In today's Let's Talk conversation, Coach Che Marville sits down with two extraordinary Canadian leaders in autism education: Dr. Am Badwall, founder of Missing Links Autism, and Dr. Michael John Daniels, an educator and administrator whose friendship and professional partnership span decades.

Drawing from over 50 years of combined experience, Am and Michael offer an honest, heart-opening look into:

• Why traditional ABA became rigid, outdated, and disconnected from real human needs
• How families feel unseen, unheard, and judged — and why relief comes when they finally feel understood
• The cultural blind spots that left racialized families behind
• Why "success" cannot be measured by making autistic children appear neurotypical
• The emotional weight families carry when shame and social exclusion limit daily life
• The evolution from compliance-based programs to a modern, compassionate model
• How Progressive ABA centres dignity, autonomy, consent, and meaningful learning
• The role of culture, community, and authentic listening in shaping real outcomes
• The powerful story of Am and Michael's friendship — and how grief, love, and fate brought them together

This episode is a call to rethink everything we assume about autism intervention.

It's about seeing the whole child.

It's about honouring families.

It's about building a future where no one is erased, dismissed, or reshaped to fit someone else's standards.

This conversation isn't just educational — it's revolutionary.

• Why some autism practices became harmful — even with good intentions
• The meaning of relief and why so many families feel it when finally understood
• How cultural sensitivity changes everything
• Why "eye contact," "checking boxes," and "normalization" can be misguided goals
• How Progressive ABA integrates compassion, autonomy, and individualized learning
• The emotional and cultural challenges families face when navigating care
• Why is the relationship at the heart of all real learning
• How educators and clinicians can evolve with the science

"We cannot talk about humanity without talking about how we treat children." — Coach Che.

"Families feel relief when they are finally heard when someone says, 'I see you. I see your child." — Dr. Am Badwall

"Success isn't about making a child indistinguishable from their peers, it's about honouring who they truly are." — Dr. Michael John Daniels.

"We're not rejecting the science; we're rejecting outdated practices that don't reflect what we now know about neurodiversity." — Dr. Am Badwall.

"We want to give children access, agency, and tools, not reshape their identity." — Dr. Michael John Daniels.

"Relief comes from being seen, being heard, and not being judged." — Dr. Am Badwall.

Missing Links Autism

https://missinglinks.ca

Progressive ABA Network

https://progressiveabanetwork.ca

Book: Abandoning Traditional Autism Programming with a Modern Approach

(Insert Amazon link)

Founder & Executive Director of Missing Links Autism. Nearly 30 years of experience shaping the evolution of ABA in Ontario. A pioneer of Progressive ABA — combining evidence-based science with compassion, cultural sensitivity, and meaningful learning.

Educator, administrator, university lecturer, and co-founder of the Progressive ABA Network. Dedicated to shaping inclusive classrooms and honouring diverse learners. Brings a rich academic lens and lived experience to modern autism education

What You'll LearnStandout Quotes (Ready for Social Media)Guest LinksAbout the GuestsDr. Am Badwall, Ph.D.Dr. Michael John Daniels, Ed.D.