Catalight is changing how the world supports people with autism along with other intellectual and developmental disabilities. We’re building a more equitable future through innovative care solutions, research, and open conversations. Join us as we explore groundbreaking research, hear from experts, and uncover new ways to empower individuals and families. Together, we can create a world where everyone thrives.
An idea that may seem like common sense on its surface has shaped autism care for decades: more intervention hours lead to better outcomes. However, a growing body of research – including Catalight’s own – is challenging that assumption.
In a special episode, Lindsey is joined by her mentor Doreen Samelson, Ed.D., Catalight’s chief clinical officer, to explain what evidence actually tells us about intervention intensity and the often-overlooked nuance of the “dosage effect” – the amount of treatment hours per week over a period of time.
Drawing on decades of clinical experience, her perspective as the mother of an adult with intellectual and developmental disabilities, her own recently published study “Dosage in Applied Behavior Analysis: Effect on Adaptive Behavior, Goal Attainment, and Dangerous Behavior” and other recent real-world studies of ABA outcomes, Doreen speaks about why higher hours don’t necessarily predict greater success.
That’s not to say the answer isn’t simply prescribing fewer hours, either. Lindsey and Doreen spend time talking about the importance of defining meaningful outcomes in the first place, the limitations of traditional outcome measures, the impact high-hour treatment can have on an entire family, and why a diverse autism population demands more individualized options.
Better care isn’t about maximizing hours – it’s about understanding the person, the family and the outcomes that actually matter.
Resources/references mentioned in this episode:
Dr. Doreen Samelson’s study “Dosage in Applied Behavior Analysis: Effect on Adaptive Behavior, Goal Attainment, and Dangerous Behavior”: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10803-025-07203-1
Coverage of Dr. Samelson’s work on dosage effect: https://www.catalight.org/press-release/study-finds-more-treatment-hours-for-autistic-children-may-not-lead-to-better-outcomes
Catalight LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/catalightcares
Catalight Instagram: www.instagram.com/catalightcares/
Catalight Facebook: www.facebook.com/CatalightCareServices/
27 Aug 2026
Ep. 19 - A Life That's Good for Me
For many autistic people, getting through the day can require an enormous amount of energy. Sensory overload, social expectations, masking and the pressure to fit into environments that weren’t designed for neurodivergent minds can take a toll. Out of necessity, Maja Toudal, in struggling with autism challenges, ADHD and suicidal ideation as a teen in Denmark, found that the answer isn’t learning to push harder or mask better, but understanding what takes energy, what restores it and what a good life actually looks like for different individuals.
Now a psychologist, speaker, educator and advocate, Maja Toudal talks with Lindsey about her book “Energy Accounting.” By treating energy like a bank account – with experiences that act as withdrawals and others that serve as deposits – Energy Accounting offers a practical way to better understand personal limits, make intentional adjustments and protect long-term wellbeing.
Their conversation goes well beyond that – encompassing myriad aspects of life that lead to stress and burnout. Maja shares her experience growing up autistic, being told by professionals not to expect friendships, relationships or a meaningful career, and ultimately rejecting the idea that being autistic meant accepting a life of suffering. Instead of trying to build a life that looked like everyone else’s, she began figuring out how to build a life that was good for her.
Resources/references mentioned in this episode:
Maja Toudal’s website: https://majatoudal.com/
“Energy Accounting” book: https://energyaccounting.com/
“What Your Autistic Child Wants You to Know: And How You Can Help Them”: https://www.amazon.com/What-Your-Autistic-Child-Wants-ebook/dp/B09XPFN6FD
Autistic Tidbits and Tangents podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/autistic-tidbits-tangents/id1637750283
28 Jul 2026
Ep. 18 - The Divorce of Behavior Analysis and Psychology
Behavior analysis and psychology used to be one and the same. But, over time, the two disciplines split and the effects of that rift are still shaping autism support today.
Lindsey is joined by Dr. Lauryn Toby and Erica Ranade, behavior analysts with backgrounds in psychology and the creators of the popular ‘Psychobabble BCBAs’ Instagram channel, to examine what happened when behavior analysis separated from its psychological roots. As the field grapples with renewed scrutiny around issues like overbilling, fraud and the quality of care, they argue that understanding how behavior analysis evolved is more important than ever.
While the split helped behavior analysis establish itself as a rigorous scientific discipline, they believe it also left behind valuable elements of psychology, including therapeutic relationships, child development, consultation, collaboration and clinical judgment.
Through conversations about the history of the field and the challenges it faces today, they discuss how reconnecting with psychology's broader understanding of human behavior doesn't mean abandoning the science of behavior analysis – it’s all about strengthening it. By looking back at where the field came from, they make the case that bringing the best of psychology and behavior analysis back together could help create more individualized, compassionate and effective autism support for the future.
Resources/references mentioned in this episode:
The Psychobabble BCBAs website: https://www.thepsychobabblebcbas.com/
The Psychobabble BCBAs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepsychobabblebcbas
“Psychology Essentials for Behavior Analysts” edited by Lauryn Toby and Erica Ranade: https://www.routledge.com/Psychology-Essentials-for-Behavior-Analysts/Toby-Ranade/p/book/9781032844183 or Amazon.com: Psychology Essentials for Behavior Analysts: 9781032844183: Toby, Lauryn M., Ranade, Erica S.: Books
Lindsey Sneed’s CEU class with Hoosier ABA on parent mediated training on Aug. 7 (open to all): https://www.hoosieraba.org/event-details/august-hoosier-happy-hour
Hoosier Association for Behavior Analysis 2026 (Oct. 14-16): https://behaviorlive.com/conferences/hoosierABA2026/home
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
24,675
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
8 ratings
Spotify
4.3 / 5
6 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 33 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
17
Social presence
0
YouTube
72
Engagement
51
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