Bierman Autism Centers

PEBBL Clinical Research

Progress You Can Feel, Evidence You Can Trust

Inside every play-based therapy session lives a data point ready to become tomorrow’s discovery.

What Is PEBBL?

PEBBL (Progress through Evidence-Based Behavior Lab) is our practice-embedded research engine. By gathering real-time data during everyday ABA therapy, we transform playroom insights into studies that advance autism care and accelerate each child’s growth.

 

Why PEBBL Exists

  • Bridge observation and outcome: Close the gap between what clinicians see today and the measurable gains children achieve tomorrow.
  • Spark discoveries that matter: Every data point fuels research with immediate, real-world relevance.
  • Empower Bierman clinicians: Mentorship and authorship opportunities turn front-line therapists into published researchers.
  • Provide transparent proof: Payers, schools, and families gain clear evidence of treatment effectiveness.

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What Makes PEBBL Different

  • Practice-Embedded Evidence: Research happens in our playrooms, not a distant lab.
  • Immediate Impact for Kids: Studies translate into faster skill acquisition and stronger generalization.
  • Career-Defining for Clinicians: Structured Contributor and Fellowship tracks offer CEUs, protected research hours, and authorship credit.
  • Collaborative & Open: We partner with universities, tech innovators, and speech-language teams— then share results to move the entire field forward.

Research Focus Areas

  • Outcomes Analytics: Mining Change Harder assessment data to build predictive models earlier than ever.
  • Parent Partnership: Exploring training intensity vs. skill generalization.
  • Cross‑Disciplinary Care: AAC goals co‑authored with SLPs and OTs.
  • Staff Development: Fluency‑based behavior technician training protocols.
Staff group photo at a conference

How You Can Get Involved

  • Contributor Track: Flexible hours collecting data or completing literature reviews. Perfect for first‑time researchers.
  • Fellowship Track: Six‑ to twelve‑month protected time to lead a pragmatic study aimed at peer‑reviewed publication.
  • Advisory Group: Senior clinicians and external experts who meet quarterly to vet study ideas and mentor Fellows.
  • External Associates: Alumni, graduate students, or outside BCBAs who collaborate on data analysis or manuscript drafting.

Stay Informed & Earn Free CEUs

Each month, PEBBL hosts a Research Spotlight Webinar featuring current studies, early data, and practical takeaways. BCBAs earn free CEUs for attending.

Ready to Drop Your First Pebble?

Small, consistent actions can create life‑changing progress.

 

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FAQ: PEBBL — Progress through Evidence-Based Behavior Lab

What is PEBBL?

PEBBL is our practice-embedded research program. We collect real-time data from everyday ABA therapy and turn those insights into studies that improve care and generate shareable evidence. 

 

What does “practice-embedded” mean?

Research happens inside our play-based sessions, not in a separate academic lab. That keeps findings practical and faster to apply. 

 

Why did you create PEBBL?

To bridge observation and outcome, spark discoveries with real-world relevance, empower clinicians with mentorship and authorship, and provide transparent proof for families, schools, and payers. 

 

How does PEBBL work day-to-day?

Clinicians collect session data, mentors help analyze patterns and design pragmatic studies, and we disseminate findings through professional conferences, journals, and monthly webinars. 

 

What makes it different from other research programs?

It’s practice-embedded, built for immediate impact, offers career-defining tracks for clinicians, and fosters collaboration across disciplines and partners. 

 

What are your current focus areas?

Outcomes analytics (including early predictive modeling), parent partnership, cross-disciplinary care, and staff development, such as fluency-based training protocols. 

 

Is PEBBL a separate clinic or a tech showcase?

No. It’s a way of learning from real care, then sharing what works. It is not a separate clinic and not a product demo space. 

 

How can clinicians get involved?

Apply for our Contributor Track (flexible hours and lit reviews), our Fellowship Track (6–12 months of protected time leading a pragmatic study), or join our Advisory Group/External Associate community. 

 

Do you offer CEUs, supervision opportunities, or ways to follow along?

Yes, our monthly Research Spotlight Webinar shares current studies and practical takeaways, with free CEUs for BCBAs. If you are a student who is looking for research experience, you can apply to one of our research tracks. You can also follow updates on our website. 

 

How does this help families?

By translating everyday session data into clearer takeaways and improvements, you can recognize progress you can feel, evidence you can trust. 

 

Where are the results shared?

Through peer-reviewed papers, conferences, and plain-language updates on our site and in our webinars. 

 

How do I get started?

Visit the PEBBL page to apply, RSVP for spotlights, or explore how to participate.

What Our Team is Saying

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You bring the passion. We’ll bring the plan. Let’s grow—together.

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Attractive young african american woman speech therapist working with little black girl, sitting at table with colorful letters, learning pronunciation, clinic interior. Speech disorders in children

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