If you ask most people where Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) began, they’ll point to Baer, Wolf, and Risley’s 1968 article—the one that defined the field’s seven core dimensions. But here’s the twist: ABA didn’t start there. The real story is more complex, more fascinating, and—like all good stories—it challenges what we think we know.

Storytelling isn’t just an art; it’s a science of behavior change. A well-told story functions like a structured sequence of verbal behavior, carefully shaping the listener’s understanding, beliefs, and actions. In behavior analysis, storytelling does more than entertain—it educates, persuades, and transforms. It helps us make sense of history, recognize the patterns that led to major breakthroughs, and understand why the field evolved the way it did.

So, what’s the real story of ABA’s origins? To get there, we need to go beyond Baer, Wolf, and Risley and look at the pioneering work that came before them—the research programs, the key figures, and the...

As a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) with over 15 years of experience and creator of over 250 hours of content with some of the world's best behavior analysts, including Patrick C. Friman, Steven C. Hayes, Gregory P. Hanley, and many more, I am well-positioned to guide you through the BCBA® CEU requirements for 2025.

Guide to BCBA Requirements

A Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®) is a graduate-level certification in behavior analysis. Professionals certified at the BCBA® level are independent practitioners who provide behavior-analytic services. They may supervise the work of Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts® (BCaBA®s), Registered Behavior Technicians (RBT®s), and other professionals who implement behavior-analytic services.

The Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc.® (BACB®) has been the leader in behavior analyst certification for over two decades. The BACB® is a nonprofit corporation that was established in 1998 to meet professional certification n...

As a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®) with over 12 years of experience, I have had the privilege of creating over 200 hours of online video content with some of the best behavior analysts in the world, including Patrick C. Friman, Susan M. Schnieder, Steven C. Hayes, Susan G. Friedman, Gregory P. Hanley, and many more. This article aims to provide comprehensive information about BCBA® CEUs (Continuing Education Units), including how to earn them, the topics covered, and the renewal process.

BCBA CEUs Online Courses

The Behavior Academy was founded in 2019 by Ryan O’Donnell, MS, BCBA® a behavior analyst and videographer who goes on-location to bring high-quality continuing education and entertainment to human service professionals. The Behavior Academy has over 100 hours of BCBA® online CUEs that often are referred to as “refreshing” and “enlightening” given the care for quality of content. Just see the inaugural film, This Way of Thinking starring Patrick C. Friman of Boys To...