Armando Bernal was diagnosed with autism at age three. Doctors told his mother he might never speak. Instead, his family chose a different script—one written with grit, curiosity, trips to the public library, and a steadfast belief that independence was possible. In this week’s episode, Armando shares how that early faith—and a support system that never stopped showing up—carried him from special education teacher to Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), podcaster, and ultimately the founder of Autism International Consulting, one of the only autistic-owned ABA companies in Texas.
“We shouldn’t just talk about autistic individuals—we should talk with them and give them a seat at the table.”
From early diagnosis to a life of advocacy
Armando’s communication began with sounds and playful approximations—bzzb for bug, choo-choo for train—before language flourished. Social cues remained challenging, and still do, but the constant family support (his mom, dad, sister, now his wife) anchored him through school, college (Texas A&M), and early work as a special education teacher. A classroom moment—accidentally reinforcing a student’s behavior—sparked a turning point. Searching for better answers led him to the Behavioral Observations podcast, graduate training, and his BCBA.
Building an autistic-owned ABA company
In 2020, Armando launched his own podcast (A Different Path). With his sister’s encouragement, he later founded Autism International Consulting—now a ~30-person practice serving all ages across Houston with in-home, in-clinic, and international consultation. They accept all insurances, including Medicaid, and proudly employ neurodiverse clinicians and technicians.
Core values that set the clinic apart:
- Self-advocacy: Clients are partners in care. Goals begin with their wants and needs.
- Transparency: Parents are invited to ask anything; weekly parent meetings and trainings are standard.
- Curiosity (staff mindset): Therapists and BCBAs are encouraged to question, surface ideas, and evolve practice.
- Innovation: From virtual reality and tech-assisted social play to community generalization trips (think the Houston Zoo), the team designs therapy that feels like life—not a lab.
- Safety: Cameras throughout the building support oversight in line with HIPAA requirements.
Armando’s leadership philosophy is refreshingly human: clinics should look like places kids want to be. Bounce houses, Nintendo Switch, and playful environments become tools for engagement—and for meeting insurance goals without losing joy.
Advice for autistic leaders and clinicians
Armando now hears regularly from autistic students and professionals exploring ABA. His message is simple: go for it. The worst outcome is a “no.” The best? A dream realized—and a community changed. He measures success with a daily gut-check:
“Did I do a good job for my patient, or did I do a good job for my company?”
The goal is always independence—skills that outlast services so kids can build memories with peers without a therapist in every scene.
Fatherhood, empathy, and a wider lens
Two months into becoming a dad, Armando admits he cried the day his daughter was born—and that time already feels fast and tender. Fatherhood sharpened his empathy for parents’ worries and reinforced his commitment to a clinic culture that feels safe, welcoming, and inviting. The team added quarterly parent meetups—coffee, donuts, a short BCBA presentation, and time to connect—because having a tribe matters.
A line he recently encountered now guides his evenings:
“Every day you live is just another day for you—but every day for your child, that’s their childhood.”
So the phone goes down, the songs come out, and the world pauses for bedtime snuggles—because these moments don’t loop back.
Learn more
- Website: autisminitl.com
- Instagram: @autismintl
- Email: [email protected]
