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. 21 APR

    #277: Navigating a Late ADHD Diagnosis with Lindsay Costigan

    Everything made sense once I saw the full picture. Receiving a later-in-life ADHD diagnosis can be both validating and eye-opening, and that’s exactly what we explore in this conversation. As I talk with Lindsay, I’m struck by how her story reflects something I see often, high-achieving, capable individuals who have been compensating and masking for years without realizing why things felt harder behind the scenes. We talk through what it looked like for her to thrive in a fast-paced Wall Street environment while quietly navigating challenges with time management, comprehension, and testing. Her diagnosis came after her children were identified as neurodivergent, which is such a common pathway for families. I also love how openly she shares the realities of parenting two neurodivergent children, from early sensory challenges to finding the right supports and building a strong community. We get into practical strategies that truly make a difference, including sleep, nutrition, exercise, and structure. This conversation is a powerful reminder that ADHD can be a strength, and that understanding your brain can unlock better support, connection, and self-advocacy. #autism #speechtherapy What’s Inside: What a late ADHD diagnosis can reveal about your pastParenting neurodivergent children and finding the right supportsPractical strategies that support regulation and successThe role of masking, self-advocacy, and communityMentioned In This Episode: Earn CEUs with a community of peers. Join the ABA Speech Connection ABA Speech: Home

    36 min
  2. 14 APR

    #276: Raising Children with Profound Special Needs with Sarah Kernion

    Raising children with profound special needs means stepping into truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. I had such a meaningful conversation with Sarah Kernion about what it really looks like to raise children with profound, nonspeaking autism, and how that reality often differs from the public narrative. Sarah shares her journey as a mom, from those early intuitive concerns to navigating diagnosis, therapy, and building a truly collaborative team. We talk openly about the emotional weight families carry and why honoring that lived experience matters. Sarah brings such a powerful perspective on communication, reminding us that AAC enhances connection and that growth is not always linear. One of my favorite takeaways is how she reframes communication, not as a single outcome, but as a shared process between child, caregiver, and provider. We also dive into what makes a great team. The biggest shift is moving away from hierarchy and toward true collaboration, where parents feel heard and valued. Sarah’s work through Inchstones is all about helping families feel seen, supported, and empowered in that journey. #autism #speechtherapy What’s Inside: The gap between the public autism narrative and real family lifeWhy AAC is a powerful tool for connection and growthHow to build collaborative, parent-centered therapy teamsMentioned In This Episode: Inchstones Inchstones on Instagram Earn CEUs with a community of peers. Join the ABA Speech Connection ABA Speech: Home

    28 min
  3. 31 MAR

    #274: Accessing Communication For All with Dr. Lilith Reuter-Yuill "Dr. RY"

    Communication isn’t owned by one profession, it’s something we all share and protect together. I’m joined by Dr. Lilith Reuter-Yuill "Dr. RY" for a thoughtful conversation about what it really takes to ensure communication access for every learner. We talk about her journey from sign language interpreter to dually certified SLP and BCBA, and how that shaped her passion for collaboration and innovation. We dig into some of the biggest friction points between disciplines, especially when it comes to AAC. One of the biggest takeaways is this, there is no one right tool or pathway. We have to start with the learner, the context, and the full communication repertoire. I also loved our conversation about moving away from quick fixes and toward meaningful, individualized support that actually generalizes. We also share a preview of her upcoming course inside the ABA Speech Connection, where we’ll explore sign language, AAC, and how to thoughtfully select communication modalities that truly fit each learner. #autism #speechtherapy What’s Inside: Why communication access must be individualized and context-drivenCommon misconceptions about AAC and over-reliance on high-tech solutionsHow collaboration between SLPs and BCBAs improves real-world outcomesMentioned In This Episode: Bridgify Bridgify's Community Idaho ABA Conference 2026 Earn CEUs with a community of peers. Join the ABA Speech Connection ABA Speech: Home

    33 min
  4. 24 MAR

    #273: Supporting Educators with Communication Strategies with Ashley Patton

    Collaboration in schools can feel messy, complicated, and sometimes even uncomfortable, but it is also where some of the most meaningful progress for our students can happen. In this conversation, I sit down with Ashley Patton to talk about what real collaboration looks like between teachers, BCBAs, speech therapists, and other service providers in school settings. Ashley brings a unique perspective because she has worked as a classroom teacher, a school-based BCBA, and a consultant supporting school teams. That experience gives her a deep understanding of the pressures educators face and how behavior and communication strategies actually fit into busy classrooms. We talk about the importance of listening first when working with teachers and building trust before offering strategies. Ashley shares practical ways teams can embed communication goals naturally into classroom routines without overwhelming teachers who already have so much on their plates. We also discuss replacement behaviors, functional communication, and why practicing these skills before challenging moments occur can make such a big difference for students. Ashley offers thoughtful insights about simplifying data collection, supporting teachers with manageable systems, and focusing on strategies that are realistic for the classroom. Finally, we talk about Ashley’s Class on Task Behavior Analyst in School Summit and why creating community for professionals working in schools is so important. If you support students in schools, this episode is full of practical reminders about how collaboration, communication, and small systems can create big change. #autism #speechtherapy What’s Inside: Why collaboration can feel challenging for teachers and how to build trust with school teamsHow replacement behaviors support both regulation and communication in the classroomPractical ways to embed communication goals into everyday classroom routinesStrategies for simplifying data collection so teachers can realistically implement supports Mentioned In This Episode: Class on Task Class on Task Summit Earn CEUs with a community of peers. Join the ABA Speech Connection ABA Speech: Home

    27 min
  5. 17 MAR

    #272: How Technology is Making Autism Diagnosis Faster and More Accessible with Dr. Cheryl Tierney

    How can technology help us diagnose autism earlier and get kids the support they need sooner? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Cheryl Tierney to talk about an exciting advancement in autism diagnostics and how technology is helping clinicians and families access answers faster. With long waitlists and limited specialists in many areas, getting an autism diagnosis can sometimes take months or even years. Dr. Tierney shares how new technology is helping change that. We dive into the EarliPoint system, an FDA-cleared diagnostic aid that uses eye-tracking technology to analyze a child’s viewing behavior while watching short social videos. The system collects an incredible 120 data points per second, giving clinicians objective data to support diagnostic decision-making. Even more exciting, the assessment takes only about 12 minutes and can be used with children as young as 16 months. Beyond diagnosis, we also talk about how this technology can support clinicians like speech therapists, BCBAs, and occupational therapists by providing data on social engagement, receptive language indicators, and problem-solving skills. That means we can track progress over time and better understand whether interventions are truly moving the needle. I also loved our conversation about interdisciplinary collaboration and the importance of having someone “quarterback” a child’s care so families receive consistent guidance. This episode highlights how innovation, research, and teamwork can make earlier diagnosis and better support possible for so many families. #autism #speechtherapy What’s Inside: Why skipping foundational ABA texts worries me for the future of the fieldThe ethical responsibility professionals have to collaborate across disciplinesWhy refusing services based on another therapy provider can harm learners Mentioned In This Episode: EarliPoint Health Earn CEUs with a community of peers. Join the ABA Speech Connection ABA Speech: Home

    22 min

About

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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