In this episode, Jessica speaks with Mari Cerda, BCBA, who is the co-founder of The Lighthouse Learning Center and The Leap Institute. What follows is an important and nuanced conversation about:

• What IS ABA?
• What is the history of ABA within the autistic community and the field of Behavioral Analysis?
• How does the concept of "duality" negatively impact our culture, and more specifically the autistic community?
• How can we increase our own "cultural humility"?
• What does the term "neurobilingual" mean?
• Does the autistic community need to take a hard look at their own ableism within the community?

About Mari Cerda:
Mari Cerda, an indigenous-Mestiza woman, wife, mom of three, autist, and board certified behavior analyst. She is the co-founder of The LEAP Institute (https://www.leapaba.org/ ), a non profit whose mission is to increase equitable access for marginalized groups entering the field of ABA through quality supervision and support. She is also the founder of The Lighthouse Learning Center (https://www.lighthouselearning.org/ ), a center dedicated to providing a variety of support and services to children and families in the West Texas area.

**Autistic Community Content Creators Mentioned in the show:
PLEASE FOLLOW AND SUPPORT THEIR WORK

Tiffany Hammond**
Writer
IG: @Fidgets.and.Fries

Lauren Melissa Ellzey
Autistic Self Advocate
IG: @autienelle

Camille MorganPodcaster
Love, Sex, and Applied Behavioral Analysis
IG: @lovesexaba