Meet Our Guest
Maria Zito, BCBA
Building ABA Teams That Thrive: Structure, Support & Culture!
In this energizing episode of the 3 Pie Squared podcast, April and Stephen are joined by Caitlyn, Maria, from ABYay! team for a deep-dive into what it actually takes to build and sustain a thriving ABA team. From practical strategies for fostering team collaboration, to the importance of community-building within a workplace, this episode delivers insight for anyone managing people in the ABA space.
The guests reflect on what really makes staff feel supported—and how structure, transparency, and community aren’t just “nice to have,” but essential to ethical, effective care.
Inside...
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the Episode:
- Quick, consistent check-ins > formal reviews: Stephen explains why small, regular touchpoints with BCBAs and supervisors go further than waiting for 6-month reviews. “Little and often” is the key to proactive management.
- In-home teams need more support: April shares how in-home supervisors often feel isolated and unsupported. She highlights the risks of “saying next week” when techs ask for guidance, and how it can seriously stall learner progress.
- Trust is built, not assumed: Caitlyn breaks down the importance of weekly and bi-weekly supervisor meetings. Not just to talk cases, but to build genuine team culture. You can’t foster collaboration without investing time in it.
- Community creates better clinical outcomes: April makes the case for a diverse BCBA team. Different backgrounds and training paths mean different ways to problem-solve, and that benefits everyone.
- Staff are people, not just providers: Maria shares how giving employees space for work-life balance has been the biggest factor in creating a culture of trust and transparency. When people feel like humans, they speak up sooner, and leaders listen faster.
- Training should be collaborative, not top-down: Caitlyn explains how ABYay! adapted their staff training based on employee suggestions. The result? More engaged team members and stronger feedback loops.
Whether you're leading a large team or just starting to grow your ABA business, this conversation will challenge the idea that good culture “just happens.” It doesn’t. It’s designed, built, and protected every single day.
💼 This Episode is Sponsored by MarginKeepers
Because managing people and your numbers shouldn't feel impossible.
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