What does it mean when the work you love starts leaving you drained or detached? That’s the reality of burnout, and in the field of ABA, it’s more common than we think. In this conversation, we look at how self-compassion can be one of the strongest defenses against burnout and why it doesn’t mean you care any less about your job.

We break down what burnout really is, how to spot the early signs, and why recognizing it as a signal, not a failure, is key. You’ll hear how strategies like job crafting, building mentoring relationships, and rethinking self-care can help you restore balance and resilience.

From practical shifts in your daily routine to reconnecting with your values, we share ways to protect your energy and rediscover joy in your work. Burnout may be common, but it does not have to stay that way.

What’s Inside:

• Defining burnout and how to recognize the signs.
• Compassionate ideas to mitigate burnout professionally and personally.

Mentioned In This Episode:
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Play with Purpose: Integrating ESDM and Naturalistic Teaching in Autism Intervention

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What does it look like to take developmental goals off the page and bring them to life during play, snack time, or cleanup? That’s the beauty of the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM). In this conversation, we explore how natural routines create powerful learning opportunities without forcing children to stop playing or sit at a table.

We share why ESDM is such a strong fit for very young learners and how it breaks down early milestones like pointing, joint attention, and requesting into teachable steps. More than a checklist of targets, it is about building pivotal skills that open the door to lifelong learning. And because it blends developmental norms with ABA strategies, it helps us meet kids exactly where they are, while keeping interactions fun and meaningful.

From sensory social routines to embedding goals into everyday moments, we talk through practical ways you can use ESDM strategies with your own learners. You will also hear how this approach makes teaching more engaging for both kids and practitioners.

What’s Inside:

• How ESDM supports very early learners through play and routines
• Why embedding goals in natural contexts boosts engagement and generalization
• Practical strategies for using sensory social routines to build connection

Mentioned In This Episode:

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Play with Purpose: Integrating ESDM and Naturalistic Teaching in Autism Intervention
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Assessments are more than forms to complete or boxes to tick. They are the foundation for building programs that truly matter to our learners. In this conversation, we unpack how to move beyond surface-level evaluations and use assessments as powerful tools for understanding strengths, identifying gaps, and setting meaningful goals.

Too often, assessments get mistaken for curriculum, leading to cookie-cutter programs that don’t reflect the individual needs of the learner. We discuss how to avoid this trap by reframing assessments as a starting point, not the destination. You’ll hear strategies for finding the right balance between thoroughness and efficiency, so learners don’t lose months of programming while assessments drag on.

We also talk about the importance of clinical judgment: why assessments belong in the hands of BCBAs and how to use results to shape goals that connect directly to the learner’s real-world needs. If you’ve ever felt bogged down by assessment requirements or questioned how to make them more meaningful, this episode will help you approach them with clarity and confidence.

What’s Inside:

• Why assessments should guide programming, not become the program
• How to balance thoroughness with timely implementation
• Tips for choosing meaningful, functional goals that go beyond checklists

Mentioned In This Episode:
Measuring What Matters: Meaningful Outcomes with the MOTAS Assessment CEU Event
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