Episode #273: Supporting Educators with Communication Strategies with Ashley Patton

Collaboration in schools can feel messy, complicated, and sometimes even uncomfortable, but it is also where some of the most meaningful progress for our students can happen.

In this conversation, I sit down with Ashley Patton to talk about what real collaboration looks like between teachers, BCBAs, speech therapists, and other service providers in school settings. Ashley brings a unique perspective because she has worked as a classroom teacher, a school-based BCBA, and a consultant supporting school teams. That experience gives her a deep understanding of the pressures educators face and how behavior and communication strategies actually fit into busy classrooms.

We talk about the importance of listening first when working with teachers and building trust before offering strategies. Ashley shares practical ways teams can embed communication goals naturally into classroom routines without overwhelming teachers who already have so much on their plates.

We also discuss replacement behaviors, functional communication, and why practicing these skills before challenging moments occur can make such a big difference for students. Ashley offers thoughtful insights about simplifying data collection, supporting teachers with manageable systems, and focusing on strategies that are realistic for the classroom.

Finally, we talk about Ashley’s Class on Task Behavior Analyst in School Summit and why creating community for professionals working in schools is so important.

If you support students in schools, this episode is full of practical reminders about how collaboration, communication, and small systems can create big change.

#autism #speechtherapy

Today’s Guest:

Ashley Patton is a former classroom teacher and board-certified behavior analyst who specializes in bridging behavior analysis and education. Through her company, Class on Task, she provides professional development for teachers, school teams, and behavior analysts. She also hosts a virtual conference for school-based BCBAs.

What’s Inside: