Building Autism Services from the Ground Up: The Story of ABA in Ecuador
Behaviour Speak with Ben Reiman
When Mafer Chang Espinoza returned to Ecuador after completing her education in the United States, she found a country where autism was poorly understood, ABA was virtually nonexistent, and many families had nowhere to turn.
Rather than accepting the status quo, she began building something entirely new.
Starting with just a few children, ethical supervision from international mentors, and a vision for accessible services, Mafer founded Centro Enigma—an organization that has spent more than a decade transforming autism services throughout Ecuador.
In this conversation, Ben and Mafer discuss:
How Mafer first discovered behaviour analysis
Returning home to Ecuador to build autism services
Overcoming myths surrounding autism and ABA
The challenges of practicing ethically without local certification pathways
Building Centro Enigma from two clients into a nationally recognized organization
Providing services to rural and underserved communities
Adapting ABA to Ecuadorian culture and family life
Training Ecuador's next generation of behaviour analysts
Creating affordable parent coaching models
Developing an inclusive school recognized by Ecuador's Ministry of Education
Working with Global Autism Project
Growing autism awareness across Ecuador
The future of behaviour analysis in Latin America
This episode is an inspiring example of persistence, leadership, and the power of behaviour analysis to create meaningful systems change.
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7sSeRA5Elbk
Continuing Education Credits (https://www.cbiconsultants.com/shop)
BACB: 1.0 Ethics
IBAO: 1.0 Cultural
QABA: 1.0 Ethics
CBA/CPD: 1.0 Cultural Diversity
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Contact Mafer
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-fernanda-chang-espinoza-b79889118/
Centro Enigma
https://www.instagram.com/centroenigma/
https://centroenigma.com/
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UNIDAD EDUCATIVA FREDERIC SKINNER
https://www.instagram.com/skinner.ecu/
If you enjoyed this conversation about the development of behaviour analysis in Ecuador, be sure to explore these related Behaviour Speak episodes featuring clinicians and leaders from across Latin America:
Behaviour Analysis in Guatemala
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/behavior-analysis-in-guatemala/
Behaviour Analysis in Venezuela
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-192-behavior-analysis-in-venezuela-with-dr-mirari-elcoro-amalix-flores-and-dr-corina-jimenez-gomez/
Behaviour Analysis in Puerto Rico
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/episode-155-behavior-analysis-in-puerto-rico/
¿Quiénes Somos? An Exploration of Latinidad in Behavior Analysis
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/ep-172-quienes-somos-an-exploration-of-latinidad/
Análisis Aplicado de la Conducta en Colombia
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/ep-233-analisis-aplicado-de-la-conducta-en-colombia-con-johanna-avila-meza-msc-iba/
Análisis Aplicado de la Conducta en Argentina
https://www.behaviourspeak.com/e/ep-253-analisis-aplicado-dela-conducta-enargentinaconelizabethlopezmirandalicfonoaudiologiabcaba-iba-conla-presentadora-invitadajessie-arroyave-med/
Together, these conversations explore how behaviour analysts across Latin America are advancing autism services, building professional capacity, adapting evidence-based practices to local cultures, and creating more inclusive communities.