In the Field: The ABA Podcast
Welcome to In the Field- The ABA Podcast, hosted by Allyson Wharam. This podcast is a resource hub for Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs), business owners, training coordinators, individual supervisors, and graduate students accruing fieldwork in ABA.
Allyson, the creator of Sidekick, an innovative online curriculum and learning portal for behavior analysts, dives into the nuances of ABA with a focus on quality supervision, which she believes is the cornerstone of the field. Each episode offers information on topics relevant to ABA professionals, ranging from effective strategies for supervision, innovations in the field, to practical advice for improving service quality and outcomes for clients.
In the Field- The ABA Podcast is not just a show; it's a community for those who are passionate about enhancing their knowledge, skills, and practices in ABA. The podcast features interviews with experts, discussions on emerging trends, and shares actionable tips to help listeners invest in their professional growth and the advancement of the field.
Whether you are driving to an in-home session, taking a break in your busy day, or seeking inspiration and guidance, this podcast is your companion in fostering excellence in ABA. Join us as we explore, learn, and grow together in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis.
For more resources and information, visit our website at www.sidekicklearning.net.
In the Field: The ABA Podcast
Rethinking ABA Service Delivery: A BCBA-Led Model with Chris Topham
🎙️ Podcast Episode:
Rethinking ABA Service Delivery: A BCBA-Led Model with Chris Topham
In this episode of In the Field: The ABA Podcast, I sit down with Chris Topham, BCBA and co-founder of Celeration ABA, to explore how he’s reshaping the way ABA services are delivered. Chris shares how his journey from fine arts to behavior analysis—and his deep dive into precision teaching—sparked the creation of a BCBA-led service model that prioritizes outcomes, autonomy, and connection.
We discuss how Celeration ABA’s one-tier BCBA model impacts learner progress, staff burnout, and family satisfaction, as well as the intentional way Chris is scaling his team for quality over quantity. Chris also introduces The Autism Diagnosis Parent Plan, a free, practical course for caregivers navigating next steps after their child’s diagnosis.
🔑 Key Topics:
- From Fine Arts to ABA: How Chris discovered the field, fell in love with direct work, and built a company alongside his BCBA wife.
- Precision Teaching as a Foundation: Why continuous measurement and the Standard Celeration Chart transformed his practice and outcomes.
- One-Tier BCBA Model: What it looks like in action, how it improves traction and reduces burnout, and the trade-offs for scalability.
- Scaling Outcomes, Not Just Hours: The intentional growth strategy behind Celeration ABA.
- Parent Support: Inside The Autism Diagnosis Parent Plan—practical templates, scripts, and play strategies for families.
đź’ˇ Key Takeaways:
- Precision teaching is a measurement framework that can be layered into any ABA practice to strengthen skill acquisition and retention.
- A BCBA-led model can accelerate learner progress and reduce burnout, but requires intentional hiring, training, and workload balance.
- Scaling doesn’t always mean more billable hours—sometimes the most important metric is client outcomes.
- Caregivers benefit from structured, practical guidance during the often-overwhelming period after an autism diagnosis.
🔍 Keywords:
Precision Teaching, BCBA-Led ABA, Behavior Analysis, One-Tier Model, Autism Diagnosis, Parent Training, Standard Celeration Chart, Celeration ABA, Instructional Design in ABA, ABA Service Models
Connect with Chris:
- Website: celerationaba.com
- Instagram: @celerationaba
- LinkedIn: Chris Topham
- Free Parent Course: The Autism Diagnosis Parent Plan
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Don’t miss more inspiring conversations about innovation in ABA. Subscribe to In the Field: The ABA Podcast for insights, tools, and strategies to elevate your practice. Visit Sidekick Learning for more resources on fieldwork supervision and professional development.
Disclaimer:
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