2025 Conference WORKSHOP ABSTRACTS
Values and Action: Balancing Effective Treatment with Compassionate and Assent 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.
Excellence in ABA: Best Practices for Supporting Young Children on the Autism Spectrum This workshop will provide practitioners with evidence-based approaches for developing and implementing effective clinical systems that support best-practice in Applied Behavior Analysis treatment of young children with autism. It will systematically discuss quality standards for assessment, case conceptualization, goal planning, monitoring of response to treatment, timely decision making and treatment integrity/adherence. Essential programming goals and characteristics of effective and engaging teaching will be discussed, in addition to common pitfalls. Through structured hands-on exercises, participants will develop practical skills in assessment selection, treatment planning, supervision protocols, and quality monitoring. This workshop will equip participants with the necessary knowledge and examples of clinical systems to deliver high-quality ABA services that align with current best practices and quality standards
We’re In This Together: Considerations for Fostering Collaborative Relationships in Schools Building strong, collaborative relationships between behavior analysts and school staff is essential for creating cohesive and effective support systems for students. This session will explore strategies for fostering meaningful partnerships within school settings while maintaining adherence to the BACB Code of Ethics. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how to effectively translate behavior analytic principles into the educational environment, promoting shared understanding and collaboration among interdisciplinary teams. Participants will be guided through the process of developing a personal competency matrix to help navigate complex school dynamics responsibly. To ground the discussion in real-world application, the session will conclude with insights and lessons learned from experienced practitioners, offering valuable perspectives on overcoming challenges and successful strategies for building strong, collaborative partnerships in schools. Learning Objectives: 1. Identify key elements of the BACB Code of Ethics relevant to collaborative practices in school settings. 2. Assess and define their individual scope of competency as behavior analysts working in schools. 3. Develop a personal competency matrix to guide ethical decision-making and professional growth. 4. Apply lessons learned from practitioners to enhance interdisciplinary collaboration and problem-solving within school teams.
Integrating Principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with Mindfulness Skills to Enhance Self-Care and Clinical Programming This presentation will review how principles from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Assertiveness Communication can be integrated to improve self-care for clinicians, and enhance clinical programming for clients. All principles that are reviewed with be discussed through the lens of a behavior analytic framework. Attendees will be provided with worksheets to apply the concepts being discussed on an individualized basis. Handouts summarizing the main concepts will also be provided to attendees. Learning Objectives:
|
