Episode 19: Aria Dean and KIB pt.2

Episode 19: Aria Dean and KIB pt.2

What does it mean to truly advocate for students in special education? In this episode, we're joined again by Aria Dean, who opens up about how she got here, what inspires her, and the values that guide her work in ABA and advocacy. We dig into assent, advocacy, and the ripple effect — and why Aria believes the impact of this work reaches further than we'll ever fully know.

Episode 18: Aria Dean and KIB pt. 1

Aria Dean has spent over a decade in neurodiversity support and has now stepped into advocacy to support change at the source. During this episode, she sits down with us at Keeping It Behavioral to break down what assent really means in practice, why it's distinct from consent, and why honoring it is a matter of dignity and not just compliance. We also get into the neurodiversity-affirming movement, what it looks like on the ground, and why autistic voices have to lead that conversation. A must-listen for BCBAs, RBTs, parents, and anyone committed to doing this work right.

Episode 17: What is Autism? (pt.2)

We've covered this topic before, but we're covering it again because it's worth revisiting. In Episode 17, we return to the question at the heart of our show: what is autism? This time we go further, exploring the realities of the spectrum, sensory experiences, masking, late diagnoses, and what true acceptance looks like beyond awareness.

Episode 16: Information Overload

In a world that's louder, faster, and more overwhelming than ever, individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder often face a unique and exhausting challenge — navigating a constant flood of sensory and cognitive input that most people never notice. In this episode of Keeping It Behavioral, we dive into the science and practice behind information overload in ASD: what's happening in the brain, why it hits differently for autistic individuals, and — most importantly — what we can actually do about it. We'll explore evidence-based behavioral strategies for reducing environmental overwhelm, building predictable routines, and teaching self-regulation skills that stick. Whether you're a behavior analyst, therapist, parent, educator, or someone on the spectrum yourself, this conversation is packed with practical takeaways you can put to work right away. We'll also touch on how to recognize the early signs of overload before a meltdown or shutdown occurs, how to set up environments that work with the autistic brain rather than against it, and how caregivers and support teams can become powerful allies in managing day-to-day overwhelm. Because when we reduce the noise, we make space for real learning, real connection, and real progress.

Episode 15: Lower Need Learners

In this episode of Keeping It Behavioral, we’re talking about lower support need autistic learners—a group that is often misunderstood and frequently overlooked. Because their challenges may be less visible, these learners are often expected to keep up without the support they still genuinely need. We discuss masking, executive functioning struggles, social expectations, and the risk of burnout when support systems assume “low support need” means “no support needed.” We also share ways parents, educators, and clinicians can better recognize and support these learners in meaningful ways.