In our conversation, Maggie highlights the “Dos and Don’ts” of play therapy: join the child’s world before introducing new elements, build from what already brings them joy, and act as a play partner—not a director.

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Her neurodiversity-affirming lens means recognizing all forms of communication, supporting autonomy, self-regulation, and self-advocacy, and honoring each child’s unique strengths.

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Maggie doesn’t shy away from anti-ABA concerns. She acknowledges past harms and invites curiosity over defensiveness, aiming always to grow and improve her practice.

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She also offers an ACE-approved CEU, Supporting Play the Neurodiversity Affirming Way.  Expanding your playbook is important. Explore more CEUs at ABA Speech Connection to deepen your understanding of language milestones and child-led support.

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What’s Inside:

• What is play and child-led therapy?

• How to become a play partner?

• Elements of a neurodiversity-affirming practice.

• A curious approach to anti-ABA rhetoric. 

Have you ever seen a doctor for an issue, only for your concerns to be dismissed?

 

Have you ever tried to fit in so hard that you lost who you actually are?

 

In today’s episode, I talk to Maggie Haraburda M.S., LBS, BCBA about her path to becoming a neurodiverse affirming business owner and her own recent autism diagnosis.

 

Maggie is a neurodivergent BCBA who runs a small private practice in Philadelphia. Maggie’s business, Unfurling Littles, combines child-led ABA with Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT).

 

Maggie is also working alongside other practitioners within her city to build a community of providers who are Neurodiverse Affirming. Maggie’s hope is to help move the field of ABA forward, with compassionate care.

ABA on Tap is proud to spend some time with Maggie Haraburda, founder and director of Unfurling Littles, a unique treatment center combining ABA with best practices in Early Childhood Education.  

Neurodiversity Affirming and rooted in compassionate care; this center takes an approach to supporting children of all neurotypes that is play-based and child-led. Unfurling Littles was created out of a desire to do better for neurodivergent children and create a model of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) that is not implicated in causing harm. Maggie believes that  "The only way to move forward, is to look back with open eyes. We are a small Autistic owned company and will stay that way. We are not your average agency and we don't intend to be, we are just a group of humans trying to help other humans. " 

Given recent concerns and criticisms of ABA as presented by members of the neurodivergent community, Maggie promotes an important message of truly collaborative treatment. 

ABA on Tap is proud to spend some time with Maggie Haraburda, founder and director of Unfurling Littles, a unique treatment center combining ABA with best practices in Early Childhood Education.  

Neurodiversity Affirming and rooted in compassionate care; this center takes an approach to supporting children of all neurotypes that is play-based and child-led. Unfurling Littles was created out of a desire to do better for neurodivergent children and create a model of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) that is not implicated in causing harm. Maggie believes that  "The only way to move forward, is to look back with open eyes. We are a small Autistic owned company and will stay that way. We are not your average agency and we don't intend to be, we are just a group of humans trying to help other humans. " 

Given recent concerns and criticisms of ABA as presented by members of the neurodivergent community, Maggie promotes an important message of truly collaborative treatment.