2025 Conference WORKSHOP ABSTRACTS

Values and Action: Balancing Effective Treatment with Compassionate and Assent
Valerie LaCerra, MA, BCBA, LBS
Jessica Ellis, MA, BCBA, LBS
Tim Caldwell, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBS

In the past 15 years, there has been an increased focus on compassionate forms of ABA-based intervention as well as ensuring that clients assent in the moment before treatment interventions are implemented (Hanley et al., 2014; Breaux & Smith 2023). While many behavior analysts have worked to align their practice with these values, some critics have argued that this type of intervention can lead to less behavioral intervention aimed at increasing vital skills. This presentation will consist of three parts that will demonstrate that the values associated with compassionate and assent-based treatment can be fully aligned with promoting socially significant behavior change (Baer, Wolf, and Risley, 1968). The first section will review the necessity of values within behavior-analytic treatment (Paliliunas, 2022) and discuss how your values as a behavior analyst will directly impact how you provide treatment. The second section will provide several case examples illustrating how compassionate care and assent can be incorporated into effective behavior change treatment. The final section will review a tool developed to guide behavior analytic programming to ensure that compassion, assent, and effective behavior change are aligned within treatment. Workshop participants will apply this tool with either their own clients or from vignettes to practice incorporating their values into treatment.