Why Sleep Might Be the Most Underrated Skill in Your ABA Toolbox
When behavior analysts talk about essential skills, we often think in terms of language, independence, or emotional regulation. But there’s one foundational skill that quietly underpins every one of those outcomes—sleep.
And yet, most of us didn’t receive meaningful training in sleep science as part of our graduate coursework. We learned how to assess skill deficits, shape new behaviors, and design interventions with surgical precision. But sleep? That was someone else’s domain. Or so we thought.
What I’ve come to realize—and what I now teach—is that behavioral sleep support isn’t a stretch from our existing skillset. In fact, it’s one of the most behavior-analytic areas of need that remains largely unaddressed in our field. And for BCBAs who are ready to specialize, it’s an opportunity to make an outsized impact.
Sleep Challenges Are More Than a Footnote
Research consistently shows that 50–80% of autistic children experience significant sleep difficulties. This isn't just a case of a few restless nights—it’s persistent, chronic disruption that affects attention, emotional regulation, skill retention, and even safety. We would never ignore a variable that consistently interfered with therapeutic progress during the day… so why do we overlook it at night?
What we know from decades of clinical work and emerging research is this: Sleep readiness is not just a medical issue. It's behavioral. It’s teachable. And it responds well to the tools we already use—assessment, shaping, reinforcement, and caregiver collaboration.
Adding a Sleep Specialty Doesn’t Limit You—It Elevates You
One of the biggest myths I hear from colleagues is that narrowing your focus limits your practice. But here’s the truth: Specialization doesn’t shrink your reach—it strengthens it.
By developing a specialty in sleep, you position yourself as a leader in a high-demand, low-supply niche. You become the go-to professional not just for late-night struggles, but for full-family transformation. Because when a child begins sleeping well, everything else improves—from behavior to family dynamics to long-term success.
The Sleep Collective: Designed for BCBAs by a BCBA
That’s exactly why I created The Sleep Collective—a certification program that blends behavioral science with sleep expertise in a way that’s ethical, effective, and truly aligned with our field. You won’t find blanket “sleep training” here. No extinction-based quick fixes. Just practical, compassionate tools rooted in evidence and shaped for real families.
In The Sleep Collective, you’ll learn how to:
Assess the behavioral components of sleep disruption
Design individualized sleep support plans (without stepping outside your scope)
Collaborate with caregivers and clinical teams to support consistent success
Serve families in a way that transforms quality of life across the board
Enrollment for the August Cohort Is Now Open
If you’ve ever wanted to grow your practice, serve families more holistically, and feel confident supporting one of the most critical—and overlooked—areas of development, now’s the time. The Sleep Collective’s August cohort is officially enrolling.
Seats are limited because the experience is intentionally designed to be personal, interactive, and deeply supportive. We’ll walk through real-world cases, tackle tough scenarios, and give you the tools to feel confident delivering behavioral sleep support—no matter the setting.
Whether you’re new to the topic or already dabbling in sleep support, this program will elevate your practice in ways you never imagined.
Ready to become the kind of BCBA who changes lives—even after the sun goes down?
Let’s give sleep the attention it deserves. Our learners—and their families—will thank you for it.