Episode #268: From Treatment Rooms to Team Meetings: Becoming a School-Based BCBA with Shalini Solomon

When you move from treatment rooms to team meetings, everything changes, including how you show up as a BCBA.

In this episode, I talk with Shalini Solomon about her transition from clinic-based ABA to working as a school-based BCBA. If you’ve worked in both settings like I have, you know they are completely different worlds. In a clinic, you’re often running sessions. In a school, you’re collaborating, coaching, and translating ABA into language that makes sense to teachers and administrators.

Shalini shares what helped her navigate that shift, from simplifying behavior intervention plans so they actually work in busy classrooms to minimizing jargon and building buy-in with staff. We also talk about why understanding IDEA, IEPs, FAPE, and district systems is critical if you’re stepping into a school role, especially if you’re one of the first BCBAs in your district.

We also discuss her journey toward earning a doctorate in behavioral health and the importance of leadership, mentorship, and representation in our field. It’s an honest, practical conversation for anyone considering or currently navigating a school-based BCBA role.

#autism #speechtherapy

Today’s Guest:

Shalini Solomon, MA, BCBA, LBA, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and associate professor with over 11 years of experience in the field, providing ABA services across clinic, home, and school-based settings. She is currently contracted with the Hawaii Department of Education, supporting students, educators, and multidisciplinary teams across complex educational systems.

Shalini is the founder of Elevate & Align Behavior LLC, an ABA therapy and consulting practice dedicated to supporting individuals, families, educators, and other professionals through high-quality, ethical, and socially meaningful services. A major focus of her current work centers on addressing sexual behaviors and relationships, with a strong emphasis on empowering neurodivergent individuals to understand, express, and advocate for their needs in safe, affirming, and respectful ways.

Alongside her work in schools, Shalini serves as an associate professor teaching graduate-level ABA coursework and is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Behavioral Health at Arizona State University. She is passionate about mentoring future behavior analysts and supporting their growth into confident, ethical practitioners.

What’s Inside: