, families, and supervisees, plus how values work can guide everything from social skills goals to professional resilience. If you’ve been looking for a way to honor both science and humanity in your practice, this conversation bridges that gap beautifully.What’s Inside:How ACT fits within behaviorism and strengthens ABA practiceUsing empathy and emotional validation to build psychological flexibilityApplying values-based action with clients, staff, and yourselfMentioned in This Episode:Episode 123: How to Teach Social Skills Using ACTAcceptance and Commitment Training Within the Scope of Practice of Applied Behavior AnalysisHowToABA.com/joinHow to ABA on YouTubeFind us on FacebookFollow us on Instagram

When it comes to BCBA supervision, are we just checking boxes or shaping confident, ethical clinicians? In this episode, we unpack how to move beyond paperwork to create meaningful, individualized supervision that actually prepares our trainees for real-world practice.We talk about the parallels between supervision and parenting—knowing when to let go, when to guide, and how to build independence with purpose. You’ll hear why the task list is an essential foundation but not the whole picture and how to embed soft skills like collaboration, communication, and clinical judgment into every supervision plan.We also share strategies for feedback that sticks, from in-the-moment coaching to structured reflection sessions, and ways to make data-driven decisions about your supervisee’s growth. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn the supervision process into something more human, this episode is for you.What’s Inside:Turning task list items into real-life competenceStrategies for feedback, reflection, and growthBalancing structure with individualized supervisionMentioned in This Episode:Supervision Resource BundleHowToABA.com/joinHow to ABA on YouTubeFind us on FacebookFollow us on Instagram

As BCBAs, we all know how challenging it can be to keep up with the latest research while managing the demands of daily practice. In this conversation with Dr. Adam Ventura, CEO of Intraverbal AI, we explore how technology can make evidence-based care more accessible for behavior analysts everywhere.We talk about “the big binder problem,” how AI can help replace piles of research papers with instant, research-backed answers, and what it really means to practice augmented intelligence—not artificial intelligence. Adam shares how Intraverbal AI is designed to enhance, not replace, human judgment by supporting BCBAs in focusing more on client care and less on paperwork.If you’ve ever wished for more time to focus on what matters most—your learners and your team—this episode will inspire you to see how technology can actually make your job more human. You can also join us on our upcoming CEU, AI in Supervision: Time-Saving Tools for Busy BCBAs, led by Dr. Adam Ventura himself.What’s Inside:How Intraverbal AI bridges the gap between research and practiceThe difference between artificial and augmented intelligenceWays technology can support, not replace, clinical judgmentMentioned in This Episode:AI in Supervision: Time-Saving Tools for Busy BCBAsIntraverbal AIHowToABA.com/joinHow to ABA on YouTubeFind us on FacebookFollow us on Instagram

Great supervision is the foundation of great ABA, but it often feels like one more thing on an already full plate. In this episode, we talk about why effective, compassionate supervision matters and how our Supervision Bundle can make it easier to manage.We share why mentorship is so important for shaping confident, ethical BCBAs and how poor supervision can ripple through client outcomes. Good supervision isn’t just checking boxes—it’s balancing science and compassion, setting clear expectations, and helping supervisees practice safely while learning to think critically.We know firsthand how tough it is to juggle clients, admin work, and training. That’s why we built tools to make supervision structured, efficient, and meaningful. If you’ve ever felt stretched too thin, this conversation will help you reclaim your time while improving the quality of your mentorship.What’s Inside:Why strong supervision mattersHow to blend compassion with accountabilityTools to simplify and strengthen your supervision processMentioned in This Episode:AI in Supervision: Time-Saving Tools for Busy BCBAsHowToABA.com/joinHow to ABA on YouTubeFind us on FacebookFollow us on Instagram 

We’ve all written those “perfect” behavior plans that look great on paper but somehow never make it off the clipboard. In this conversation, we dig into the real reason plans succeed or fail: buy-in. Because even the most data-driven plan doesn’t matter if no one actually follows it.We share practical strategies for turning technical documents into living, breathing plans that teachers, parents, and teams want to use. From simplifying language and creating one-page cheat sheets to setting just two or three actionable goals at a time, we talk about how usability beats perfection every time.We also explore what collaboration really looks like in practice—inviting staff, caregivers, and even learners into the planning process so it becomes “our plan,” not just “the BCBA’s plan.” Plus, we talk about how to build trust through modeling, ongoing support, and celebrating early wins, because a plan that feels supported is a plan that lasts.If you’ve ever struggled to bridge the gap between your beautifully written plan and the messy realities of implementation, this episode will help you rethink success, reframe your role, and create plans that truly get used.Join us for our next CEU event, “AI in Supervision: Time-Saving Tools for Busy BCBAs,” on Thursday, November 20th at 12pm ET. Sign up below to save your seat!What’s Inside:Why collaboration beats perfection in behavior planningHow to make plans user-friendly and jargon-freeStrategies for modeling, feedback, and ongoing supportTips for celebrating small wins and maintaining buy-inMentioned in This Episode:Episode 133: The BST Model - Behavioral Skills TrainingAI in Supervision: Time-Saving Tools for Busy BCBAsHowToABA.com/joinHow to ABA on YouTubeFind us on FacebookFollow us on Instagram 

What happens when ABA meets developmental science? The Early Start Denver Model, or ESDM, reminds us that evidence-based practice can also be compassionate and deeply connected. In this conversation, we talk about how ESDM blends the science of ABA with developmental and play-based teaching for our youngest learners.We explore what makes ESDM unique: its focus on joint attention, social reciprocity, and developmental milestones for toddlers and preschoolers. It is not separate from ABA; it is ABA applied through a natural, relationship-centered lens. For those early learners who are not yet ready for the ABLLS or VB-MAPP, ESDM fills that gap beautifully.We also share how tuning in to a child’s frequency and seeing and connecting with them first creates a foundation for real learning. When we slow down, follow their lead, and build connection, everything else becomes easier.Whether you are a BCBA, therapist, or parent, this episode will help you see how science and heart can work together to support meaningful growth.What’s Inside:How ESDM complements ABADevelopmental milestones as teaching guidesWhy connection comes before instructionMentioned in This Episode:Episode 208: The Power of Sensory Social RoutinesHowToABA.com/joinHow to ABA on YouTubeFind us on FacebookFollow us on Instagram 

When we say “natural,” it’s easy to imagine free play and child-led sessions where the therapist simply follows along. But natural doesn’t mean unplanned. Behind every playful moment is an opportunity for intentional teaching, and the best play-based sessions are those that blend spontaneity with strategy.In this conversation, we talk about how to plan for play in a way that still feels natural and fun. We compare it to hosting a birthday party—you wouldn’t invite a group of kids and hope for the best without games or structure! The same goes for ABA sessions. Following a child’s lead doesn’t mean letting them bounce from toy to toy. It means embedding purposeful teaching moments within what they love most.We share practical ways to create this balance, from using assessments like the Early Start Denver Model to identify meaningful goals to organizing the environment so motivation and learning opportunities flow naturally. You’ll hear how we think through contriving the environment, following motivation rather than chaos, and using every playful moment with purpose.What’s Inside:How to combine natural play with intentional teachingUsing assessments to guide play-based goalsTips for setting up the environment to boost engagement and learningMentioned in This Episode:Episode 118: Generalization and Maintenance of Skills in ABAHowToABA.com/joinHow to ABA on YouTubeFind us on FacebookFollow us on Instagram 

ABA has often been seen as a field rooted in compliance: sit still, follow directions, and finish the task. But is that really the foundation for meaningful progress? We believe the future of ABA lies not in control, but in connection. In this conversation, we reframe what it means to support learners with compassion, trust, and respect.We share why focusing on relationships first creates lasting change and how boundaries can be set with kindness instead of fear. You’ll hear stories from our own families, like navigating curfews with teenagers, that show the power of mutual respect over punishment. We also break down how approaches like Dr. Gregory Hanley’s Practical Functional Assessment and Skills-Based Treatment highlight safety, trust, and dignity as the true starting point for learning.Instead of teaching “compliance” as a first skill, we explore what it looks like to prioritize happy, relaxed, and engaged learners. Because when learners feel safe and connected, they’re far more willing to take risks, build skills, and grow with us.What’s Inside:Why compliance-focused approaches can miss the bigger pictureHow to build trust before placing demandsPractical strategies for setting boundaries with kindnessThe shift from control to connection in compassionate ABAMentioned in This Episode:Hanley's Skill-Based Treatment Explained: A Practical Guide for EducatorsHowToABA.com/joinHow to ABA on YouTubeFind us on FacebookFollow us on Instagram