Behaviour Speak with Ben Reiman

Leadership isn't something we inherit—it’s something we model.
In this powerful multi-generational conversation, Ben Reiman welcomes Quatiba Davis, along with her daughters, Keniyah Rowe and Kennedy Rowe, for an honest discussion about leadership, resilience, representation, disability, family, and the future of Applied Behaviour Analysis.
Quatiba shares the remarkable journey that took her from special education teacher to becoming the first Black Chief Clinical Officer in ABA, overseeing clinical services across more than 50 clinics. Along the way, she reflects on growing up in the Bronx, overcoming adversity, learning through failure, and why she believes leadership is built by serving others rather than pursuing titles.
Episode 279 begins with Kennedy's story. Following an in-utero stroke, Kennedy faced developmental challenges that changed the trajectory of her mother's career forever. What began as one family's search for answers ultimately inspired Quatiba to pursue behaviour analysis and dedicate her career to improving the lives of others.
As the discussion unfolds, Keniyah shares her own path—from graphic design to psychology and now graduate studies in behaviour analysis at The Chicago School. Rather than simply following in her mother's footsteps, she reflects on finding her own identity, embracing leadership in her own way, and exploring how creativity and behaviour science can intersect.
Together, the family discusses:
• How modelling shapes future leaders• Parenting through adversity• Disability, dignity, and high expectations• Black representation within behaviour analysis• The importance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)• Entrepreneurship and leadership• Why failure often becomes our greatest teacher• Mentorship and paying opportunities forward• Building businesses without sacrificing ethics• Creating a legacy through service
Throughout the conversation, one message continually emerges: leadership is not defined by job titles or professional status. Leadership is reflected in the people we encourage, the barriers we remove, and the opportunities we create for those who come after us.
Whether you're an experienced BCBA, a student entering the field, a parent, educator, or someone passionate about creating meaningful change, this episode offers wisdom that extends far beyond behavior analysis.
About Our Guests
Quatiba Davis is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, executive clinical leader, keynote speaker, professor, and author whose work focuses on clinical excellence, leadership, ethics, assessment, and expanding representation within Applied Behavior Analysis. She currently serves as Chief Clinical Officer at ABA Centers, overseeing clinical services across dozens of locations while helping develop the next generation of clinicians.
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/OMgXWMPzkwc
Follow Quatiba on:
LinkedIn :  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ms-quatiba-davis-m-ed-bcba-laba-lba-iba-3078808/
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/quatibadavis_bcba/
                    https://www.instagram.com/qed82/
Keniyah Rowe is currently completing graduate studies in Applied Behavior Analysis at The Chicago School after earning her psychology degree from Howard University. She is also the founder of Signs of Beauty, an entrepreneurial venture celebrating identity, culture, and self-expression.
Follow Keniyah on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keniyah-rowe-94524922b/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keniyah.___/
Signs of Beauty:  https://www.instagram.com/signsofbeautyy/
 
Kennedy Rowe is a Business Administration student at Florida A&M University (FAMU) whose interests include entrepreneurship, marketing, and mental health. Her personal journey inspired her mother's entrance into the field of behavior analysis and continues to influence the next generation of leaders.
Follow Kennedy on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennedy-rowe-8b521a328/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kennedyyy._____/
 
Links:
Signs of Beauty
https://signsofbeauty.bigcartel.com/
https://www.instagram.com/signsofbeautyy/
Quatiba's Interview on Beyond The Science
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1RxCIHsIjc
Continue the Conversation
If this episode resonated with you, here are a few other Behaviour Speak conversations that explore similar themes of leadership, representation, mentorship, and the future of behaviour analysis:
Episode 76 – *The Next Generation of Black Leaders in Behavior Analysis: Empowering Success* (Adrienne Bradley, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA)
This conversation explores the importance of representation, mentorship, and the creation of opportunities for emerging Black behaviour analysts. It pairs beautifully with today's discussion about modelling leadership and inspiring the next generation.https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-76-the-next-generation-of-black-leaders-in-behavior-analysis-empowering-success-with-adrienne-bradley-med-bcba-lba/
 
Episode 142 – *Creating a Powerhouse: Forging Black Leaders in Behavior Analysis*
Leadership doesn't happen in isolation. This episode examines what it takes to develop Black leaders in behaviour analysis, build supportive professional communities, and create lasting systems change—many of the same themes explored by Quatiba, Keniyah, and Kennedy.https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-142-creating-a-powerhouse-forging-black-leaders-in-behavior-analysis/
 
Episode 237 – *An HBCU First: Training the Next Generation of Black Behavior Analysts at Florida A&M University*
After hearing Quatiba discuss helping establish the BCaBA program at Florida A&M University, take a deeper dive into the story behind the first ABA training program at an HBCU and the importance of expanding access to behaviour analysis education.https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-237-an-hbcu-first-training-the-next-generation-of-black-behavior-analysts-at-florida-am-university/
 

What happens when the very strategies behaviour analysts are taught to rely on become part of the problem?
In this episode of Behaviour Speak, Ben Reiman welcomes BCBA Michelle Karren for a thoughtful discussion about PDA (commonly known as Pathological Demand Avoidance), autonomy-focused learners, and the challenges families face when traditional intervention approaches aren't working.
Drawing on both professional expertise and lived experience as a parent of autistic children, Michelle shares how she became increasingly focused on supporting learners whose intense drive for autonomy, anxiety, and demand sensitivity require a fundamentally different approach.
Together, Ben and Michelle explore:
• What PDA is and how it differs from typical demand avoidance• The shift from "Pathological Demand Avoidance" toward more respectful language such as "Persistent Drive for Autonomy" and "autonomy-focused learners"• Why traditional behaviour support strategies can unintentionally increase stress and resistance• The role anxiety and nervous system regulation play in PDA profiles• Burnout experienced by learners, caregivers, and support teams• School challenges, masking, and the high rates of school-related stress among PDA learners• The importance of rapport, trust, assent, and shared control• Why role play and learner-led activities can be powerful tools for skill development• Supporting emotional regulation instead of focusing solely on compliance• Caregiver collaboration and helping families identify meaningful quality-of-life goals• The value of interdisciplinary collaboration and learning from professionals outside behaviour analysis• How behaviour analysts can remain evidence-informed while adapting their practice to meet individual learner needs
Michelle challenges practitioners to remember that behaviour analysis is not defined by rigid procedures, but by careful observation, responsiveness, and a commitment to understanding what learners are communicating through their behaviour.
Whether you're new to PDA or looking to deepen your understanding of autonomy-focused approaches, this episode offers practical insights and important reflections for anyone supporting neurodivergent learners.
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ble7W3G104w
Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)
BACB: 1.5 LearningIBAO:  1.5 ABA TopicsQABA: 1.5 GeneralCBA/CPD: 1.5 Learning  
Follow us!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behaviourspeak/
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/behaviourspeak/
TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@behaviorspeak
 
Contact Michelle Karren
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-karren-m-sc-bcba-433716273/
Related Behaviour Speak Episodes
Episode 262, Motivational Interviewing for Behaviour Analysts with Dr. Monica Gilbert
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-261-motivational-interviewing-for-behaviour-analysts-with-dr-monica-gilbert/
Episode 179, Reforming ABA: A Framework for Behavior Analysts with Oswin Latimer and Hilary McClinton.
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-179-reforming-aba-a-framework-for-behavior-analysts/
Episode 34, Neurodiversity, ADHD, and ODD with Amelia Bowler
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-34-neurodiversity-adhd-and-odd-with-amelia-bowler-mads-bcba/
 

What does it take to build and advance a profession while simultaneously running a busy clinical practice, leading a national organization, and completing a PhD?
In this episode, Ben Reiman welcomes Niesha Illingworth for a wide-ranging conversation about the current state—and future—of behaviour analysis in Australia. Drawing on nearly twenty years of clinical experience, Niesha reflects on how the profession has evolved, the ongoing challenges surrounding public perception of ABA, and the importance of strong professional leadership during periods of significant policy change.
The conversation explores Australia's unique model of professional self-regulation, the work of ABA Australia to strengthen certification and public trust, and the opportunities and challenges created by changing disability funding systems. Niesha also discusses her doctoral research evaluating the Balance Program, an innovative parent-implemented early intervention designed to prevent the development of severe problem behaviour before it begins.
Beyond systems and policy, Ben and Niesha examine culturally responsive practice, supporting Indigenous families, collaboration across professions, and why effective advocacy is becoming an increasingly important skill for behaviour analysts. Throughout the conversation, Niesha demonstrates how science, compassion, and systems thinking can work together to improve outcomes for children, families, and the profession itself.
Check out Behaviour Analysis In The First Nation Communities of Australia with Deb Fernando
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-148-behaviour-analysis-in-first-nation-communities-of-australia/
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Hs5gjgQLMxg
Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)
BACB: 1.0 EthicsIBAO:  1.0 CulturalQABA: 1.0 EthicsCBA/CPD: 1.0 Cultural Diversity  
Follow us!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behaviourspeak/
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/behaviourspeak/
TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@behaviorspeak
 
Contact Niesha Illingworth
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/niesha-illingworth-516859141/
Bright Eyes Clinic
https://beei.com.au/
Links:
Association for Behaviour Analysis Australia
https://auaba.com.au/
Related Behaviour Speak Episodes
The Balance Program
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-3-parent-coaching-with-esdm-and-the-balance-program-with-maria-sample-ma-bcba/
Family Centred PBS
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-43-family-centred-positive-behaviour-support-with-dr-joseph-lucyshyn-phd-bcba-d-part-1/
The Constructional Approach
Madhura Deshpande
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-252-applications-of-the-constructional-approach-with-dr-madhura-deshpande/
Oliver Roschke and John Wooderson
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/beyond-behaviour-reduction-reclaiming-the-constructional-approach-in-pbs-with-oliver-roschke-john-wooderson/
 

Aida nos comparte su experiencia aplicando los principios del análisis aplicado de la conducta (ABA) en contextos clínicos y hospitalarios, trabajando con personas que presentan afasia, lesiones cerebrales adquiridas y esclerosis lateral amiotrófica (ELA). Exploramos cómo el ABA puede integrarse con otras disciplinas de la salud para apoyar la rehabilitación, la comunicación y la calidad de vida de personas con necesidades complejas.  
Si te interesa descubrir aplicaciones innovadoras del ABA y conocer cómo nuestra ciencia puede contribuir en áreas como la neurología, la rehabilitación y la terapia del lenguaje, este episodio es para ti.
 
Ver en YouTube: https://youtu.be/XBPb0ug6OSc
Créditos de Educación Continua/CEUs (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)
BACB: 1.0 Learning
IBAO: 1.0 ABA Topics
QABA: 1.0 General
CBA: 1.0 Learning
Contacto:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aidatarifarodriguez/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aida-tarifa-rodr%C3%ADguez-phd-bcba-d-1b777230/
Pagina web: https://www.nalaysuanalistadeconducta.com/
 
Natalia Flórez Marín
https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalia-fl%C3%B3rez-mar%C3%ADn-943914104/
 
Para conocer más sobre el trabajo de la Dra. Aida Tarifa Rodriguez:
Escucha su podcast:  https://open.spotify.com/show/3Fw7ITTbPmtLc5ezct3GqK?si=d97dd7facc074b2cLinks y Recursos:
Referencia:
Virues-Ortega, J., Pérez-Bustamante Pereira, A., Martin, N., Moeyaert, M., Krause, P. A., Tarifa-Rodriguez, A., Trujillo, C., & Sivaraman, M. (2023). Reducing face touching through haptic feedback: A treatment evaluation against fomite-mediated self-infection. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 56(3), 549–564. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.996  
 
No te pierdas estos otros episodios de Behaviour Speak en español:
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/ep-253-analisis-aplicado-dela-conducta-enargentinaconelizabethlopezmirandalicfonoaudiologiabcaba-iba-conla-presentadora-invitadajessie-arroyave-med/
 
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/ep-233-analisis-aplicado-de-la-conducta-en-colombia-con-johanna-avila-meza-msc-iba/
 

How do neurodivergent youth experience schools, juvenile justice systems, and the adults responsible for supporting them?
In this episode, Ben Reiman is joined by Dr. Larome Myrick, Executive Director of Youth Justice for the State of Rhode Island, and Anthony Bronaugh Sr., BCBA, educator, and former school principal. Drawing on decades of experience in corrections, education, and behaviour analysis, they explore how neurodivergent youth have historically been misunderstood, mislabeled, and underserved. The conversation examines the intersection of behaviour analysis, trauma-informed care, juvenile justice, and education while highlighting practical ways systems can move beyond punishment-based approaches.
Larome and Anthony discuss the realities of correctional classrooms, the importance of early identification and support, how stigma continues to impact families and communities, and why collaboration across systems is essential. They also share their vision for creating environments where neurodivergent youth are understood, supported, and given opportunities to thrive. Whether you're a behaviour analyst, educator, school administrator, social worker, policymaker, or parent, this episode offers valuable insights into building more responsive and humane systems for young people.
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bOxkDthDgFg
Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)
BACB: 1.5 LearningIBAO:  1.5 ABA TopicsQABA: 1.5 GeneralCBA/CPD: 1.5 Learning  
Follow us!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behaviourspeak/
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/behaviourspeak/
TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@behaviorspeak
 
Contact Dr. Larome Myrick
https://www.linkedin.com/in/laromemyrick/
Contact Anthony Bronaugh, Sr.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-bronaugh-sr-m-ed-bcba-coba-747139211/
 
 

In this powerful and deeply reflective conversation, Dr. Tibetha Kemble challenges us to rethink what we believe about colonization, reconciliation, and responsibility.
Together, we explore how settler colonialism isn’t just history—it’s an ongoing system that shapes institutions, relationships, and everyday life in ways many of us struggle to see.
This episode invites you to move beyond performative actions and into deeper reflection, asking one of the most important—and uncomfortable—questions:
👉 What are you willing to lose?
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HCQ4DW87tmA
Contact Tibetha:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tibetha-kemble-stonechild-phd-37231841/
Links and Resources:
Len Pierre Consulting
https://www.lenpierreconsulting.com/
Native Land Indigenous Territories Map
https://native-land.ca/
Women and Children's Health Research Institute
https://www.wchri.org/our-impact/stories/wchri-welcomes-tibetha-kemble-stonechild-as-academic-lead-of-indigenous-womens-health-research/
Wâpanachakos Indigenous Health Program
https://www.ualberta.ca/en/medicine/programs/indigenous-health-program/index.html
Braiding Sweetgrass By Robin Wall Kimmerer
https://www.robinwallkimmerer.com/books
 
 

In episode 273 of Behaviour Speak, we’re joined by Mikala Chee of the Diné (Navajo) Nation, Sanoe Rapozo, a Native Hawaiian,  and Abbey Woldt of the Ho-Chunk Nation—three Indigenous undergraduate scholars whose work spans nursing, psychology, and neuroscience. Together, they share their journeys into higher education, the challenges of navigating predominantly Western academic systems, and their collaboration on a community research team (CRT) mentored by Dr. Anna Fetter and focused on developing culturally grounded measures of stress and mental health for Indigenous college students. This conversation explores what happens when Indigenous students not only enter academia—but begin to reshape it.
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/r4guaLEQhi0
Follow us!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behaviourspeak/
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/behaviourspeak
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@behaviorspeak
Connect with Mikala
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikala-chee-14b36b387/
Links: 
All Our Kin 
https://www.instagram.com/allourkincollective/
SPEx Lab at Fort Lewis College
https://faculty.fortlewis.edu/amborgella/SPExLab/
Dr. Melissa Teehee's Tohi Lab
https://www.tohilab.org/
Connect with Sanoe
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanoe-rapozo/
Links:
The Past before Us: Moʻokūʻauhau as Methodology
https://uhpress.hawaii.edu/title/the-past-before-us-mo%CA%BBoku%CA%BBauhau-as-methodology/
Native American Indigenous Student Alliance
https://duke.campusgroups.com/naisa/home/
Karsh STEM Fellowship
https://undergrad.duke.edu/intellectual-community/student-faculty-engagement-office/karsh-stem-program/karsh-stem-scholars/
Connect with Abbey
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbey-woldt-8b09a0350/
Links:
https://teachlearn.wisc.edu/first-nations-cultural-landscape-tour/
UW Madison Native American Center for Health Professions
https://nachp.med.wisc.edu/
The Society For Indian Psychologists:
https://www.nativepsychs.org/
Native-to-Native Mentorship Program in Psychology
https://www.nativepsychs.org/sip-mentorship-program
Related Episodes:
Mentorship as Medicine with Dr. Anna Kawennison Fetter
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/mentorship-as-medicine-with-anna-kawennison-fetter-phd-edm/
Cultural Responsiveness in ABA:  A Hawaiian Perspective with Dr. Naomi Tachera and Dr. Sara Sato
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-245-cultural-responsiveness-in-aba-a-hawaiian-perspective-with-dr-naomi-tachera-and-dr-sara-sato/
Indigenous School Psychology with Dr. Lisa Aguilar, Bryanna Kinilicheene, and Wamnuga Win
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-107-indigenous-school-psychology-with-lisa-aguilar-bryanna-kinilicheene-and-wamnuga-win-kiva-sam/

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Jewel Parham and Dr. Danielle Jeudy to explore representation, mentorship, and systemic change in behaviour analysis. Grounded in their work ACTing for Change, we unpack how values-driven action and organizational accountability can move the field beyond awareness into meaningful change. We discuss the realities behind the statistic that only ~5.83% of BCBAs identify as Black, and how that impacts access to mentorship, supervision, leadership, and opportunity. The conversation dives into the distinction between mentorship and sponsorship, the importance of building pipelines—not just hiring—and why sustainable systems matter more than performative equity efforts. We also explore emotional and cultural labour, barriers to supervision, and how ACT principles can guide organizations toward measurable, values-aligned change.
Register for the BABA Conference to see both of Dr. Parham's and Dr. Jeudy's presentations live or online!
https://babainfo.org/convention/
 
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/UvFs0oNVbi4
Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)
BACB: 1.0 SupervisionIBAO:  1.0 SupervisionQABA: 1.0 SupervisionCBA/CPD: 1.0 Supervision
Follow us!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behaviourspeak/
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/behaviourspeak
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@behaviorspeak
Connect with Danielle
Dr. Danielle Jeudy at Navigate Behavioral Health
https://www.navigatebh.com/
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-s-jeudy-phd-bcba-d-lba-14a69b3a/
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/behaviordj/
Connect with Jewel
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjewelparham/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.behaviorjawn/
Related Episodes:
Building Community in Behaviour Analysis with Dr. Jewel Parham
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-223-building-community-in-behavior-analysis-with-dr-jewel-parham
Colorism in Context with Dr. Danielle Jeudy
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-224-colorism-in-context-with-dr-danielle-jeudy/
Training the Next Generation of Black Behaviour Analysts at Florida A&M University
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-237-an-hbcu-first-training-the-next-generation-of-black-behavior-analysts-at-florida-am-university/

What if the biggest problem in ABA isn’t the client—but the system?
In this episode, Ben sits down with Michael Conteh to unpack the hidden forces shaping burnout, turnover, and growth in ABA organizations. Drawing from decades of experience scaling a company and consulting across the field, Michael breaks down why traditional clinical thinking alone isn’t enough—and how leaders can evolve to meet the complexity of modern ABA.
 
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Zgld4ZvRgR8
Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)
BACB: 1.0 SupervisionIBAO:  1.0 SupervisionQABA: 1.0 SupervisionCBA/CPD: 1.0 Supervision
Follow us!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behaviourspeak/
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/behaviourspeak
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@behaviorspeak
 
Connect with Michael 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-conteh-bcba/
https://www.balancecoachingconsulting.com/
https://www.parentempowermentcoaching.com/
 
Related Episodes:
Forging Black Leaders in Behaviour Analysis with Portia James
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-142-creating-a-powerhouse-forging-black-leaders-in-behavior-analysis/
The Next Generation of Black Leaders in Behaviour Analysis with Adrienne Bradley
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-76-the-next-generation-of-black-leaders-in-behavior-analysis-empowering-success-with-adrienne-bradley-med-bcba-lba/
 

In this episode of Behaviour Speak, Ben Reiman is joined by Dianna Yip, behaviour analyst and practitioner with over a decade of experience building services in Hong Kong.
Dianna shares her journey from Vancouver to Hong Kong and what it was like entering a system with limited services, minimal regulation, and little awareness of ABA or PBS. Over time, she helped grow access, build community, and shift perceptions—often starting from scratch.
This conversation explores how culture shapes behaviour support, from parenting expectations to professional practice. Dianna explains why positive behaviour support (PBS) has been more readily accepted than ABA in Hong Kong, and how language, history, and collaboration play a role.
Together, they unpack:
The realities of autism services in Hong Kong
Why ABA is often misunderstood—and how PBS helps bridge the gap
The challenges of privately funded care and lack of regulation
Cultural values like compliance, academic success, and authority
How to balance respect for culture with person‑centred practice
The conversation also dives into emerging ideas that are still gaining traction in the region:
Assent-based practice and mutual respect
Neurodiversity and shifting from charity to empowerment
Moving from compliance to collaboration
Dianna also shares her work in building international practitioner communities, including the Global PBS Coalition, aimed at bringing more diverse perspectives into behaviour science.
This is a thoughtful, grounded conversation about what happens when behavioural science meets culture—and how we can do better when we listen, adapt, and stay curious.
 
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rr7g18L9J-M
Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)
BACB: 1.0 EthicsIBAO:  1.0 CulturalQABA: 1.0 EthicsCBA/CPD: 1.0 Cultural Diversity 
Follow us!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behaviourspeak/
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/behaviourspeak
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@behaviorspeak
Find Diana here!
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianna-yip-plai/
PBS Asia
https://www.pbsa.asia/
P.L.A.I. Consulting
https://plaiconsulting.com/
Resources:
The Global PBS Coalition
https://globalpbscoalition.org/
Related Episodes:
Empowering The Chinese Autism Community 
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-212-empowering-the-chinese-autism-community-with-hazel-lim/
Reclaiming the Constructional Approach in PBS with Dr. John Wooderson and Oliver Roschke
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/beyond-behaviour-reduction-reclaiming-the-constructional-approach-in-pbs-with-oliver-roschke-john-wooderson/  
Family Centred Positive Behaviour Support with Dr. Joe Lucyshyn
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-43-family-centred-positive-behaviour-support-with-dr-joseph-lucyshyn-phd-bcba-d-part-1/
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-44-family-centred-positive-behaviour-support-with-dr-joseph-lucyshyn-phd-bcba-d-part-2/
 

What does truly culturally responsive autism support look like—and who should lead it?
In this episode, Ben speaks with Dr. Davis Henderson, Dr. Candi Running Bear, and Dr. Olivia Lindly about their work adapting the Parents Taking Action program for Diné (Navajo) families. Together, they unpack how geography, language, family structure, and cultural values shape access to autism services—and how their team is working alongside communities to close those gaps.
From telehealth delivery across vast rural regions to adapting AAC tools in Indigenous languages, this conversation highlights what it really takes to move beyond “one-size-fits-all” care.
The team also shares their innovative next step: empowering parents to train educators—flipping the traditional model of expertise on its head.
What You’ll Learn
Why autism awareness and services remain limited in many Indigenous communities
How the Diné Parents Taking Action program was culturally adapted
The role of community advisory boards in ethical, effective research
How telehealth unexpectedly improved access and connection
Why AAC must be culturally and linguistically responsive
The importance of extended family systems in caregiving
How parents are being empowered to train educators
What culturally responsive autism assessment still gets wrong—and how to improve it
Key Topics & Highlights
Adapting evidence-based interventions for Indigenous communities
Barriers: rural geography, transportation, internet, and systemic gaps
Language access—including the need for autism terminology in Navajo
Cultural values like Hózhó and their role in care
AAC innovation: from iPads to paper-based systems in low-resource settings
Community connection as an intervention outcome
Expanding work to Hopi and other Indigenous communities
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XWkC-7l19is
Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)
BACB: 1.0 EthicsIBAO:  1.0 CulturalQABA: 1.0 EthicsCBA/CPD: 1.0 Cultural Diversity 
Follow us!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behaviourspeak/
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/behaviourspeak
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@behaviorspeak
 
About the Guests
Dr. Davis Henderson – Associate Professor, Northern Arizona University. Navajo researcher focused on communication disorders and culturally responsive care.
https://directory.nau.edu/?person=dh929
Dr. Candi Running Bear – Assistant Professor, University of New Mexico. Former special education teacher with deep experience in early childhood education on the Navajo Nation.
https://coehs.unm.edu/faculty-staff/profiles/running-bear-candi.html
Dr. Olivia Lindly – Associate Professor, Northern Arizona University. Public health researcher focused on maternal and child health and autism services.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-lindly-phd-mph-3323306/
https://directory.nau.edu/?person=ojl28
 
Research Discussed:
Lindly OJ, Running Bear CL, Henderson DE, Lopez K, Nozadi SS, Vining C, Bia S, Hill E and Leaf A (2023). Adaptation of the Parents Taking Action program for Diné (Navajo) parents of children with autism. Front. Educ. 8:1197197. doi: 10.3389/feduc.2023.1197197
Lindly, O., Running Bear, C., Henderson, D. E., Kirby, B. R., Begay, V., Shui, A., Dababnah, S., & Magaña, S. M. (2025). Pilot study of a strengths-based education program for Diné (Navajo) families of autistic children: Feasibility, fidelity, acceptability, and initial outcomes. Research in Autism, 127, 202658. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reia.2025.202658
Related Episodes:
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-37-the-realities-of-autism-in-first-nations-communities-in-canada-with-grant-bruno-phd-candidate/
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-147-culturally-responsive-care-in-indigenous-communities-with-dr-jaxcy-turietta/
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/behavior-analysis-and-indigenous-ways-of-being-with-leslie-peters

In this episode of Behaviour Speak, Ben Reiman sits down with Dr. Anna Kawennison Fetter, Indigenous licensed psychologist (enrolled member of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe), Assistant Professor at Duke School of Medicine in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Sciences. They explore how Indigenous mental health is shaped by history, invisibility, and academic systems that were never designed to include Indigenous people.Anna shares how discovering Indigenous scholarship on historical loss, historical trauma, and the soul wound transformed her understanding of psychology—and of herself. Together, Ben and Anna unpack how settler colonialism shows up as chronic psychological stress for Indigenous students, especially in predominantly white institutions, through everyday experiences like erasure, identity policing, and cultural invalidation.The conversation dives into Anna’s research developing culturally grounded measures of stress and microaggressions, highlighting why traditional psychological models often fail to capture Indigenous lived experience—and why “you can’t see what you’re not measuring.”In the second half of the episode, Anna reflects on her time in an Indigenous‑led research group mentored by Dr. Joseph Gone. She explains how this collective, community‑based approach to research functioned almost like an intervention—offering mentorship, skill‑building, belonging, and hope in a system that regularly pushes Indigenous scholars out.This is a powerful conversation about:
Why recruitment without structural change doesn’t workHow mentorship must go beyond warmth and affirmationWhy ignorance is not an excuse to disengageAnd what becomes possible when research finally reflects lived experience
Topics Covered
Historical loss vs. intergenerational traumaThe “soul wound” and Indigenous mental healthMicroaggressions specific to Indigenous studentsInvisibility and identity policing in academic spacesEthnic identity as a buffer for well-beingIndigenous‑led research and mentorship as resistanceBuilding culturally responsive systems—not just diverse ones
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9q86FBWMe2c
 
 
Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)
BACB: 1.5 EthicsIBAO:  1.5 CulturalQABA: 1.5 EthicsCBA/CPD: 1.5 Cultural Diversity 
Follow us!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behaviourspeak/
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/behaviourspeak
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Contact Dr. Fetter:
https://psychiatry.duke.edu/profile/anna-fetter
https://www.annakawennison.com/
Research Discussed:
Fetter, A. K., Christophe, N. K., & Thompson, M. N. (2025). Measurement invariance of the revised multigroup ethnic identity measure among a national sample of Native American and Alaska Native college students. Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000758
Fetter, A. K., Wiglesworth, A., Rey, L. F., Young, A. R., Azarani, M., & Gone, J. P. (2024). Supporting the Next Generation of Indigenous Psychologists: An Illustrative Case Example. The Counseling Psychologist, 52(7), 1174-1202. https://doi.org/10.1177/00110000241283697
Fetter, A.K., Williams, M. & Thompson, M.N. Perceived Racial Misclassification Among Native American and Alaska Native College Students: Preliminary Evidence for a Culturally Relevant Stressor. Race Soc Probl 18, 27 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12552-026-09493-1
Fetter, A. K., & Thompson, M. N. (2023). The impact of historical loss on Native American college students' mental health: The protective role of ethnic identity. Journal of Counselling Psychology, 70(5), 486–497. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000686
 
 

Today on Behaviour Speak, Ben sits down with Dr. Ammara Khalid for a powerful conversation on the intergenerational impact of the 1947 Partition of South Asia.
Together, they explore one of the largest mass migrations in human history and the trauma, displacement, silence, and resilience that continue to shape generations across the South Asian diaspora.
Drawing from her clinical work, research, and her own family’s migration story, Dr. Khalid discusses how trauma is passed through families not only through stories, but also through silence, survival patterns, cultural expectations, and the body itself.
Ben and Dr. Khalid discuss:
The historical and psychological impact of the Partition of India and Pakistan
Intergenerational trauma and inherited survival responses
Silence, stigma, and emotional suppression in South Asian families
Decolonizing mental health practices
The role of curiosity, compassion, storytelling, and community in healing
Cultural approaches to therapy, music, movement, spirituality, and collective care
Racism, migration, identity, and belonging in the diaspora
Dr. Khalid’s upcoming book: The South Asian Guide to Healing: Breaking the Cycle of Trauma
This episode is an important conversation about memory, migration, resilience, and healing — and about learning how to honour our histories without being trapped by them.
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-Hp9ZPVZY9Q
Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)
BACB: 1.0 EthicsIBAO:  1.0 CulturalQABA: 1.0 EthicsCBA/CPD: 1.0 Cultural Diversity 
Follow us!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behaviourspeak/
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/behaviourspeak
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@behaviorspeak
 
Resources
 The Partition Museum - https://www.partitionmuseum.org/1947 Archive Project - https://www.1947archive.org/Jessica Kingsley Publishers - https://www.jkp.com/Dr. Ammara Khalid's Website - https://riapsychologicalservices.com/Follow Dr. Ammara Khalid on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/drammarakhalid/
 
 

Recorded live at the 2025 Ontario Association for Behaviour Analysis conference, this episode brings together three conversations highlighting innovation across clinical practice, staff training, and systems-level change. From parent-friendly frameworks to improving treatment integrity in group homes to advancing assent-based care through skill-based treatment—this episode captures where the field is heading.
Watch this interview on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/7ZpBY8Bz8vU
Interview #1
1. Conrad Leung & Dr. Jenny Demark Co-authors of Complex Kids, Simple Solutions Integrated psychology + behaviour analysis practice The “Prepare, Teach, Motivate” framework Making behaviour science accessible to families
Contact:
Child Solutions 
https://www.childsolutions.ca/
Follow Child Solutions:
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/childsolutions
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/child.solutions/
Links:
Complex Kids, Simple Solutions – Indigo link - 
https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/complex-kids-simple-solutions-how-to-raise-resilient-confident-likeable-kids/9781923011250.html
Read a sample of the book here: 
 https://octopusbooks.ca/item/enFZofQQtileYrAyAXrZPA 
Interview #2
2. Tina Saycocie, Kayla Almeida, Alana Farnum, and Luxsi Kirupanayagam (Kerry's Place - Poster Presentation)
Improving treatment integrity in supported living, increasing staff buy-in and data collection, collaboration between clinical and operational teams, real-world barriers: training, retention, and systems
Contact: 
Kerry's Place
https://kerrysplace.org/
https://www.instagram.com/kerrysplaceautismservices/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/kerry's-place-autism-services/posts/?feedView=all
https://www.facebook.com/kerrysplaceautismservices/
Interview #3
3. Kehinde Olawale & Maddie Moshe – Progressive Steps Training staff in Skill-Based Treatment (SBT) Using Behavioural Skills Training (BST) Assent, HRE (Happy, Relaxed, Engaged), and modern ABA Moving beyond compliance-based models
Contact: 
Kehinde Olawale
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kehinde-olawale-35105a190/
Maddie Moshe
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marialena-maddie-moshe-mped-bcba-r-b-a-ont-1361301a5/
Links:
Progressive Steps
https://www.progressivesteps.ca/
https://www.instagram.com/progressivesteps
 
 

What does it take to grow a profession in real time? In this episode, Reema Jubran shares an inside look at the development of behaviour analysis in Jordan—from career pathways to regional collaboration. We explore why many practitioners are committing to ABA long-term, how supervision and credentialing pathways are evolving, and the role informal networks play in connecting clinicians across the Arab world. Despite limited in-person opportunities, a strong and growing professional community is emerging—one built on shared learning, collaboration, and a clear desire for more connection. This episode highlights both the progress being made and the opportunities ahead.
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/I37_sgeNbes
Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)
BACB: 1.0 EthicsIBAO:  1.0 CulturalQABA: 1.0 EthicsCBA/CPD: 1.0 Cultural Diversity 
Follow us!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behaviourspeak/
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/behaviourspeak
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@behaviorspeak
 
Contact Reema Jubran
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/reema-jubran-81534351/
Links
Jordan Autism Society
https://www.instagram.com/jordansocietyautism?igsh=bmVsY28zdGp3djd4
 
Anahuna Jordan
https://www.instagram.com/anahuna_jo?igsh=NGhwemFpcTM0Z3M2
Sana for Special Individuals
https://www.instagram.com/sanaorgjo?igsh=c2lia3NodGhseHBr
Autism in Jordan Facebook Groups
 
https://www.facebook.com/share/18SsNVrCaY/?mibextid=wwXIfr
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1AvoXd5Q2Z/?mibextid=wwXIfr
 
Check out these conversations for more on Behaviour Analysis in the Gulf Region:
Episode 238: Behaviour Analysis in Bahrain
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-238-behaviour-analysis-in-bahrain-with-ingy-alireza-med-ms-bcba/
Episode 149 Behaviour Analysis in Saudi Arabia
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-149-behaviouranalysis-in-saudi-arabia-with-dr-shahad-alsharif/
Episode 94: Behaviour Analysis in Lebanon and Qatar
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/ep-94-behaviour-analysis-in-lebanon-and-qatar-with-rola-el-annan-med-bcba/
Episode 15: Behaviour Analysis in Egypt
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-15-behaviour-analysis-egypt-with-radwa-eltanab-msc-bcba/
 

In this powerful episode of Behaviour Speak, Ben sits down with Oliver Roschke and John Wooderson of Constructional Solutions to explore how the constructional approach can transform positive behaviour support.
Together, they unpack how many PBS systems—particularly within highly regulated environments—have drifted toward risk management, compliance, and behaviour reduction, often losing sight of the original aim: improving quality of life.
Oliver and John challenge the field to move away from a pathological orientation focused on “problem behaviours” and instead ask a much more human question:
What does this person want their life to look like?
The conversation explores:
The origins of PBS and its evolution in Australia
The influence of Israel Goldiamond, Tom Gilbert, Ted Carr, and Risley
Why restrictive practices can become systemically reinforced
How “problem behaviour” may be the most efficient path to valued outcomes
The power of dual social contracts with both participants and staff
Case examples involving school trauma, dementia care, social isolation, and highly restrictive environments
What practitioners can do tomorrow to start moving from a pathological to a constructional approach to PBS
This episode is both a critique and an invitation: to build systems, services, and supports that center autonomy, meaningful outcomes, and human dignity.
Key takeaway:Don’t start with what needs to stop. Start with where the person wants to go.
ontinuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)
BACB: 1.5 EthicsIBAO:  1.5 EthicsQABA: 1.5 EthicsCBA/CPD: 1.5 Ethics 
Follow us!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behaviourspeak/
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/behaviourspeak
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@behaviorspeak
 
Contact Oliver and John:
Constructional Solutions
https://constructionalsolutions.com.au/
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-roschke-5ba05074/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-wooderson-6257798a/
Links:
The Constructional Approach Facebook Group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/700952357829957/?ref=share&mibextid=wwXIfr
Articles and Books Referenced:
Wooderson, J. R., Roschke, O., Fox, R. A., & Hayward, B. A. (2026). Moving from a pathological to a constructional approach to positive behaviour support in Australian disability services. Research and Practice in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/23297018.2026.2644354
Carr, E. G., Dunlap, G., Horner, R. H., Koegel, R. L., Turnbull, A. P., Sailor, W., ... & Fox, L. (2002). Positive behavior support: Evolution of an applied science. Journal of positive behavior interventions, 4(1), 4-16. https://doi.org/10.1177/109830070200400102
Donnellan, A. M., LaVigna, G. W., Negri-Shoultz, N., & Fassbender, L. L. (1988). Progress without punishment: Effective approaches for learners with behavior problems. Teachers College Press.
Goldiamond, Israel (1974). Toward a Constructional Approach to Social Problems. Behavior and Philosophy 2 (1):1.
 
Special Series on The Constructional Approach
This episode is the fourth installment in our ongoing series on the constructional approaches in behaviour analysis. I encourage you to check out the first three episodes. If you are new to this topic, Episode 250 is a great place to start 
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-250-the-constructional-approach-a-primer-with-awab-abdel-jalil/
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-252-applications-of-the-constructional-approach-with-dr-madhura-deshpande/
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-257-a-compassionate-approach-to-exposure-therapy-with-danielle-cohen/
Episodes on Positive Behaviour Support
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-23-person-driven-positive-behaviour-support-for-traumatic-brain-injury-with-dr-kate-gould-dpsych/
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-43-family-centred-positive-behaviour-support-with-dr-joseph-lucyshyn-phd-bcba-d-part-1/
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-44-family-centred-positive-behaviour-support-with-dr-joseph-lucyshyn-phd-bcba-d-part-2/