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How can BCBAs foster trust with families and make parent training more effective through empathy and realistic goals?

In this episode, Penina sits down with Megan Patton to explore the power of relationship-building, open communication, and honest expectations in the BCBA-parent dynamic.

Key Questions Explored in the Episode:

• How did Megan Patton’s journey lead her to becoming a BCBA?
• What makes parent training effective in the ABA field?
• How can empathy and rapport transform the parent-professional relationship?
• What are some of the biggest misconceptions about ABA?
• How do BCBAs balance professional responsibilities with their personal roles as parents?

Summary:

Megan Patton shares her personal and professional experiences in the world of Applied Behavior Analysis. With a focus on the importance of empathy and transparency, Megan discusses how she supports parents by first building trust and then guiding them with realistic and actionable strategies. The conversation highlights how her dual perspective—as a BCBA and as a parent—helps her connect with families on a deeper level. She also addresses common challenges in parent training, offers mindset shifts for professionals, and encourages BCBAs to meet families where they are.

About the Guest:

Megan Patton is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst known for her compassionate and practical approach to supporting families with autistic children. With firsthand experience both professionally and personally, she brings a unique perspective to parent training that bridges clinical knowledge with emotional intelligence.

Key Takeaways:

• Empathy and connection are foundational to effective parent training.
• Parent training should focus on collaboration, not compliance.
• Misconceptions about ABA can be corrected through education and relationship-building.
• Realistic goal-setting builds confidence in both parents and children.
• BCBAs who are also parents bring valuable insight and relatability to their work.

Time Stamps:

00:00 Meet Megan

01:33 Megan's Journey into BCBA

04:05 Parent Training and Advocacy

04:28 Balancing BCBA and Parenthood

06:48 Effective Parent Training Strategies

13:40 Challenges and Solutions in Parent Training

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Ready to bring more empathy into your parent training sessions?

Tune in to the full episode for practical strategies and real-world insights from Megan Patton.