Understanding Assent and the Shift Toward More Compassionate ABA

Board Certified Behavior Analyst Carrie Susa Woodward is the author and creator behind Jumpstart the Journey, a resource designed to bridge the gap from an autism diagnosis to the start of therapy. Her journey into the world of autism began in 2002 at Pepperdine University, where the blend of scientific strategies and personal interactions with families sparked a lifelong dedication to the autism field. With over two decades of experience, she has not only worked hands-on with hundreds of families navigating autism, but has also contributed valuable research to the renowned journal The Analysis of Verbal Behavior (TAVB). A personal transition in 2022 led Carrie toward a focus on her own family, while a close friend's struggle with the complexities of autism diagnosis and treatment reminded her of the urgent need for early intervention. Carrie's works echo the sentiment that, with proper guidance, every family's autism journey can lead to progress and hope.