Claim OwnershipThe How to ABA Podcast
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© 2026 The How to ABA Podcast
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We are Shira and Shayna and we are so excited to bring you our first podcast episode of How to ABA! We are both BCBAs with over twenty years of experience, and as you can imagine, we have created and gathered so many resources in that time. We want to share them with you! That’s why we are here, and that’s why we created this podcast. If you are new to the world of ABA, are looking for new resources, or just looking for a fresh perspective, you’re in the right place!
236 Episodes
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In this episode, we’re diving deep into something that sits at the heart of everything we do in ABA: reinforcement. Not just reinforcement that works today, but reinforcement that is sustainable, meaningful, and built to last. Too often, we see systems burn out learners and staff alike because they are too rigid, too sparse, or misunderstood altogether. We walk through why reinforcement systems get such a bad rap, common mistakes we see in practice, and why “it doesn’t work” usually means th...
As we wrap up the year, we wanted to pause and reflect on what 2025 has looked like for us personally and professionally. From family milestones and personal growth to travel, learning, and finding better balance, we start by sharing some of the moments that shaped our year behind the scenes. We then zoom out and reflect on everything that happened at How to ABA. We talk about new collaborations, incredible guests who joined us on the podcast, conferences we attended and sponsored, and the g...
When you start your first BCBA caseload, it is easy to wonder what should actually be in your toolkit. We have both been there, and over the years we have learned which materials truly make sessions smoother, teaching more engaging, and data collection manageable. In this conversation, we walk through the essentials we rely on every day, from assessments to data tools to reinforcers to those simple visual supports that can make all the difference. We share why beginner assessments like the AB...
Burnout is not only exhaustion. It is that sinking feeling of being out of alignment with what matters most. In this episode, we open up about the real challenges BCBAs and therapists face: overwhelming caseloads, lack of follow-through, and situations we cannot control. Instead of pushing through the pressure, we explore how ACT helps us acknowledge our feelings, name what is really happening, and reconnect with our values. We talk about psychological flexibility, common thought traps, and ...
Starting your career as a BCBA can be exciting, but it’s easy to stumble if you don’t know the common pitfalls. In this conversation, we unpack the biggest mistakes new BCBAs make and how to avoid them so you can build confidence, create meaningful programs, and set yourself and your clients up for success. We talk about why skipping a thorough assessment can derail your programming, how to choose the right assessment tool for each learner, and why focusing on compassion over compliance makes...
Are behaviorism and ACT really two different worlds, or have we been separating concepts that naturally belong together? In this episode, we dig into how Acceptance and Commitment Training actually grew out of behaviorism, and why understanding that relationship can make our work more compassionate, flexible, and effective. We talk about what compassion looks like in ABA beyond troubleshooting and problem-solving. Sometimes the most powerful intervention is simply acknowledging a child’s fr...
When it comes to BCBA supervision, are we just checking boxes or shaping confident, ethical clinicians? In this episode, we unpack how to move beyond paperwork to create meaningful, individualized supervision that actually prepares our trainees for real-world practice. We talk about the parallels between supervision and parenting—knowing when to let go, when to guide, and how to build independence with purpose. You’ll hear why the task list is an essential foundation but not the whole pictur...
As BCBAs, we all know how challenging it can be to keep up with the latest research while managing the demands of daily practice. In this conversation with Dr. Adam Ventura, CEO of Intraverbal AI, we explore how technology can make evidence-based care more accessible for behavior analysts everywhere. We talk about “the big binder problem,” how AI can help replace piles of research papers with instant, research-backed answers, and what it really means to practice augmented intelligence—not art...
Great supervision is the foundation of great ABA, but it often feels like one more thing on an already full plate. In this episode, we talk about why effective, compassionate supervision matters and how our Supervision Bundle can make it easier to manage. We share why mentorship is so important for shaping confident, ethical BCBAs and how poor supervision can ripple through client outcomes. Good supervision isn’t just checking boxes—it’s balancing science and compassion, setting clear expect...
We’ve all written those “perfect” behavior plans that look great on paper but somehow never make it off the clipboard. In this conversation, we dig into the real reason plans succeed or fail: buy-in. Because even the most data-driven plan doesn’t matter if no one actually follows it. We share practical strategies for turning technical documents into living, breathing plans that teachers, parents, and teams want to use. From simplifying language and creating one-page cheat sheets to setting j...
What happens when ABA meets developmental science? The Early Start Denver Model, or ESDM, reminds us that evidence-based practice can also be compassionate and deeply connected. In this conversation, we talk about how ESDM blends the science of ABA with developmental and play-based teaching for our youngest learners. We explore what makes ESDM unique: its focus on joint attention, social reciprocity, and developmental milestones for toddlers and preschoolers. It is not separate from ABA; it ...
When we say “natural,” it’s easy to imagine free play and child-led sessions where the therapist simply follows along. But natural doesn’t mean unplanned. Behind every playful moment is an opportunity for intentional teaching, and the best play-based sessions are those that blend spontaneity with strategy. In this conversation, we talk about how to plan for play in a way that still feels natural and fun. We compare it to hosting a birthday party—you wouldn’t invite a group of kids and hope f...
ABA has often been seen as a field rooted in compliance: sit still, follow directions, and finish the task. But is that really the foundation for meaningful progress? We believe the future of ABA lies not in control, but in connection. In this conversation, we reframe what it means to support learners with compassion, trust, and respect. We share why focusing on relationships first creates lasting change and how boundaries can be set with kindness instead of fear. You’ll hear stories from ou...
Reassessments often sneak up on us, and it can feel like just another box to check. But when used well, they are one of the most powerful tools we have to make sure our programming is meaningful and effective. In this conversation, we explore how progress monitoring and reassessment work hand in hand and why they should never feel like wasted time. We share stories from our own experiences as BCBAs and parents, where skipping reassessment led to missed progress and frustration. It is a remind...
What does it mean when the work you love starts leaving you drained or detached? That’s the reality of burnout, and in the field of ABA, it’s more common than we think. In this conversation, we look at how self-compassion can be one of the strongest defenses against burnout and why it doesn’t mean you care any less about your job. We break down what burnout really is, how to spot the early signs, and why recognizing it as a signal, not a failure, is key. You’ll hear how strategies like job cr...
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 teachab...
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 a...
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’l...
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 l...
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 ton...
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I love this podcast so much
I love the show. This is my favorite ABA podcast that I have found! Keep up the good work!!