Episodes
Action Insights: The Intersection of ABA and Mental Health
Episode 10: Burn Bright, Not Out: Recognizing and Reversing Compassion Fatigue in ABA
What happens when caring deeply starts to hurt? In this episode of Action Insights, we uncover the hidden cost of compassion in the field of ABA. Learn how to recognize the signs of compassion fatigue, how it differs from burnout, and what you can do to protect your passion—and your mental health—while doing the work you love.
Whether you're new to the field or a seasoned BCBA, this conversation is essential.
✔️ Understand the real difference between burnout and compassion fatigue
✔️ Explore how trauma exposure impacts helping professionals
✔️ Discover practical, sustainable strategies for maintaining empathy without burning out
✔️ Learn how reflection and support can turn your compassion into a superpower
Earn 0.5 CEUs for this episode! Click the button below to get your CEU!
Episode 9 - When Every Ask Feels Unsafe: Understanding PDA and the Fight for Autonomy
A child refuses to put on their shoes. Not out of defiance—but from a desperate need for control in a world that feels overwhelming. In this episode, Amelia Dalphonse, MA, BCBA, and Nikki Dionne, LCMHC, BCBA, explore Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), or what many now call a
Persistent Drive for Autonomy
Through stories, research, and reflection, they unpack how PDA challenges traditional ABA approaches—and what it means to build trust, provide choice, and truly support autonomy.
What You'll Learn:
✔ How PDA may be misunderstood as defiance or noncompliance
✔ The relationship between anxiety, nervous system dysregulation, and demand avoidance
✔ Why offering meaningful choice can reduce resistance and build trust
✔ Practical strategies for empowering clients without reinforcing compliance-based norms
This is a must-listen for BCBAs, therapists, educators, and parents who want to rethink behavior through a more compassionate, autonomy-centered lens.
Earn 0.5 CEUs for this episode! Click the button below to get your CEU!
Episode 8 - Trauma-Assumed ABA: Shifting from Behavior to Belonging
A child resists, escapes, shuts down—and we call it noncompliance. But what if it’s something more? In this episode of Action Insights: The Intersection of ABA and Mental Health, Amelia Dalphonse, MA, BCBA, and Nikki Dionne, LCMHC, BCBA, explore what it means to practice trauma-assumed ABA. Most behavior analysts aren't trained to recognize trauma—but that doesn’t mean it isn’t there.
What You'll Learn:
How trauma may influence behavior—even without a formal history
The difference between trauma-informed and trauma-assumed practices
How compliance-based goals may unintentionally cause harm
Practical strategies for integrating safety, regulation, and client autonomy into ABA services
This is a must-listen for BCBAs, therapists, and educators committed to ethical, client-centered care.
Earn 0.5 Ethics CEU for this episode! Click the button below to get your CEU!
BONUS Episode 7.5 Autism, Ableism & Outrage: Responding to RFK Jr ’s Harmful Remarks
This episode wasn’t planned, but it was too important not to share. What started as a casual conversation between Nikki and Amy turned into a deep dive into compassionate care, the impact of inclusion (or lack thereof), and the unspoken challenges in autism classrooms.
We talk about how separating autistic students from their peers can unintentionally create fear and division, and why true inclusion requires more than just proximity—it requires understanding, acceptance, and community. This is a behind-the-scenes look at how we really talk when the microphones aren’t supposed to be on.
What You'll Learn:
Why inclusion efforts sometimes miss the mark
How to foster real connection instead of separation
The role of compassion in shaping meaningful change
This wasn’t meant to be an episode… but here it is. Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
This episode is heavy on our opinions of the statements made so it is not eligible for CEUs.
Episode 7: Whose Social Validity Matters?
Only 17.6% of ABA studies in JABA published between 2010-2020 include a measure of social validity. That means the vast majority of researchers didn’t even ask whether the treatment is meaningful to the person receiving it. In this episode of Action Insights: The Intersection of ABA and Mental Health, Amelia Dalphonse, MA, BCBA, and Nikki Dionne, LCMHC, BCBA, dig into the ethical implications of ignoring social validity in behavior analysis. Are we truly centering our clients—or just reinforcing what parents, teachers, and funders expect?
What You'll Learn:
How to define and assess social validity in everyday practice
Who typically dictates treatment goals—and why that can be a problem
What assent really looks like and how to honor it
The long-term mental health impact of ignoring client perspectives
How to reframe success through a neurodiversity-affirming lens
Whether you're a BCBA, therapist, or educator, this episode will challenge you to reflect, rethink, and recommit to ethical, client-centered care.
Earn 0.5 Ethics CEU for this episode! Click the button below to get your CEU!
Episode 6 - The Ethics of Eliminating Stereotypies: Who Really Benefits
Stereotypies—flapping, rocking, humming—are often labeled as "problem behaviors" in ABA. But should they be? Who really benefits when we reduce or eliminate these behaviors? Are we supporting individual needs, or are we enforcing compliance for the comfort of others? In this episode of Action Insights: The Intersection of ABA and Mental Health, Amelia Dalphonse, MA, BCBA, and Nikki Dionne, LCMHC, BCBA, explore the ethics of targeting stereotypies in ABA.
What You'll Learn:
Why stereotypies occur and their role in self-regulation
The history of ABA’s focus on eliminating these behaviors
The impact of suppression on mental health and autonomy
Ethical, neurodiversity-affirming approaches to supporting clients
Earn 0.5 Ethics CEU for this episode! Click the button below to get your CEU!
Episode 5 - The Pathology of Childhood Behavior: When Does It Go Too Far?
Are we truly helping autistic children, or are we just making them conform? In this episode of Action Insights: The Intersection of ABA and Mental Health, Amelia Dalphonse, MA, BCBA, and Nikki Dionne, LCMHC, BCBA, dive into the pathologizing of childhood behavior in ABA. What You'll Learn:
How ABA may unintentionally label developmentally typical behaviors as "challenging"
Who decides what behavior is acceptable, and why autistic children face stricter expectations
The long-term impact of compliance-based interventions on mental health
How to apply neurodiversity-affirming practices that prioritize autonomy and self-regulation
Earn 0.5 CEU for this episode! Click the button below to get your CEU!
Episode 4 - Breaking the Mold: Addressing What Clients Truly Need
ABA isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. In this episode, we explore the importance of individualized, flexible services that truly meet the diverse needs of clients. While ABA can be highly effective, it’s not always the only or best option. Join us as we discuss when and how to incorporate other supports, collaborate with professionals across disciplines, and embrace neurodiversity-affirming practices.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why individualized, client-centered care is essential in ABA
The importance of collaboration with other professionals
How to integrate flexible, strengths-based interventions
Strategies for adapting services to better meet each client’s unique needs
Earn 0.5 CEU for this episode! Click the button below to get your CEU!
Episode 3 - The Medicalization of Autism: Pros and Cons
Is the medical model helping or harming autistic individuals? In this episode, we explore the pros and cons of viewing autism through a medical lens. While this model has increased access to funding and services, it often frames autism as a deficit rather than a difference.
We discuss the unintended consequences of insurance-driven treatment models, where providers must categorize autism-related behaviors as deficits to justify services. This requirement creates ethical and practical dilemmas, forcing BCBAs to prioritize medical necessity over a truly individualized, strength-based approach. How can we navigate this system while still honoring neurodiversity and providing meaningful support?
Join us as we discuss how to balance necessary support with affirming neurodiversity.
Earn 0.5 CEU for this episode! Click the button below to get your CEU!
Episode 2 - ABA and the Neurodiversity Movement: Can They Coexist?
This episode wasn’t planned, but it was too important not to share. What started as a casual conversation between Nikki and Amy turned into a deep dive into compassionate care, the impact of inclusion (or lack thereof), and the unspoken challenges in autism classrooms. We talk about how separating autistic students from their peers can unintentionally create fear and division, and why true inclusion requires more than just proximity—it requires understanding, acceptance, and community. This is a behind-the-scenes look at how we really talk when the microphones aren’t supposed to be on.
🔹 Why inclusion efforts sometimes miss the mark
🔹 How to foster real connection instead of separation
🔹 The role of compassion in shaping meaningful change
This wasn’t meant to be an episode… but here it is. Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Episode 1.75: Off the Record (But Not Really): A Raw Talk on Compassion, Inclusion, and Community
In this episode we dive into the evolving relationship between ABA and the neurodiversity movement. Can ABA, with its roots in behavior modification, truly align with the principles of neurodiversity? Is it possible to provide ethical, client-centered ABA that values and affirms neurological differences?
We also share examples and case studies that demonstrate how ABA can support neurodivergent individuals in empowering, respectful, and ethical ways. Whether you’re a BCBA®, mental health professional, or someone passionate about client-centered care, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable steps to promote collaboration and understanding between ABA and the neurodiversity movement.
Take a step toward ethical, affirming practices and join us for this important conversation. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with others in your network. Together, we can break the mold and create a more inclusive future in ABA.
Episode 1: The Dynamic Duo Why ABA & Mental Health Need Each Other
Did you know that 54-94% of autistic individuals will experience mental health symptoms at some point in their lives? In this inaugural episode of Action Insights: The Intersection of ABA and Mental Health, hosts Nikki Dionne, a licensed mental health counselor and BCBA, and Amelia Dalphonse, BCBA and co-founder of Master ABA, dive into why ABA and mental health must work hand-in-hand to provide truly compassionate, holistic care.
Join Nikki and Amy as they explore:
-The role of private events in behavior analysis and the fine line between being mentalistic and understanding internal states.
-How to bridge gaps in client care by integrating mental health and ABA strategies.
-Real-world stories that illustrate the importance of considering the whole person behind every behavior.
This episode challenges behavior analysts to expand their perspectives, collaborate across disciplines, and rethink how interventions can support not just behavior change but also emotional well-being. Reflect on one client you support. What private events or setting events might be influencing their behavior? How can you approach their needs more holistically? Behind every behavior is a message. Let’s work together to decode it. Tune in now to start transforming the way you approach care!
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