ABA Ultimate Showdown!

Graham Behavior Services
  • 4.5 (20)
  • Science
  • Updated Bimonthly

ABA Ultimate Showdown is a debate-style podcast designed to advance behavior analysis through constructive, respectful, and professional dialogue. Each episode uses a structured format to explore critical topics from multiple, research-informed perspectives, fostering civility, deeper understanding, and a user-friendly model for future behavior analysts and conference organizers.

  1. Round 14: What is the goal of a functional assessment? Debaters: Dr. Mahshid Ghaemmaghami and Dr. Jeffrey Tiger

    04/20/2023

    Round 14: What is the goal of a functional assessment? Debaters: Dr. Mahshid Ghaemmaghami and Dr. Jeffrey Tiger

    In this episode of ABA Ultimate Showdown, we debate the motion: "The goal of a functional assessment is to identify a function that will inform treatment." Debaters  ⁠Dr. Mahshid Ghaemmaghami⁠ and ⁠Dr. Jeffrey Tiger⁠ share insight from their influential research and clinical experience, examining how different approaches to functional assessment shape intervention, ethics, and outcomes in practice. We present well-supported arguments on both sides to offer a comprehensive, balanced look at what functional assessments should aim to accomplish for individuals and their support teams. Please note: As of July 1, 2026, this episode is no longer eligible for CEUs. For a list of references used in this episode, visit https://grahambehavior.com/podcast. Have ideas for future debates, feedback, or interest in being a guest debater? Email us at showdown@grahambehavior.com. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow Graham Behavior Services on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram, and check out our YouTube channel for new episode alerts. We also appreciate a thoughtful review on your listening platform! Thanks for tuning in. We hope this episode gave you some #GrAhamMoments!

    1h 24m
  2. Round 13: Is ABA inherently trauma informed?

    10/20/2022

    Round 13: Is ABA inherently trauma informed?

    In this episode of ABA Ultimate Showdown, we debate the motion: "ABA is inherently trauma informed." Debaters Rosalie Prendergast and Saundra Bishop bring their extensive experience disseminating trauma-informed practices worldwide to examine how ABA procedures can align with, support, or fall short of trauma-informed care. We construct defenses of both sides to provide a comprehensive, balanced view of what it means for ABA to be trauma informed in concept and in day-to-day practice. Please note: As of July 1, 2026, this episode is no longer eligible for CEUs. For a list of references used in this episode, visit https://grahambehavior.com/podcast. Have ideas for future debates, feedback, or interest in being a guest debater? Email us at showdown@grahambehavior.com. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow Graham Behavior Services on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram, and check out our YouTube channel for new episode alerts. We also appreciate a thoughtful review on your listening platform! Thanks for tuning in. We hope this episode gave you some #GrAhamMoments!

    1h 5m
  3. Round 12: Online Education or Traditional Learning? An Inside Look at the Future of Higher Education

    03/30/2022

    Round 12: Online Education or Traditional Learning? An Inside Look at the Future of Higher Education

    In this episode of ABA Ultimate Showdown, we debate the motion: "Higher education is ideally delivered in a traditional format." Debaters Dr. Katie Croce and Dr. Joe Novak draw on their experience teaching in both traditional and online programs to compare access, engagement, instructional quality, and student outcomes across formats. We construct defenses of both sides to offer a comprehensive, balanced look at what the future of higher education might hold for behavior analysts and beyond. For a list of references used in this episode, visit https://grahambehavior.com/podcast. Have ideas for future debates, feedback, or interest in being a guest debater? Email us at showdown@grahambehavior.com. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow Graham Behavior Services on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram, and check out our YouTube channel for new episode alerts. We also appreciate a thoughtful review on your listening platform! Thanks for tuning in. We hope this episode gave you some #GrAhamMoments!

    2h 11m
  4. Round 11: Praise Be! A Critical Look into a Common Practice

    07/29/2021

    Round 11: Praise Be! A Critical Look into a Common Practice

    In this episode of ABA Ultimate Showdown, we debate the motion: "Using behavior-specific praise to reinforce learners' behavior is best practice." Debaters Ashley Kemmerer and Jacqueline Koppa examine the strengths, limitations, and potential unintended effects of this widely used strategy so you can more thoughtfully shape your own practice. We construct defenses of both sides to provide a comprehensive, balanced view of behavior-specific praise within behavior analysis. Please note: As of July 1, 2026, this episode is no longer eligible for CEUs. For a list of references used in this episode, visit https://grahambehavior.com/podcast. Have ideas for future debates, feedback, or interest in being a guest debater? Email us at showdown@grahambehavior.com. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow Graham Behavior Services on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram, and check out our YouTube channel for new episode alerts. We also appreciate a thoughtful review on your listening platform! Thanks for tuning in. We hope this episode gave you some #GrAhamMoments!

    1h 16m

  5. 04/16/2021 ·  Bonus

    Chat with Round 10 Debaters: Stereotypy Follow Up

    In this candid follow-up to Round 10, we sit down with debaters Amy Gravino, Angela DiPoce, Ashley Callahan, and Executive Director Cara Graham to reflect on the motion “Stereotypy as a symptom of autism does not need to be treated.” Together, they unpack the preparation process, discuss what shifted in their thinking, and respond to questions and feedback about the episode. We also highlight the extensive resource list that supports this conversation, carefully compiled in APA 7 format so listeners can keep learning. For a full list of references used in this series, please visit https://grahambehavior.com/podcast. If you have ideas or topics for future debates, respectful suggestions on ways we can improve, or are interested in being a guest debater, please email showdown@grahambehavior.com. If you enjoyed this follow-up and found your “aha” moment, please subscribe, visit our website at https://grahambehavior.com/podcast, and follow Graham Behavior Services on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest to be alerted when new episodes are released. We also appreciate your thoughtful review on the platform where you listen. Thanks for tuning in, and we hope this conversation helped you experience some Aha moments! #GrAhamMoments

    28 min
  6. Round 10: The Ethical Implications of Treating Stereotypy

    04/14/2021

    Round 10: The Ethical Implications of Treating Stereotypy

    In this episode of ABA Ultimate Showdown, we debate the motion: "Stereotypy as a symptom of autism does not need to be treated." We welcome our first guest debater, Amy Gravino, who joins Angela DiPoce in debating Ashley Callahan on the ethical, clinical, and lived-experience dimensions of treating stereotypy. Across the round, we construct defenses of both sides to offer a comprehensive, balanced view of when, whether, and how stereotypy should be addressed in practice. We draw on research, ethics, and autistic self-advocate perspectives to help behavior analysts reflect critically on their own decision-making. Please note: As of July 1, 2026, this episode is no longer eligible for CEUs. For a list of references used in this episode, visit https://grahambehavior.com/podcast. Have ideas for future debates, feedback, or interest in being a guest debater? Email us at showdown@grahambehavior.com. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow Graham Behavior Services on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram, and check out our YouTube channel for new episode alerts. We also appreciate a thoughtful review on your listening platform! Thanks for tuning in. We hope this episode gave you some #GrAhamMoments!

    1h 46m
  7. Round 9: Are BCBA Owned Businesses at an Ethical Disadvantage?

    11/05/2020

    Round 9: Are BCBA Owned Businesses at an Ethical Disadvantage?

    In this episode of ABA Ultimate Showdown, we debate the motion: "It is possible to ethically and effectively market ABA businesses within the guidelines." We discuss challenges faced by both BCBA-owned and privately owned ABA companies and explore what ethical, effective marketing can look like in practice. Informed by feedback from social media and the ABA community, we share concrete tips for marketing your services while honoring professional and ethical standards. We also recorded this round with everyone together, so you can enjoy more interactive banter and watch the full discussion on our YouTube channel. Please note: As of July 1, 2026, this episode is no longer eligible for CEUs. For a list of references used in this episode, visit https://grahambehavior.com/podcast. Have ideas for future debates, feedback, or interest in being a guest debater? Email us at showdown@grahambehavior.com. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, follow Graham Behavior Services on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram, and check out our YouTube channel for new episode alerts. We also appreciate a thoughtful review on your listening platform! Thanks for tuning in. We hope this episode gave you some #GrAhamMoments!

    1h 16m
  8. Round 8: Crash and Burnout

    07/22/2020

    Round 8: Crash and Burnout

    In this episode of ABA Ultimate Showdown, we debate the motion: “BCBAs have enough resources to ethically and effectively manage their caseload.” We examine how workload, support systems, and organizational structures impact both client outcomes and clinician well-being. The discussion covers Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT), burnout, organizational behavior management (OBM), and ethics, and highlights a wide range of resources in multiple formats to support behavior analysts’ mental health and job performance. As always, we present research-informed arguments on both sides to offer a comprehensive and balanced view of this critical topic. For a list of references used in this episode, please visit https://grahambehavior.com/podcast. If you have ideas or topics for future debates, respectful suggestions on ways we can improve, or are interested in being a guest debater, please email showdown@grahambehavior.com. If you enjoyed this episode and found your “aha” moment, please subscribe, visit our website at https://grahambehavior.com/podcast, and follow Graham Behavior Services on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram to be alerted when new episodes are released. We also appreciate your thoughtful review on the platform where you listen. Thanks for tuning in, and we hope this episode helped you experience some Aha moments! #GrAhamMoments

    1h 6m
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4.5
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

ABA Ultimate Showdown is a debate-style podcast designed to advance behavior analysis through constructive, respectful, and professional dialogue. Each episode uses a structured format to explore critical topics from multiple, research-informed perspectives, fostering civility, deeper understanding, and a user-friendly model for future behavior analysts and conference organizers.

Information

  • Creator
    Graham Behavior Services
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2023
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Graham Behavior Services
  • Show Website
    ABA Ultimate Showdown!