Moms On Their Best Behavior

Today we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Erik Carter. Dr. Carter is the Luther Sweet Endowed Chair in Disabilities and the Professor of Educational Psychology at Baylor University. His research and writing focus on principle-driven and research-based strategies for promoting inclusion and belonging for children and adults with disabilities. He serves as the Executive Director of the new Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing which aims to promote the thriving of people with disabilities and their families.

Today in our conversation with Dr. Carter, we explore what real inclusion looks like for people with disabilities in churches and other community settings. Dr. Carter shares with us his practical low barrier steps to help faith communities and the community at large create spaces where everyone finds meaningful connections and where everyone belongs.

You can get involved with Dr. Carter’s research studies below:

Study on Parenting, Patience, and Disability: Your Voice is Needed  

https://disability.research.baylor.edu/patience

Raising Texas Voices to Support the Families Navigating Disability 

 https://disability.research.baylor.edu/focus-areas/families/raising-texas-voices/participate-survey 

Today we have the pleasure of speaking with Sasha Long, BCBA. Sasha is the founder and president of The Autism Helper, Inc. She is a board certified behavior analyst and former special education teacher. Sasha works full time as a consultant, writer, and behavior analyst. Sasha manages and writes The Autism Helper Blog, as a way to share easy to use and ready to implement strategies and ideas. Sasha also travels internationally as a speaker and consultant providing individualized training and feedback to parents, educators, therapists and administrators in the world of autism. She is currently an adjunct professor in the school of Applied Behavior Analysis at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

Today in our discussion with Sasha we discuss her journey to starting the Autism Helper Inc., resources she creates such as curriculum design and behavioral strategies, as well as important topics for professionals such as executive functioning and inclusion.

The Autism Helper Contacts:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Pinterest

Today we have the pleasure of speaking with Julia Chalker. Julia is the Director of The Arc of DFW Area, a role in which she is able to apply her 30+ years of experience in public education and advocacy for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and her personal experience as being sister to Bobby, who has autism.  She holds a B.S. in Special Education and a M.S.Ed. in Special Education & Transition, and she last served as Transition Coordinator in a school district, where she led initiatives to assist students in transitioning to adulthood.  Julia has served on the board of The Arc of DFW Area and REACH Centers for Independent Living, is certified in Person Centered Planning, and she enjoys working with siblings through the Sibshops (sibling support) program.  Julia is passionate about advocating for and protecting the rights of those with disabilities and for helping individuals and families navigate the supports, services, and knowledge required to ensure a quality life for everyone.

Today in our conversation we discuss her former and current roles and the importance of planning and preparing early to help prepare adults with disabilities for the transition to adulthood. We also discuss the current state of rights for those with disabilities and how to get involved in advocacy.

https://siblingsupport.org/sibshops/

https://www.reachcils.org

https://www.thearcofdfw.org

Today we have the pleasure of speaking with Kelsey Hunter. Kelsey is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and Licensed Behavior Specialist (LBS) with almost 10 years of experience supporting individuals and families with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), intellectual disabilities and severe behavior disorders. 

Kelsey is a skilled clinician that prides herself on her ability to provide meaningful connection, honesty and values based interventions to the individuals and families she works with. She aims to provide therapeutic support through a trauma informed, neurodiverse affirming (NDA) lens to caregivers, parents, and siblings who have loved ones with social learning differences.

Today in our conversation we discuss Kelsey’s current role as a BCBA working in an outpatient hospital setting. We discuss the diverse roles a behavior analyst can play in these types of medical settings, her interdisciplinary collaboration with other medical professionals, as well as using a caregiver only training model to help the patients and families that she serves.

Dr. Kathryn Unruh, PhD is an assistant research professor at the University of Kansas Life Span Institute. Her research interests include understanding the psychological and brain processes that underlie core features of autism and developing methods for measuring behaviors that are more closely tied to their underlying biological mechanisms. She is specifically interested in using this work to improve clinical trials in autism by advancing our ability to understand why interventions (pharmacological and behavioral) show variable effectiveness across individuals and by developing new ways to predict which individuals may benefit most from certain therapeutic options. 

Today in our conversation with Kathryn we discuss the importance of understanding the brain systems that underlie autism, Kathryn’s current research in better understanding pharmacological interventions for autism, as well as how the neuroscience and behavioral fields can work better alongside each other.

Autism Research Resources:

autismspeaks.org

autismsciencefoundation.org

nlm.nih.gov (National Library of Medicine)

sparkforautism.org

In today’s episode we are excited to share about our new company, Best Behavior Solutions!

Best Behavior Solutions, LLC aims to close the research to practice gap by training schools, churches, and businesses on how to include people of all abilities. We train on how to implement evidence-based behavior strategies in order to serve and support all individuals. We offer in person and online training and resources!

Please listen to learn our heart behind creating this business and how we can help support you and your community. We view every individual as valuable and capable 💙

Find us at:

@bestbehaviorsolutions

https://Bestbehaviorsolutions.org

Today we have the pleasure of speaking with with Jennifer Stracquadanio, BCBA, and Meghan Stenziano, the mom team of Moms Managing Behavior!

Meghan Stenziano is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Moms Managing Behavior, LLC, and a Special Education Teacher specializing in Applied Behavior Analysis. She received a master’s degree in Special Education from Rutgers University and is a certified elementary and special education teacher. She has over 20 years of experience working in the special education field in both private and public settings with students aged 5-21. Her areas of expertise have included parent training, staff development, and social skills training.

Jennifer Stracquadanio is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), Executive Director, and Co-Founder of Moms Managing Behavior, LLC. She holds a Master's degree in Special Education from Rutgers University and is a certified elementary and special education teacher. With extensive experience in both private and public settings, Jennifer has served as a special education teacher and BCBA for individuals across a wide age range, from elementary school students to adults, over the past 14 years.

Today in our conversation we talk through their unique approach to inclusion. Starting from the school setting, and moving outward to parents and community members. Jen and Megan share how using ABA strategies in all of these different setting help make them a more inclusive and accommodating place for people of all abilities.

You can find them online at:

@momsmanagingbehavior

Momsmanagingbehavior.com

Today we have the pleasure of speaking with Corrine Mercer, BCBA, LBA.

Corrinne Mercer is the Founder of Empower Adults Consulting, LLC, where she provides behavior support services for teens and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through insurance and Medicaid waiver programs. With over ten years of experience working with individuals with special needs, Corrinne has worn many hats — from special education teacher and BCBA to Clinical Director for an ABA therapy organization and Day Program Manager.

Today we discuss how she came to serve the adult population, the rewards and challenges of working with this population, and the importance of supporting the autonomy of those she serves in a safe manner.

Resources for Adults in Texas:

https://www.hhs.texas.gov/providers/long-term-care-providers/local-idd-authority-lidda

Yourtexasbenefits.com

https://mhmrtarrant.org

Today we have the pleasure of taking with Madyline Ekins, BCBA. Madyline is a Seattle-based author and a mom to two energetic boys. After more than a decade of experience in education and behavior, she holds a Master's in Special Education and is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst. It was through her work and the everyday adventures of raising her own children that she realized her true calling: helping kids build emotional resilience. Her debut book, Julian the Bear, was inspired by this passion and the loving support of her family.

During our conversation we discuss the importance of teaching social emotional skills for learners of all ages, Madyline’s amazing social skills camps she has created, as well as her new book that teaches using grounding techniques as a calming and coping strategy.

You can find Madyline’s book, Julian the Bear, on Amazon and Esty. And you can find her at @clubbranchingout

In today’s episode we get to talk with Dr. Shelby Dorsey, Ph.D, BCBA. Dr. Shelby Dorsey, is a neurodivergent behavior analyst, mom, and entrepreneur dedicated to bridging the gap between behavior science and everyday parenting. With more than 15 years of experience across Texas and Oklahoma, she specializes in parent training for neurodivergent families—equipping parents with practical, compassionate strategies that truly work in real life—and mentors BCBAs and ABA trainees to do the same.

After earning her Ph.D. in Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis, Shelby launched her own practice, blending clinical expertise with creativity and community building. Shelby also runs the SD store, an online boutique where behaviorist-inspired art meets wearable advocacy.

Today during our talk, Shelby shares her journey as both a professional and a parent, the common questions she hears from families, and the mindset shifts that make parent training more effective. Her biggest takeaway for listeners? Neither parenting nor parent training is about perfection—it’s about creating flexible, affirming systems that help kids and families thrive.

Explore her work, writing, and apparel at theSD.store, where behavior analysis meets creativity, community, and real-world impact.

@drshelbydorsey on IG

www.drshelbydorsey.com

www.thesd.store