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1. Speaker: Dr. Rebecca MacDonald, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Title: Identification of Early Markers of Autism in Infant Siblings
Abstract: Infant siblings of children diagnosed with ASD have a 19% recurrence risk at 3 years old (Ozonoff et al., 2011). The point at which symptoms emerge is documented in the literature as occurring within 6-12
months. Graupner and Sallows (2017), in a sample of 67 infant siblings, reported symptoms in children under 3 months old. Using weekly developmental assessments and ABA early intervention they were able to remediate symptoms in 13 of 14 symptomatic siblings. The purpose of this presentation is to
describe our current work toward replicating these findings. We hypothesize that if treatment begins at or before 6 months, with a high intensity, outcomes will be better. Currently 48 siblings under 6 months of age have been recruited and are receiving bi- weekly screenings focusing on identifying symptoms.
Five of those babies have shown some symptoms and ABA therapy and/or parent coaching is being provided. All babies receive standardized assessment at 3-month intervals. Data to date reveal that earlier age and greater intensity of treatment results in best outcomes. These findings have implication for service delivery and long term financial obligations.
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2. Speaker: Amanda Guld Fisher, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Title: How consumers, clinicians, and academic faculty can collaborate to improve the future of behavior analytic service delivery
Abstract: This speaker series will review the roles of consumers, clinicians, and academic faculty in service delivery in our field. We will discuss how each role contributes to the training of future clinicians and direct support staff. We will discuss the strengths and limits of each role and how understanding these strengths and limits can help us to improve the quality of services. We will discuss how we can better collaborate in the future to improve our field and affect the change in quality we aim to see.
Target Audience: anyone - beginner
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3. Speaker: Kevin Callahan, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA
Title: Social Validity and Autism Treatment: The Case for Comprehensive
Programming and Assessment (Or, How ABA May be Losing Its Heart)
Abstract: This presentation will summarize the two major categories of evidence for determining “evidence-based practices” in autism treatment, including both empirical and social validity. Wolf’s 1978 seminal work in social validation, and current research assessing the social validity of EBPS in autism will be presented. Applied Behavior Analysis and TEACCH will be assessed within a social validity framework to determine whether or not they are truly comprehensive treatment models in autism.
Target Audience: parents and ABA practitioners
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4. Speaker: Dr. Byron Wine, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Title: Decreasing Turnover in Human Services
Abstract: While all organizations have to contend with turnover, human services face unique difficulties. Among other challenges, human services expect employees to engage in high-effort work, often without being able to offer highly competitive salaries. Moreover, human services rely heavily
on entry-level employees to deliver services and so high rates of turnover can make effective treatment difficult. This presentation will define turnover rate, how to calculate the cost of turnover, and present several strategies to decrease unwanted turnover in front-line employees. Additionally, we will explore some ideas for retaining behavior analysts.
Target Audience: practicing behavior analysts
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5. Speakers: Frank L. Bird, M.Ed., BCBA, LABA &
Helena Maguire, M.S., LABA, BCBA
Title: Supervision and Training: A Professional Obligation of Clinical Practitioners
Abstract: Supervision is an essential component to the maintenance of the procedural integrity with which organizational systems are implemented. Supervising the implementation of any given system by others is not synonymous with one’s own implementation of that same system. In other words, doing is not the same as overseeing. Thus, effective supervision requires specific training, training in the component skills of supervision itself. This presentation will outline a supervisory training system developed over a period of time to ensure effective, efficient, and acceptable training and ongoing supervision of staff within a human service organization. A description of the general structure and content areas of this training system will be reviewed and examples will be provided. Specific component skills such as conducting procedural integrity checks and providing feedback will then be described in detail to highlight training methods incorporated into the supervisory training system that result in the targeted outcome measures. The presentation will end with selected exemplars of performance management competencies of supervisors who completed this supervisory training series over the past several years.
Target Audience: clinicians, educators and administrators responsible for training and professional development
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6. Speakers: Richard M. Foxx, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Tim Caldwell, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Nina Carraghan, M.A., BCBA, & Keith Williams, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Title: Licensure for behavior analysts: How will it affect you?
Abstract: Behavior analysts are currently licensed in most states, including most recently, New Jersey. In this talk, the differences between certification and licensure will be reviewed. The panel will then discuss the path to licensure and implications of licensure.
Target Audience: behavior analysts and others who may be affected by licensure of behavior analysts.
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