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The How to ABA Podcast
We are Shira and Shayna and we are so excited to bring you our first podcast episode of How to ABA! We are both BCBAs with over twenty years of experience, and as you can imagine, we have created and gathered so many resources in that time. We want to share them with you! That’s why we are here, and that’s why we created this podcast. If you are new to the world of ABA, are looking for new resources, or just looking for a fresh perspective, you’re in the right place!
The How to ABA Podcast
Choosing the Right Assessment: Practical Tips for BCBAs
Assessments are essential in ABA, but are we always using them the right way? Too often, assessments become a box-checking exercise rather than a true guide to meaningful intervention. In this conversation, we revisit the foundations of ABA assessments and explore how to move beyond simply filling in grids and scoring sheets.
We look at some of the most widely used tools, including the ABLLS, VB-MAPP, and Early Start Denver Model, and share how to choose the right one for your learner. You’ll learn why assessments are not the same as curriculum, and how mistaking one for the other can lead to cookie-cutter programs that miss individual needs. Instead, we highlight how assessments should serve as a starting point, giving you a baseline to individualize treatment goals and track progress over time.
You’ll also hear updates on newer tools like the MOTAS (Meaningful Outcomes Treatment and Assessment Scale) and the IGL (Inventory of Good Learner Repertoires), which can help bridge the gap between assessment data and real-world functional progress.
If you’ve ever wondered how to make assessments feel less overwhelming and more impactful, this episode will give you practical strategies and a fresh perspective.
What’s Inside:
- Why assessments are not curriculum
- Choosing the right tool for the right learner
- Updates on MOTAS and IGL for functional outcomes
- Tips for making assessments efficient and individualized
Mentioned In This Episode:
Check out our blog on assessments
Measuring What Matters: Meaningful Outcomes with the MOTAS Assessment CEU Event