Meltdowns, ABA Wait Lists, and What Behavior Is Really Telling You with Kea Lee

Behavior isn't random, and it isn't your child being "bad." It's communication. In this episode, Luba sits down with Kea Lee, M.S., BCBA, LBA, founder of Moment of Behavior, to unpack what your child's behavior is actually telling you, and how parents can shift from reactive to responsive. Kea brings 8 years of experience across clinic, home, school, and community settings, with a Bachelor's in Speech Language Pathology & Audiology from Old Dominion University and a Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Together, Luba and Kea dig into the real meaning behind meltdowns, what modern assent-based ABA actually looks like, why "wait and see" can cost families precious time, and what parents stuck on ABA wait lists can do right now. Kea also opens up about caregiver burnout, the power of self-grace, and why every parent deserves to hear, "you are enough." Whether you're newly navigating a diagnosis, sitting on a wait list, or just trying to better understand your child, this conversation will leave you feeling seen, supported, and equipped.Connect with Kea Lee: Website: momentofbehavior.com Instagram: @momentof_behaviorConnect with Luba: Instagram: @lubapatlakh Pre-order Bobo Wears a Bowtie: bobowearsabowtie.comLuba's website: lubapatlakh.comThe Confident IEP Parent ebook: theconfidentiepparent.com00:00 Welcome to The Growth Lab 01:59 Meet Kea Lee, BCBA and founder of Moment of Behavior 03:15 What "behavior is communication" really means 07:34 From speech path student to BCBA, Kea's origin story 11:50 The body says what words can't 14:42 Why therapy only works when parents do the work at home 16:21 The biggest misconceptions about ABA today 21:51 A practical strategy for handling meltdowns 26:20 Caregiver burnout and giving yourself grace 29:23 Why "wait and see" can hurt your child 31:35 Rapid fire: first steps after a diagnosis and what every parent should hear