What does it take to change a field from the inside out? In this powerful episode, we sit down with Amanda Kelly, better known as BehaviorBabe, to explore her journey from grassroots advocacy to influencing national autism policy.Amanda shares how she built a movement through free resources, tackled ethical challenges in ABA, and helped pass landmark legislation in two states—all while staying grounded in her purpose.

From social media backlash to the launch of a revolutionary residential campus, this is a masterclass in impact, integrity, and leadership. 

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:26 Highlights from the Adult Services Panel

01:49 Launch of Unum Place Residential Campus

02:46 The Origin of “BehaviorBabe”

05:35 What Ethical ABA Looks Like Today

07:00 The Biggest Misconceptions in ABA

08:12 From Advocacy to Legislation

11:16 Challenges in Hawaii Advocacy Work

13:22 Social Media's Role in ABA and Advocacy

16:30 What Keeps Amanda Motivated & Grounded

18:11 Advice to Her Younger Self

20:16 Legacy and Long-Term Vision

21:37 Final Fun Question: What’s on Your Playlist?