Beautiful Humans: The Social ChangeCast

On this episode, we are joined by Julie Melendez. Julie provides some practical tips for discussing systemic racism with Autistic children.

Julie Melendez is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Behavior Analyst based out of Los Angeles. She is currently a Clinical Supervisor at Blue Sprig Pediatrics. She started her career in behavior analysis in 2017 as a Registered Behavior Technician. In 2020, Julie graduated from the University of Southern California with a Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis. Her interests include behavioral systems analysis, supervision practices, and examining the role of behavior analysis in advocating on behalf of marginalized groups.

In this episode of Tipsy Unicorns, Abby welcomes honored guest Denise Ross who shared her perspectives on oppression and liberation. She is an Advisory Committee Member for Women in Behavior Analysis (WIBA), and the Chair of UW Systems Institute for Urban Education at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. Her research focuses on language and literacy interventions for children with and without disabilities, particularly those in urban schools. Her tips for emerging activists are to (1) Take care of yourself, (2) Understand that everyone is impacted by racism, and (3) Stick with it!

This is a new conversation but certainly a continuation of the previous Reform ABA show where we asked the guests to detail the movement's practices that ensure various cultures were taken into account. There is such a need to consider a viewpoint beyond whiteness, but that hasn't been given much space in the larger movement. This conversation is past due, and we are grateful to our guests for being willing to do this show with us.

On this show we are joined by Joy Johnson and Ajo Johnson. We have a very candid conversation about intersectionality, specifically regarding race in the ABA Reform movement and the role of white supremacy within the larger culture of ABA.

The goal of this show is to implore the ABA reform movement and the Anti-ABA movement to consider intersectionality, as well as the role of racism and white privilege in their conceptualizations. The movement is and continues to center whiteness. And while we stand firm on reforming ABA, we must be steadfast in tacting any form of oppression, which is apparent in the movement. We are clear in our advocation for reform and stand with the efforts of the reform movement. Our goal at any point of turn, however, is to do the hard stuff. 

We welcome continued discourse around this topic and would be more than happy to host additional voices on our platform. 


We also launched our community platform last week. Did you check out episode 32?! If not, be sure to give it a listen.

Disclaimer:
We had quite a few tech issues so please bare with the choppiness of the conversation.
Ajo joins us further into the conversation with congratulations in order(listen to find out!)