Ep. 1 - Beyond Behavior: Measuring Quality of Life in Autism (1 of 2)

Is lying good? Are rules meant to be broken? Host Lindsey Sneed, Ph.D., BCBA, is joined by Brian "The Bearded Behaviorist" Middleton, M.Ed., BCBA – an autistic adult, professional speaker, behavior scientist and advocate for disability rights – in part one of a two part episode to discuss the importance of individualized care for people with autism and other developmental disabilities. They emphasize the need to move away from a traditional one-size-fits-all approach to care in favor of striving for greater wellbeing while highlighting the role of parents/caregivers and the challenges they face. In an episode full of real-life stories, Brian talks about the concept of boundaries and rules while empowering the individual –  prompting discussions about the importance of independence, autonomy, complex thinking and critical skills.