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Welcome to Session 290 of The Behavioral Observations Podcast. In this episode, I'm joined by Armando Bernal and Andy Bondy. 

Andy is a known entity both in the field, and to the audience as well, and therefore needs little in the way of introduction.

Armando is the founder of Autism International Consulting, which is the only Autistic-owned ABA provider in the Houston, TX area. 

He shares a truly inspiring story of how he went from not speaking at all, up through the present day, where he and his team provide ABA services.

In this show, we discuss:

• Armando's family's response to his diagnosis. 
• How his mother single-handedly directed his early treatment.
• His work as a special education teacher.
• A surprising story - to me at least - of how he first learned about ABA.
• His work at Autism International Consulting.
• How he and Andy began collaborating.
• How Armando's unique perspective informs his practice.
• Current topics in ABA, including assent and compassionate care.
• How Armando learned to accept his diagnosis.
• Navigating controversies in the field and the related role of social media.

Links to resources discussed:

• Armando's company, Autism International Consulting.
• Reach out to Armando on LinkedIn.
• Autism International Consulting's IG account.
• Lestremau Allen, Mellon, Syed, Johnson & Bernal (2024). Neurodiversity-Affirming Applied Behavior Analysis.
• Armando's appearance on Dr. Mary Barbera's podcast.

Also, please take note: Save the date for Pyramid’s FUNctional Conference 2025 which will be held virtually on Tuesday, October 14th, 2025.

Join Andy Bondy, Lori Frost, and our international team of consultants for this year’s conference featuring several guest speakers with a focus on preparing learners of all ages and abilities for the “real world.”

Presenters and topics include:

• Peter Gerhardt, Ed.D and co-author Shanna Bahry, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LABA, LBA will present concepts and materials from their 2023 book Make it Meaningful: Creating Programs That Matter Into Adulthood for Learners with Autism Spectrum and Related Disorders.
• Noor Syed, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA/LBS and Armando Bernal, M.Ed., BCBA will present together on their experiences helping people with ASD succeed at college and launch careers.
• Amy Lutz, PhD will share her perspective as a professor, parent, and advocate on the importance of community-based training, job training and support, and alternatives to employment for profoundly autistic individuals

Visit pecsusa.com for more information.

This podcast is brought to you with the support of:

• The Profound Autism Summit. The Profound Autism Summit is a two-day conference taking place on April 10th and 11th in Boston, MA. Following on the massive success of the 2024 Summit, the 2025 event brings together leaders from the areas of research, medicine, treatment, advocacy, and education to discuss the needs and support of those with Profound Autism across disciplines and throughout the lifespan.
• HRIC Recruting. Cut out the middleman and speak directly with Barbara Voss, who's been placing BCBAs in great jobs all across the US for 15 years. 
• CEUs from Behavioral Observations. Learn from your favorite podcast guests while you're commuting, walking the dog, or whatever else you do while listening to podcasts. New events are being added all the time, so check them out here. 
• The Behavioral Toolbox. Check out our courses for school-based and other behavioral professionals, including our newest one, Motivational Interviewing: Getting Educator Buy-In.
• The Verbal Behavior Conference. Whether you attend in-person in Austin, TX, or online via BehaviorLive, you're going to love this year's Verbal Behavior Conference! Click here to get all the details!