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

Rose Griffin
  • 4.9 (87)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

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. 1d ago

    #295: The Motas Assessment with Dr. Anika Hoybjerg

    Have you ever picked up an assessment and thought, “This still isn’t giving me the information I need?” That’s why I’m so excited to introduce you to the Meaningful Outcomes Treatment and Assessment Scale, or MOTAS. Dr. Anika Hoybjerg shares how she and co-creator Casey Barron developed a comprehensive assessment that keeps meaningful, individualized outcomes at the center. What immediately stood out to me is how practical and approachable the MOTAS feels. It addresses areas like communication, flexibility, social behavior, transitions, personal care, leisure, self-awareness, and perspective taking. There is also an Early Learner version that incorporates developmental milestones and AAC considerations. I especially love the LOOP interviews, which bring clients, caregivers, and other professionals directly into treatment planning. Instead of assuming what matters most, we can ask, prioritize, and continue checking whether our goals are actually meaningful. That collaboration can make such a difference in creating functional treatment plans that support independence and quality of life. #autism #speechtherapy What’s Inside: How the MOTAS fills gaps Dr. Hoybjerg noticed in existing assessmentsUsing LOOP interviews to prioritize meaningful goals with clients and caregiversHow the MOTAS supports individualized, collaborative treatment planningWho can use the MOTAS and why it was designed to be approachable for cliniciansMentioned In This Episode: Get the MOTAS ABA Education Center Say It With Me by Rose Griffin AAC Mastery for SLPs and BCBAs Earn CEUs with a community of peers. Join the ABA Speech Connection ABA Speech: Home

  2. Aug 18

    #294: Feel Confident Supporting Autistic Students

    I still remember what it felt like to walk into a therapy session and have no idea how to move forward. Early in my career, I was working with autistic learners with complex communication and behavioral needs, and I quickly realized graduate school had not prepared me for everything I was seeing. I wanted to help, but I didn’t always have practical strategies I could use when a learner struggled to attend, engage, or communicate. That experience sent me searching for better answers and ultimately shaped the way I practice today. More than 20 years later, I want clinicians to have something I desperately needed back then: support, practical education, and a community that helps you feel confident about what to do next. That’s why I created the ABA Speech Connection. It brings speech therapists, BCBAs, and RBTs together to learn evidence-based strategies, earn CEUs, collaborate, and immediately apply what they’re learning with autistic students. From AAC and functional communication to clinical roundtables and live learning, everything is designed to make professional development practical and useful. You don’t have to spend hours searching for your next CEU or wonder whether you’re doing enough. You can have a place to learn, ask questions, and keep growing alongside professionals who care about helping every student communicate with the world. #autism #speechtherapy What’s Inside: Why my early clinical experiences shaped the ABA Speech ConnectionHow ongoing education can build confidence and strengthen clinical practicePractical learning around AAC, communication, and evidence-based interventionHow the Connection supports individuals and professional teamsMentioned In This Episode: Say It With Me by Rose Griffin AAC Mastery for SLPs and BCBAs Earn CEUs with a community of peers. Join the ABA Speech Connection ABA Speech: Home

  3. Aug 11

    #293: Providing SLP, OT and ABA Under One Roof with Colleen Lama

    What happens when collaboration is built into a practice from the very beginning? The results can be powerful for clinicians, families, and most importantly, the children we serve. I love hearing how different professionals find their path, and Colleen Lama's story is such a great reminder that unexpected career moments can lead to something even better. As both a speech-language pathologist and BCBA, she shares how becoming dual certified helped her better support autistic learners and inspired her to create a practice where speech therapy, occupational therapy, and ABA truly work together. We also talk about the realities of growing a multidisciplinary practice, from navigating insurance challenges to building a team that values collaboration and family-centered care. If you've ever wondered what it looks like to provide coordinated services under one roof, I think you'll find plenty of practical insights and encouragement here. #autism #speechtherapy What’s Inside: Why Colleen became both an SLP and BCBA, and how that shaped her careerThe benefits of offering speech, OT, and ABA in one collaborative practiceChallenges that come with multidisciplinary care and how strong communication keeps teams alignedHow the ABA Speech Connection supports ongoing learning for SLPs, BCBAs, and RBTsMentioned In This Episode: Lama Pediatric Therapy Selective Mutism, Anxiety and Communication AAC Mastery for SLPs and BCBAs Earn CEUs with a community of peers. Join the ABA Speech Connection ABA Speech: Home

  4. Aug 4

    #292: Comparing Vocabulary Intervention For Children Who Use AAC with Dr. Courtney Trevino

    Comparing vocabulary instruction for children who use AAC is not a one size fits all decision, and that is exactly what makes this conversation so valuable. Vocabulary intervention is one of the topics I get asked about most often, and there is still so much to learn about the best ways to support children who use AAC. I’m joined by Dr. Courtney Trevino to unpack her research comparing explicit vocabulary instruction with more naturalistic, incidental teaching. We explore what each approach looks like in practice, how vocabulary was selected for the study, and what the findings can teach us as clinicians. One strategy that really stood out to me was navigation description, talking out loud through the path you take to find a word on an AAC system. It is such a practical way to support learning, while also helping parents, teachers, RBTs, and other team members become more confident using AAC. I walked away thinking differently about how I teach vocabulary, and I think you will too. If you are looking for practical, research-backed ideas that you can start using right away, this conversation is full of them. #autism #speechtherapy What’s Inside: Why explicit vocabulary instruction led to stronger word learning outcomesHow navigation description can support both AAC users and communication partnersChoosing vocabulary for early AAC learners, including developmental versus core wordsPractical ways to blend structured teaching into everyday therapyMentioned In This Episode: Comparing Two Vocabulary Interventions for Children Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication Dr. Courtney Trevino AAC Mastery for SLPs and BCBAs Earn CEUs with a community of peers. Join the ABA Speech Connection ABA Speech: Home

  5. Jul 28

    #291: Business Strategies For Clinic Owners with Stephen Smith

    Building a business that reflects your values takes more than hard work. It takes intention, clear systems, and a vision that keeps you grounded when growth starts to feel overwhelming. Stephen Smith and I explore what it really takes to build an ethical, sustainable ABA practice without losing sight of why you started in the first place. We talk about the importance of defining your vision early, especially if you're starting a business with a partner, and why having the right legal and financial support can save you from major headaches down the road. We also dive into delegation, something every business owner struggles with at some point. Letting go of tasks can feel uncomfortable, but creating systems, documenting processes, and trusting your team are essential if you want to avoid burnout and create a business that can grow beyond you. I also share a few of the books and tools that have helped me think differently about leadership, delegation, and protecting my own creativity as a business owner. Whether you're just getting started or looking to strengthen an established practice, I think you'll walk away with practical ideas you can put into action right away. #autism #speechtherapy What’s Inside: Why every clinic owner needs a clear vision before focusing on growthBusiness systems, delegation, and avoiding burnoutThe legal and financial foundations every practice should havePractical books, tools, and strategies for building a sustainable business Mentioned In This Episode: Grab Say it With Me The ABA Business Leader's Guide by Stephen Smith 3 Pie Squared Earn CEUs with a community of peers. Join the ABA Speech Connection ABA Speech: Home

  6. Jul 21

    #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

  7. Jul 14

    #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

  8. Jul 7

    #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

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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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