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

AAC can feel overwhelming when you're not sure where to start, but you don't have to figure it all out on your own!
In this episode, I sit down with Laurie Shaw, a speech-language pathologist and LAMP Certified Professional, to answer some of the most common questions I hear about AAC. We talk about why motor planning matters and why moving buttons around on a communication device can actually make language learning more difficult. I love how Laurie explains the science behind keeping motor plans consistent!
We also discuss what to do when schools limit device access, how to think about core and fringe vocabulary, and practical ways to build your confidence as a clinician. One of my biggest takeaways is that AAC is about so much more than matching pictures to objects. We want to create meaningful, joyful experiences that help our students build real connections through communication.
If you're a speech therapist, BCBA, or educator looking to feel more confident supporting AAC users, this episode is for you!
#autism #speechtherapy
What’s Inside:
Understanding motor planning and consistent AAC layouts
Navigating school-based AAC challenges and device access
Choosing meaningful core and fringe vocabulary
Finding practical resources and training to grow your AAC confidence
Mentioned In This Episode:
Vocabulary in Toddlers: Study: Banajee, M., DiCarlo, C., & Stricklin, S. B. (2003), "Core Vocabulary Determination for Toddlers," Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 19(2), 67-73 Banajee word list
Touch to learn: Multisensory input supports word learning and processing
AAC Language Lab
Additional research and resources related to LAMP approach
Sign up for a LAMP workshop
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

Strong collaboration doesn't happen by accident. It takes intentional systems, ongoing communication, and a team that's willing to grow together!
Dr. Stephanie Nostin shares how she helped build speech and occupational therapy services within Verbal Beginnings, a large ABA organization. I love hearing how her team has created systems that make interdisciplinary collaboration more effective while supporting clinicians and families.

We explore how technology can simplify data collection, streamline documentation, and help providers develop coordinated treatment plans. One of my biggest takeaways is the importance of listening to employee feedback and refining systems over time. These changes can make a real difference in reducing clinician burnout!

We also get into AAC and how Stephanie's team prepares BCBAs, RBTs, and families to confidently support device use. I especially love their approach to hands-on caregiver training before sending a device home.
#autism #speechtherapy
What’s Inside:
Building collaborative ABA, speech, and OT services within a growing organization
Using technology to streamline documentation, data collection, and treatment planning
Creating sustainable systems through employee feedback and ongoing training
Supporting AAC implementation through team collaboration and caregiver education
Mentioned In This Episode:
Verbal Beginnings
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

I’m joined by Elaine Keuning and Dr. Sarah Heller to explore what meaningful collaboration between speech therapy and ABA can look like, especially when supporting AAC users with complex communication needs. We talk about those sometimes “prickly” beginnings between professionals and how curiosity, respect, and a shared goal can help teams find common ground.
We also dig into AAC beyond programming. A communication device needs to travel with the learner, become part of everyday routines, and support communication that matters now and years from now. I loved our discussion about thinking beyond percentages and trials and recognizing meaningful progress in the small shifts, like bringing the device on a walk, modeling away from the work table, or seeing a learner begin to seek out their communication system.
#autism #speechtherapy
What’s Inside:
Building stronger SLP and BCBA collaboration through shared roles and respect
Supporting AAC across environments, routines, and everyday life
Helping families and teams think about communication with the long term in mind
Recognizing the small but meaningful signs of AAC progress
Mentioned In This Episode:
Meaningful Metrics Online Academy
Dr. Sarah Heller
Williams Speech and Language Pathology PLLC
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

Teaching someone to say “no” is just as important as teaching them to say “yes.”
I’m joined by Cristina Theis, Director of Training & Educational Development at Firefly Autism, to explore what assent-based care actually looks like in practice, especially when supporting autistic learners with complex communication and behavioral needs.
We talk about moving beyond simply using terms like assent-based or trauma-informed and making sure those values show up in our everyday clinical decisions. Cristina shares why self-advocacy and communication come first, including teaching learners meaningful, understandable ways to tell us when they are, or are not, comfortable participating.
We also dig into interdisciplinary collaboration and why shared values can help BCBAs, SLPs, OTs, educators, and other professionals work through differences in clinical recommendations. I especially love Cristina’s reminder that collaboration does not mean abandoning the science. We can try something, collect data, look at the results, and come back together as a team.
#autism #speechtherapy
What’s Inside:
What assent and assent withdrawal can look like in practice
Why teaching “no” supports autonomy and self-advocacy
Using shared values to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration
Balancing compassionate care, clinical judgment, and data
Mentioned In This Episode:
Firefly Autism
Firefly Autism on Instagram
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

Three hundred episodes, six years of learning together, and so many meaningful connections along the way. What better way to celebrate than with a little reflection, practical insight, and fun?
For this milestone, I’m welcoming back my friend and colleague Dr. Ron DeMuesy. We talk about how much the field has changed, Ron’s journey to earning his PhD, and his work supporting compassionate approaches to severe problem behavior in public schools. Ron also shares practical thoughts on PFA, SBT, collaboration, and why understanding the environment matters when we’re supporting students and school teams.
We also dig into what school-based BCBAs need to know, including the importance of listening before giving advice, recognizing staff strengths, and building behavior plans collaboratively. And because this is episode 300, we finish with a lightning round and reflect on where the podcast has been and where I hope it goes next.
#autism #speechtherapy
What’s Inside:
Using PFA and SBT to support students with severe problem behavior
Creating safer, more collaborative school environments
What new and school-based BCBAs need to know about listening, relationships, and FBAs
Reflections and rapid-fire questions celebrating 300 episodes
Mentioned In This Episode:
Don’t Shoot the Dog! by Karen Pryor
FTF Behavioral Consulting
Ohio Association for Behavior Analysis
John Carroll University ABA Program
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