S4 E2: Leadership, Choice, and Care: Rethinking Assent in ABA with Dr. Matt Tincani

What does ethical leadership look like when individual choice, safety, autonomy, and meaningful outcomes do not always point in the same direction?

In this episode of Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change-Makers, Dr. Esther Bubb sits down with Dr. Matt Tincani, PhD, BCBA-D, Professor of Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis at Temple University, for a thoughtful conversation about assent, autonomy, capacity, ethics, and the responsibilities that come with influencing others.

Matt explains how he conceptualizes assent as behavior and discusses why distinguishing assent from consent, capacity, dissent, and autonomy matters. Together, Esther and Matt explore the risks of oversimplifying complex ethical questions and the importance of examining behavior, contingencies, capacity, safety, and the individual’s circumstances.

The conversation moves beyond ABA as Esther and Matt consider how these ideas apply to leadership more broadly. What happens when people comply with a policy but are not truly willing? How can leaders create environments that support autonomy while still recognizing situations where safety and meaningful outcomes must be considered? And how do we create conditions where people can develop the skills they need to express preferences and make meaningful choices?

Matt also introduces the idea of “balanced assent”—actively providing opportunities for assent where possible while recognizing that not every choice can or should be honored in every circumstance.

This episode is an invitation to move beyond “either/or” thinking and toward greater curiosity, critical thinking, and evidence-informed decision-making.

In this episode, we explore:

Assent versus informed consent

Assent as behavior and verbal behavior

Capacity and the ability to understand consequences

Autonomy and self-determination

Safety, choice, and competing values