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Reshaping ABA From the Ground Up: Jeron Trotman on Connection, Culture, and Co-Elevation
In this candid and powerful episode of Tim Talks, host Tim Zercher sits down with Jeron Trotman – founder of Black Men in Behavior Analysis, ABAVerzus, the Behavior Technician Association, and co-founder of The ABA Collab.
Jeron shares how he’s advancing inclusive leadership in ABA through authentic community-building and systemic reform for behavior technicians. From addressing burnout to advancing BIPOC visibility in leadership, Jeron challenges traditional models and offers a new vision for the field – one that centers connection, culture, and co-elevation.
Whether you’re an RBT, BCBA, or ABA leader, this is a must-listen conversation on where the field is heading – and who it needs to include. And if your organization is ready to share its own story of growth and inclusion, A-Train Marketing helps ABA providers build brands that attract the right families and team members.
Why Community Is the Antidote to Burnout in ABA
When Tim asked what drives his approach to building platforms like The ABA Collab, Jeron put it plainly: “community is the antidote to burnout, isolation, and stagnation in ABA.” For a field where clinicians and technicians often work long hours in demanding roles, that framing matters. Connection isn’t a nice extra; it’s a foundation of inclusive leadership in ABA and part of what keeps professionals growing and keeps them in the field.
For ABA organizations, this has real implications for how you attract and keep great people. Practices that show their culture, values, and team support publicly tend to stand out to job seekers.
Behavior Technicians Are the Backbone of ABA
Jeron founded the Behavior Technician Association to fill a gap he saw firsthand. As he says, behavior technicians are the backbone of ABA, yet they often have the least access to support, advocacy, and professional community. BTA was built to give RBTs and behavior technicians a place to be seen, heard, and supported.
This conversation is a good reminder that inclusive leadership in ABA starts with the people delivering care day to day. Organizations that invest in their technicians, and communicate that investment clearly on their websites and careers pages, are better positioned to build lasting teams.
From Compliance to Co-Elevation: A New Model for ABA Leadership
One of the most memorable ideas from the episode is Jeron’s call for behavior scientists to shift from compliance to co-elevation. Rather than leadership built on top-down direction, he describes leadership as growing together, where supervisors, clinicians, and technicians rise alongside one another.
Jeron also highlighted conversations he believes deserve more attention in the field, including family experiences, cultural values, and workforce sustainability. Each of these shapes how ABA services are experienced by both the families receiving care and the professionals providing it. For organizations, sharing thoughtful perspectives on these topics through content is one way to demonstrate expertise and build trust.
About Our Guest: Jeron Trotman
Jeron Trotman is a leading voice in the evolution of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). He is the Founder of Black Men in Behavior Analysis, ABAVerzus, and the Behavior Technician Association. As Executive Producer and Host of Beyond the Science Podcast and Co-Founder of The ABA Collab, Jeron champions equity, visibility, and innovation across the field. With a vision rooted in community, cultural competence, and professional elevation, Jeron is transforming the way we think about leadership, inclusion, and the future of ABA.
Visit the Black Men in Behavior Analysis website to learn more about Jeron’s mission.
Episode FAQ
What is the Behavior Technician Association?
The Behavior Technician Association (BTA) was founded by Jeron Trotman to support RBTs and behavior technicians, who he describes as the backbone of ABA. BTA focuses on community, advocacy, and professional support for the frontline professionals who deliver ABA services every day but often have the least access to resources.
How can ABA organizations address burnout among staff?
In this episode, Jeron Trotman frames community as the antidote to burnout, isolation, and stagnation in ABA. Building genuine connection among clinicians and technicians, alongside attention to workforce sustainability, can help organizations create environments where professionals feel supported. Approaches will vary by organization and should fit your team’s specific needs.
Why does representation matter in ABA leadership?
Jeron Trotman shares that his experience as a Black leader in ABA has shown him how critical representation is. While visibility of Black men in leadership has improved, he emphasizes that lasting progress requires systemic support and intentional community-building, since culture takes time to change even when numbers improve.
What topics deserve more attention in the ABA field?
According to Jeron Trotman, the ABA field needs more conversations about family experiences, cultural values, and workforce sustainability. These topics shape how families experience ABA services and how professionals stay engaged in their careers, making them important areas for clinicians, organizations, and leaders to explore further.
Episode Transcript
View the full transcript
Timothy A. Zercher (00:00):
All right, thank you so much for joining us, Jeron. We really appreciate you hopping on, taking time out your busy day.
Jeron Trotman (00:06):
I appreciate you having me on, Tim.
Timothy A. Zercher (00:08):
You’ve launched multiple platforms like the ABA Collab and others. What drives your approach in building community, especially in this field?
Jeron Trotman (00:21):
That’s a great question. For me, community is the antidote to burnout, isolation, and stagnation in ABA…
Timothy A. Zercher (01:26):
You also founded the Behavior Technician Association. What drove that piece? What gap were you trying to fill?
Jeron Trotman (01:37):
BTA, shout out to my BTA family. We all know behavior technicians are the backbone of ABA…
Timothy A. Zercher (02:28):
As a podcast host yourself, what are some conversations or topics in the ABA space that deserve more focus?
Jeron Trotman (02:46):
Several critical conversations need amplification: family experiences, cultural values, workforce sustainability…
Timothy A. Zercher (03:41):
Tell me about the mindset shifts behavior scientists need in order to lead more effectively.
Jeron Trotman (03:58):
One is shifting from compliance to co-elevation. Leadership is about growing together…
Timothy A. Zercher (04:39):
How has being a Black leader in ABA shaped your views on inclusivity and representation?
Jeron Trotman (04:54):
Loaded question, Tim… It’s shown me how critical representation is and how much work remains…
Timothy A. Zercher (06:10):
What progress have you seen in inclusive leadership within ABA over the last few years?
Jeron Trotman (06:25):
Visibility has improved. More Black men are being seen in leadership roles. But we need systemic support…
Timothy A. Zercher (07:39):
Absolutely… Even if disparity numbers improved tomorrow, the culture still takes time to build…
Jeron Trotman (07:59):
Exactly. And that’s where community becomes even more important…
Timothy A. Zercher (08:04):
Well, those were all the questions we had. Thank you for your time and insight, Jeron. You’re doing amazing work.
Jeron Trotman (08:21):
Thank you, Tim. Keep doing the great work you’re doing as well.
