Why ABA Research Isn’t Reaching the Real World (And Who’s Responsible)

Why ABA Research Isn’t Reaching the Real World (And Who’s Responsible)

There’s a conversation happening in ABA that not enough people are talking about… and it’s this:👉 Why does so much research never actually make it into real-life practice?In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jared Van to unpack the disconnect between researchers and practitioners—and honestly… some of it might surprise you. From universities missing the mark, to research that feels “too far removed” from everyday work, we’re getting into the real barriers that are holding the field back.But this isn’t just critique—it’s solutions. 💡We talk about how to make research actually usable, how future BCBAs should be trained, and why expanding ABA beyond traditional settings (yes… even into the NFL 👀) could completely change the future of the field. This episode is packed with perspective shifts, practical advice, and those “wait… why AREN’T we doing that?” moments.If you’ve ever felt the gap between what you learned and what actually works in the field… this one’s for you. 🎯🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYSWhy ABA research often fails to translate into real-world practiceThe surprising role universities play in the research-practice gapHow to make research more accessible, practical, and socially validThe importance of listening to practitioners on the groundWhy supervision and mentorship are critical to developing strong BCBAsThe need for better training and client matching in the fieldExpanding ABA into new areas like sports, education, and beyondHow to critically read research instead of blindly accepting itReal talk about burnout, safety, and losing good clinicians too early⏱️ CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS0:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvB5SvFdZdA] – Intro: Why This Conversation Matters 🎙️0:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvB5SvFdZdA&t=30s] – Research vs. Real Life: The Disconnect1:26 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvB5SvFdZdA&t=86s] – Making Research Actually Usable2:07 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvB5SvFdZdA&t=127s] – Who’s Responsible for Closing the Gap?2:20 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvB5SvFdZdA&t=140s] – The Role of Universities (Hot Take 🔥)3:31 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvB5SvFdZdA&t=211s] – What We SHOULD Be Teaching Future BCBAs4:40 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvB5SvFdZdA&t=280s] – The Missing Feedback Loop in ABA6:02 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvB5SvFdZdA&t=362s] – When the Science Isn’t Even Applied in Training7:33 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvB5SvFdZdA&t=453s] – “Why Isn’t Anyone Studying This?” Moments8:23 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvB5SvFdZdA&t=503s] – Real Field Challenges: Client Matching & Burnout10:35 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvB5SvFdZdA&t=635s] – Losing Great Clinicians Too Soon11:23 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvB5SvFdZdA&t=683s] – How to Keep Research Practical & Relevant12:24 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvB5SvFdZdA&t=744s] – Expanding ABA Beyond Autism (NFL, Schools & More 👀)15:06 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvB5SvFdZdA&t=906s] – Advice for Aspiring Researchers & PhD Students17:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvB5SvFdZdA&t=1020s] – Managing Anxiety & Social Responsibility in Today’s World19:29 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvB5SvFdZdA&t=1169s] – Finding Your Role in Creating Change20:05 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvB5SvFdZdA&t=1205s] – What Dr. Jared Van Is Working On Now21:12 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvB5SvFdZdA&t=1272s] – Closing Thoughts💬 QUOTE OR HOOK“If practitioners can’t use your research… what’s the point?”“We’re teaching the science—but not always using it.”🎯 WHO THIS EPISODE IS FORBCBAs who feel frustrated by the gap between research and real lifeRBTs and aspiring BCBAs trying to make sense of what actually worksGraduate students considering a PhD or research pathClinicians who want to expand beyond traditional ABA rolesAnyone passionate about improving the future of the field🚀 SEO KEYWORDSABA research vs practice, behavior analysis real world application, BCBA training issues, ABA supervision, research-practice gap ABA, applied behavior analysis careers, ABA in sports performance, ABA in education, social validity ABA, behavior analysis training, BCBA mentorship, ABA field challenges, behavior analyst career path, applied behavior analysis podcast, ABA innovation🔍 HASHTAGS#ABA [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/aba] #BCBA [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/bcba] #BehaviorAnalysis [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/behavioranalysis] #ABAresearch [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/abaresearch] #ABAcommunity [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/abacommunity] #RBT [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/rbt] #BCBAstudent [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/bcbastudent] #AppliedBehaviorAnalysis [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/appliedbehavioranalysis] #TherapistLife [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/therapistlife] #SpecialEducation [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/specialeducation] #AutismSupport [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/autismsupport] #MentalHealth [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/mentalhealth] #ResearchToPractice [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/researchtopractice] #ABAtherapy [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/abatherapy] #ClinicalPsychology [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/clinicalpsychology] #BehaviorScience [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/behaviorscience] #GradSchoolLife [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/gradschoollife] #PhDjourney [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/phdjourney] #ABAinnovation [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/abainnovation] #FutureOfABA [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/futureofaba]

Does Being a BCBA Make You a Better Parent… or Just More Aware? (The Honest Truth) I The BC(BAes)

What happens when the science of behavior meets the reality of parenting… and they don’t always align? 😅In Part 2 with Nissa, we get real—like really real—about what it’s like being a BCBA and a parent. From emotional moments behind closed doors to token economies failing spectacularly (yes, literally thrown back in your face 💀), this episode pulls back the curtain on the pressure behavior analysts put on themselves at home.We talk about the tension between “knowing the science” and actually living life as a human. Because the truth is… your kids don’t care about your protocols—they want you. ❤️This episode is equal parts validation, humor, and perspective shift. If you’ve ever felt like you “should be better” because of your background in ABA, this conversation will hit home in the best way.🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYSBeing a BCBA does not automatically make parenting easierThe gap between clinical knowledge and real-life parenting is very realWhy compassionate care matters just as much at home as it does in practiceThe importance of repairing after mistakes (yes—even yelling happens)How generational patterns and trauma can still show up, even with trainingWhy parents should not be treated like RBTsThe long game: consistency over perfection (sometimes it takes years)The power of stepping outside your own perspective and into your child’s⏱️ CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS0:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X_9eBF7ESU] – Intro & Jumping Back In 🎙️0:24 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X_9eBF7ESU&t=24s] – “Does Being a BCBA Make You a Better Parent?”1:17 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X_9eBF7ESU&t=77s] – The Emotional Reality of Parenting vs. Practice2:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X_9eBF7ESU&t=120s] – When Reinforcement Systems Completely Fail 💀3:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X_9eBF7ESU&t=180s] – Owning Mistakes & Repairing with Your Kids4:02 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X_9eBF7ESU&t=242s] – Parents Are NOT RBTs (And Why That Matters)5:19 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X_9eBF7ESU&t=319s] – Generational Trauma & Parenting Patterns6:55 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X_9eBF7ESU&t=415s] – When ABA Feels Too “Clinical” at Home7:21 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X_9eBF7ESU&t=441s] – The Role of a Supportive Partner 💍9:25 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X_9eBF7ESU&t=565s] – Bringing Compassionate Care Into the Home10:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X_9eBF7ESU&t=630s] – Perspective Shift: What Your Kids Actually Need12:02 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X_9eBF7ESU&t=722s] – Balancing Marriage, Work, and Family Life14:48 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X_9eBF7ESU&t=888s] – What ABA Gives You Beyond the Workplace16:33 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X_9eBF7ESU&t=993s] – Breaking Parenting Stereotypes & Partnership Roles17:34 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X_9eBF7ESU&t=1054s] – Final Advice: Be Kind to Yourself ❤️19:29 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X_9eBF7ESU&t=1169s] – Closing Thoughts💬 QUOTE #ABA [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/aba] #BCBA [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/bcba] #BehaviorAnalysis [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/behavioranalysis] #Parenting [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/parenting] #AutismSupport [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/autismsupport] #CompassionateCare [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/compassionatecare] #ABACommunity [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/abacommunity] #ParentingStruggles [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/parentingstruggles] #MentalHealth [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/mentalhealth] #Neurodiversity [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/neurodiversity] #CaregiverSupport [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/caregiversupport] #BehaviorAnalyst [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/behavioranalyst] #MomLife [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/momlife] #DadLife [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/dadlife] #WorkLifeBalance [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/worklifebalance] #ParentingRealTalk [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/parentingrealtalk] #ABAtherapy [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/abatherapy] #SpecialNeedsParenting [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/specialneedsparenting] #TherapistLife [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/therapistlife] #RealLifeParenting [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/reallifeparenting]“The science falls away when your heart is tied to them.”“Your kids don’t need a behavior analyst… they need a parent.”🎯 WHO THIS EPISODE IS FORBCBAs trying to balance professional knowledge with real-life parentingParents who feel like they’re “not doing it right”ABA professionals navigating burnout, guilt, and high expectationsCaregivers wanting real, honest conversations—not perfectionAnyone working in helping professions who struggles to “turn it off” at home🚀 SEO KEYWORDSABA parenting, BCBA parent life, behavior analyst parenting struggles, compassionate care ABA, parenting and behavior analysis, ABA real life application, BCBA burnout, parenting guilt ABA, behavior analysis at home, parent training ABA, caregiver support ABA, generational trauma parenting, autism parenting strategies, behavior intervention at home, balancing work and family ABA🔍 HASHTAGS#ABA [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/aba] #BCBA [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/bcba] #BehaviorAnalysis [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/behavioranalysis] #Parenting [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/parenting] #AutismSupport [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/autismsupport] #CompassionateCare [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/compassionatecare] #ABACommunity [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/abacommunity] #ParentingStruggles [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/parentingstruggles] #MentalHealth [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/mentalhealth] #Neurodiversity [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/neurodiversity] #CaregiverSupport [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/caregiversupport] #BehaviorAnalyst [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/behavioranalyst] #MomLife [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/momlife] #DadLife [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/dadlife] #WorkLifeBalance [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/worklifebalance] #ParentingRealTalk [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/parentingrealtalk] #ABAtherapy [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/abatherapy] #SpecialNeedsParenting [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/specialneedsparenting] #TherapistLife [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/therapistlife] #RealLifeParenting [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/reallifeparenting]

🎙️ Cultural Competence vs Humility in ABA (Part 2) | The BC(BAes) Podcast

Are we actually serving our clients… or just teaching them to fit into OUR world? 👀In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Jordan & Melina sit back down with Javon May to get real about what it actually takes to provide ethical, culturally responsive ABA services—especially in a city as diverse as LA 🌍This isn’t surface-level “DEI training” talk.This is about:💥 Biases we don’t even realize we have💥 The difference between cultural competence vs cultural humility💥 Why some ABA goals may be doing more harm than good💥 And how to truly respect the families we serveFrom hiring practices to treatment planning, Javon breaks down how to build an ABA business that prioritizes people over profit, and values over volume.If you’re a BCBA, RBT, or clinic owner… this episode is a MUST.⏱️ Episode Timestamps00:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdQhfWwnU-k] – Intro + jumping into Part 2 🎙️00:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdQhfWwnU-k&t=30s] – Growing up in Long Beach & how diversity shaped Javon01:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdQhfWwnU-k&t=90s] – Serving the SAME community that raised you02:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdQhfWwnU-k&t=150s] – Why environment shapes behavior (real-life example)03:40 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdQhfWwnU-k&t=220s] – Cultural Competence vs Cultural Humility 🤯05:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdQhfWwnU-k&t=300s] – Why you CANNOT have one without the other06:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdQhfWwnU-k&t=360s] – The problem with “one-size-fits-all” ABA06:50 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdQhfWwnU-k&t=410s] – Why ABA should function more like the medical field07:50 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdQhfWwnU-k&t=470s] – Hiring staff that reflect your community09:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdQhfWwnU-k&t=540s] – The mistake agencies make when “just filling cases”10:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdQhfWwnU-k&t=600s] – A powerful story about representation in interviews 💥11:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdQhfWwnU-k&t=660s] – Why feeling SEEN matters for staff & families12:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdQhfWwnU-k&t=720s] – Addressing mistrust in ABA & mental health spaces13:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdQhfWwnU-k&t=810s] – How to build trust with hesitant families14:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdQhfWwnU-k&t=870s] – Representation inside clinics (and why it matters)15:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdQhfWwnU-k&t=930s] – Cultural misunderstandings in treatment goals 👀16:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdQhfWwnU-k&t=990s] – Parent perspective: feeling truly understood17:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdQhfWwnU-k&t=1050s] – Working within schools & diverse communities19:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdQhfWwnU-k&t=1170s] – WHY cultural questions should be in every assessment20:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdQhfWwnU-k&t=1230s] – Questions every BCBA SHOULD be asking families22:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdQhfWwnU-k&t=1320s] – Respecting family norms (shoes off? eye contact?)23:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdQhfWwnU-k&t=1410s] – When ABA goals clash with family culture ⚠️24:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdQhfWwnU-k&t=1440s] – “Eat at the table” vs real life (powerful example)25:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdQhfWwnU-k&t=1500s] – Challenging your own biases as a clinician26:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdQhfWwnU-k&t=1560s] – Language matters: “milk” vs “leche” 🗣️27:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdQhfWwnU-k&t=1620s] – Masking, code-switching & societal expectations28:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdQhfWwnU-k&t=1680s] – Individualizing goals based on REAL life29:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdQhfWwnU-k&t=1740s] – True treatment planning & staff alignment🧠 What You’ll Learn✔️ The REAL difference between cultural competence & humility✔️ How to build trust with diverse families✔️ Why some ABA goals are NOT socially significant✔️ How bias shows up in treatment planning✔️ Ethical hiring & staffing strategies✔️ How to create culturally responsive ABA services✔️ Why representation matters (more than you think)✔️ Practical ways to improve your assessments TODAY📲 Follow The BC(BAes)Instagram  / thebcbaes   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazZUOVJmZnEwaUlMLXFKQUtVNmZoQkVtQ3dNZ3xBQ3Jtc0ttN2dDS2dLY09pQ2w0MkZHSDhmel90cE1tQnJiLXNvdjUtX2pWQ3FncXpQdWdvTDItd3hRYkFqUklxYnQzSkNQV0JyNXdPQnRHcnhmalpCT1dxYzAxcldsZk40ODhxalNXMXRaYkNiNHRPSUR4RWNEQQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Finstagram.com%2Fthebcbaes&v=hdQhfWwnU-k]TikTok  / thebcbaes   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbi1ZVlZVb1ZTNWhqdkVwWVJncEdhZXZZYkxHUXxBQ3Jtc0ttRngzUHJaRTFLY3NYRk9md013VUZEeDNFb1REd01jVkRXSDNFRjRMZllRdXFsUVNKUjdNZVk3WlNwX3g2clpTNUd2ZTlraFVSMVlSSEdFR1RCbXJSXzZGZ1ZqV1Fkemd5SW9JdGFRZFYwRU96eUtUSQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Ftiktok.com%2F%40thebcbaes&v=hdQhfWwnU-k]YouTube   / @thebcbaes   [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClnmsfaHA8xkr_1YqH9ZpyA]🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcastsIf you care about ethical ABA, real impact, and doing better for the families we serve…this episode will challenge you in the best way possible 💭

🎙️ Precision Teaching, Anxiety & The Future of ABA | The BC(BAes) Podcast

What if we’ve been measuring behavior… the wrong way this whole time? 👀In this episode of The BC(BAes) Podcast, Jordan and Melina sit down with Dr. Jared Van to break down one of the most powerful — and overlooked — tools in ABA:📊 Precision TeachingFrom his journey into behavior analysis to earning his PhD through a DM on Instagram 😳, Dr. Jared shares how he became a leading voice in precision teaching — and why it might be the missing link in how we understand behavior, learning, and even anxiety.This episode goes beyond surface-level ABA conversations and dives into:🧠 Measuring behavior more accurately📉 Why traditional data collection might be failing us⚡ How precision teaching detects change in real time💭 Measuring and changing thoughts & feelings📈 Helping clients (and ourselves) reach their full potentialIf you’ve ever felt like your data wasn’t telling the full story… this episode is going to shift your perspective.⏱️ Episode Timestamps00:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWrlgxAN8aA] – Intro + how we met Dr. Jared Van01:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWrlgxAN8aA&t=60s] – Social media, content creation & fluency 🎤02:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWrlgxAN8aA&t=150s] – Writing scripts & breaking down ABA content03:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWrlgxAN8aA&t=180s] – Enter: Precision Teaching (what is it?!)04:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWrlgxAN8aA&t=240s] – Dr. Jared’s journey into ABA05:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWrlgxAN8aA&t=300s] – Discovering precision teaching in grad school06:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWrlgxAN8aA&t=360s] – The chart that predicts behavior changes 👀07:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWrlgxAN8aA&t=420s] – What IS precision teaching? (simple breakdown)08:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWrlgxAN8aA&t=480s] – Why behavior detection in ABA needs work09:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWrlgxAN8aA&t=540s] – The Standard Acceleration Chart explained 📊10:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWrlgxAN8aA&t=630s] – Why frequency alone isn’t enough11:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWrlgxAN8aA&t=690s] – Free tools & learning precision teaching12:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWrlgxAN8aA&t=750s] – Why most clinicians DON’T use it13:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWrlgxAN8aA&t=810s] – From intimidating → practical application14:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWrlgxAN8aA&t=840s] – What makes precision teaching different?15:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWrlgxAN8aA&t=900s] – Why traditional graphs can mislead data16:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWrlgxAN8aA&t=960s] – Behavior multiplies… not adds ➕➗17:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWrlgxAN8aA&t=1020s] – Real-time decision making in ABA18:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWrlgxAN8aA&t=1080s] – How to start using precision teaching TODAY19:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWrlgxAN8aA&t=1140s] – Getting clients involved in their own data20:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWrlgxAN8aA&t=1200s] – Powerful real-life transformation story 🤯21:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWrlgxAN8aA&t=1290s] – Why precision teaching isn’t widely taught22:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWrlgxAN8aA&t=1350s] – Dr. Jared’s dissertation on anxiety23:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWrlgxAN8aA&t=1410s] – Measuring thoughts & feelings (yes, really)24:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWrlgxAN8aA&t=1470s] – Reducing anxious thoughts using ABA principles25:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWrlgxAN8aA&t=1530s] – Confidence vs anxiety: behavior replacement26:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWrlgxAN8aA&t=1590s] – Why private events SHOULD be measured27:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWrlgxAN8aA&t=1650s] – Helping kids understand their emotions28:30 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWrlgxAN8aA&t=1710s] – Practical strategies for parents & clinicians🧠 Topics We Cover✔️ Precision Teaching explained simply✔️ The Standard Acceleration Chart✔️ Behavior measurement & data accuracy✔️ Why traditional ABA graphs can fall short✔️ Real-time data-based decision making✔️ Measuring thoughts, feelings & anxiety✔️ Dr. Jared’s dissertation research✔️ Emotional awareness in kids✔️ Practical tools for clinicians & parents📲 Follow The BC(BAes)Instagram  / thebcbaes   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbjhWZ2V4S1ZKdTNyQ1VXY2d3QWgwRXYtR19xZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuNVp0TFBYZUdNUWpHWjBvSHNGa1d5U0p3SC1HSzdSQzRZSFBkdTdUSEhxOVoyZzZPSlR3LVNtbWg4WGlQbzZDUTdzalFaZ0gyZ1dhbVJtcE1UamRkcTB3ZUZOeXp4VVI0NU5EWXpvQTVfbGszVzdJUQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Finstagram.com%2Fthebcbaes&v=iWrlgxAN8aA]TikTok  / thebcbaes   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFpaQjZESUZQTFpzUEVoVXJqVEh5MzNqdF9yUXxBQ3Jtc0tueUx1Y0lTVkwxYU1lZ1V5VTMzeHQwV2tGSU1BOGxYdlM4eFNPZXJHbXlEMGdsekc4QUxWSmFzYTJ6TFdBQ0ZwWmRlWGREZTBvQnlqY29WcWJOSVF1THZVMkpkTlNyZS1SWmFVMlFaZzlGVWV4Z2hpUQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Ftiktok.com%2F%40thebcbaes&v=iWrlgxAN8aA]YouTube   / @thebcbaes   [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClnmsfaHA8xkr_1YqH9ZpyA]🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.If you’re a BCBA, RBT, or ABA professional, this episode will challenge how you think about data, learning, and what’s actually possible in behavior change.🔎 Hashtags#BCBA [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/bcba] #ABAtherapy [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/abatherapy] #PrecisionTeaching [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/precisionteaching] #BehaviorAnalysis [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/behavioranalysis] #ABAdata [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/abadata] #RBTlife [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/rbtlife] #AutismSupport [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/autismsupport] #ABAcommunity [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/abacommunity] #BehaviorAnalyst [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/behavioranalyst] #MentalHealth [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/mentalhealth] #TheBCBAes [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/thebcbaes]

🎙️ Compassionate Care in ABA | The BC(BAes) Podcast

Is compassion in ABA a “soft skill”… or a missing piece of the science? 👀In this episode of The BC(BAes) Podcast, Melina and Jordan sit down with Dr. Nissa Intarachote Van Etten, BCBA and leader in training and development, to unpack one of the most important — and often overlooked — topics in behavior analysis:🧠 Compassionate careWith over 20 years in the field, Dr. Nissa shares why she dedicated her doctoral research to compassion, how soft skills impact real outcomes, and why being technically sound isn’t enough if you can’t connect with the families you serve.From navigating ethical gray areas, to supporting staff in real-life, vulnerable home settings, to using AI to be more present (not less) — this episode dives into the human side of ABA that doesn’t always show up in textbooks.If you're a BCBA, RBT, or ABA professional, this conversation will challenge how you think about care, connection, and what it really means to be effective in this field.Because at the end of the day…👉 We’re humans working with humans.⏱️ Episode Timestamps00:00 – Meet Melina, Jordan & Dr. Nissa00:40 – Why study compassionate care in ABA?01:20 – Early ABA: working directly with families (pre-insurance era)02:00 – Why parents had to trust you back then02:50 – What are “soft skills” in ABA?03:40 – Technical skills vs soft skills explained04:30 – Why soft skills are missing in ABA training05:00 – Should RBTs be trained in compassionate care?05:10 – Can empathy be taught?05:30 – Inside Dr. Nissa’s dissertation research06:20 – Measuring empathy (Jefferson Scale)07:00 – Can you teach compassion—or just “mask” it?07:40 – Gender, empathy & societal conditioning08:40 – “Fake it till you make it” in compassionate care09:20 – Self-reflection as a clinician10:20 – What families actually want from BCBAs11:00 – Can you use ABA principles and be compassionate?12:00 – Protocol vs clinical judgment13:00 – Where the field is missing compassion the most13:30 – Compassion between colleagues (not just clients)14:20 – Ego, gatekeeping & growth in ABA15:00 – Why collaboration matters in a growing field16:00 – Being in vulnerable spaces with families16:40 – Cultural responsiveness in the home17:20 – Real ethical dilemmas (hugging a parent?!)18:10 – Balancing ethics code vs being human19:00 – Navigating boundaries as a clinician20:00 – Learning from mistakes in the field20:50 – Rigid thinking vs true behavior analysis21:30 – Self-awareness and checking your biases22:20 – Coaching RBTs beyond “you’ll figure it out”23:00 – Practical ways to improve compassionate care TODAY23:40 – Balancing data collection vs human connection24:20 – Using AI to improve presence in sessions 🤖25:00 – Why automation can enhance (not replace) care25:40 – Final thoughts + Part 2 teaser🧠 Topics We Cover✔️ Compassionate care in ABA✔️ Soft skills vs technical skills✔️ Teaching empathy to clinicians✔️ Ethics vs real-world practice✔️ Cultural responsiveness✔️ Supporting families in vulnerable moments✔️ RBT & BCBA training gaps✔️ Using AI in ABA sessions✔️ Collaboration vs gatekeeping in the field📲 Follow The BC(BAes)Instagramhttps://instagram.com/thebcbaesTikTokhttps://tiktok.com/@thebcbaesYouTubehttps://youtube.com/@TheBCBAes🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.If you're in the ABA field, make sure to subscribe for real conversations about ethics, leadership, clinical work, and the human side of behavior analysis.