In today's Let's Talk conversation, Coach Che Marville sits down with two extraordinary Canadian leaders in autism education: Dr. Am Badwall, founder of Missing Links Autism, and Dr. Michael John Daniels, an educator and administrator whose friendship and professional partnership span decades. Drawing from over 50 years of combined experience, Am and Michael offer an honest, heart-opening look into: Why traditional ABA became rigid, outdated, and disconnected from real human needsHow families feel unseen, unheard, and judged — and why relief comes when they finally feel understoodThe cultural blind spots that left racialized families behindWhy "success" cannot be measured by making autistic children appear neurotypicalThe emotional weight families carry when shame and social exclusion limit daily lifeThe evolution from compliance-based programs to a modern, compassionate modelHow Progressive ABA centres dignity, autonomy, consent, and meaningful learningThe role of culture, community, and authentic listening in shaping real outcomesThe powerful story of Am and Michael's friendship — and how grief, love, and fate brought them togetherThis episode is a call to rethink everything we assume about autism intervention. It's about seeing the whole child. It's about honouring families. It's about building a future where no one is erased, dismissed, or reshaped to fit someone else's standards. This conversation isn't just educational — it's revolutionary. Why some autism practices became harmful — even with good intentionsThe meaning of relief and why so many families feel it when finally understoodHow cultural sensitivity changes everythingWhy "eye contact," "checking boxes," and "normalization" can be misguided goalsHow Progressive ABA integrates compassion, autonomy, and individualized learningThe emotional and cultural challenges families face when navigating careWhy is the relationship at the heart of all real learningHow educators and clinicians can evolve with the science"We cannot talk about humanity without talking about how we treat children." — Coach Che. "Families feel relief when they are finally heard when someone says, 'I see you. I see your child." — Dr. Am Badwall "Success isn't about making a child indistinguishable from their peers, it's about honouring who they truly are." — Dr. Michael John Daniels. "We're not rejecting the science; we're rejecting outdated practices that don't reflect what we now know about neurodiversity." — Dr. Am Badwall. "We want to give children access, agency, and tools, not reshape their identity." — Dr. Michael John Daniels. "Relief comes from being seen, being heard, and not being judged." — Dr. Am Badwall. Missing Links Autism https://missinglinks.ca Progressive ABA Network https://progressiveabanetwork.ca Book: Abandoning Traditional Autism Programming with a Modern Approach (Insert Amazon link) Founder & Executive Director of Missing Links Autism. Nearly 30 years of experience shaping the evolution of ABA in Ontario. A pioneer of Progressive ABA — combining evidence-based science with compassion, cultural sensitivity, and meaningful learning. Educator, administrator, university lecturer, and co-founder of the Progressive ABA Network. Dedicated to shaping inclusive classrooms and honouring diverse learners. Brings a rich academic lens and lived experience to modern autism education What You'll LearnStandout Quotes (Ready for Social Media)Guest LinksAbout the GuestsDr. Am Badwall, Ph.D.Dr. Michael John Daniels, Ed.D.
