In this episode of Trust Me Mom, Ekaterina Konovalova sits down with Brittany Maurizi, ABA therapist and founder of Balanced Behaviors, to demystify what ABA therapy really is — who it helps, how it works, and why it can transform the lives of children and adults.With over a decade of experience as an early childhood and special education teacher, and now a licensed Behavior Specialist, Brittany brings both professional expertise and personal insight as a mom navigating her own child’s developmental challenges.Together, we explore:- What ABA therapy actually is (and what it isn’t)- How ABA supports children with autism and beyond- The difference between ABA and other therapies- Why communication, functional skills, and socialization matter- How to use positive reinforcement effectively- What to expect if your child qualifies for ABA through insurance- Building community, reducing stigma, and supporting mental health- The importance of equipping kids and adults with life skillsWhether you’re a parent, educator, therapist, or caregiver, this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and real-life examples to help you better understand ABA therapy and mental health support.00:36 — Welcome & Introduction to Brittany Maurizi00:52 — Brittany’s journey from educator to ABA therapist01:39 — What inspired her to pursue ABA therapy02:45 — What ABA therapy is and who it helps04:10 — Is ABA only for autism? Myths & misconceptions04:29 — What ABA looks like day-to-day05:46 — Working with children vs. adults in ABA06:50 — Examples of ABA for young kids, teens, and adults08:48 — Why community support matters for parents09:18 — Brittany’s personal experience as a mom navigating diagnoses10:05 — How personal experience strengthens her approach as a clinician10:50 — In-home, school, community-based ABA support11:36 — Plans for a future sensory space and ABA center12:18 — Beyond autism: Who else can benefit from ABA?13:17 — How insurance approval for ABA works14:25 — Assessment, treatment plans, and parental collaboration15:48 — Boundaries, crisis calls, and keeping kids safe17:10 — Why community familiarity with special needs matters18:25 — Police, crisis response, and neurodiversity training19:52 — The need for better systems and community education20:29 — What ABA looks like for “high-functioning” individuals22:04 — Antecedent interventions & visual schedules23:10 — Changing how we communicate with children23:51 — Positive reinforcement: the core of ABA24:55 — Examples of appropriate reinforcement & avoiding empty promises25:49 — How ABA differs from other therapies27:14 — Breaking stigma around mental health & ABA28:05 — Giving parents time to process diagnoses29:02 — Building community and support through Balanced Behaviors#ABATherapy #AutismSupport #BalancedBehaviors #MentalHealthAwareness #ParentingTips #ChildDevelopment #BehaviorTherapy #PositiveReinforcement #SpecialNeedsParenting #TrustMeMom #Neurodiversity #TherapistInterview #EarlyIntervention #ParentEducation #PodcastEpisode #KidsMentalHealth #AppliedBehaviorAnalysis
