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

Rose Griffin

Join Rose Griffin, a dedicated Speech Therapist and BCBA from ABA SPEECH, as she shares her compassionate approach to supporting the communication needs of autistic individuals. With 20 years of experience, Rose is committed to respecting and understanding the diverse ways autistic people communicate and interact with the world. This podcast is a resource for professionals and parents alike, offering practical strategies that honor each person's unique communication style. Rose covers a wide range of topics, including how to recognize and support autistic communication from an early age, the distinctions between autism and speech differences, and effective, respectful approaches to fostering communication, whether a child is non-speaking, minimally speaking, or verbal. Through a mix of interviews and solo episodes, Rose explores how to enhance meaningful connections, address challenges with empathy, and celebrate the strengths of autistic individuals. Whether you're a parent, therapist, or educator, you'll find valuable insights and actionable advice to create supportive environments that empower communication and honor neurodiversity. Hit subscribe and learn more at www.abaspeech.org.

  1. hace 6 días

    #290: Clinician Wellness and Red Flags for Burnout with Tiffany N. Arango

    If you've ever wondered whether constant stress is simply part of being a helping professional, this conversation is for you. Burnout isn't a badge of honor, and crying in your car or pushing through physical symptoms shouldn't be considered normal. I’m joined by Tiffany N. Arango to explore what clinician wellness really looks like and why so many dedicated professionals end up running on empty. Tiffany shares her own experience of reaching severe burnout while working in what she believed was her dream job, and how that experience changed the direction of her career. We talk about the workplace red flags that are easy to overlook, why so many of us normalize unhealthy environments, and how psychological flexibility can help us respond with intention instead of simply surviving each day. We also explore the role leaders play in creating healthy workplace cultures and why genuine care for employees should never be viewed as a weakness. Whether you're a speech therapist, BCBA, RBT, or another helping professional, I hope this conversation reminds you that your well-being matters just as much as the people you serve. If you're feeling overwhelmed, please know you don't have to navigate it alone. Reach out, find your community, and seek support. #autism #speechtherapy What’s Inside: Red flags that can signal workplace burnoutHow psychological flexibility supports clinician well-beingPractical ways leaders can create healthier workplace culturesWhy caring for yourself is essential to caring for othersMentioned In This Episode: Grab Say it With Me The Behavior Station Earn CEUs with a community of peers. Join the ABA Speech Connection ABA Speech: Home

  2. 14 jul

    #289: A Conversation About School-Based SLP and BCBA Services with Dr. Selena J. Layden

    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 togetherSimple ways to build meaningful collaboration in school settingsWhat I wish every school-based BCBA knew about speech-language pathologyHow mutual respect and ongoing learning improve student outcomesMentioned 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

  3. 7 jul

    #288: Hot Topics in Speech and ABA with Dr. Melanie Olson Giles

    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 learnersHow I think about AAC vocabulary, response forms, and functional communicationMy perspective on gestalt language processing, prompting, and current researchWhy data driven decision making should shape every communication interventionMentioned In This Episode: Grab Say it With Me Earn CEUs with a community of peers. Join the ABA Speech Connection ABA Speech: Home

  4. 30 jun

    #287: Tools To Spark Speech and Social Engagement

    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 attentionPractical strategies for AAC, language development, and meaningful generalizationSupporting learners with behavioral barriers through collaborative careWriting effective goals and creating stronger IEP and team meetingsMentioned In This Episode: Grab Say it With Me Earn CEUs with a community of peers. Join the ABA Speech Connection ABA Speech: Home

  5. 23 jun

    #286: Picky Eating or Feeding Disorder with Margaryta Kuzmin

    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 disordersCommon feeding red flags that professionals and parents should watch forWhy medical, nutritional, sensory, and motor factors all matterThe professionals who make up a strong feeding team and how they work togetherMentioned 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

  6. 16 jun

    #285: Child-Led Applied Behavior Analysis with Dr. Katherine Pickard, Dr. Rachel Yosick & Dr. Tracy Argueta

    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 ABAThe role of child-led learning in effective interventionWhy some traditional practices may need to be reduced or reconsideredPractical ways clinicians can begin using more naturalistic strategiesMentioned In This Episode: Marcus Autism Center Earn CEUs with a community of peers. Join the ABA Speech Connection ABA Speech: Home

  7. 9 jun

    #284: AAC Training with Mindcolor Autism with Valerie Zimmerman

    AAC can feel overwhelming for clinicians, but it does not have to stay that way. I’m joined by Valerie Zimmerman from Mindcolor Autism to talk about what happens when BCBAs and SLPs come together to better support autistic learners who use AAC. Valerie shares how her team has prioritized AAC training across their organization, even though many clinicians receive little to no formal instruction in this area. We dig into the real questions providers are asking, from ethical considerations around programming devices to understanding the role of collaboration in helping students communicate more effectively. One of my favorite parts of this conversation is hearing how Mindcolor Autism created a clinical consultation model that gives staff ongoing support when they encounter challenging cases or communication questions. I love seeing organizations build systems that help clinicians feel less alone and more confident in their work. We also talk about the importance of practical, immediately applicable training. Whether you are a BCBA, SLP, RBT, or parent, this conversation highlights how much growth can happen when teams learn together and stay curious about communication. AAC is not just about devices, it is about giving students meaningful ways to connect with the world around them. #autism #speechtherapy What’s Inside: Why AAC training is essential for both BCBAs and SLPsCommon misconceptions about supporting students who use AACHow Mindcolor Autism built a clinical consultation support modelPractical ways teams can collaborate around communication goalsMentioned In This Episode: Mindcolor Autism AAC Mastery for SLPs and BCBAs All About AAC Bundle Earn CEUs with a community of peers. Join the ABA Speech Connection ABA Speech: Home

  8. 2 jun

    #283: The AAC Course You Wish You Had

    Have you ever looked at an AAC device and thought, “Where do I even start?” I’ve been there too, and I know how overwhelming it can feel. For years, I supported students using AAC while secretly feeling unsure of myself behind the scenes. I could teach communication strategies all day long, but when it came to navigating new systems and vocabulary sets, I remember leaving work feeling defeated and questioning whether I was truly helping my students. That experience completely changed the way I approach AAC today. I’m sharing the story behind our brand-new course, AAC Mastery for SLPs and BCBAs, and why I created it for professionals who want practical, real-world support with AAC instead of more theory that never translates into therapy sessions. This course brings together incredible AAC experts to talk about assessment, motor planning, collaboration, bilingual learners, switch access, parent support, and so much more. My goal is simple. I want you to feel confident supporting every AAC user on your caseload. Whether you’re brand new to AAC or you’ve been in the field for years, I want you to walk away with strategies you can actually use right away. #autism #speechtherapy What’s Inside: Why motor planning matters more than you thinkAAC assessment tips and funding guidanceCollaboration strategies for SLPs and BCBAsReal case studies and practical AAC problem-solving Mentioned In This Episode: AAC Mastery for SLPs and BCBAs Earn CEUs with a community of peers. Join the ABA Speech Connection ABA Speech: Home

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Join Rose Griffin, a dedicated Speech Therapist and BCBA from ABA SPEECH, as she shares her compassionate approach to supporting the communication needs of autistic individuals. With 20 years of experience, Rose is committed to respecting and understanding the diverse ways autistic people communicate and interact with the world. This podcast is a resource for professionals and parents alike, offering practical strategies that honor each person's unique communication style. Rose covers a wide range of topics, including how to recognize and support autistic communication from an early age, the distinctions between autism and speech differences, and effective, respectful approaches to fostering communication, whether a child is non-speaking, minimally speaking, or verbal. Through a mix of interviews and solo episodes, Rose explores how to enhance meaningful connections, address challenges with empathy, and celebrate the strengths of autistic individuals. Whether you're a parent, therapist, or educator, you'll find valuable insights and actionable advice to create supportive environments that empower communication and honor neurodiversity. Hit subscribe and learn more at www.abaspeech.org.

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