Shows
Politics WeeklyDDD Funding Finally Passes!I discuss with Dr. Aaron Blocher-Rubin the CEO of the nonprofit Arizona Autism United about how we got here and the details of the amendment that passed. 2025-04-2519 min
Hart & Hustle PodcastHow to Grow Your Company from Zero to Millions in RevenueIn this episode of the Hart & Hustle podcast, we sit down with Aaron Blocher-Rubin, CEO of Arizona Autism United, to discuss his journey from launching a nonprofit with just one employee to leading an organization with over a thousand team members. Aaron shares how he overcame financial struggles, built a trusted team, and created innovative solutions for autism services. We dive into leadership lessons, practical optimism, and how to scale a mission-driven organization. Tune in to learn actionable insights on building a resilient, impactful business.2024-10-1841 min
The Behavioral Observations Podcast with Matt CicoriaABA in Non-Profit Settings: with Aaron Blocher-RubinDr. Aaron Blocher-Rubin joins me in Session 232 to talk providing ABA services as a non-profit agency. Aaron is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Arizona Autism United, a multi-site provider of ABA and other therapeutic services. In this conversation, we talk about how Aaron got into Behavior Analysis, what led him to found the agency he now runs, supporting the family along with the client, and the importance of offering a variety of services. We also spent a considerable amount of time discussing what it's like to work in a non-profit setting. From funding, to governance...2023-07-191h 35
Autism WeeklyNavigating ABA Therapy: Understanding the Red and Green Flags| With Dr. Aaron Blocher-Rubin and Carey Beranek #129This week, we are joined by Dr. Aaron Blocher-Rubin, President and CEO of Arizona Autism United, and Carey Beranek, Vice President of Children & Youth Services. On today’s episode we will be discussing ABA red and green flags and how recognizing them can help offer better ABA therapy treatment. With their combined 45 years of experience in the field of autism treatment, they're uniquely positioned to provide insights into what to look for in quality ABA therapy and what warning signs to watch out for. Download to learn more!
Social Handles:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aa...2023-06-1655 min
The Valley NowWe're Going West! Talking Expansion with Arizona Autism UnitedDr. Aaron Blocher-Rubin sits down with Jordan Moreno to discuss Arizona Autism United's expansion into the West Valley and the importance of location when receiving treatment. 2023-06-0628 min
The PodCASPNo Excuses with Aaron Blocher-RubinABR is the Founder and CEO of Arizona Autism United (AZA United). ABR is passionate about high-quality and family centered services. Along with our hosts, he discusses how high quality services are delivered and where some organization's practices fall short.
Why Listen? ABR discusses:
His history with AZA United
Protecting access to care
Individualization of services
Empowering families
ABA then and now
His opinions on PE-backed companies in ABA
Current issues in the field and solutions
And more!
2022-09-261h 00
Sr PlusPossible Series Finale! A conversation with AZA United's clinical leadersFor what may prove to be the last episode of the Sr+ podcast (we have not fully decided yet), Dr. ABR sits down for a long overdue conversation with two incredible souls. Carey Beranek is our VP & Clinical Director of Children & Youth Services, as well as the president-elect for the AZ Association of Behavior Analysis. Dr. Ehren Werntz is our VP & Clinical Director of Family & Community Services, and leads our state SIG on Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT). This one is definitely worth a listen!2021-03-241h 27
Sr PlusCOVID-19 Support for ABA OrganizationsIn this special episode we welcome back two previous guests, Lorri Unumb from the Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP), and Sara Litvak from the Behavioral Health Center of Excellence. We discuss the resources and support each has been providing for leaders of ABA organizations during the COVID-19 emergency period.2020-05-021h 39
Sr PlusJonathan Tarbox - Scaling Clinical QualityDr. Jonathan Tarbox is the Program Director of the MS ABA program at USC, Director of Research at FirstSteps for Kids, Editor-in-Chief of the journal Behavior Analysis in Practice, and a well-known leader in the field. In this episode we examine how autism services organizations can take a values-based approach to expansion, so that as they grow they can successfully scale clinical quality. We discuss his experience, observations, pitfalls to avoid, and suggestions for organizations to grow with purpose.2020-01-311h 18
Sr PlusLauren Solotar - May InstituteDr. Lauren Solotar is CEO of the May Institute and President of their National Autism Center, where she manages the senior leadership team and oversees expansion of global services. As a licensed psychologist, she previously served as Chief Clinical Officer to set quality standards for clinical practice, training programs and research. She is an expert in cognitive behavior therapy and treating eating and anxiety disorders, with research published in several peer-reviewed journals.2019-08-291h 26
Sr PlusLorri Unumb - Why Insurance Now Pays for ABALorri Unumb is best known for leading a nationwide effort to get state mandates passed that require insurance coverage of ABA services for individuals with autism. She recently transitioned from her role as Head of State Government Affairs for Autism Speaks to CEO for the Council of Autism Service Providers (www.CASProviders.org). In this interview we discuss her personal story, the legislative process, her new role at CASP, changes in the autism services field, and tips for growing organizations.2019-07-221h 32
Sr PlusChris Sullens - CEO of CentralReachChris Sullens is the current CEO of CentralReach, a practice management software for ABA and related autism service provider companies that manages billing, scheduling, data collection and more. In this interview we talk about what the software can do to help organizations, his background in growing technology companies, and how technology is playing an important role in the evolution of the autism services field. Learn more at www.CentralReach.com2019-06-181h 20
Sr PlusDexter Braff - Private Equity Invests in Autism & ABA ServicesDexter Braff is the President of The Braff Group, a leading health care mergers and acquisitions advisor specializing in autism services. Since starting in 1998, the firm has completed more than 325 health care deals. In this episode, we discuss the wave of private equity investment that is sweeping the autism and ABA services industry across the nation, especially over the last two years. Dexter explains what private equity is and shares insight on how the field is rapidly changing as a result.2019-04-251h 33
Sr PlusSara Litvak - Behavioral Health Center of ExcellenceJoin us for some invaluable tips from Sara Litvak of the BHCOE. They provide accreditation for ABA organizations and have identified best practices and suggestions for organizations to grow successfully and ethically. This episode also features an update from your host Dr. ABR on his organization, AZA United, and what's going on with their expansion efforts. Lots of great tidbits for organizational leaders and BCBAs to digest in this episode as our field is experiencing transformational change. 2019-03-061h 31
Sr PlusSeason 2 Trailer - Organizational ExpansionMany organizations across the country are focused on growth. Season 2 will take an inside at look at what's going in the autism ABA field, with interviews from guests that can teach us something about successful expansion. As your host, I will also provide a behind-the-scenes look at how AZA United is approaching the challenge. You can learn more about that in this blog: https://azaunited.org/blog/plans-for-an-east-valley-center2019-01-2908 min
Sr PlusPatrick Progar - Princeton Child Development InstituteDr. Patrick Progar, BCBA-D, is the Executive Director of Princeton Child Development Institute in New Jersey. In this episode we discuss the history and program models of PCDI, as well as Patrick's background in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).2018-12-2244 min
Sr PlusPeter Gerhardt - EPIC SchoolPeter F. Gerhardt, Ed.D., is the Executive Director of the EPIC School in Paramus, NJ (epicschool.org). The Educational Partnership for Instructing Children (EPIC) uses applied behavior analysis (ABA) to teach individuals with autism new skills and increased independence. In this interview we discuss EPIC's educational model and Peter's perspective on how to prepare adults with autism for success in real world settings.2018-12-051h 10
Sr PlusDavid Kearon - Autism Speaks Adult ServicesDave Kearon is Director of Adult Services for Autism Speaks (autismspeaks.org), where he works to increase the quality and quantity of opportunities and resources available to adults with autism related to employment, housing and residential supports, post-secondary education and community integration. In this interview we discuss some specific initiatives they are doing to help adults, opportunities and challenges he foresees in the future, and how the organization has evolved over time.2018-11-071h 00
Sr PlusSarah Trautman-Eslinger - President of CalABASarah Trautman-Eslinger is the owner of STE Consultants, a leading ABA provider agency in northern California (STEconsultants.com). She also currently serves as President of the California Association for Behavior Analysis (CalABA). In this interview we discuss the origins and future goals of her company, strategic initiatives underway with CalABA, how to build great organizational culture within ABA agencies, and general thoughts on the future of our field.2018-10-051h 15
Sr PlusBryna Siegel - The Politics of AutismDr. Bryna Siegel is a developmental psychologist, as well as founder and Executive Director of the Autism Center of Northern California (ACNC). She is retired as Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco. She has published several books, including the widely read "Helping Children with Autism Learn," and a recent release called "The Politics of Autism." In this interview, we discuss all that and more. Visit brynasiegel.com for more info.2018-09-211h 16
Sr PlusSarah Morgan - Facilitating Parent Support Group BranchesSarah Morgan is the Senior Branch Community Engagement Officer for the National Autistic Society in Wales. In this interview we discuss how support group branches get started, and what Sarah’s role is to train volunteers, conduct risk assessments, and provide technical support. We also discuss how NAS strategically integrates these branches into key initiatives related to public policy and fundraising. Learn more about NAS programs at autism.org.uk2018-09-1138 min
Sr PlusIan Dale - Measuring Impact for Autism ProgramsIan Dale serves as Head of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation for the National Autistic Society in London (www.autism.org.uk). In this interview we discuss his role as a data analyst for the organization, different techniques they use to measure impact for all kinds of programs, what types of outcome measures are most valuable to track, and how this approach leads to data-based decision making to improve the organization's overall mission impact and optimal use of resources.2018-08-171h 05
Sr PlusCarol Povey - Director for the National Autistic SocietyCarol Povey is the Director of the Centre for Autism at the National Autistic Society (www.autism.org.uk), the oldest and largest autism charity in the United Kingdom. In this interview we discuss the history of NAS, the wide scope of services and supports they offer for parents and individuals of all ages, and how they are advancing opportunities for people with autism through better diagnosis, legislative initiatives, and autism awareness.2018-08-061h 14
Sr PlusDaniel Cadey - Autism Friendly AwardDaniel Cadey is the Autism Friendly Development Manager for the National Autistic Society (NAS) in London. He oversees their Autism Friendly Award program, which certifies business of all sectors and sizes throughout the United Kingdom for making changes to benefit people with autism and their families. In this interview we learn about what businesses must achieve to become certified as autism-friendly, and how this program helps the broader autism community. https://www.autism.org.uk/autismfriendlyaward2018-07-171h 02
Sr PlusDave Giles - Intermountain CentersDr. David K. Giles is the founder and CEO of Intermountain Centers (intermountaincenters.org), a behavioral health agency in Tucson that has existed for 50 years and strives to be a model for human service organizations. In this interview, we discuss Dave's roots as an early behavior analyst working with Mont Wolf and many other "legends," how Intermountain started, and the key roles they have had in the deinstitutionalization movement, the development of wraparound services, and state licensure for BCBAs.2018-07-061h 06
Sr PlusMichael Dougher - Association for Behavior Analysis InternationalIn this episode we discuss the past, present and future of behaviorism, psychology, and many other deep dives with the president of the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI). Dr. Michael Dougher has had an extensive career in behavior analysis and psychology, including a key role in the development of the now rapidly growing field of clinical behavior analysis and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy. Learn more at https://www.abainternational.org/constituents/bios/michaeldougher.aspx2018-05-211h 16
Sr PlusHanna Rue - Autism Spectrum TherapiesDr. Hanna Rue, BCBA-D, is the Head of Clinical Development for Autism Spectrum Therapies (AST), a multi-state agency that provides applied behavior analysis (ABA) treatment for individuals with autism (autismtherapies.com). In this interview we discuss how Dr. Rue is helping AST integrate research into service delivery, her role in the National Standards Project, how to evaluate ASD outcomes, diversity issues in behavior analysis, and what needs to be added to BCBA graduate programs.2018-05-071h 11
Sr PlusEmily Callahan - Council of Autism Service ProvidersDr. Emily Callahan, BCBA-D, is the Executive Director for the Council of Autism Service Providers (CASP), a trade association and leadership development group for autism provider organizations (casproviders.org). In this interview we discuss why CASP was created, what they are doing to improve services for people with autism and the companies that provide them, how to evaluate evidence-based practices, common challenges that provider agencies face, and how to measure macro-level outcomes for programs.2018-04-261h 05