From Misconceptions to Understanding: The Future of ABA

About this episode

Ellie Brink discusses reframing disability support and the ethical considerations of ABA therapy.

On the Unspecial Podcast, host interviews Ellie (LA) Brink, founder of Hype Disability Success in Port Macquarie, Australia, and co-host of the new Behave Podcast, about reframing disability support away from milestones, compliance, and “fixing” children toward seeing them, acceptance, autonomy, and individualized definitions of success. Brink shares her path from nannying a nonspeaking autistic boy in the U.S. to becoming a BCBA, discusses differences between U.S. and Australian funding, and explains why co-regulation is foundational to self-regulation, offering practical parent strategies and emphasizing small, realistic self-care. They address why ABA is polarizing, acknowledging historical harms, punishment, and deficit-based goals, and argue ethical ABA should prioritize safety, communication, self-advocacy, emotional regulation, and learner-chosen goals. Brink highlights apraxia, separating receptive from expressive language, presuming competence, community-based learning, and trusting parental intuition to leave harmful therapy and find the right “fit.”} Visit our website: www.unspecialllc.com #specialeducation #specialed #podcast #unspecial #specialneedsjourney…

People in this episode

Host: UNspecial Podcast

Guest: Ellie (LA) Brink

Topics covered

• disability support
• ABA therapy
• self-regulation
• parenting strategies
• ethical ABA
• communication
• autonomy

Keywords

• ABA
• disability
• self-advocacy
• emotional regulation
• parenting
• autism
• community-based learning

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Hype Disability Success, Behave Podcast

Places: Port Macquarie, U.S., Australia

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