Amanda Kelly on Dignity, Advocacy, and the Future of ABA

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 Intro00:26 Highlights from the Adult Services Panel01:49 Launch of Unum Place Residential Campus02:46 The Origin of “BehaviorBabe”05:35 What Ethical ABA Looks Like Today07:00 The Biggest Misconceptions in ABA08:12 From Advocacy to Legislation11:16 Challenges in Hawaii Advocacy Work13:22 Social Media's Role in ABA and Advocacy16:30 What Keeps Amanda Motivated & Grounded18:11 Advice to Her Younger Self20:16 Legacy and Long-Term Vision21:37 Final Fun Question: What’s on Your Playlist?