Episode 12 From Traditional ABA to Developmentally-Grounded Services

In this episode, we’re joined by Teresa McFarland, M.Ed., BCBA, Director and Senior Consultant for Thrive Collaborative, to explore her 22-year journey from traditional behavior therapy to Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs) that prioritize relationships, motivation, and joy. Teresa shares how Thrive uses models like the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) and Enhanced Milieu Teaching (EMT) to create developmentally respectful, family-centered services across home, school, and clinic settings. Thrive’s work centers on naturalistic, relationship-based therapy with a strong focus on parent coaching and collaborative care. Teresa also shares her professional evolution—from an undergrad volunteering with autistic children, to graduate training at Vanderbilt under Ann Kaiser, to building Thrive Collaborative as a space for affirming, play-based care.