Behaviour Speak with Ben Reiman

In this episode of Behaviour Speak, Dr. Olivia Hird-Partlow offers a thoughtful and deeply practical conversation about ABA across the lifespan. Originally from Canada and now based in Maryland, Olivia Hird-Partlow describes her path into ABA through early training at Kennedy Krieger, her work across clinics, homes, schools, and residential settings, and her current teaching role at McDaniel College, where she teaches ABA courses within a master’s program in human services. 

A major focus of the episode is the gap in ABA training and services for adults with autism, intellectual disabilities, dementia, and other age-related needs. Dr. Hird-Partlow explains how many ABA programs and funding structures continue to emphasize children, while adults and aging populations often require thoughtful behavioural support, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a strong commitment to quality of life.

The conversation explores what it means to support adults in ways that preserve autonomy, consent, dignity, and independence. Olivia Hird-Partlow discusses the importance of recognizing behavioural changes as possible indicators of pain, memory loss, grief, changes in routine, medical concerns, or communication needs. She also emphasizes that intervention plans should not simply be implemented mechanically, but should be adjusted based on the person’s changing abilities, preferences, and lived experience. 

Listeners will also hear a rich discussion of aging in place, caregiver stress, family communication, and the emotional realities of supporting aging parents, grandparents, and relatives. Olivia shares personal examples from her own family, including the importance of maintaining familiar routines, environments, smells, furniture, and family connections when possible. 

The episode also highlights Dr. Hird-Partlow’s work through Relentless Alliance, where she provides consultation, coaching, training, and support for adults with disabilities and adults experiencing dementia or aging-related changes. She also discusses her dissertation work on the practical functional assessment with adults and in schools, as well as her interest in building more research and training around ABA with adults.

This conversation is essential listening for behaviour analysts, caregivers, educators, residential support staff, clinicians, students, and anyone interested in compassionate behavioural support across the lifespan.

Watch the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/P-K_8gIxLpA

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

Connect with Olivia

Relentless Alliance

https://relentlessalliance.app/

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-hird/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/olivia_hird_partlow/

Links

Sisters On Da Mic Podcast

https://sistersondamic.buzzsprout.com/

DMV ABBA

https://www.dmvabba.org/

Related Episodes:

Episode 236, "The Intersection of Aging and Behaviour Analysis," with Dr. Jacqueline Pachis and Nehal Siam
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-236-the-intersection-of-aging-and-behaviour-analysis-with-jacqueline-pachis-ma-ms-bcba-and-nehal-siam-mped-bcba-rba-ont/

Episode 20, "Consulting in Group Homes Using ACT," with Monica Peters.
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-20-consulting-in-group-homes-using-act-with-monica-peters-mads-bcba/

In this powerful conversation, Meena Richardson, an Assistant Scientist at the Center for Indigenous Health at Johns Hopkins University, shares her work supporting urban Indigenous communities through community-based participatory research, cultural connectedness, and Indigenous-led approaches to healing. 

 

Drawing from her experiences as a citizen of the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe and her Indo-Fijian heritage, Meena explores how identity, kinship, and relationships serve as mechanisms for wellness and resilience. She discusses the realities facing urban Indigenous communities, the impact of historical policies such as relocation programs, and the importance of honouring Indigenous ways of knowing in research and practice. 

The conversation highlights Meena's dissertation research on caregiving, belonging, and cultural connectedness in urban Indigenous communities. Listeners will learn how multigenerational relationships, place-based practices, water ceremonies, traditional plant knowledge, and community-centred caregiving support both healing and prevention across generations. 

Throughout the discussion, Meena offers a strengths-based perspective that challenges common misconceptions about urban Indigenous people while emphasizing the power of community, culture, identity, and Indigenous leadership in creating healthier futures.

 

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Sbx4x0-aD3A
 
Check out Meena's latest paper!
Richardson, M., Darrow, H., Trujillo, N., & Waters, S. F. (2026). "…what it all comes down to is being a good relative": urban indigenous perspectives on caregiving, community, and culture to inform trauma transmission prevention and generational healing. Journal of behavioral medicine, 10.1007/s10865-026-00685-z. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-026-00685-z
 
 

Contact Dr. Richardson
 
https://cih.jhu.edu/team/meenakshi-richardson/
https://publichealth.jhu.edu/faculty/4949/meenakshi-richardson
 
 

If you enjoyed this conversation with Meena Richardson, be sure to explore other Behaviour Speak episodes that deepen the discussion around Indigenous health, cultural connectedness, identity, and community wellbeing. Check out our conversations with Haley Shea, who shares insights on Indigenous mental health and systems transformation; Jessica Saniguq Ullrich, whose work on the Indigenous Connectedness Framework helped inform many of the concepts discussed in this episode; and Katisha Paul, who explores Indigenous perspectives on healing, community, and cultural resurgence. Together, these conversations offer a broader understanding of Indigenous ways of knowing, relationship-based approaches to wellbeing, and the importance of centering Indigenous voices in research, practice, and community care. Visit BehaviourSpeak.com and search for Haley Shea, Jessica Ullrich, and Katisha Paul to continue your learning journey.

What does behaviour analysis look like in Russia today?

In this episode of Behaviour Speak, Ben welcomes Natalia Polikarpova, behaviour analyst, educator, supervisor, and leader in the Russian-speaking ABA community.

Natalia shares her journey from engineering to behaviour analysis, discusses the early development of ABA in Russia, and reflects on the growth of professional training, supervision, and certification opportunities across Russian-speaking countries. She also explores the impact of the BACB's withdrawal from Russia, the emergence of local credentialing systems, and the importance of developing professional organizations that reflect local cultural and educational realities. 

The conversation also examines autism services across Russia and neighbouring countries, including parent involvement, educational options, government-supported initiatives, and ongoing efforts to improve diagnostic pathways for families. Natalia highlights the growing influence of Practical Functional Assessment (PFA) and Skills-Based Treatment (SBT), as well as the broader movement toward compassionate, trauma-informed care. 

Most importantly, Natalia challenges listeners to remember that every learner is first and foremost a child, deserving of dignity, flexibility, and compassionate support.

In this episode, we discuss:

How ABA first emerged in Russia

Early misconceptions about ABA

The growth of Russian-language BCBA training

Certification changes following BACB withdrawal

Development of local professional standards and ethics

PFA and SBT implementation across Russia

Autism services and school placement options

Parent involvement in intervention

Challenges facing adult autism services

Compassionate and trauma-informed behavior analysis

The future of ABA in Russian-speaking communities

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tV9Ja9ziEZ8

Continuing Education Credits

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

Complete The Behaviour Speak CE Knowledge Check To Earn Your CEUs

Enter your answers here:  (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)

Question 1

Natalia discussed one challenge with importing educational models into Russia. What concern did she raise?

A. Teachers refused to use behaviour analysis

B. Imported models sometimes require adaptation to local educational and cultural realities

C. Families preferred residential treatment

D. Universities prohibited ABA training

Question 2

A. Government-funded universal ABA services

B. Large numbers of university-based ABA doctoral programs

C. Strong interest in learning new practices and professional development

D. National licensing requirements for all therapists

Question 3

Which statement best reflects Natalia's philosophy of practice?

A. Compliance should always be prioritized before teaching anything else

B. Standardized intervention plans are more effective than individualized approaches

C. Every child should receive the same educational placement

D. Practitioners should remember they are working with a child first and build interventions compassionately

 

Contact 

Азбука АВА

https://azbukaaba.com/

FTF Behavioral Consulting

https://ftfbc.com/our-team/natalia-polikarpova/

https://ftfbc.com/natalia-polikarpova/

Explore More Global Perspectives on Behaviour Analysis

Natalia's story is part of a broader series of conversations on Behaviour Speak that examines how behaviour analysis is developing across Eastern Europe and Central Asia. While each country faces unique cultural, educational, regulatory, and service-delivery challenges, a common theme emerges: dedicated professionals are building behaviour analytic communities, expanding access to services, and adapting evidence-based practices to meet local needs.

Episode 184: Behaviour Analysis in Ukraine with Alla Moskalets
 Learn how behaviour analysis developed in Ukraine, the challenges of expanding autism services, and the efforts of practitioners working to increase professional training, family support, and awareness of evidence-based practices.

Episode 191: Behaviour Analysis in Belarus with Hanna Kalinouskaya, BCBA, IBA

Explore the growth of behaviour analysis in Belarus, including the development of professional communities, service delivery models, and the ongoing work of creating accessible supports for autistic individuals and their families.

Episode 229: Behaviour Analysis in Kyrgyzstan with Dr. Anastasiia Iun

Discover how ABA is emerging in Kyrgyzstan, the barriers faced by families and professionals, and the innovative approaches being used to build capacity and expand access to quality services.

Episode 251: Behaviour Analysis in Georgia with Madonna Bonny, MS, BCBA

Hear about the evolution of behaviour analysis in Georgia, including workforce development, educational initiatives, and efforts to establish sustainable systems of support for autistic individuals and their caregivers.

Together with Natalia Polikarpova's insights into Russia and Russian-speaking communities, these episodes provide a unique international perspective on the growth of behaviour analysis around the world. They highlight the importance of cultural responsiveness, collaboration, parent engagement, and the shared commitment of practitioners working to improve outcomes for individuals and families across diverse settings.

Listen to the full international series at Behaviour Speak and discover how behaviour analysis is taking shape across different regions, cultures, and systems of care.

In this episode of Behaviour Speak, host Ben Reiman speaks with Sarah Elkami Trdina, Lina Pezzo Szodo, and Camila Grullon from Always Connected Treatment Network (ACTN) about an innovative partnership with Mississauga Fire.

The conversation explores how behaviour analysts and fire safety professionals collaborated to create accessible fire safety education for neurodivergent children, youth, and families. The guests discuss caregiver workshops, desensitization protocols for smoke alarms, emergency preparedness training, and strategies for teaching potentially life-saving skills using behaviour analytic principles. 

The episode also highlights the importance of cross-sector collaboration, community engagement, and creating practical resources that can be shared across organizations, schools, and emergency services. 

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xGxFs-8ofr4

Continuing Education Credits

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

Complete The Behaviour Speak CE Knowledge Check To Earn Your CEUs

Enter your answers here:  (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)

Question 1

Sarah described how many larger fire safety skills are actually made up of smaller prerequisite skills. Which of the following was discussed as an example of a prerequisite skill involved in successful fire evacuation?

A. Learning to identify all fire truck equipment

B. Following instructions during an emergency

C. Learning firefighter rank structures

D. Understanding municipal fire codes

Question 2

What behaviour analytic strategy did the ACTN team describe for helping learners become more comfortable with smoke alarms?

A. Overcorrection

B. Response cost

C. Desensitization through gradual exposure to alarm sounds

D. Token economies only

Question 3

During the episode, Camila shared that behaviour analysis is still emerging in the Dominican Republic. Approximately how many behaviour analysts did she estimate were practicing in the country when she completed her supervision hours?

A. About 5

B. About 25

C. About 100

D. About 500

Contact 

Always Connected Treatment Network

https://alwaysconnectedtn.ca/

Sarah Elkami Tridina

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

Camilla Grullon

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

Lina Pezzo Szodo

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lina-pezzo-szodo-39127b146/

Links:

The September 26th Project

https://september26.org/

Ontario Municipal Fire Prevention Officers Association

https://omfpoa.com/

PECS Canada Fire Safety Resources

https://pecs-canada.com/blog/teaching-fire-safety-messages-to-aac-users/

https://pecs-canada.com/n-i-c-k-for-fire-and-burn-safety/

Caribbean Association For Behaviour Analysis

https://caribbeanba.org/

This is Part Two of my conversation with Katisha Paul.

After exploring her personal journey in Part One, we dive into the work that has made Katisha one of the most recognized Indigenous advocates of her generation.

We discuss:

Leadership lessons from her ancestors

The history and impact of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs

Indigenous governance and self-determination

Women's leadership and matriarchal responsibility

Indigenous representation at the United Nations

The Global Indigenous Youth Caucus

Climate leadership and environmental stewardship

Rematriation and the return of cultural belongings

Indigenous rights implementation

Systems change and governance

NEPENEḴ and the Sovereign-Tea project

Legacy, future generations, and Indigenous resurgence

Throughout the conversation, Katisha shares a vision rooted in Indigenous laws, relationships, responsibility, and what she calls moving from intergenerational trauma toward intergenerational excellence.

 

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/i9d0_TDkbiA

Contact Katisha Paul

NEPENEḴ

https://nepenek.ca/

https://www.instagram.com/nepenekgroup/

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katisha-paul-b6ab0235b/

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/katisha.paul/

Union of BC Indian Chiefs

https://www.ubcic.bc.ca/

UN Global Indigenous Youth Caucus

https://www.globalindigenousyouthcaucus.org/

https://www.facebook.com/GlobalIndigenousYouthCaucus/

Tsartlip First Nation

https://tsartlip.com/