Show Notes
What does it take to build and advance a profession while simultaneously running a busy clinical practice, leading a national organization, and completing a PhD? In this episode, Ben Reiman welcomes Niesha Illingworth for a wide-ranging conversation about the current state—and future—of behaviour analysis in Australia. Drawing on nearly twenty years of clinical experience, Niesha reflects on how the profession has evolved, the ongoing challenges surrounding public perception of ABA, and the importance of strong professional leadership during periods of significant policy change. The conversation explores Australia's unique model of professional self-regulation, the work of ABA Australia to strengthen certification and public trust, and the opportunities and challenges created by changing disability funding systems. Niesha also discusses her doctoral research evaluating the Balance Program, an innovative parent-implemented early intervention designed to prevent the development of severe problem behaviour before it begins. Beyond systems and policy, Ben and Niesha examine culturally responsive practice, supporting Indigenous families, collaboration across professions, and why effective advocacy is becoming an increasingly important skill for behaviour analysts. Throughout the conversation, Niesha demonstrates how science, compassion, and systems thinking can work together to improve outcomes for children, families, and the profession itself. Check out Behaviour Analysis In The First Nation Communities of Australia with Deb Fernando https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-148-behaviour-analysis-in-first-nation-communities-of-australia/ Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Hs5gjgQLMxg Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop) BACB: 1.0 EthicsIBAO: 1.0 CulturalQABA: 1.0 EthicsCBA/CPD: 1.0 Cultural Diversity Follow us! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behaviourspeak/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/behaviourspeak/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@behaviorspeak
Contact Niesha Illingworth LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/niesha-illingworth-516859141/ Bright Eyes Clinic https://beei.com.au/ Links: Association for Behaviour Analysis Australia https://auaba.com.au/ Related Behaviour Speak Episodes The Balance Program https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-3-parent-coaching-with-esdm-and-the-balance-program-with-maria-sample-ma-bcba/ Family Centred PBS https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-43-family-centred-positive-behaviour-support-with-dr-joseph-lucyshyn-phd-bcba-d-part-1/ The Constructional Approach Madhura Deshpande https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-252-applications-of-the-constructional-approach-with-dr-madhura-deshpande/ Oliver Roschke and John Wooderson https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/beyond-behaviour-reduction-reclaiming-the-constructional-approach-in-pbs-with-oliver-roschke-john-wooderson/
More from Behaviour Speak with Ben Reiman
When Sylvie Nguena's daughter Meghan was diagnosed with autism at age four, she began a journey that would eventually lead her from accounting to becoming a doctoral-level behaviour analyst, researcher, author, advocate, and international trainer. In this episode, Sylvie shares how her experiences as a parent shaped her career and inspired her mission to expand autism awareness, behaviour analytic services, and caregiver support both in the United States and Cameroon.
In this inspiring episode of Behaviour Speak, Ben welcomes Dr. Pooja Panesar, behaviour analyst, Doctor of Behavioural Health, entrepreneur, educator, and founder of Kaizora Centre for Neurodevelopmental Therapies. Born and raised in Kenya, educated in Canada, and driven by a passion for helping children and families, Dr. Panesar shares her remarkable journey from working with a single child in a small room furnished with only a table and two chairs to building leading autism and neurodevelopmental services across Kenya and Tanzania. The conversation explores the evolution of autism services in East Africa, overcoming stigma, building professional capacity, integrating cultural humility with evidence-based practice, and creating interdisciplinary systems of care. Dr. Panesar also reflects on leadership, resilience, parenting, and her vision for the future of autism services across the continent. This episode offers powerful lessons for behaviour analysts, educators, healthcare professionals, parents, and anyone interested in creating meaningful systems change. Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ycA180S1EgE
What happens when psychology is viewed through the lens of Indigenous knowledge, community, language, and lived experience? In this episode, Ben welcomes Dr. Vicky Lomay, a Navajo (Diné) clinical psychologist, assessment specialist, educator, and leader in Indigenous psychology. Dr. Lomay shares her journey from engineering student to psychologist and reflects on how growing up in a bilingual Navajo household shaped her understanding of healing, wellness, and human behaviour. The conversation explores the intersections between Indigenous knowledge systems and Western psychology, including cultural impacts on assessment, diagnosis, trauma treatment, and mental health care. Dr. Lomay discusses why many traditional Indigenous healing approaches represent generations of what she calls "practice-based evidence," long before Western psychology developed similar concepts and terminology. Ben and Dr. Lomay also discuss the challenges of psychological assessment in Indigenous communities, the risks of cultural misinterpretation during evaluation, and the importance of understanding language, history, ceremony, and context when working with Indigenous clients. The episode concludes with a discussion about leadership, mentorship, and the future of Indigenous psychology through organizations such as the Society of Indian Psychologists and the American Psychological Association's American Indian and Alaska Native Section. Watch the video! https://youtu.be/3K-L9uVa6gs Connect with Dr. Vicky Lomay Tsinajini Psychology Services https://tsinajinipsych.com/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicky-t-lomay-phd-5320626/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/tsinajini_psychology
What can studying perspective taking tell us about relationships, dating violence, and the experiences of neurodivergent people?
Dr. Don Togade came to behaviour analysis through a deeply personal journey, one that began with trying to better understand himself.