What does it look like to take developmental goals off the page and bring them to life during play, snack time, or cleanup? That’s the beauty of the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM). In this conversation, we explore how natural routines create powerful learning opportunities without forcing children to stop playing or sit at a table.

We share why ESDM is such a strong fit for very young learners and how it breaks down early milestones like pointing, joint attention, and requesting into teachable steps. More than a checklist of targets, it is about building pivotal skills that open the door to lifelong learning. And because it blends developmental norms with ABA strategies, it helps us meet kids exactly where they are, while keeping interactions fun and meaningful.

From sensory social routines to embedding goals into everyday moments, we talk through practical ways you can use ESDM strategies with your own learners. You will also hear how this approach makes teaching more engaging for both kids and practitioners. 

What’s Inside: 

• How ESDM supports very early learners through play and routines
• Why embedding goals in natural contexts boosts engagement and generalization
• Practical strategies for using sensory social routines to build connection

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Play with Purpose: Integrating ESDM and Naturalistic Teaching in Autism Intervention
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Assessments are more than forms to complete or boxes to tick. They are the foundation for building programs that truly matter to our learners. In this conversation, we unpack how to move beyond surface-level evaluations and use assessments as powerful tools for understanding strengths, identifying gaps, and setting meaningful goals.

Too often, assessments get mistaken for curriculum, leading to cookie-cutter programs that don’t reflect the individual needs of the learner. We discuss how to avoid this trap by reframing assessments as a starting point, not the destination. You’ll hear strategies for finding the right balance between thoroughness and efficiency, so learners don’t lose months of programming while assessments drag on.

We also talk about the importance of clinical judgment: why assessments belong in the hands of BCBAs and how to use results to shape goals that connect directly to the learner’s real-world needs. If you’ve ever felt bogged down by assessment requirements or questioned how to make them more meaningful, this episode will help you approach them with clarity and confidence.

What’s Inside:

• Why assessments should guide programming, not become the program
• How to balance thoroughness with timely implementation
• Tips for choosing meaningful, functional goals that go beyond checklists

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Assessments are essential in ABA, but are we always using them the right way? Too often, assessments become a box-checking exercise rather than a true guide to meaningful intervention. In this conversation, we revisit the foundations of ABA assessments and explore how to move beyond simply filling in grids and scoring sheets.

We look at some of the most widely used tools, including the ABLLS, VB-MAPP, and Early Start Denver Model, and share how to choose the right one for your learner. You’ll learn why assessments are not the same as curriculum, and how mistaking one for the other can lead to cookie-cutter programs that miss individual needs. Instead, we highlight how assessments should serve as a starting point, giving you a baseline to individualize treatment goals and track progress over time.

You’ll also hear updates on newer tools like the MOTAS (Meaningful Outcomes Treatment and Assessment Scale) and the IGL (Inventory of Good Learner Repertoires), which can help bridge the gap between assessment data and real-world functional progress.

If you’ve ever wondered how to make assessments feel less overwhelming and more impactful, this episode will give you practical strategies and a fresh perspective.

What’s Inside:

• Why assessments are not curriculum
• Choosing the right tool for the right learner
• Updates on MOTAS and IGL for functional outcomes
• Tips for making assessments efficient and individualized

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What does it take to grow an ABA practice while creating tools that transform the way we assess and support learners? In this conversation with Dr. Anika Hoybjerg, CEO of ABA Education Center and co-creator of The MOTAS assessment, we explore her inspiring journey in the field and the innovations she is bringing to ABA.

Anika shares how her early experiences in Special Olympics and school psychology shaped her perspective and how personal connections to autism led her to open one of Utah’s largest ABA centers. She also takes us inside the creation of The MOTAS, a comprehensive assessment tool designed to build independence and self-advocacy for learners of all ages. From teaching digital safety to fostering self-advocacy in IEP meetings, The MOTAS provides a framework that goes beyond basic life skills to prepare individuals for real-world success.

If you are looking for fresh ideas on assessment, practical strategies for promoting independence, and inspiration from a leader who balances compassion with innovation, this episode is for you.

What’s Inside:

• How personal experiences shaped Anika’s path into ABA
• The story behind opening and expanding ABA Education Center
• Why The MOTAS was created and how it fills gaps left by other assessments
• Practical ways to teach independence and self-advocacy skills
• Insights on blending neuroscience, trauma-informed care, and ABA practice

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ABA Education Center
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Hard conversations are part of ABA practice, whether it is addressing a parent’s concerns or coaching a staff member. These moments can feel stressful, yet when handled with empathy and clarity, they can actually build trust and strengthen relationships.

In this episode, we share practical ways to approach these discussions with confidence, compassion, and purpose. You will learn why avoiding them often makes problems grow, how soft skills like active listening and humility can shift the tone, and strategies to set boundaries while keeping collaboration strong. We also touch on current research in compassionate ABA and humble behaviorism, showing why these skills are essential for effective practice.

What’s Inside:

• Why avoiding tough talks can hurt client progress
• How soft skills create better professional connections
• Tips for balancing honesty, respect, and confidence

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Episode 133: The BST Model – Behavioral Skills Training

Being a skilled BCBA isn’t just about assessments and behavior plans. It’s also about human connection. In this episode, we dive into the soft skills that elevate clinical practice, from building trust with caregivers to using plain language and active listening. We explore what compassionate care really looks like in everyday interactions and share personal stories, practical examples, and lessons learned from years in the field. 

The conversation also covers the power of empathy, body language, and cultural humility, as well as how self-awareness and flexibility can improve both your outcomes and your relationships. Whether you're leading a team, supporting a family, or sitting with a child during a tough moment, this episode reminds us that compassion and competence go hand in hand and that showing up with kindness can make all the difference.

What’s Inside:

• Practical ways to build trust through plain language and active listening
• Why soft skills like empathy and flexibility matter just as much as data
• How self-awareness can strengthen both your relationships and outcomes

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Join our CEU Event: Compassionate Competence

Labels matter. In this conversation, we dive into the language we use as ABA professionals and how it shapes the way we see learners, their needs, and their potential. Terms like “non-verbal,” “low-functioning,” and “compliance” may seem convenient, but they can limit how we approach teaching and supporting individuals.

We discuss why language is never neutral and how shifting our words can promote more compassionate and individualized care. From understanding diverse learning profiles to moving beyond narrow expectations, we explore the importance of flexibility in both mindset and methods. You’ll hear how learner-led programming, naturalistic teaching, and values-driven goals can change the way we deliver services.

You’ll also take away practical strategies for reframing how you write goals, share information with families, and advocate for your clients.

What’s Inside:

• Why ABA professionals must rethink labels like “low-functioning”
• How to recognize and support different learning styles
• Tips for using strengths-based, person-first language
• Ideas for goal writing that prioritize quality of life over compliance

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Is “non-compliance” really the problem, or just a reflection of our own expectations? Here, we unpack one of the most overused and misunderstood terms in ABA: non-compliance. We explore why this label can mask important context, such as unmet needs, skill deficits, or valid self-advocacy. Instead of jumping to conclusions, we may need to ask better questions: What are we asking the learner to do? Why? And is it truly necessary?

We share practical strategies for rethinking how we define, document, and respond to refusal, from replacing vague language in session notes to setting boundaries with kindness. You’ll also hear how cultural values, family expectations, and adult bias can shape how “compliance” is perceived and why collaboration, communication, and compassion should lead the way. If you’ve ever questioned how to balance boundaries and autonomy, this conversation will give you fresh tools and confidence.

What’s Inside:

• Why “non-compliance” might not mean what you think it does
• How to shift from power struggles to skill-building and cooperation
• Tips for writing objective, bias-free treatment plans

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Cooperation Over Compliance Video Series

Teaching social skills doesn’t always stick, but what if we could make it both effective and engaging? In this conversation, we explore how pairing Behavioral Skills Training (BST) with video modeling can create more meaningful, lasting social skill development. We break down how these two evidence-based strategies work together, walking through each phase of BST and showing how video can supercharge the process, especially for visual learners.

We also share practical insights from our own experiences, like how using self-video during the feedback phase helps learners reflect, laugh, and grow without overwhelm. Plus, we cover the importance of keeping it simple: targeting one clear skill at a time, praising successes, and building confidence through positive reinforcement. Whether you're a therapist, teacher, or parent, this episode offers smart, doable ways to level up your social skills teaching toolkit.

What’s Inside:

• How to use BST and video modeling when teaching social skills
• Real-world insights from our own experiences with video modeling
• Why it’s important to keep your approach simple

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BST and Video Modeling 

For Lorena and Roberto Germán, teaching isn’t just about content; it’s about connection. In this episode, they share how their work through Multicultural Classroom transforms how educators approach professional development, cultural responsiveness, and student-centered instruction. With decades of experience in classrooms and school leadership, they break down what it means to move from theory to practice. Lorena and Roberto offer real strategies that help educators navigate bias, build stronger relationships, and create learning environments where all students feel seen.

We also explore the tension between data and humanity, the impact of cultural context in behavioral support, and why celebrating non-tested wins matters just as much as academic outcomes. From honoring student voice to recognizing implicit bias, Lorena and Roberto challenge educators and behavior analysts alike to reflect deeply and act intentionally. Whether you're in a classroom, consulting in schools, or leading professional development, this episode offers tools and insights to help you practice with more awareness, care, and impact.

What’s Inside:

• How Lorena and Roberto’s work through Multicultural Classroom is transforming educators
• The impact cultural context has in behavioral support
• Tools and insights to bring more awareness into your practice

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Multicultural Classroom Website
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Multicultural Classroom on YouTube