Sleep Takes Center Stage: A Look Back at 2024 and What’s Ahead for 2025

As we approach the start of a new year, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how far we’ve come in 2024 and the incredible potential for 2025. For Ready Set Sleep, this year has been filled with growth, innovation, and a renewed focus on the role of sleep in behavioral interventions.

2024: A Year of Growth and Gratitude

This year, 93 new Certified Behavioral Sleep Specialists completed The Sleep Collective, equipping them with the skills to deliver evidence-based sleep interventions to families in need. With seven cohorts in 2024, I’ve been continually inspired by the dedication of BCBAs who are ready to make a difference in their communities.

The numbers tell an exciting story: 333 new students joined Ready Set Sleep, with 438 enrollments in the Sleep Pro Bundle—our most popular CEU offering. 13,000 visitors engaged with our online content, from blog posts to LinkedIn articles, and over 2,000 users downloaded free resources like sleep guides and bedtime toolkits.

Beyond training, 2024 was an incredible year for connecting through speaking engagements. From the California ABA Annual Conference to the Stone Soup Conference, I was honored to present at events across the country. Each of these moments reaffirmed that the topic of sleep is resonating deeply within the ABA community.

Why Sleep Is Becoming a Critical Focus

Sleep is no longer a "side topic" in ABA. Research consistently shows that up to 80% of autistic learners experience sleep challenges, which directly impact behavior, learning, and overall quality of life. Studies support the fact that poor sleep exacerbates impulsivity, mood dysregulation, and sensory sensitivities—all factors that influence the effectiveness of ABA interventions.

As BCBAs, we understand the power of behavior science to drive meaningful change. But to fully support our learners, sleep must be part of the equation. This isn’t just about helping families get more rest; it’s about creating sustainable, evidence-based systems that empower caregivers and improve outcomes.

Practical Tips for BCBAs

Here are three ways you can prioritize sleep as part of your practice in 2025:

Incorporate Sleep Assessments into Behavior Plans Build a clear picture of how sleep affects the behaviors you’re targeting. Use sleep diaries or caregiver interviews to identify patterns that may be influencing daily functioning.

Educate Families About the Science of Sleep Share simple, actionable strategies with caregivers, such as establishing consistent wake times and limiting screen exposure before bed. Empower them with the tools to sustain healthy sleep habits over time.

Explore Specialized Training Consider becoming a Certified Behavioral Sleep Specialist through The Sleep Collective. With in-depth training on sleep programming, you’ll gain the confidence to tackle sleep challenges in your practice and elevate the support you provide.

Looking Ahead to 2025

The year ahead is brimming with opportunity. January’s Sleep Collective cohort is already full, but enrollment for February and April cohorts is now open—a perfect chance to dive deeper into sleep interventions.

I’m also looking forward to sharing insights at events like the Profound Autism Summit (April 10-11) and the Hoosier ABA Annual Conference (October 15-16). And if your organization is hosting a conference in 2025, I’d love to bring practical, research-backed sleep strategies to your audience. As a passionate advocate for bringing sleep to the forefront of ABA practice, I love sharing the latest research and actionable strategies with professionals in the field. Whether you’re looking for a keynote speaker, a workshop leader, or an in-house CEU provider, I tailor my presentations to meet your organization’s unique needs. From ethical and practical considerations in sleep programming to navigating sleep challenges in profound autism, my goal is to provide engaging, evidence-based content that leaves your team empowered to make meaningful changes for the families you serve. Let’s work together to elevate the quality of sleep programming in your community—reach out to book me for your next event! (Find out more about booking me to speak here)

Let’s Make Sleep a Priority

Sleep is no longer a secondary concern—it’s a cornerstone of effective behavioral intervention. Together, let’s continue to elevate its importance and deliver meaningful, sustainable change for the families we serve.

Read the full blog post here.

Learn more about The Sleep Collective here.

Here’s to a 2025 filled with progress, collaboration, and plenty of restorative sleep!

Sleep should be sweet,

Emily Varon, MS, BCBA

Founder, Ready Set Sleep