Sleep Competency and Why Behavior Analysts Need To Step Up

In this Solo episode of the Your Behavior Gal Podcast, Nicole Shallow discusses the critical role of sleep in behavior analysis and the unique challenges faced by families, particularly those with children on the autism spectrum. She emphasizes the importance of understanding sleep issues through a comprehensive assessment framework, including medical, environmental, and behavioural factors. Nicole also highlights the significance of circadian health and offers strategies for supporting families in improving sleep quality. The conversation underscores the need for Behavior Analysts to expand their knowledge and skills in sleep support to create meaningful change in the lives of families.

In this conversation, Nicole Shallow interviews Rose Griffin, a dual certified speech language pathologist and board certified behavior analyst. They discuss the intersection of speech therapy and applied behavior analysis, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between SLPs and BCBAs to enhance communication skills in children with autism. Rose shares her journey, insights on naturalistic interventions, the significance of joint attention, and the challenges faced in implementing effective communication strategies. The discussion highlights the need for a supportive professional community and the future of integrated services in the field.takeawaysRose Griffin is a dual certified SLP and BCBA.Collaboration between SLPs and BCBAs is crucial for effective communication.Naturalistic interventions can enhance communication skills.Joint attention is foundational for communication development.Therapy should be fun and functional for learners.Data collection in naturalistic settings requires a different approach.Building relationships between professionals benefits students.The future of SLP and ABA collaboration looks promising.Creating a supportive community is essential for professional growth.Curiosity about other professions can lead to better outcomes.Fine Rose on instagram @abaspeechbyrose and check out all of the amazing resources and CEs on her website https://abaspeech.org.

In this episode of The Your Behaviour Gal Podcast, Nicole Shallow takes you behind the scenes of her past year, a season of growth, grit, and grace. From late-night reflections to big “aha!” moments at the Living in Balance seminar, Nicole shares how she learned to put herself back on the list.Tune in as she opens up about the real-life juggle of motherhood and business ownership, the small daily shifts that transformed her health, and the mentors who helped her find clarity and confidence along the way. This episode is equal parts reflection and celebration, a reminder that when you prioritize yourself, everything else starts to align.For those looking for Hello Fresh discount here it is!

In this episode, Nicole Shallow sits down with Leanne Page, M.Ed., BCBA, to talk about compassionate caregiving, especially for behavior analysts who are also parents. They explore what compassion really means, how to practice self-compassion, and how personal values shape the way we parent and support others. The conversation dives into balancing professional and personal roles, emotional regulation, and the influence of social media on parenting expectations.Leanne shares insights from her work with Parenting with ABA and offers practical tools for both caregivers and professionals. Together, she and Nicole highlight that compassion is not just empathy; it is empathy plus action. They discuss how even five minutes of focused attention can strengthen a parent-child connection, and how modeling self-compassion helps children build emotional awareness and resilience.Key takeaways include: self-compassion is a skill we can develop, BCBA parents often face unique challenges, it is important to recognize the emotional weight of parenting, building therapeutic relationships starts with asking caregivers how they are, and values-driven parenting matters more than perfection.Resources mentioned in this episode:The Calm & Connected Journal for Moms (kids version coming soon): https://parenting-with-aba.myshopify.com/products/the-calm-connected-journalCompassionate Parent Training Workbook and professional downloads: https://parenting-with-aba.myshopify.com/collections/resources-for-professionalsFree Self-Compassionate Practitioner Worksheet: https://www.parentingwithaba.org/self-compassionate-practitioner-2/CARES Framework for Structuring Parent Training Sessions: https://www.parentingwithaba.org/cares-framework/Leanne was kind enough to offer a special listener discount for the Parenting with ABA store! Head to her site and use the code YBG at checkout for 10% off her amazing resources: https://parenting-with-aba.myshopify.com/Leanne Page, M.Ed., BCBA, is the founder of Parenting with ABA, an author, and a leader in compassionate parent training. Her work helps families and professionals bridge the gap between behavioral science and everyday connection through empathy, flexibility, and action.

What does self-care really mean for behavior analysts? In this episode, I sit down with Daniela Galvez Moreno to explore how our field can move beyond “burnout culture” and create a healthier, more balanced way of practicing. Daniela shares her vision of redefining behavior analytic culture—where self-care is not optional, but foundational to ethical and sustainable practice.Together, we:Reflect on the idea of non-negotiables—what’s worked, what hasn’t, and where we’re still growingExplore present-moment awareness and the mindset shifts that support balanceDiscuss the often-overlooked role of hormones, nutrition, relationships, and time in sustaining well-beingHighlight how cultural change in ABA can ripple into healthier, more values-aligned work for allIf you’ve ever felt the tension between giving your best to clients and taking care of yourself, this conversation offers both validation and practical strategies.✨ Special Offer: Listeners get 15% off their registration for Self-Set-Go (October 2025) with the code. Click here to Register!YOURBEHAVIOURGAL15. Don’t miss your chance to be part of a community redefining what it means to be a healthy, balanced behavior analyst.🌿 Follow Dani for updates and to connect: @brawnandbloom 💬 Connect with your host:Instagram: @yourbehaviourgalWebsite: www.instagram.com/yourbehaviourgal

In the inaugural episode of the Your Behavior Gal podcast, host Nicole Shallow introduces herself and her mission to explore the intersection of sleep, behavior analysis, and compassion. She shares her personal journey with sleep struggles and emphasizes the importance of understanding sleep as a complex issue that goes beyond simple solutions. Nicole aims to provide valuable insights for behavior analysts, parents, and professionals, encouraging a holistic approach to sleep support that considers individual circumstances and promotes well-being.takeawaysNicole Shallow is a board certified behavior analyst and sleep specialist.The podcast aims to explore sleep, regulation, and behavior science.Sleep is a life-changing aspect for many families.Understanding sleep requires a compassionate and holistic approach.Sleep struggles can stem from various personal and environmental factors.The podcast will feature conversations with other professionals in the field.Behavior analysts can support sleep without being sleep specialists.Self-care and compassion are essential in addressing sleep challenges.Listeners are encouraged to take actionable steps in their practice and life.The podcast is a platform for sharing knowledge and experiences in behavior analysis.