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Episode 9
Bringing NDBIs to Life: Dissemination and Implementation in Community Settings
About This Episode
In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Ariana Boutain, BCBA-D and Chief Clinical Officer at the Atlanta Autism Center. With nearly two decades of experience, Dr. Bane shares her inspiring professional journey — from starting in traditional, compliance‑driven ABA to becoming a passionate champion of Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs). She opens up about what sparked her shift: noticing the gaps in traditional treatment models for very young autistic children, diving deep into developmental science, and discovering the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) and the broader NDBI framework. She shares how these approaches have transformed her clinical work, her team’s training practices, and even her own parenting.
Bringing NDBIs to Life: Dissemination and Implementation in Community Settings
Dr. Ariana Boutain
About Our Guest Speaker
Dr. Ariana Boutain
Dr. Ariana Boutain received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Master’s Degree in Applied Behavioral Science from the University of Kansas, and Ph.D. in Behavioral Psychology from the University of Kansas. Ariana is a Doctoral-Level Board Certified Behavior Analyst and has been working with children with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and related disorders since 2006. Dr. Ariana has presented at regional and national conferences on topics including the effectiveness of different prompting procedures on skill acquisition and the use of telehealth technology within parent training programs. Dr. Ariana has published in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and the Behavior Analyst and has served as a reviewer for the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and the International Journal of Developmental Disabilities. Dr. Ariana has been a member of the Association for Behavioral Analysis International, the Illinois Association for Behavior Analysis, the Wisconsin Association of Behavior Analysis, and the Kansas Association for Behavior Analysis
Show Notes
In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Ariana Boutain, BCBA-D and Chief Clinical Officer at the Atlanta Autism Center. With nearly two decades of experience, Dr. Bane shares her inspiring professional journey — from starting in traditional, compliance‑driven ABA to becoming a passionate champion of Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs). She opens up about what sparked her shift: noticing the gaps in traditional treatment models for very young autistic children, diving deep into developmental science, and discovering the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) and the broader NDBI framework. She shares how these approaches have transformed her clinical work, her team’s training practices, and even her own parenting.
Episode Highlights:
Her Path to NDBI – From discrete trial “drill and kill” methods to child‑centered, play‑based interventions.
Why NDBI Matters – How it blends ABA and developmental science, focuses on foundational skills, and honors each child’s unique strengths and interests.
Overcoming Implementation Challenges – Navigating staff resistance, shifting RBT training priorities, and teaching clinicians “how to play” to build engagement.
Cross‑disciplinary Impact – How OTs, SLPs, and other allied professionals can benefit from NDBI strategies.
Actionable Tips for Leaders – Immersing in the literature, choosing assessments that fit your program, training BCBAs to fluency, and supporting therapists as they develop their own style.
Episode Resources
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