We’re so excited to share some big news—our second book in the Bouncy Bear and Curious Cat series is finally here! It’s called The...

Technology is moving quickly into nearly every part of healthcare, education and family support. But there is a question that should come before building another app, platform or AI tool: What do caregivers actually want technology to help them do? A new 2026 preprint from researchers at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine offers an interesting early look at that question. The study, Caregiver Needs and Technology

Boise is changing. With continued growth across the Treasure Valley and major investments bringing new professionals and families to Idaho, including Micron's expanding Boise footprint, more families will be making the Treasure Valley home. For many, relocating means finding a house, choosing a school, learning a new commute, and figuring out where to buy groceries. For a family raising a child with autism, developmental differences, behavioral support needs, or an IEP, the l

On August 4, 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released the State Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program Applied Behavior Analysis Toolkit. The 173-page resource gives state Medicaid and CHIP agencies a detailed framework for reviewing how ABA is covered, authorized, delivered, documented, supervised, and audited. The release immediately drew attention because of one number: 421%. According to CMS, total Medicaid and CHIP payments for ABA increased

Caregiver education, adaptive support, equitable access, responsible AI, and rigorous evaluation must be part of the national autism strategy The autism service system is confronting a scale problem. In the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's most recent Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network report, approximately 1 in 31 8-year-old children across 16 participating U.S. communities were identified with autism in 2022. This estimate does not represen

Behavioral healthcare is entering one of the biggest transitions I've seen in nearly three decades of working with families. Across the country, providers are navigating staffing shortages, increasing documentation requirements, reimbursement pressures, longer waitlists, and rising expectations from families. At the same time, parents are asking more informed questions than ever before. They want to understand not only what their child's treatment team is doing, but why. For

A few weeks ago, I was on a demonstration of CareBridge Copilot with a healthcare organization. Like most conversations these days, it started with AI. What model are you using? What can it do? How does it work? But about ten minutes in, the conversation shifted. No one wanted to talk about AI anymore. Instead, they started asking questions that I think matter a whole lot more. Who reviews the information? How do you decide what the AI shouldn't answer? How do you make sure f

AI tools for caregivers are appearing quickly, and not all of them are built on clinical expertise. Here is what to look for before you trust one with your family.

As reimbursement changes and provider closures leave families with fewer local options, caregiver education can become the continuity families rely on. Here is how.

For Spanish-speaking families raising a child with autism, finding behavioral support in their own language is often the hardest part. Here is why that gap matters, and how caregiver education in both English and Spanish can help close it.

Over the past three decades, I've had the privilege of working alongside hundreds of families navigating some of the most challenging moments of their lives. One thing has remained remarkably consistent. Parents don't stop needing support when a therapy session ends. Questions come up after dinner. Challenging behaviors happen on weekends. New situations arise long before the next scheduled appointment. Caregivers are often doing their very best with limited guidance in the m

Across the country, the ABA field is entering a period of significant change. Providers, clinicians, and families are all feeling the impact of: staffing shortages increased operational pressure caregiver burnout reimbursement changes documentation scrutiny growing waitlists and continuity gaps These conversations are no longer theoretical. They are actively shaping the future of behavioral healthcare. At Sunderlin Behavioral, we believe these challenges also create an opport

There’s a shift happening. More and more caregivers are turning to tools like ChatGPT in the middle of real-life situations—during transitions, emotional moments, communication breakdowns, or simply when they’re not sure what to say next. Not because they want to rely on AI. But because in that moment… they need something. And here’s what we keep hearing: “I got an answer… but I didn’t feel confident enough to actually use it.” That’s the gap. The Problem Isn’t AI. It’s How I

The question everyone is asking AI is everywhere right now. And naturally, caregivers are starting to use it for help with things like:– behavior challenges– routines– communication– emotional regulation It makes sense. You ask a question.You get an answer. But when it comes to real-life behavior? That’s where things start to fall apart. The problem isn’t AI The problem is how it’s built. Most general AI tools are designed to give:– broad suggestions– generalized advice– lan

We recently spent time at the Idaho Prevention and Support Conference in Sun Valley , and one topic kept coming up over and over again: Devices.Social media.Screen time. Parents are worried.Schools are trying to figure it out.And most of the advice sounds the same: “Limit it.”“Take it away.”“Set boundaries.” And yes… those things matter. But there’s one part of the conversation that’s getting missed. What happens after the screen goes off? The Moment No One Prepares You For

There are about 187,000 RBTs in the U.S. Most of them will leave their job within a year (103% Turnover in 2024 on average!) Not eventually. Within a year. And you can feel it. A child finally gets comfortable with someone.They start responding.Things get a little easier at home. Then that person leaves. Now it’s a new face.New voice.New dynamic. And everything slows down again. We hear the same thing from families: “It was going so well… and now we’re backtracking.” That’s

When we first started designing social skills programs, we quickly realized how crucial it is to blend structure with warmth. Social development curricula are not just lesson plans; they are lifelines for children and teens navigating Autism Spectrum and developmental challenges. These programs help build bridges to better communication, stronger relationships, and greater independence. Today, I want to share practical insights on creating social skills programs that truly ma

It’s 5:45 PM. You’re trying to get dinner on the table, the house is a whirlwind of activity, and you can feel the tension rising. Then, it happens. A simple request— “Please put your shoes away” —triggers a full-scale meltdown. If you’ve ever found yourself sitting on the kitchen floor, wondering where it all went wrong, you aren't alone. And more importantly: You aren’t a bad parent. At Sunderlin Behavioral, we work with families across Oregon, Washington, California, and I

If you’re an RBT or ABA professional in 2026… first of all: we see you. The field is changing fast. Expectations are higher. Families are more informed (and rightfully so). Assent-based care is becoming the standard. Ethics conversations are louder. Supervision looks different. Sessions look different. And for a lot of technicians, the job feels like you’re constantly trying to do the “right thing” while also trying not to emotionally collapse by Wednesday. And honestly? That

Navigating the transition from childhood to adulthood can be a complex journey, especially for those with Autism Spectrum and developmental challenges. This phase is full of opportunities and hurdles alike. I want to share how targeted support can make a real difference. With the right resources, young adults can build confidence, independence, and a fulfilling life. Understanding the Unique Needs of Young Adults Every young adult has a unique set of strengths and challenges.