Hello, Critical Friends!

We’re The Psychobabble BCBAs (Lauryn & Erica), a duo of behavioral health providers who are dual-certified in psychology and behavior analysis. We met back in 2009 at the start of grad school at Illinois State University. Together, we bring 20+ years of experience across education, psychology, and behavior analysis. We identify as critical friends of ABA: deeply committed to the science, willing to ask hard questions, and always pushing for interdisciplinary collaboration and equity-centered practice.

Over the past two years, we’ve been sharing content here that blends research, critique, humor, and pop culture, and we’re proud to be the editors and co-authors of Psychology Essentials for Behavior Analysts (2024). Our goal is to make behavioral science accessible while centering critical analysis, historically disenfranchised populations, and collaborative care.

  • Dr. Lauryn Toby, PhD, BCBA, LP

    Laryn (she/her) is a licensed clinical psychologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Her work focuses primarily on the clinical assessment and diagnosis of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders. Dr. Toby received her Ph.D. in School Psychology from Illinois State University and completed her doctoral internship and fellowship at the Neurobehavioral Unit at the Kennedy Krieger Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Her background and training is in the assessment and treatment of autism spectrum disorders utilizing the techniques of applied behavior analysis (ABA). Dr. Toby has previously worked in rural settings, establishing behavioral support and diagnostic services for children with autism in areas with limited resources. She has taught for Drake University’s Masters of ABA program in Des Moines, Iowa. Dr. Toby has published in multiple behavior analytic journals and has been a contributing author to various books on the topic of comorbid conditions in individuals with developmental disabilities. Her current research interests include the use of decision-making models to enhance the training of BCBAs, improving and diversifying behavior analytic training practices, and enhancing diagnostic assessment tools for those with unique symptom presentations.

  • Erica S. Ranade, SSP, NCSP, BCBA, LPP

    Erica (she/her) is a Nationally Certified Bilingual School Psychologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She has been working in the behavioral health field for the past twelve years. After earning her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan, she went on to specialize in School Psychology at Illinois State University. After completing her school-based internship focused on behavioral consultation, she continued her work as a school psychologist and BCBA, specializing in early childhood populations, neurodevelopmental differences, diagnostic services, cultural humility, and naturalistic environment-based teaching. Erica has worked in various applied settings, including public schools, early childhood centers, and private practices. Erica works as a bilingual (English/Spanish) school psychologist in Chicago. Erica is a doctoral candidate in Curriculum and Instruction (Special Education). Her dissertation focuses on caregiver experiences of provider bias during early childhood diagnostic processes.

If Love Actually was written by a BCBA What if “kind extinction” is just extinction implemented ethically? Anyone else have this thought? If you’ve never heard of “Kind Extinction” be sure to check out Tarbox et al. (2
The holidays are rapidly approaching, so we thought it was time for our first ever Holiday Gift Guide! 🎁 We carefully selected some of our favorite items from autistic or disability focused entrepreneurs (with one exception for Lauryn’s favor
Have you seen Netflix’s new movie about a snowman that comes to life in a small town and falls in love with a widow? (played by Hallmark darling Lacey Chabert). And no one in the town seems to think it’s weird at all? This movie’s
Let's talk about SANTA! While today's Santa has become largely commercialized and a North American symbol of Christmas, his roots are actually pagan in nature (gasp!). There are definitely pros and cons to introducing the concept of Santa to childr
The Psychobabble BCBAs present Behavior Analytic Terms as Wicked behind-the-scenes Facts!   (Is this too niche?)   🧹🧹Part 2 Spoiler on slide 5🧹🧹   As we have been learning more about the production of the Wicked film, we couldn&rsq
Happy Friday and welcome to holiday gatherings season...whether it be for work-related holiday parties, family get togethers or old just friends catching up! Unfortunately, with the increase in these events also comes an increase in potentially uncom