There’s No Reason This Can’t Also Be Fun (with Amanda “Mandy” Ralston) - Ep61

Have you ever felt out of place like a square peg trying to fit into a round hole?

What if I told you that you have the power to create spaces where you and others could belong? 

During today’s meal - I speak with a queer, neurodivergent entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in behavior analysis. We discuss what it means to be a leader, imbedding self care throughout the day, creating your own accommodations, and her favorite dishes from around the world.

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About Amanda “Mandy” Ralston, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA, IBA

Founder & CEO | Serial Entrepreneur | Neurodiversity & DEI Advocate | Visionary Speaker | Creative Problem-Solver

Amanda Ralston is a queer, neurodivergent serial entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in behavior analysis. Certified as a behavior analyst since 2002, Mandy has founded and scaled two clinics that delivered life-changing applied behavior analysis (ABA) services to hundreds of families, schools, and individuals with autism and other developmental or intellectual disabilities. Her successful exit in 2019 to the fourth-largest ABA provider in the U.S. marked a significant milestone in her career.

Mandy is recognized internationally as a thought leader in behavior analysis, ethics, outcomes, and practice. She has served as a Subject Matter Expert on global panels, sharing her expertise to shape the future of the field. As a dynamic and sought-after speaker, she addresses audiences worldwide on topics including autism spectrum issues and her acclaimed talk, “#ItsNotBinary: Avoiding Binary Thinking in Work, Life, and Social Media.”

Her accolades include being a two-time nominee for Small Businessperson of the Year (2015, 2017) and the 2023 recipient of the prestigious Autism Innovation Award at the Autism Investor Summit.

Mandy’s latest venture, NonBinary Solutions, pioneers cutting-edge data analytics and technology, developing Clinical Decision Support Systems to empower ABA providers and stakeholders within the neurodiversity ecosystem.

Mandy is deeply committed to reshaping how the world perceives autism and advancing the field of behavior analysis. Her work centers on fostering a more inclusive and equitable society, driven by the belief that diverse perspectives are essential to meaningful change.

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Follow Mandy!

Instagram: @amemeda_ralston & @nonbinary_solutions

Facebook: Amanda Mandy Ralston

LinkedIn: Amanda Ralston, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA - NonBinary Solutions

Websites: nonbinarysolutions.com & amandaralston.com

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Behavior Bites is hosted by Rosie Jeffers, MAT, BCBA, LABA

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