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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
Compassionate, Connected, and Evidence-Based: Why ESDM Belongs in Modern ABA
What happens when ABA meets developmental science? The Early Start Denver Model, or ESDM, reminds us that evidence-based practice can also be compassionate and deeply connected. In this conversation, we talk about how ESDM blends the science of ABA with developmental and play-based teaching for our youngest learners.
We explore what makes ESDM unique: its focus on joint attention, social reciprocity, and developmental milestones for toddlers and preschoolers. It is not separate from ABA; it is ABA applied through a natural, relationship-centered lens. For those early learners who are not yet ready for the ABLLS or VB-MAPP, ESDM fills that gap beautifully.
We also share how tuning in to a child’s frequency and seeing and connecting with them first creates a foundation for real learning. When we slow down, follow their lead, and build connection, everything else becomes easier.
Whether you are a BCBA, therapist, or parent, this episode will help you see how science and heart can work together to support meaningful growth.
What’s Inside:
- How ESDM complements ABA
- Developmental milestones as teaching guides
- Why connection comes before instruction
Mentioned in This Episode:
Episode 208: The Power of Sensory Social Routines
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