Behaviour Speak with Ben Reiman

In this episode, Ben speaks with Rahma Farah, Ikram Buralle, Suaad Jama, and Nasteya Mahamoud of the Somali Behaviour Analysis Association, a growing, community-led initiative focused on expanding autism awareness and behaviour analytic services for Somali populations. Drawing from their experiences across Somalia and the diaspora, the group shares the realities of introducing ABA in a region where awareness of autism is still emerging, stigma remains a significant barrier, and access to trained professionals is extremely limited. Through advocacy, education, and community-building, they are working to lay the foundation for sustainable, culturally relevant services—while also inspiring the next generation of Somali behaviour analysts.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0BATtF526HA

Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)

BACB: 1.0 Ethics
IBAO:  1.0 Cultural
QABA: 1.0 Ethics
CBA/CPD: 1.0 Cultural Diversity 

Follow us!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behaviourspeak/

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/behaviourspeak

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@behaviorspeak

 

Contact The Somali Behaviour Analysis Association:

LinkTree:

https://linktr.ee/sbaaofficial?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=9fde82a3-2e24-452b-93b8-4267f277df5d

Website:

https://somalibehaviouranalysisassociation.org/

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/somali-behaviour-analysis-association/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/sbaa.official

Ikram Buralle:

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ikramburalle/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/ikramtalksbehavior/

Rahma Farah

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahma-farah-92084b120/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/prospering_minds_consultancy/

Website:

https://prosperingmindsconsultancy.co.uk/

Suaad Jama

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/suaa.aad/

Nasteya Mahamoud

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nasteya-mahamud-548241184/

Links:

Dhoodaan

https://www.instagram.com/dhoodaan_/

Three related episodes of Behaviour Speak, which I think you might find really interesting, would be:

Episode 232: Behaviour Analysis in Sudan

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-232-behaviour-analysis-in-sudan-with-salma-abdelrahmanabdalla-med-iba-qba/

Episode 218: Behaviour Analysis in Morocco

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-218-behavior-analysis-in-morocco-with-mina-el-qalli-qasp-s-iba/

Episode 198: Behaviour Analysis in the UK  (featuring Rahma Farah!)

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-198-the-evolution-of-behavior-analysis-in-the-uk-with-rahma-farah-and-rochelle-gray/

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Ben sits down with Dr. Setareh (Star) Moslemi, an Iranian behaviour analyst whose journey into the field of ABA was shaped by displacement, loss, and a profound sense of responsibility. Growing up in Iran as a member of the Baháʼí Faith, Star experienced systemic barriers to education and opportunity. At 16, her family made the difficult decision to leave Iran in search of a future where she and her siblings could access education. Shortly after arriving in Turkey, her father—who had risked everything to make that journey possible—passed away. That experience became a defining moment. In this conversation, Star reflects on how her father’s sacrifice, her identity, and her lived experience shaped her path into behaviour analysis—and her ongoing mission to expand autism support for Farsi-speaking families, many of whom face significant barriers to accessing services.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/dYorixRQskE

BACB: 1.5 Ethics
IBAO:  1.5 Cultural
QABA: 1.5 Ethics
CBA/CPD: 1.5 Cultural Diversity 

Follow us!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behaviourspeak/

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/behaviourspeak

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@behaviorspeak

 

Contact Star:

Website:

https://www.behaviortalkwithstar.com/

Faculty Page at University of North Texas

https://pahs.unt.edu/behv/bao/faculty-staff.html

Danaa School on IG

https://www.instagram.com/school.danaa/

ABA Talk With Star Podcast (ای بی ای تاک با ستاره)

https://abatalkwithstar.buzzsprout.com/

Socials

https://www.instagram.com/dr.setareh.moslemi/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/setareh-dehghani-moslemi-phd-bcba-d-b1b904327/

 

Two other episodes, which I think you might find really interesting, would be:

Episode 239: Supporting Refugee and Migrant Students Amid Climate and War-Induced Displacement with Dr. Diana Diaków 

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-239-supporting-refugee-and-migrant-students-amid-climate-and-war-induced-displacement-with-dr-diana-diakow/

Episode 240: Voices From Gaza:  Understanding War Trauma with Dr. Iman Farajallah

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-240-voices-from-gaza-understanding-war-trauma-with-dr-iman-farajallah/

In this episode of Behaviour Speak, Ben sits down with Dr. Monica Gilbert to unpack what’s often missing in behaviour analysis: true engagement. While clinicians are trained in evidence-based interventions, many still struggle with caregiver buy-in, staff engagement, and sustained change. Dr. Gilbert argues the issue isn’t the science—it’s the conversation. Drawing from her work in clinical psychology and behaviour analysis, she introduces motivational interviewing (MI) as more than a technique—it’s a way of being. From understanding ambivalence to aligning with a client’s stage of change, this conversation challenges the compliance mindset and replaces it with collaboration, autonomy, and meaningful partnership. If you’ve ever felt like your interventions “should work” but aren’t landing—this episode is your missing piece.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Tqu1-iFtMws

This episode is presented by our founding academic partner, the Doctor of Education in the field of Applied Behaviour Analysis program at Western University’s Faculty of Education. 

Program Information: https://www.edu.uwo.ca/graduate-education/edd/applied-behaviour-analysis.html

How to apply: https://www.edu.uwo.ca/graduate-education/apply.html

Program brochure: https://www.edu.uwo.ca/graduate-education/edd/foe120_edd_aba_r1.png

Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)

BACB: 1.0 Learning
IBAO:  1.0 ABA Topics
QABA: 1.0 General
CBA/CPD: 1.0 Learning  

Follow us!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behaviourspeak/

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/behaviourspeak/

TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@behaviorspeak

 

Contact Dr. Gilbert

https://drmonicagilbert.com/

Crystal Minds Psychological Services

https://cmpstherapy.com/owner-profile

 

Links:

MI For Change Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/1RFSGrj1w5MPjTQpEN4Vi5?si=159a5e5e7c8b4855'

How to Stop Talking and Start Communicating with Motivational Interviewing: Building Effective Partnerships with Caregivers: A Practical Guide for Behavior Therapists By Dr. Monica Gilbert
https://a.co/d/0h6wOGcn

MINT:

https://motivationalinterviewing.org/

 

Article on The Transtheoretical Model: 

Prochaska, J. O., & Velicer, W. F. (1997). The transtheoretical model of health behavior change. American journal of health promotion : AJHP, 12(1), 38–48. https://doi.org/10.4278/0890-1171-12.1.38

For more conversations on approaches towards buy-in and collaboration check out these two episodes:

Episode 71: The Magic Of The ACT Matrix

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-71-the-magic-of-the-act-matrix-with-mary-penrice-edmondson-ms-bcba-tina-long-med-bcba-and-monica-peters-mads-bcba/

Episode 20:  Consulting in Group Homes Using ACT

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-20-consulting-in-group-homes-using-act-with-monica-peters-mads-bcba/

In this episode of Behaviour Speak, Ben sits down with Hong Chun Tan and Alexa Goh to explore the rapid development of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) in Malaysia. What began as parent-led initiatives has evolved into a coordinated national effort—complete with certification pathways, university programs, and a growing professional community.

Hong and Alexa share the behind-the-scenes story of forming the Malaysia Association for Behaviour Analysis (MABA), developing national standards, launching the first graduate-level ABA program in Southeast Asia, and introducing the MCBA (Malaysia Certified Behaviour Analyst) credential.

They also discuss the cultural, logistical, and ethical considerations of building ABA infrastructure in a unique regional context—and what other countries can learn from Malaysia’s approach.

Watch on YouTube!:  https://youtu.be/VRjkVPemB94

Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)

BACB: 1.5 Ethics
IBAO:  1.5  Cultural
QABA: 1.5  General
CBA:    1.5  Cultural Diversity 

Follow us!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behaviourspeak/

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/behaviourspeak/

Contact:

Alexa Goh

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexagoh/

Hong Chun Tan

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hong-chun-tan-msc-bcba-qba-mcba-lba-dha-doh-a6ab7567/

Links:

MABA (Malaysia Association for Behaviour Analysis)

https://m-aba.com/

Sunway University ABA Program

https://sunwayuniversity.edu.my/faculty-of-medical-and-life-sciences/courses/master-of-applied-behaviour-analysis\

SEA ABA Conference, where professionals are coming together to shape the future of ABA in Southeast Asia.

https://seaaba.org/

Related Episodes:

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/ep-241-behaviour-analysis-in-the-philippines-with-razelle-kaye-castillo-bcaba-kristine-gomez-ma-bcba-kathryn-mendoza-ma-ed-bcba/

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-211-the-florida-child-welfare-behavior-analysis-services-program-with-han-leong-goh-phd-bcba-d-lba/

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/incorporating-filipino-values-in-behavioral-health-with-dr-pauline-tolentino-pablo-dbh-bcba/

What happens when there are no autism services in your country? In this episode, Ben speaks with Maxcia Williams, a parent, advocate, and behaviour technician in the Turks & Caicos Islands, about her journey raising a son with autism in a system that didn’t yet exist—and how she helped build one. From navigating stigma and cultural myths to founding the Hope Foundation for Autism Awareness, Maxcia shares what it means to move from isolation to impact. This conversation explores culturally responsive care, workforce challenges in small communities, and the power of caregiver-led change. At the heart of the episode is Israel—Maxcia’s son—whose journey into self-advocacy, homeschooling, and authorship reminds us that autism is not a limitation, but a different path.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZqhcnZnjN4I

This episode is presented by our founding academic partner, the Doctor of Education in the field of Applied Behaviour Analysis program at Western University’s Faculty of Education. 

Program Information: https://www.edu.uwo.ca/graduate-education/edd/applied-behaviour-analysis.html

How to apply: https://www.edu.uwo.ca/graduate-education/apply.html

Program brochure: https://www.edu.uwo.ca/graduate-education/edd/foe120_edd_aba_r1.png

Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)

BACB: 1.5 Ethics
IBAO:  1.5 Cultural
QABA: 1.5 General
CBA/CPD: 1.5 Cultural Diversity   

Follow us!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behaviourspeak/

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/behaviourspeak/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@behaviorspeak

 

Contact Maxcia

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxcia-williams-ibt-ados-2-administrator-1b735a77/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/maximalicious/

The Elephant Rooms - (The clinic Maxcia works in)

https://theelephantrooms.com/team/

Links:

What Happens Next?  by Isreal Rigby

https://www.amazon.com/What-Happens-Next-Isreal-Rigby-ebook/dp/B0CTZV63ZM

Caribbean Association for Behaviour Analysis

https://caribbeanba.org/leadership/

The Black Association of Behavior Analysts

https://babainfo.org/

International Behavior Analysis Association

https://theibao.com/

To learn more about behaviour analysis in the Caribbean, check out these interviews:
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-93-behaviour-analysis-in-the-caribbean-with-kim-woolery-gabi-torres-and-sloane-pharr-strang/

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-97-bridging-the-gap-culturally-responsive-telehealth-and-behavior-analysis-with-kimberly-woolery-ms-bcba/

https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/epiosde-187-culturally-grounded-autism-training-for-black-parents-with-camille-proctor/