Dr. Todd Eller: Championing Inclusive Education, Behavioral Insight, and Thoughtful Media

In an era defined by rapid technological change and shifting societal expectations, few individuals embody the intersection of compassion, behavior science, and thoughtful communication like Dr. Todd Eller. A scholar, therapist, educator, and media innovator, he has dedicated over a decade to transforming how we approach learning, support neurodiversity, and connect through media—always with dignity and strategy.

1. A Foundation Built on Empirical Insight and Compassion

Dr. Eller’s professional life pivots on a solid academic foundation. He earned his Ph.D. in Psychology from UCLA, where he immersed himself in behavioral research and its implications for child development. Yet, his greatest commitment was not to theory alone—but to its real-world life-changing application.

That conviction led him to establish Best Practices, a center devoted to behavioral interventions for children and adults with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental differences. Through personalized Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)-based programs, Todd and his team offer comprehensive support—communication skills, emotional resilience, daily living mastery—from infancy into adulthood.

“Therapy isn’t just about changing behavior,” Todd says. “It’s about unlocking potential, one progress goal at a time.”

His approach merges rigorous methodology with heartfelt care—a foundation that remains at the core of his legacy.

2. Redefining Classroom Culture—One Educator at a Time

Understanding that true impact lies through expanding influence, Dr. Eller turned his focus to higher education. Over the years, he’s trained more than 600 university professors across disciplines—particularly in sociology, education, and diversity studies—building one of the country’s largest inclusive teaching programs.

These sessions go beyond lectures. They’re collaborative spaces where educators learn to embrace neurodiversity, adapt teaching strategies, and cultivate emotional safety within classrooms. Through this ripple effect, Dr. Eller’s methods impact thousands of students across the nation.

“Transforming one professor means transforming countless students,” he reflects.

The scale and depth of his educator training continue to reshape academic culture—one syllabus, one lecture, one professor at a time.

3. Crafting Educational Narratives Through Media

In a digital world bombarded by content, Dr. Eller recognized early the power of media—not just as entertainment, but as education. As Chief Educational Officer at First Media, he ensures that media content is both engaging and scientifically sound. His goal: create media that nurtures curiosity, empathy, and cognitive growth.

A clear illustration of this is his work with BabyFirst TV. Todd contributes to the design of early learning programs, ensuring that children’s television isn't just fun—it builds cognitive and emotional skills in ways that align with developmental research.

“Screen time can grow minds—if crafted with intent,” he emphasizes.

By blending behavioral science with creative storytelling, Dr. Eller reminds us how media, when guided purposefully, can enrich learning.

4. Publishing for Practitioners, Educators, and Families

Beyond therapy rooms and media studios, Dr. Eller contributes to learning through the written word. He’s authored two books and multiple scholarly articles on behavioral science, autism intervention, and inclusive education. His work also appears in textbooks used across the Los Angeles College District—helping shape the next generation of educators.

His writing translates complex research into strategy-driven insights that educators, parents, and professionals can truly apply:

• How to integrate social-emotional learning into classrooms

• How to tailor communication strategies for differently-abled learners

• How to design media that supports healthy cognitive and emotional development

With each page, Todd translates research into relevance—making an often-dense academic world feel accessible and urgent.

5. Guiding Principles: The Heart Behind the Work

Dr. Eller’s contributions—whether as therapist, trainer, or media consultant—are shaped by unwavering principles:

He doesn’t just design programs—he builds systems that reinforce learning, inclusion, and growth across contexts.

6. Systems, Stories, and Sustained Influence

The true measure of Dr. Eller’s impact lies in how his work reverberates:

• Families gain newfound independence and communication breakthroughs.

• Educators lead classrooms where every learner is seen and valued.

• Media producers craft stories that enlighten—not merely entertain.

• Academia receives frameworks for teaching that blend evidence with inclusion.

That ripple effect is both wide and deep.

7. Looking Forward: The Next Frontier of Empowerment

Even with such broad influence, Dr. Eller continues to chart new territory. Among his ongoing projects:

• Digital tools for home and classroom use, aiding neurodiverse learners

• Inclusive curriculum models that foreground intersectionality and social-emotional learning

• Streaming education content aimed specifically at both learners and caregivers at every developmental stage

Behind every initiative is one question: how do we create communities—real and virtual—that believe in possibility?

8. A Story of Connection, Not Just Achievement

Dr. Todd Eller is more than the positions he holds. His story is one of intentional design, shaped by empathy, fueled by knowledge, and focused on inclusion.

• He met individual families in crisis and stayed to celebrate breakthroughs.

• He met professors who doubted equity training and helped them change classroom cultures.

• He met content creators looking for direction—and challenged them to make media that matters.

His story isn’t linear—it’s layered, interconnected, and brimming with purpose.

The Legacy of a True Bridges-Builder

In a world that often values novelty over substance, Dr. Todd Eller stands out as someone who builds bridges—between theory and practice, students and professors, screen time and social-emotional growth. Whether crafting tailored therapy plans, reimagining university teaching, advising on children’s programming, or writing for tomorrow’s educators, his focus remains steadfast: help individuals learn, belong, and thrive.

As behavioral science evolves, as our understanding of diversity deepens, and as media continues to shape minds, Todd Eller’s work stands as a testament to what’s possible when kindness, rigor, and care coalesce.