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

The best outcomes happen when we stop working in silos and start learning from each other.
I recently had the chance to be a guest on Dr. Selena J. Layden's podcast, and I knew I wanted to share our conversation with you because it highlights something I'm deeply passionate about, meaningful collaboration between speech-language pathologists and BCBAs. When we recognize each other's expertise and work together, we create better outcomes for the students we serve.
We talked about my journey from school-based speech therapy into the world of ABA, how those experiences shaped ABA Speech, and why I believe communication and behavior support are strongest when they are aligned. We also explored common misconceptions between our professions, practical ways to build trust with colleagues, and why curiosity and open communication can go a long way.
One of my favorite parts of our discussion was sharing what I wish every school-based BCBA understood about speech-language pathology. Our training is incredibly broad, and many of us continue developing our expertise long after graduate school. The same is true for BCBAs, which is why ongoing learning and collaboration matter so much.
Whether you're an SLP, BCBA, educator, or part of an interdisciplinary team, I hope this conversation encourages you to build stronger partnerships that help every student communicate and thrive.
#speechtherapy #autism
What’s Inside:
Why speech therapy and ABA are stronger together
Simple ways to build meaningful collaboration in school settings
What I wish every school-based BCBA knew about speech-language pathology
How mutual respect and ongoing learning improve student outcomes
Mentioned In This Episode:
Grab Say it With Me
The Behavior Education Connection
Earn CEUs with a community of peers. Join the ABA Speech Connection
ABA Speech: Home

What happens when two SLPs and BCBAs get together to tackle the biggest conversations in our fields? You get an honest discussion about collaboration, research, and keeping students at the center of every decision.
Today, we're flipping the script and I'm answering some of the questions I hear most often about speech therapy and ABA, from choosing AAC vocabulary to navigating current topics like gestalt language processing, prompting, and aided language modeling. I share why I believe we have to move beyond an "all or nothing" mindset and focus on what the research tells us while making thoughtful, ethical decisions for each individual learner. 
Dr. Giles and I also dig into functional communication, response forms, and why collecting meaningful data should guide every intervention we use. My hope is that these conversations help bridge the gap between disciplines so we can spend less time debating and more time helping our students communicate with confidence.
#autism #speechtherapy
What’s Inside:
Why collaboration between SLPs and BCBAs leads to better outcomes for learners
How I think about AAC vocabulary, response forms, and functional communication
My perspective on gestalt language processing, prompting, and current research
Why data driven decision making should shape every communication intervention
Mentioned In This Episode:
Grab Say it With Me
Earn CEUs with a community of peers. Join the ABA Speech Connection
ABA Speech: Home

Every student deserves a way to communicate with the world, and that belief has guided my work from the very beginning.
Today, I’m sharing something incredibly special, the story behind my new book, Say It With Me: Naturalistic Tools to Spark Speech and Social Engagement. This is the resource I wish I had when I first started working with autistic learners who were not yet speaking, struggled to engage in therapy, or faced behavioral barriers that made learning more challenging.
I take you behind the scenes of my journey, from my early days at the Cleveland Clinic Autism Center to the lessons that shaped the compassionate, collaborative approach I use today. I also walk through the practical strategies featured in the book, including assessment, joint attention, play-based learning, AAC, social engagement, group therapy, behavior supports, and meaningful goal writing. My goal has always been to make research approachable and actionable so you can feel confident putting these ideas into practice right away.
Whether you're a speech-language pathologist, BCBA, educator, or parent, I hope this conversation leaves you feeling encouraged and equipped with new ways to support learners who are often the hardest to reach.
#autism #speechtherapy
What’s Inside:
Building the foundation for communication through engagement, play, and joint attention
Practical strategies for AAC, language development, and meaningful generalization
Supporting learners with behavioral barriers through collaborative care
Writing effective goals and creating stronger IEP and team meetings
Mentioned In This Episode:
Grab Say it With Me
Earn CEUs with a community of peers. Join the ABA Speech Connection
ABA Speech: Home

Some kids are picky eaters, but when does it become something more?
Feeding challenges can feel overwhelming for families, especially when mealtimes become stressful, food choices become extremely limited, or concerns about nutrition start to grow. That's why I was excited to welcome feeding specialist Margaryta Kuzmin to the podcast. Together, we unpacked the difference between typical picky eating and pediatric feeding disorders, and why early support can make such a meaningful difference.
Margaryta shares the developmental reasons many children go through selective eating phases, along with important red flags that may signal a deeper concern. We also explore why feeding difficulties are rarely about food alone. Medical, nutritional, motor, sensory, and social factors can all play a role. I especially loved our discussion about how providers can approach these conversations with families in a supportive, compassionate way.
Whether you're a speech-language pathologist, BCBA, educator, or parent, this conversation highlights the power of collaboration and why feeding concerns deserve attention early on.
#autism #speechtherapy
What’s Inside:
The difference between picky eating and pediatric feeding disorders
Common feeding red flags that professionals and parents should watch for
Why medical, nutritional, sensory, and motor factors all matter
The professionals who make up a strong feeding team and how they work together
Mentioned In This Episode:
Feeding Matters
Kuzmin SLP
Margaryta Kuzmin on Instagram
Earn CEUs with a community of peers. Join the ABA Speech Connection
ABA Speech: Home

Child-led therapy doesn’t mean lowering expectations. It means meeting children where they are and building meaningful learning opportunities from what matters most to them.
I’m joined by Dr. Katherine Pickard, Dr. Rachel Yosick, and Dr. Tracy Argueta from the Marcus Autism Center to explore how child-led Applied Behavior Analysis is shaping the future of autism intervention. We unpack Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs), what they are, how they differ from more traditional ABA approaches, and why they continue to gain momentum in both research and practice.
One of my favorite parts of this conversation is the discussion around “de-implementation,” the idea that sometimes improving our practice requires letting go of strategies that no longer serve children and families as effectively. We also talk about common misconceptions around child-led therapy, how to balance NDBI and structured teaching, and practical ways clinicians can begin incorporating more naturalistic, developmentally appropriate strategies into their sessions.
If you've ever wondered whether child-led approaches are "ABA enough" or how to start making meaningful changes in your own practice, this conversation offers thoughtful, research-based guidance that is both encouraging and actionable.
#autism #speechtherapy
What’s Inside:
What NDBIs are and why they are rooted in ABA
The role of child-led learning in effective intervention
Why some traditional practices may need to be reduced or reconsidered
Practical ways clinicians can begin using more naturalistic strategies
Mentioned In This Episode:
Marcus Autism Center
Earn CEUs with a community of peers. Join the ABA Speech Connection
ABA Speech: Home