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

Mentioned In This Episode:
ABA Education Center
Measuring What Matters: Meaningful Outcomes with the MOTAS Assessment CEU Event
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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

Mentioned In This Episode:

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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

Mentioned In This Episode:

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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

Mentioned In This Episode:
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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

Mentioned In This Episode:
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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

Mentioned In This Episode:
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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

Mentioned In This Episode:
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Multicultural Classroom Website
Multicultural Classroom on Instagram
Multicultural Classroom on TikTok
Multicultural Classroom on YouTube

Are social skills groups a powerful way to build real-life connections, or just another artificial setting that doesn’t translate beyond the session? In this episode, we dive into the debate, weighing the pros and cons of group-based instruction. Drawing from years of experience, we explore what makes these groups succeed, where they fall short, and why context, individual goals, and generalization matter more than any set curriculum.

We discuss why some learners thrive in structured social settings while others need more natural, individualized approaches. From parent expectations to learner preferences, emotional regulation challenges, and the importance of staff involvement, we unpack what it really takes to make a social group effective. Whether you’re running a center-based program or supporting students in a classroom, this episode is packed with honest insights to help you decide when and how to use social skills groups…and when to rethink them entirely.

What’s Inside:

• The pros and cons of group-based instruction
• Why some learners thrive in structured social settings and others don’t
• Tips to help you decide when and how to use social skills groups

Mentioned In This Episode:

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Join the BX Resource Community

For over 20 years, Model Me Kids has helped learners build real-world social skills through evidence-based video modeling. We sat down with founder Sue Klein to explore how it all began, from cutting out magazine clippings and mailing DVDs to launching a fully customizable streaming platform used by educators, therapists, and families across the country. Sue shares the origin story of Model Me Kids, the thinking behind its peer-led, real-life video format, and how it’s evolved to support learners of all ages and abilities.

We also dive into the teaching strategies that make video modeling so effective, like clear visual storyboards, built-in repetition, and role-play opportunities, and how the new data tracker will make progress easier to monitor and share. Whether you're working with preschoolers, teens, or young adults, Model Me Kids provides practical, engaging tools to help learners build confidence and social understanding in everyday life.

Want to try Model Me Kids yourself? Use promo code ABA25Plus for 25% off!

What’s Inside:

• How and why Sue created Model Me Kids
• Why video modeling is an effective teaching strategy
• A walkthrough of the features included in Model Me Kids

Mentioned In This Episode:
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How to ABA on YouTube
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Model Me Kids Website

Have you ever written a social skills goal that looked great on paper but didn’t lead to real-life success? In this conversation, we dive into how to create meaningful social skills goals that build genuine connection, confidence, and independence. We explore why social skills aren't one-size-fits-all and how to align goals with each learner’s personality, preferences, and values—whether that means navigating a busy store, joining a classroom routine, or connecting over a shared interest.

We also share common mistakes to avoid (like rote teaching and checklist-style goals) and offer practical strategies like values-based assessments, role-play, video modeling, and meaningful data collection. Whether you're working with verbal or non-verbal learners, young kids or teens, we show you how to build social goals that make a real impact on their terms, in their world.

Need more support? Join our next CEU event, How to Approach Social Skills Like a Behavior Analyst, on July 10th. Click the link below for more details!

What’s Inside:

• How to create meaningful, impactful social skills goals
• How to align goals to each unique learner
• Common mistakes to avoid

Mentioned In This Episode:
HowToABA.com/join
How to ABA on YouTube
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Join Our Next CEU Event