Behavior Bites

Did you grapple with imposter syndrome when you first started out?

How often were you afraid to ask for help?

During today’s meal - I speak with a behavior analyst, business owner, and fellow PLC member about getting started in the field, the driving force behind starting a company, and the unique challenges for her Spanish-speaking families.

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About Yuri Rivera, M.A, BCBA, LBA-TX

I was born in El Salvador, and moved to the U.S. when I was 15 years old. After high school, I attended a community college and transferred to a university near home.

My dream was to become an occupational therapist, but I did not get into grad school. I started working in a TBI clinic, gained more experience in OT and PT, then left the job to work at Brain Balance. My coworkers there talked to me about ABA. Then I got a job as a behavior technician at the end of 2017, and I have been in the field since then.

I am the oldest of 4 siblings, I like to travel. I am a picky eater, but I am working on expanding my repertoire.

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Follow Yuri!

Instagram: @yuririvera & @compassionate_behavior_insight
Professional Learning Committee (where we met)

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Read excerpts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from the episode on my website

Behavior Bites is hosted by Rosie Jeffers, MAT, BCBA, LABA

Chat with me on Instagram!— ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rosie.eats.bx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Have you ever felt out of place like a square peg trying to fit into a round hole?

What if I told you that you have the power to create spaces where you and others could belong? 

During today’s meal - I speak with a queer, neurodivergent entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in behavior analysis. We discuss what it means to be a leader, imbedding self care throughout the day, creating your own accommodations, and her favorite dishes from around the world.

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About Amanda “Mandy” Ralston, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA, IBA

Founder & CEO | Serial Entrepreneur | Neurodiversity & DEI Advocate | Visionary Speaker | Creative Problem-Solver

Amanda Ralston is a queer, neurodivergent serial entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in behavior analysis. Certified as a behavior analyst since 2002, Mandy has founded and scaled two clinics that delivered life-changing applied behavior analysis (ABA) services to hundreds of families, schools, and individuals with autism and other developmental or intellectual disabilities. Her successful exit in 2019 to the fourth-largest ABA provider in the U.S. marked a significant milestone in her career.

Mandy is recognized internationally as a thought leader in behavior analysis, ethics, outcomes, and practice. She has served as a Subject Matter Expert on global panels, sharing her expertise to shape the future of the field. As a dynamic and sought-after speaker, she addresses audiences worldwide on topics including autism spectrum issues and her acclaimed talk, “#ItsNotBinary: Avoiding Binary Thinking in Work, Life, and Social Media.”

Her accolades include being a two-time nominee for Small Businessperson of the Year (2015, 2017) and the 2023 recipient of the prestigious Autism Innovation Award at the Autism Investor Summit.

Mandy’s latest venture, NonBinary Solutions, pioneers cutting-edge data analytics and technology, developing Clinical Decision Support Systems to empower ABA providers and stakeholders within the neurodiversity ecosystem.

Mandy is deeply committed to reshaping how the world perceives autism and advancing the field of behavior analysis. Her work centers on fostering a more inclusive and equitable society, driven by the belief that diverse perspectives are essential to meaningful change.

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Follow Mandy!

Instagram: @amemeda_ralston & @nonbinary_solutions

Facebook: Amanda Mandy Ralston

LinkedIn: Amanda Ralston, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA - NonBinary Solutions

Websites: nonbinarysolutions.com & amandaralston.com

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Read excerpts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from the episode on my website

Behavior Bites is hosted by Rosie Jeffers, MAT, BCBA, LABA

Chat with me on Instagram!— ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rosie.eats.bx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

What’s your favorite thing about what you do?

Do you ever think about how we come from so many different paths, but we all have pretty similar values?

During today’s meal - I speak with a behavior analyst about exploring opportunities, networking with others in and outside of the field, drawing clear boundaries between work and personal life, and gearing up for our spring gardens.

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About Danielle S. Jeudy, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA

Dr. Danielle S. Jeudy has extensive experience supporting individuals and families across diverse settings, including residential treatment, in-home ABA therapy, public schools, and adult services. Known for building strong, trusting relationships with individuals, families, and stakeholders, Danielle has become a respected presence in behavioral health.

With a PhD in Behavior Analysis and certifications in behavior management techniques and American Sign Language, Danielle's research and clinical practice focus on enhancing adult services and addressing social justice issues within the field, specifically colorism.

As a Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral (BCBA-D), she specializes in consulting, assessments, professional development, and presenting at professional conferences. Danielle actively works toward advancing equity and inclusion through her roles on the Association of Contextual Behavior Science (ACBS) DEI committee and as a Peer Reviewer for the Journal of Colorism Studies. In her free time, she enjoys connecting with family and friends.

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Follow Danielle!

Instagram: @BehaviorDJ

LinkedIn: Danielle S. Jeudy, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA

The Colorism Project, Inc: Conference 8/21 & 8/22

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Review our show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple Podcasts

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Read excerpts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from the episode on my website

Behavior Bites is hosted by Rosie Jeffers, MAT, BCBA, LABA

Chat with me on Instagram!— ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rosie.eats.bx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

When you observe others, do you ever examine what you are bringing to the environment?

Could you be adding reinforcing or punishing vibes to the situation?

During today’s meal - I speak with a behavior analyst and trauma-informed ACT coach about her experiences being in the field for over 15 years, her pivot to consulting, and how she finds balance between all of her responsibilities.

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About Ashley Fiorilli, PhD., BCBA, 500 RYT, CCTSI

Dr. Ashley Fiorilli has worked in the field of human services since 2006. 

In 2006, I started working with infants and toddlers with developmental delays, as well as those who were deaf and hard of hearing or visually impaired. Over the last 9 years, I have worked with individuals with autism and related disabilities in school, home, clinic, and group settings. 

In 2014, I completed my doctorate in International Psychology, with an emphasis in Organizations and Systems from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. The core curriculum provided a foundation for creating sustainable change through connective collaboration. 

In 2016, I received training on the framework of Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT), which fueled my passion for helping others across the lifespan and all abilities. I have continued to expand my ACT repertoire over the last 6 years, with symposiums, conferences, practicums, and focused trainings. 

In 2018, I completed my 200 hours in Yoga Teacher Training, which augmented my skill set in implementing ACT services, across clients.  In addition, in 2020, I completed my 500 hours in Yoga Teacher Training. 

In 2019, I began consulting with individuals as a Behavior Analyst focusing on mindfulness, self-discovery, habit and pattern change, and transformative behavior techniques.

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Follow Ashley!

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ashnfio

Website: bestillbeconnected.com

Podcasts: Just ACT Podcast 

Balanced & Becoming Podcast

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Read excerpts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from the episode on my website

Behavior Bites is hosted by Rosie Jeffers, MAT, BCBA, LABA

Chat with me on Instagram!— ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rosie.eats.bx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

How often do we hear negative misconceptions to being a school-based BCBA?

Would you be open to hearing about the benefits of impacting the lives of all students and teachers? 

During today’s meal - I speak with a school-based behavior analyst about supporting diverse students, learning from our clients, and her motto “I do this for kids like me.”

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About Brittany Man, BCBA

I'm a school-based BCBA in Connecticut who found my calling in the field of behavior analysis in adulthood after taking a leap of faith and making a career change. From the moment I entered the field, I fell in love with it—while also cautiously questioning elements that didn’t quite sit right. Early on, a friend told me, “You’ve got a good gut,” when I voiced my concerns, and that simple affirmation gave me permission to trust myself and lean into what truly mattered to me. That instinct, I later realized, was the foundation of values-based living, which continues to guide my work today.

I’m neurodivergent myself and have experienced the IEP process from all angles—as a child who received one, the mother of a child with one, and now as a professional who helps create them. While working in schools often gets a bad rap, I love the reach and impact I have in this setting. I truly love what I do, I love learning, and I love discussing all things behavior analysis anywhere and everywhere.

Beyond work, I’m passionate about hiking, photography, dance parties, writing, and spending time with my family. And above all, I love working with kids and exploring the endlessly fascinating world of behavior.

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Follow Brittany!

Instagram: ⁠⁠@rad.behaviors

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠radbehaviors.com

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Read excerpts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from the episode on my website

Behavior Bites is hosted by Rosie Jeffers, MAT, BCBA, LABA

Chat with me on Instagram!— ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rosie.eats.bx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Have you ever thought about writing a book?

How great would it be to have a book that combined compassionate care and science into one treatment plan?

During today’s meal - I speak with three behavior analysts and authors of a new book releasing in March. We discuss what the writing process was like, key takeaways from the book, and what they learned from writing it.

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About REFRAME

Margaret Thomas Solomon, MS Ed, BCBA, LBA, IBA

Jennifer Farris, MA, LABA, LBA, BCBA, IBA

Mari-Luci Cerda, PhD, BCBA, LBA

REFRAME ABA is a book designed to bring the idea of compassionate care into practice.  With clinic-based case studies and contextual examples, REFRAME is not so much a curriculum as it is a guide.

The book begins with assessing behavior, but not just assessing the skills of the learner but those of the implementer.  It continues with addressing the environment, goal-development as guided by both behavior analytic research and the long-standing evidence provided by related fields such as human development and neuroscience.

REFRAME’s aim is to radically address the behaviors that will lead the field of Applied Behavior Analysis through the paradigm shift it has needed since first recognizing the harm caused by the behaviors of our field’s past.

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Follow REFRAME!

Instagram: @reframe.aba

Meg: @acrossenvironments

Jen: @my_behavior_brain

Mari: @autie.analyst

Website: reframeaba.com

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Review our show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple Podcasts

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Read excerpts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from the episode on my website

Behavior Bites is hosted by Rosie Jeffers, MAT, BCBA, LABA

Chat with me on Instagram!— ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rosie.eats.bx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

What can behavior analysts learn from other mental health providers?

How can understanding how people process grief be beneficial to our work?

During today’s meal - I speak with a brilliant individual in the field of marriage and family therapy about the similarities and differences of our fields, grieving and loss, and how to prevent getting activated during difficult sessions.

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About Krista Parker, M.A. LMFT, PhD Candidate

Krista Parker is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California and PhD candidate with extensive experience in supporting diverse populations. Her journey into the helping field began with six years’ experience as a behavior interventionist, providing ABA therapy in both Los Angeles Unified District Schools and home settings. Krista currently maintains a virtual private practice, serves as an AAMFT approved supervisor candidate, and holds an adjunct faculty position at Antioch University New England.

Krista’s clinical focus is on complex trauma, grief and loss, anxiety, relationship issues, and BIPOC/AAPI mental health. She works with teens, adults, couples, and families in her private practice and her current research focuses on the effects of bicultural stress on the mental health well-being of second-generation Filipino Americans. Her commitment to accessible, quality mental health care is rooted in both personal and professional experiences, including her own journey through grief following the sudden loss of her mother in 2016. This transformative experience deepened her understanding of the particular challenges faced by children of immigrants in accessing and understanding mental health support.

As a scholar-practitioner, Krista is dedicated to breaking barriers and fostering inclusive, culturally responsive practices in the mental health field. She approaches her work through a social justice lens, with a particular focus on serving marginalized and underserved communities, providing psychoeducation, promoting self-compassion, and helping others live a life that feels the most authentic to them.

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Follow Krista!

Instagram: @therapybykrista

Websites: ⁠kristaparker.com

therapybykrista.com

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Review our show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple Podcasts

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Read excerpts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from the episode on my website

Behavior Bites is hosted by Rosie Jeffers, MAT, BCBA, LABA

Chat with me on Instagram!— ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rosie.eats.bx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Do you trust your gut when making decisions?

Are you afraid to put yourself out there, or do you step into your power boldly?

During today’s meal - I speak with a behavior analyst, educator, parent, and all around shiny human about best career advice, how to juggle all the tasks while honoring self care, and what it’s like creating a book.

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About Bailey Payne, BCBA

I am a behavior analyst that lives outside of Nashville, TN and serves the community of Bowling Green, KY. My passion is serving people in their most natural environments and tailoring goals and strategies to meet each individual, family, and environment’s values. I LOVE watching people smash goals!

I was born and raised in rural Kansas, like dirt roads and no stop lights. I have a passion for bringing research, services, and information to the underserved in rural areas. I love to bring information and support to those who have barriers to accessing it.

My master’s degree is in Clinical Psychology from Pittsburg State University in Kansas. My professional experience includes working as a Psychologist at a State Hospital, an Autism Specialist for the Kansas Autism Waiver, a Project Therapist with the University of Kansas Lifespan Institute, a Behavioral Specialist with The May Institute of Autism, and a Licensed Behavior Analyst serving the Bowling Green, KY community at large including a school based BCBA, private in-home therapy, KY waiver programs, and an instructor with Western Kentucky University.

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Follow Bailey!

Instagram: @behavior_breakthrough

Facebook: Behavior Breakthrough with Bailey Payne

Website: baileypayne.com

Book: Behavior Breakthrough: 12 Skills to Transform Behavior at Home and in the Classroom

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Review our show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple Podcasts

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Read excerpts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from the episode on my website

Behavior Bites is hosted by Rosie Jeffers, MAT, BCBA, LABA

Chat with me on Instagram!— ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rosie.eats.bx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

How often do you journal or practice gratitude?

How often do you try to shape your own behavior towards things you want rather than things you don’t?

During today’s meal - I speak with a behavior analyst about using behavior analysis principles in everyday life, using clear stimulus conditions for work and non-work to promote boundaries, and taking care of our bodies before our bodies make us.

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About Dr. Jennifer Haddock, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Dr. Jennifer Haddock has been practicing behavior analysis for nearly 20 years. During that time, she has been lucky to study, teach, and conduct research at several universities. She’s worn many hats in the field, including direct service provider, supervisor, post-doctoral fellow, assistant professor, and held leadership positions in organizational behavior management.

She is passionate about sharing Radical Behaviorism and the science of behavior analysis by making it relatable to her own life. To that end, she has written and made video content on social platforms. Her written content includes a blog in which she writes essays about a variety of topics, including self-improvement, mental health, and career topics. Her video content includes conceptual foundations, misinformation about behavior analysis, and everyday application, with a few wildcards thrown in.

She hopes to model how behavior analysis can transform lives and inspire others to find practical, meaningful applications in their own lives and those of their clients.

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Follow Jennifer!

Instagram: @everyday_behaviorist

Facebook: Everyday Behaviorist

Website: everydaybehaviorist.com

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Review our show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple Podcasts

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Read excerpts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from the episode on my website

Behavior Bites is hosted by Rosie Jeffers, MAT, BCBA, LABA

Chat with me on Instagram!— ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rosie.eats.bx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Do you shy away from the uncomfortable stuff, or do you lean into the discomfort in order to grow and learn?

During today’s meal - I speak with a behavior analyst about her passion projects, how to learn from failure, and her favorite holiday traditions.

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About Kelly Baird, BCBA, LBA, IBA

Kelly Baird is the founder of Black Women in Behavior Analysis Appreciation Day (BWIBAAD) and the Vice President of Operations at ABAVerzus. Additionally, she co-founded and serves as President of the Missouri Black Applied Behavior Analysis Community, where she introduced The ABA Pathfinders to promote inclusive ABA programs, particularly at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. 

As a mother of a child with autism, Kelly is deeply committed to creating empowering spaces for clinicians and fostering networking opportunities. She is passionate about advocating for individuals with developmental and behavioral challenges, leveraging her experiences to drive positive change in the field of ABA.

Through BWIBAAD, Kelly has established a platform to celebrate and support Black women in behavior analysis, cultivating a community of empowerment and professional growth. At ABAVerzus, she leads innovative initiatives that revolutionize ABA events, creating engaging experiences that unite and celebrate the ABA community. Her dedication to empowering clinicians and fostering networking opportunities is evident in her work, making her a respected leader in the field.

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Follow Kelly!

Linkedin:  Kelly Baird

Facebook: Kelly Perry

Instagram: @thatskelly4yo

@bwibaad

@abaverzus

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Review our show⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Apple Podcasts

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Read excerpts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from the episode on my website

Behavior Bites is hosted by Rosie Jeffers, MAT, BCBA, LABA

Chat with me on Instagram!— ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rosie.eats.bx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠