The ABA Speech Podcast- Easy Strategies for Speech Therapists, BCBAs, and RBTs

In this reprise episode, I’m revisiting an important conversation with Dr. Michael Selbst and Dr. Jeniffer Cruz about Pathological Demand Avoidance, often called PDA. I began getting more questions about PDA as clinicians and parents shared concerns about students who weren’t responding to traditional strategies and seemed to escalate around even small or well-intended demands.In this episode, we break down what PDA is and how it’s currently understood. While PDA is not a formal diagnosis in the United States, it’s often described internationally as a profile rooted in anxiety and a strong drive for control. Dr. Selbst and Dr. Cruz explain how both explicit demands, like being told to complete a task, and implied demands, such as routines or social expectations, can trigger a fight, flight, or freeze response.We also explore why compliance-based systems and reward-driven approaches often don’t work for learners with this profile. Even positive strategies can increase anxiety when they rely on external control. Instead, this conversation focuses on shifting toward collaboration over compliance, building trust, and reducing power struggles so regulation can come first.What I appreciate most is how practical this discussion is. We talk about language, tone, and small changes adults can make to better support regulation, communication, and independence.#autism #speechtherapyWhat’s Inside:What Pathological Demand Avoidance is and how it differs from defiance or noncomplianceWhy anxiety-driven responses make compliance-based strategies ineffectiveHow shifting from compliance to collaboration supports regulation and trustPractical ways to adjust language, expectations, and support for PDA learnersMentioned In This Episode:Dr. Selbst and Dr. Cruz have the authority to practice interjurisdictional telepsychology (APIT) from the PSYPACT commission, allowing them to provide telepsychology to clients in many states. To see if your state is included, please click on this link: https://psypact.site-ym.com/page/psypactmap PDA SocietyBehavior Therapy AssociatesJoin the aba speech connection  ABA Speech: Home

Functional Communication Training can change everything when behavior is really communication and we take the time to listen.In this reprise episode, I’m revisiting one of our most popular conversations of the year, all about Functional Communication Training and how to get started in a way that is practical, ethical, and truly supportive for students. I hear so many questions about what to do when students are struggling to express their needs and emotions and how to move beyond problem behavior into meaningful communication. This conversation with Dr. Bethjoy Houck gives you a clear, research-based way forward.We walk through what Functional Communication Training actually is, why it is different from simple mand training, and why identifying the true function of behavior through assessment is essential before jumping into intervention. We also break down how to thoughtfully select functional communication responses so they are easy to prompt, meaningful to the learner, and sustainable across environments. Whether you are a speech-language pathologist, BCBA, RBT, or parent, this episode is filled with real-world examples that bring the research to life and help you apply FCT with confidence and compassion.#autism #speechtherapyWhat’s Inside:What Functional Communication Training really is, and why it goes beyond basic mand trainingWhy identifying the function of behavior is essential before implementing FCTHow to select communication responses that are easy to prompt, ethical, and effectivePractical examples of using AAC, visuals, and object exchange to support meaningful communicationMentioned In This Episode:A Practitioner’s Guide for Selecting Functional Communication ResponsesJoin the aba speech connection  ABA Speech: Home

Strength training and structured fitness can transform quality of life for autistic and neurodivergent individuals. Eric Chessen began developing meaningful fitness programs after realizing there was almost no guidance on how to safely and effectively support this population. His work focuses on bridging the gap between exercise science and positive behavior support so individuals of all ability levels can build strength, confidence, and long-term independence.We discuss why traditional motivations for fitness (like aesthetics or sports performance) often don’t apply to neurodivergent athletes and how professionals can create programs that prioritize functional movement, daily living skills, and proactive behavior support. Eric explains why “stronger is safer,” how resistance training supports fall prevention and mobility, and why distinguishing structured exercise from loosely defined movement is essential. He also highlights collaboration opportunities with SLPs, OTs, BCBAs, and parents, sharing how fitness can be integrated into therapy sessions in consistent, scalable ways.For clinicians, educators, and families wanting to bring structured, neuroaffirming fitness into their work, Eric offers Autism Fitness certifications worldwide, along with site-based programming and individualized athlete coaching. For more information, check out his website below.#autism #speechtherapyWhat’s Inside:How Eric combined behavior science and exercise science to develop fitness programs for neurodivergent individualsWhy strength training is foundational for independence, mobility, and long-term healthThe difference between “moving around” and a true, structured exercise programHow proactive, energizing movement can support regulation and reduce challenging behaviorsWays SLPs, OTs, BCBAs, and parents can integrate fitness into therapy through scalable, consistent routinesWhat Autism Fitness certification offers for professionals and families who want to bring meaningful fitness into their practiceMentioned In This Episode:Autism Fitness WebsiteJoin the aba speech connection  ABA Speech: Home

“We can’t sleep for them, but we can support and set the stage for healthy sleep”. Guest Nicole Shallow, M.Ed., BCBA joins the show to talk about supporting sleep through a compassionate, neuroaffirming, science-based lens. Nicole works with families whose autistic children struggle with falling asleep, bedtime resistance, night waking, or inconsistent sleep schedules—helping parents understand where to begin when exhaustion and overwhelm have taken over.We discuss what makes someone a good candidate for sleep coaching and how behavior analysts can look beyond behavior alone by considering factors like diet, medical needs, and overall wellness. Nicole walks us through how she supports families with clear start dates, meaningful data collection, and recommendations tailored to each child’s unique sleep profile.Nicole also shares five core sleep support tips that families and clinicians can start using right away:Consistent Wake TimeSleeping in can make nights harder. Work toward steady morning wake times to anchor the day.Diet & NutritionSupport families in creating a more balanced diet and identify barriers that may be impacting sleep quality.Bedtime Resistance & ConnectionPrioritize connection and co-regulation—offer fully present, attuned attention in the hour before bedtime.Outdoor Time & Daylight ExposureDaylight helps regulate circadian rhythm. Brainstorm safe ways to increase outdoor time.Medical ConsiderationsRule out medical issues that could be impacting sleep. A doctor’s perspective can bring clarity and direction.For BCBAs interested in becoming more confident in sleep support, Nicole offers a Sleep Certification Program every February and September. More information can be found at her website.#autism #speechtherapy What’s Inside:Who is a good candidate for sleep coachingKey factors that interfere with consistent sleepHow BCBAs can collaborate across diet, medical, and wellness concernsNicole’s framework for supporting families: start dates, data tracking, and individualized plansFive practical sleep tips families can start using todayDetails about Nicole’s Sleep Certification Program for BCBAsMentioned In This Episode:Nicole Shallow., M.Ed., BCBA - LinkedInYour Behaviour GalSleep Expert & Behavior Analyst - Nicole Shallow, M.Ed on InstagramJoin the aba speech connection  ABA Speech: Home

Emily Kearney, BCBA, who has been working in the field since 1999, joins the show to dive into a topic we haven’t explored in depth before: matching as a skill. Though it may seem simple, matching is foundational for learners of all ages. This critical skill supports language, play, leisure, problem solving, and actions across the lifespan.We discuss how matching isn’t always identical—it can be based on features, categories, or associations—and how it develops from early learning readiness into more complex skills for older learners. Emily highlights teaching strategies like multiple exemplar training and ensuring stimulus control by using the variety of cues learners encounter in real-world settings. For example, a “cup” can vary in material, size, color, shape, or function, but learning to recognize it in all its forms builds observation skills, problem-solving, and perseverance.For older learners, we explore adding a language component, asking questions like “how do you know it’s a match?” to encourage reasoning and verbalization. Matching isn’t just a simple game; it's a prerequisite for broader communication, life, and learning.For questions or mentorship opportunities, reach out to Emily at [email protected].#autism #speechtherapyWhat’s Inside:Why matching is a critical skill across all agesMatching isn't about just finding identical matchesTeaching strategies including multiple exemplar training and stimulus controlReal-world examples to generalize matching skills across environmentsThe language component of matching for older learnersMentioned In This Episode:Join the aba speech connection  ABA Speech: Home