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

I still remember what it felt like to walk into a therapy session and have no idea how to move forward.
Early in my career, I was working with autistic learners with complex communication and behavioral needs, and I quickly realized graduate school had not prepared me for everything I was seeing. I wanted to help, but I didn’t always have practical strategies I could use when a learner struggled to attend, engage, or communicate. That experience sent me searching for better answers and ultimately shaped the way I practice today.
More than 20 years later, I want clinicians to have something I desperately needed back then: support, practical education, and a community that helps you feel confident about what to do next.
That’s why I created the ABA Speech Connection. It brings speech therapists, BCBAs, and RBTs together to learn evidence-based strategies, earn CEUs, collaborate, and immediately apply what they’re learning with autistic students. From AAC and functional communication to clinical roundtables and live learning, everything is designed to make professional development practical and useful.
You don’t have to spend hours searching for your next CEU or wonder whether you’re doing enough. You can have a place to learn, ask questions, and keep growing alongside professionals who care about helping every student communicate with the world.
#autism #speechtherapy
What’s Inside:
Why my early clinical experiences shaped the ABA Speech Connection
How ongoing education can build confidence and strengthen clinical practice
Practical learning around AAC, communication, and evidence-based intervention
How the Connection supports individuals and professional teams
Mentioned In This Episode:
Say It With Me by Rose Griffin
AAC Mastery for SLPs and BCBAs
Earn CEUs with a community of peers. Join the ABA Speech Connection
ABA Speech: Home

What happens when collaboration is built into a practice from the very beginning? The results can be powerful for clinicians, families, and most importantly, the children we serve.
I love hearing how different professionals find their path, and Colleen Lama's story is such a great reminder that unexpected career moments can lead to something even better. As both a speech-language pathologist and BCBA, she shares how becoming dual certified helped her better support autistic learners and inspired her to create a practice where speech therapy, occupational therapy, and ABA truly work together. We also talk about the realities of growing a multidisciplinary practice, from navigating insurance challenges to building a team that values collaboration and family-centered care. If you've ever wondered what it looks like to provide coordinated services under one roof, I think you'll find plenty of practical insights and encouragement here.

#autism #speechtherapy
What’s Inside:
Why Colleen became both an SLP and BCBA, and how that shaped her career
The benefits of offering speech, OT, and ABA in one collaborative practice
Challenges that come with multidisciplinary care and how strong communication keeps teams aligned
How the ABA Speech Connection supports ongoing learning for SLPs, BCBAs, and RBTs
Mentioned In This Episode:
Lama Pediatric Therapy
Selective Mutism, Anxiety and Communication
AAC Mastery for SLPs and BCBAs
Earn CEUs with a community of peers. Join the ABA Speech Connection
ABA Speech: Home

Comparing vocabulary instruction for children who use AAC is not a one size fits all decision, and that is exactly what makes this conversation so valuable.
Vocabulary intervention is one of the topics I get asked about most often, and there is still so much to learn about the best ways to support children who use AAC. I’m joined by Dr. Courtney Trevino to unpack her research comparing explicit vocabulary instruction with more naturalistic, incidental teaching. We explore what each approach looks like in practice, how vocabulary was selected for the study, and what the findings can teach us as clinicians.
One strategy that really stood out to me was navigation description, talking out loud through the path you take to find a word on an AAC system. It is such a practical way to support learning, while also helping parents, teachers, RBTs, and other team members become more confident using AAC. I walked away thinking differently about how I teach vocabulary, and I think you will too. If you are looking for practical, research-backed ideas that you can start using right away, this conversation is full of them.
#autism #speechtherapy

What’s Inside:
Why explicit vocabulary instruction led to stronger word learning outcomes
How navigation description can support both AAC users and communication partners
Choosing vocabulary for early AAC learners, including developmental versus core words
Practical ways to blend structured teaching into everyday therapy
Mentioned In This Episode:
Comparing Two Vocabulary Interventions for Children Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Dr. Courtney Trevino
AAC Mastery for SLPs and BCBAs
Earn CEUs with a community of peers. Join the ABA Speech Connection
ABA Speech: Home

Building a business that reflects your values takes more than hard work. It takes intention, clear systems, and a vision that keeps you grounded when growth starts to feel overwhelming.
Stephen Smith and I explore what it really takes to build an ethical, sustainable ABA practice without losing sight of why you started in the first place. We talk about the importance of defining your vision early, especially if you're starting a business with a partner, and why having the right legal and financial support can save you from major headaches down the road.
We also dive into delegation, something every business owner struggles with at some point. Letting go of tasks can feel uncomfortable, but creating systems, documenting processes, and trusting your team are essential if you want to avoid burnout and create a business that can grow beyond you. I also share a few of the books and tools that have helped me think differently about leadership, delegation, and protecting my own creativity as a business owner. Whether you're just getting started or looking to strengthen an established practice, I think you'll walk away with practical ideas you can put into action right away.
#autism #speechtherapy
What’s Inside:
Why every clinic owner needs a clear vision before focusing on growth
Business systems, delegation, and avoiding burnout
The legal and financial foundations every practice should have
Practical books, tools, and strategies for building a sustainable business

Mentioned In This Episode:
Grab Say it With Me
The ABA Business Leader's Guide by Stephen Smith
3 Pie Squared
Earn CEUs with a community of peers. Join the ABA Speech Connection
ABA Speech: Home

If you've ever wondered whether constant stress is simply part of being a helping professional, this conversation is for you. Burnout isn't a badge of honor, and crying in your car or pushing through physical symptoms shouldn't be considered normal.
I’m joined by Tiffany N. Arango to explore what clinician wellness really looks like and why so many dedicated professionals end up running on empty. Tiffany shares her own experience of reaching severe burnout while working in what she believed was her dream job, and how that experience changed the direction of her career. We talk about the workplace red flags that are easy to overlook, why so many of us normalize unhealthy environments, and how psychological flexibility can help us respond with intention instead of simply surviving each day.
We also explore the role leaders play in creating healthy workplace cultures and why genuine care for employees should never be viewed as a weakness. Whether you're a speech therapist, BCBA, RBT, or another helping professional, I hope this conversation reminds you that your well-being matters just as much as the people you serve. If you're feeling overwhelmed, please know you don't have to navigate it alone. Reach out, find your community, and seek support.

#autism #speechtherapy
What’s Inside:
Red flags that can signal workplace burnout
How psychological flexibility supports clinician well-being
Practical ways leaders can create healthier workplace cultures
Why caring for yourself is essential to caring for others
Mentioned In This Episode:
Grab Say it With Me
The Behavior Station
Earn CEUs with a community of peers. Join the ABA Speech Connection
ABA Speech: Home