In this episode, we’re joined by Christine Gomez, an NDBI mentor at the Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC) in Phoenix, Arizona. Christine shares her journey into the field of autism intervention, how she discovered Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs), and how her work in inclusive preschool classrooms has shaped her views on child development, play, and parent collaboration. With deep experience in implementing Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) and integrating developmental strategies like the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), Christine offers a grounded, joyful, and developmentally affirming perspective on early learning environments.

Key Takeaways:

• The SARRC Model of Care – How this Arizona-based nonprofit supports individuals with autism, integrating research, clinical services, and community outreach. SARRC’s preschool programs embed NDBI practices into inclusive settings, preparing young learners for meaningful participation in school and life.

• Discovering NDBI Through Real-World Inclusion – Christine shares how her first week as an intern—helping with a Halloween parade—sparked her understanding of teaching life skills like waiting, social language, and turn-taking through real experiences. Her early work in the Community School cemented her love for inclusive, playful, naturalistic teaching.

• Infusing PRT and ESDM in the Classroom – SARRC’s Community School blends PRT with ESDM to create developmentally appropriate learning opportunities for toddlers and preschoolers. Christine explains how the approach is tailored to each child’s profile and promotes generalization through both structured and unstructured play.

• Keeping the Fun in Learning – Christine reflects on the importance of joy and spontaneity in intervention. She encourages professionals to “abandon your own good idea” if it doesn’t work in the moment, and always follow the child’s lead to maximize engagement and success.

• The Role of Parents as Partners – SARRC’s guided observation model empowers parents to learn intervention strategies by watching their child in action while receiving real-time coaching. This strengthens home-school consistency and positions parents as confident advocates and collaborators.

Memorable Quotes:

“You can be a behavior analyst and believe in joy and curiosity at the same time.” – Christine Gomez