There are tensions in the community towards seeing the applicability of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). In this episode, we explore the nuances of ABA in the field of autism from various perspectives. We sat down with autism parent and BCBA, Yev Veverka from the University of Washington, to discuss her view on ABA and the impression it leaves to people on the spectrum and their families. In particular, she shares the article she published in Spectrum News titled, “Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism: Flawed Application of a Proven Science.” Yev dives deep into ABA reform, the challenges faced by families seeking ABA services, and the need for more individualized and accessible approaches. Plus, we also speak with Netflix's Love on the Spectrum star Dani Bowman to hear about her journey to love and her perspective of ABA from the voice of someone living with autism. Both conversations are meant to provide perspective for those who care about the autistic community and the science of ABA. Join us as we learn more about ABA and its future in the autism space.

The Center for Autism and Related Disorders has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protections and entered into a stalking horse bid agreement with a group led by its founder and ex-CEO Doreen Granpeesheh. The news comes after months of rumors regarding CARD’s status. In this episode, Sara Litvak and Anna Bullard interview Dexter Braff of The Braff Group to find out what he knows about the bankruptcy filing and what it means for the marketplace. Find out as well their thoughts on the current challenges faced by the healthcare industry, what bankruptcy in the space looks like, and where demand for autism services currently stands. All of these, plus lessons we can all learn on high-leveraged debt in this enlightening conversation.

What are the implications of clinician layoffs in ABA from an ethical, clinical, and continuity of care perspective? In this episode, Sara Litvak and Anna Bullard sit with employment legal expert and attorney, Jackie, who has asked for her identity to remain anonymous. She currently is Senior Counsel at a Fortune 100 company and counsels employers on employment-related issues and defends employment-related litigation. We also hear from Jon Krieger, an investment banker from Calex Partners, about the dynamics within the autism therapy landscape that may be attributed to the recent layoffs. Hosts Sara and Anna also discuss their thoughts on the matter. Tune in to learn more!

On July 1, BHCOE launched its new standards for applied behavior analysis (ABA) and introduced changes to its accreditation process. It has updated its standards to improve understandability and has brought greater focus to clinical practices on the path to quality ABA services. In developing the new standards and making changes to its accreditation process, BHCOE listened carefully to the ABA community and relied on its growing body of knowledge including seven years and more than 100,000 data points about the practices that result in quality ABA services.

In this podcast, Dr. Ellie Kazemi joins Sara Litvak and Anna Bullard to discuss the following changes in BHCOE’s 2022 Standards and new Accreditation Process:

·        A newly designed digital gateway to guide providers step-by-step

·        Immediate feedback to redirect providers to resources that help them meet a standard

·        No reloading documents for accreditation renewals unless they have changed

·        More focused, fewer survey questions

·        Fewer required documents

·        Even more transparency of the scoring criteria

·        Greater focus on the quality of therapy sessions and the quality of services

·        Scalability for organizations with fewer than 25 patients

·        Additional clinic-specific data visibility for a larger organization

The Black ABA community has long been underserved and underrepresented. But recent years have seen a surge in initiatives to empower black ABA practitioners and bring much-needed diversity to the field. In this episode, Sara Litvak and Anna Bullard are joined by Adrienne Bradley, President at Black Applied Behavior Analysts (BABA) and Tia Glover, Behavior Analyst and Healthcare Director. They speak about how Black ABAs have been underrepresented, why the ABA conference at Detroit has been invaluable, and BABA’s partnership with the Behavioral Health Center of Excellence (BHCOE) to benefit ABA professionals.

Adrienne Bradley, M.Ed., BCBA., LBA

Adrienne Bradley is Board Certified Behavior Analyst, graduate school

professor, and President on a mission to promote Applied Behavior

Analysis (ABA) to underserved communities. She graduated from Central

Michigan University, in 2014 with a Bachelors in Exercise Science, and a minor

in Psychology where she developed an interest in human behavior. It wasn't

until after her matriculation that she found a dire need to serve students with

an Autism diagnosis in the public school system. This is where her love for

ABA began. She later graduated from Wayne State University with a Master's in

Education Psychology, and a concentration in Applied Behavioral Analysis.

With her extensive experience working with children and adolescents within

the home, school, and clinic settings, she has garnered a commitment to

ethical leadership and high-quality therapeutic and parent training services.

She is a highly regarded speaker, focusing on using Acceptance and

Commitment training within parent sessions. Additionally, Adrienne serves as

the President for Black Applied Behavior Analysts, Inc, an organization that

empowers the Black ABA community and the co-host of Shades of ABA, a

podcast centering tough conversations to foster change and growth. She

engages in equity and inclusion research practices, serving as a research

consultant for the Michigan Interagency Coordinating Council which aims to

reduce barriers to accessing ABA services in the state of Michigan through the

development and implementation of a statewide, comprehensive,

multidisciplinary system to provide early intervention services for infants and

toddlers with disabilities and their families. She is a master collaborator and

bridge connector, using empathy and understanding to foster relationships

with the purpose of advancing the science of ABA.

Tia D. Glover, MPH, M.Ed, BCBA

Tia Glover serves as Regional Administrator for Devereux Advanced Behavioral

Health Florida. Mrs. Glover has worked in social services and community

behavioral health systems in the state of Florida for the past fourteen years. In

her current role as Regional Administrator, Mrs. Glover provides direct oversight of

Devereux Florida's Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Programs. Mrs. Glover

earned a Bachelor of Science in health care management and business, a Master

of Science in public health from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University and a

master's in special education from the University of North Florida. She has been a

behavior analyst since 2016. Her contagious passion for those she serves has

resulted in community support for autism awareness and services offered

through Devereux Florida continuum of services. Mrs. Glover is a member of

various organizations including Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated,

American College of Healthcare Executives, Black Applied Behavior Analyst, and

National Association of Professional Women.

Accreditation ensures there is equal performance and equal opportunities across the board. Are universities doing their part for quality BACB accreditation? Hosts Sara Litvak and Anna Bullard welcome Dr. Ellie Kazemi, the Chief Science Officer at the Behavioral Center of Excellence, and Dr. Lusineh Gharapetian, the Associate Program Director at Pepperdine for the Behavior Analysis Program. Dr. Ellie and Dr. Elisa explain that it’s a university’s role to establish the concepts and principles of behavior and the methods on how to study them. The students must then, later on, understand the philosophy that guides the practice of behavior analysis. Join the conversation to learn more. 

In any industry, especially in ABA, CEO turnovers can be stressful times. Learning how to adjust to new leadership and new protocols is always going to be difficult. That is why teams need to work on their exit strategy so that there is enough time to make changes. Join Sara Litvak and Anna Bullard as they talk about CEO turnovers, payor disclosures, & APBA. Companies work so hard on onboarding, that they forget about offboarding. The people you offboard may become your ambassadors, so you have to make them leave with a positive taste in their mouths. Create that perfect exit strategy today!

Data is pretty much a standard, direct thing. But in the world of applied behavioral analysis, there are various factors that can influence data. Sara Litvak welcomes Dr. David Cox, the Chief Data Officer at the Behavioral Health Center of Excellence. Dr. Cox is a Behavior Analyst and Data Scientist with 15+ years of experience in the behavioral health and wellness industries. His work involves data science to understand the complexities of behavioral health. Listen in as Dr. Cox shares how he conveys his love for data by creating programs with pro-health behaviors in mind.