al s o n i i at ter n n s I i alys An or vi eha or An alys or B vi for o n i at i eha ssoc B de i s Newsletter A the of I n Volume 10 No 3 december 2018 JOIN ABAI and fly to your goals! Learn Read leading behavior analysis publications and attend single-track conferences and annual conventions.
Connect Network at ABAI events and interact with experts in behavior analysis research, practice, and education.
Influence Share research and experience through presentations, posters, and journal articles.
Save Receive discounts on ABAI event registration and association products and services. Upcoming Events 13th Annual Autism Conference 45th Annual Convention 10th International Conference January 18–20, 2019 May 23–27, 2019 September 29–30, 2019 San Francisco, California Chicago, Illinois Stockholm, Sweden
www.abainternational.org Join today! 269.492.9310 al s o n i i at ter n n s I i
alys
An
or vi
eha or An alys or B vi for o n i at i eha
Inside Behavior Analysis Table of Contents ssoc
Publication of the Association for Behavior Analysis International B Issue Date: December 2018 Issue Number: Vol. 10, No. 3
Frequency of Publication: Inside Behavior Analysis is published three A the of
SPECIAL SECTION: A Letter From the SABA President de o n times annually. Subscriptions are provided with ABAI membership; 2 i i others may subscribe from the ABAI website: cat www.abainternational.org s i publ Mark Mattaini, DSW President 2017–2018 SABA Donors 6 I n Michael J. Dougher, Ph.D. Past President Volume 10 Peter Killeen, Ph.D. President-Elect Kent Johnson, Ph.D. Applied Representative Mark Galizio, Ph.D. At-Large Representative No 3 2018 SABA Grant Reports december Anthony Biglan, Ph.D. At-Large Representative 10 M. Christopher Newland, Ph.D. Experimental Representative 2018 Per Holth, Ph.D. International Representative Lorraine Becerra, M.S. Past Student Representative Kathryn Roose, M.S Student Representative Updates From ABAI’s U.S.A. Affiliated Chapters 18 Jovonnie Esquierdo-Leal, M.S. Student Representative-Elect Maria E. Malott, Ph.D. Chief Executive Officer/ Executive Editor 2018 Supporting and Sustaining Members Majda M. Seuss Managing Editor 39 Aaron Barsy Publications Coordinator Martin C. Burch Art Director © 2018 Association for Behavior Analysis International Updates From ABAI’s Non-U.S.A. Affiliated Chapters 40 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of the Association for Behavior Analysis International. ABAI reserves the right to Updates From ABAI’s Special Interest Groups edit all copy. All advertisements are accepted and published 54 on the representation of the advertiser and its agency that they are authorized to publish the entire contents thereof and that, to the best of their knowledge and belief, all statements made therein are true. The advertiser and the agency agree to hold Preview of the 13th Annual Autism Conference 66 the publisher harmless from any and all claims arising out of advertising published. Publication of articles, announcements, or acceptance of advertisements in Inside Behavior Analysis does not imply endorsement by ABAI. ABAI reserves the right to reject any Calendar of Upcoming Conferences advertisement or copy that ABAI, for any reason, deems unsuitable 74 for publication in any association publication.
Association for Behavior Analysis International® 550 West Centre Avenue, Suite 1 Portage, MI 49024 269 492 9310 www.abainternational.org cover Illustration: Martin c. Burch R ecap o n i t n e co nv 2009 er b eptem S
No 3 olume 31 V
Special Section: A Letter from the SABA President
By Michael J. Dougher
2 Presenter Fund, SABA has strengthened its support for itssupport strengthened has SABA Fund, Presenter Student to the addition In $3,360. totaling awarded were Grants Presenter 21 Student alone, year Last researchers. more senior and peers their with ideas research discuss to and conference at anational research their to present available, not otherwise opportunity, the with students provides convention the Attending convention. annual the at research their to present wishing for students expenses travel to offset funds provided years for many has SABA S awareness. public increasing and outreach, global expanding support, student strengthening goals: major three to fulfill used to be continue will and been have campaign capital the from raised money the and to SABA Contributions H scope. its expanded and itsmission to pursue ability society’s the strengthened —has 2016in launched campaign capital effort—a fundraising SABA’s education. recent most and dissemination, practice, of research, areas the in contributions enduring and important made have that organizations and individuals recognize and analysis, of behavior practice and science the disseminate globally research, student to support SABA allowed have funds These donations. and gifts financial private through community ABAI of the support enthusiastic and generous on the dependent entirely been always has mission that to serve SABA’s ability and practice of behavior analysis. science the promote and advance providesupport to financial (SABA)Analysis been has to for the Advancement of Behavior mission of theSociety singular Since its inception 1980, in the tudent Support tudent ow the F the ow unds A unds re U re sed P impact. potential great has its development where areas in especially globally, analysis promote behavior effectively that more initiatives to fund options exploring is Society the campaign, capital the from support increased the to Thanks of funding. for lack simply proposals excellent many down to turn forced is Board SABA the projects, several among resources our distributing with even and project, per dollars thousand afew of only grants for allowed have funds our notwithstanding, projects and Zimbabwe. successful These Tanzania, the UK, Spain, Korea, South Africa, South Arabia, Saudi Romania, Poland, Ireland, Northern Zealand, New Mexico, Kenya, Jordan, Italy, Japan, Ireland, India, Iceland, Hong Kong, Guyana, Greece, Georgia, Finland, Colombia, China, Canada, Bulgaria, Brazil, Bahrain, in projects supported We have global. truly is outreach SABA’s international O Global to fulfill this goal. needed are but more funds level, doctoral the and master’s the at both researchers basic and applied more emerging even support to efforts to expanding closer SABA moved have contributions campaign Capital resources. available exceeded far has support for research demand the because simply students deserving from proposals excellent several to decline has society the year each However, applications. its and science of behavioral vitality and growth the in and field our in individuals promising most and brightest the in investment an are grants These inquiry. analysis behavior of range full the span that grants research through students Supporting student research helps expand the range, range, the expand helps research student Supporting analysis. of behavior awareness public increasing in success to our contributes also discussed already goals two the for support Increased field. of our health future for the critical is analysis of behavior promise and success extraordinary of the public’s awareness the Increasing ublic A ublic wareness utreach See PRESIDENT on page 4 page on PRESIDENT See 3
Vo l u m e 10 No 3 DECEMBER 2018 Inside Behavior Analysis President continued from page 3 ent id relevance, and awareness of our science among the general Major Donations
res public and helps to cultivate the next generation of leaders The legacy of major capital campaign donors is honored and advocates. International outreach brings behavior at the ABAI headquarters, where SABA operations
ABA P analysis to populations that would otherwise have little are handled. Gold, Silver, and Bronze level donors are or no exposure to the field and creates opportunities recognized on a donor recognition installation titled, for practical demonstrations of what the science can “Understanding Behavior, Transforming Lives, Shaping accomplish in a variety of contexts. Additionally, SABA Our Future (2014–2016).” This beautiful monument was regularly presents an award for Effective Presentation of crafted from custom architectural glass suspended on Behavior Analysis in the Mass Media, which is presented a wire cable system. Each major donor has a glass tile etter from the S to an individual who writes or produces a piece of media etched with his or her name, photo, and year of donation. : L
ON that informs the public about a scientific discovery or The piece is currently on display in ABAI’s lobby and is I important application in behavior analysis. In addition, open to the public. This “wall” can be disassembled and the success of the capital campaign has allowed SABA moved, should the headquarters ever change locations. L SECT
IA to expand its outreach efforts through the creation of the The members listed on pages 6–7 are recognized on this Public Awareness of Behavior Science Fund. This fund special installation and on the SABA website (http://saba. SPEC will support creative and promising efforts to disseminate abainternational.org/capital-campaign/). I would like to broadly the many ways that behavior analysis pursues its thank personally each of these contributors and all the core mission of contributing to the wellbeing of society others who have generously donated to the goals of SABA through research, practice, and education. and to the future of behavior analysis.
4 BEHAVIOR SCIENCE BLOGS A new way of communicating science. This year ABAI launched an exciting new dissemination project: the Behavior Science Blogs, featuring posts by renowned scholars in the field on such timely topics as addiction, education, health, and autism. The six blogs provide readers with updates on newsworthy items relevant to the science of behavior. Included are news stories, scholarly articles, commentaries, and the occasional post from a guest blogger with perspectives on our field’s links to both practice and current events and the need-to-know content on how behavior science is changing, or could be changing, local and global communities. There are new posts every week. We hope you will join the hundreds of readers from around the world who regularly enjoy these blogs. https://science.abainternational.org
5 N ORS DO SABA Donors 2018 SABA 2018
– 2017–2018 On behalf of the SABA Board, we are grateful for all the ABAI members who contributed to SABA in the past year to help build our funds. These donations enable SABA to provide annual grants that support research in and the development of behavior analysis. This list reflects donations from September 1, 2017 through December 1, 2018. 2017 $1,000 and above $100–$249 $100–$249 (cont.) Innovative Student Research Fund Innovative Student Research Fund SABA Student Presenters’ Fund (cont.) 2009
Harold and JeNeal Miller Michael Dougher Paul Neuman er John Esch Michael Nolan b International Development Fund Peter Killeen Melissa Olive Judith Mathews Rita Olla Lloyd Peterson eptem S Ellen Schleifer
Unrestricted Fund International Development Fund Jason Simmons Anonymous Alexandre Dittrich Joseph Vedora No 3
Sharon Chien James Ellis Hannah Wagner Bradley Frieswyk Theodore Hoch David Wesch Sigrid Glenn Weihe Huang Unrestricted Fund olume 31 Philip Hineline Peter Killeen V Darnell Lattal Joe Lucyshyn Julie Ackerlund Brandt Sam Leigland Larry Alferink M. Jackson Marr Public Awareness of Behavior Science Judah Axe Michael Perone Elizabeth Garrison Saul Axelrod Greg Stikeleather Peter Killeen Sheila Barnes Jeff Kupfer Andy Bondy Mark Mattaini Freddy Brown $500–$999 Stephanie Stolarz-Fantino Abigail Calkin Innovative Student Research Fund Nicole Cissell Sigrid Glenn SABA Student Presenters’ Fund Robert Dlouhy Judi Komaki Julie Aiello John Esch Judah Axe Bradley Frieswyk Public Awareness of Behavior Science Robert Babcock Mark Galizio Kent Johnson Francisco J. Barrera Celia Gershenson Rosemary Condillac Jeremy Greenberg Unrestricted Fund Jeffrey Dillen Faunamin Jimenez-Foster Kent Johnson Michael Dougher Amanda Karsten Erick Dubuque Karen Kellum Stephen Eversole Dolleen-Day Keohane $250–$499 Holli Frazell Peter Killeen SABA Student Presenters’ Fund Mitch Fryling Tiffany Kodak William Baum Jenette Gonzalez Peter Lamal David Bicard R. Douglas Greer T. V. Joe Layng Alyce Dickinson Ezra Hall William Matthew Harold and JeNeal Miller William Helsel Jennifer McComas Raymond Miltenberger Timothy Heron Michael Miklos Edward Morris Christine Hughes Neal Miller Thomas Waltz Ann Kanter Kenji Okuda Peter Killeen Rita Olla Unrestricted Fund Tiffany Kodak Ellen Schleifer Eli Newcomb Neal Miller Mariel Shaw
6 s i lys a An or i v a Beh e id
$100–$249 (cont.) $50–$99 (cont.) Other Amounts Ins Unrestricted Fund (cont.) Unrestricted Fund (cont.) (cont.) William Sweeney Jeremy Greenberg
Public Awareness of Behavior Science 2018
David Wesch Whitney Hammel
Criss Wilhite Eric Larsson Laura Belz ER B Catherine Martinez Cheryl Davis Michael Mozzoni Mikayla Dreyer $50–$99 D ECEM Bobby Newman Julia Fiebig Innovative Student Research Fund David Palmer Amanda Fisher
Julie Ackerlund Brandt Henry Pennypacker Tara Karen No 3
Tiffany Kodak Cynthia Pietras Carolynn Kohn Raymond Pitts Alicia Roca Teresa Kolu Kathryn Roose Jana Sarno
International Development Fund o l u m e 10
Emily Sandoz Kate Schoneberger V Julie Ackerlund Brandt Dag Stromberg J. Forrest Toegel John Esch Mark Sundberg Janani Vaidya Jeremy Greenberg Karen Wagner Eriko Yamagishi Kennon Andy Lattal Susan Wilczynski SABA Student Presenters’ Fund Public Awareness of Behavior Science Kelly Banna Erica Jowett Hirst Other Amounts Laura Belz Innovative Student Research Fund Holly Bihler Senior Student Presenters’ Fund Laura Belz Rocco Catrone Julie Ackerlund Brandt Samantha Bergmann Kerry Conde Peter-Cornelius Dams Amanda Fisher Cheryl Davis John Esch Tara Karen Genevieve DeBernardis Daniel Fienup Carolynn Kohn Claudia Drossel Jeremy Greenberg Barry Parsonson Jovonnie Esquierdo-Leal Amy Kenzer Evan Schleifer-Katz Tara Fahmie Jennifer Klapatch Totsch Kate Schoneberger Jonathan Fernand Julie Koudys Kendra Thomson Amanda Fisher Steven Payne Jill Forte Emily Sandoz International Development Fund Jeannie Golden Karen Wagner Julia Fiebig Nathaniel Hall Alyssa Wilson Thomas Freeman Melissa Harris Richard Laitinen Ansley Hodges Unrestricted Fund Genevieve Marshall Mary Hunter Gordon Bourland Felipe Parrado Abdulrazaq Imam Terri Bright Kate Schoneberger Kelsia King Amiris Dipuglia Janani Vaidya Carolynn Kohn Robert Dlouhy Matthew Welch Edward Korber John Donahoe Lauren Kryzak John Esch Elizabeth Kyonka Adam Fox Anita Li
7 Other Amounts Other Amounts Other Amounts N ORS DO (cont.) (cont.) (cont.) SABA Student Presenters’ Fund (cont.) Unrestricted Fund Unrestricted Fund 2018 SABA 2018
– L. L. Mason Julie Ackerlund Brandt Carolynn Kohn Maria Munoz-Blanco Erik Arntzen Gerald Mertens Matthew Normand Nicole Bank Patricia Oliver Patricia Oliver Kelly Banna Brady Phelps
2017 Felipe Parrado Alec Bernstein Cynthia Pietras Barry Parsonson Debra Berry Malmberg Kathryn Roose Brady Phelps Nelvi Diaz Mary Rosswurm 2009
Erin Rasmussen Rogelio Escobar Kate Schoneberger er Kate Schoneberger Amanda Fisher Catherine Simms b Clinton Smith Stephen Foreman Kristin Skousgard Stephanie Sokolosky Thomas Freeman Sandra Smith eptem S Kendra Thomson Deborah Grossett Clinton Smith
Michel le Turan Nathaniel Hall Mark Stafford Zirahuen Vilchez M. N. Hegde Hiroaki Wemura No 3
Nitzyah Helman Cory Whirtley Ansley Hodges Rachel White olume 31 V
8 s i lys a An or i v a Beh e id Ins 2018
ER B D ECEM
No 3
o l u m e 10 V
REGISTRATION OPEN! www.abainternational.org/events/annual-2019.aspx
9 2018 SABA Master’s Thesis Grants T REPORTS N (Applied/Translational): RA Grant Reports The Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis Efficacy of Behavioral Skills (SABA) awarded 17 grants in 2018: Training on Hiding and
• Thesis grant winner (applied/translational), $1,000: Barricading in the Event of an Joshua Harsin (University of Kansas)
2018 SABA G Active Shooter • Thesis grant winner (basic), $1,000: Sara Peck (Utah State University) By Josh Harsin
2009 • Thesis grant winner (applied/translational), $1,000: Josh Harsin is a doctoral student in
Catherine Stephens (West Virginia University) Dr. Derek Reed’s applied behavioral er b • Thesis grant winner (basic), $1,000: economics lab at the University of Cory Whirtley (West Virginia University) Kansas. His research interests lie in
eptem • Dissertation grant winner (basic), $2,000: social justice issues, including racism, S
Jeremy Haynes (Utah State University) xenophobia, and equitable access to • Dissertation grant winner (applied/translational public and social goods, particularly as
No 3 research), $2,000: they relate to vulnerable and marginalized populations. Other
Madeleine Keevy (University of Nebraska Medical areas of interest include global climate change, public health, Center’s Munroe-Meyer Institute) and alcohol/drug use as it relates to risky decision-making. • Dissertation grant winner (basic), $2,000: Josh’s master’s thesis will examine the efficacy of olume 31
V Andrew Nuzzolilli (Western New England University) behavioral skills training (BST) in training preschool • International development grant winner, $1,000: teachers’ hiding and barricading responses in the event Camilo Hurtado-Parrado (Fundación Universitaria of an active shooter. Mass shootings have become an ever Konrad Lorenz) more prominent and common occurrence in the United • International development grant winner, $1,000: States, and although the FBI, Department of Homeland Gabrielle Lee (Western University) Security, and Federal Emergency Management Agency all • International development grant winner, $1,000: recommend the same three-point plan to respond—run, Kenneth Madrigal (Universidad de Guadalajara) hide, fight—there is scant experimental evidence that this • International development grant winner, $1,000: training effectively improves overt active shooter responding. Mila Marinova (Institute for Social Policy and Social Furthermore, the state of Kansas allows any individual age Work) 21 or older to carry a concealed firearm without a permit/ • International development grant winner, $1,000: license, including on college campuses and in the preschool Kathryn Mendoza (ABA Training Solutions) on the University of Kansas campus. Teachers at this • International development grant winner, $1,000: preschool will be recruited to participate, rendering this Bruno Strapasson (Federal University of Paraná) experiment both ecologically and socially valid. • International development grant winner, $1,000: A secondary aim of this project is to investigate the Thomas Zwicker (ZABA Therapy, LLC) comparative efficacy of first-person video, third-person • Sidney W. & Janet R. Bijou grant winner, $10,000: video, and in-person modeling in training skills using Dalisa Kendricks (Auburn University) BST. The project will contribute to the existing literature • Sidney W. & Janet R. Bijou grant winner, $10,000: on BST as no published studies to date have examined Erica Lozy (Louisiana State University) the comparative effectiveness of these three modeling • Sidney W. & Janet R. Bijou grant winner, $10,000: approaches. A multiple-baseline across-participants Ciobha McKeown (University of Nebraska Medical research design across three groups (i.e., first-person video Center’s Munroe-Meyer Institute) model, third-person video model, and in-person model) will be used. The effectiveness of each approach will be assessed The following articles are summaries of the reports in terms of speed at which participants reach mastery and submitted by the 2018 awardees. the time required by the experimenter to create the videos and model the skills in person. In addition, the project will represent the first effort to apply behavioral technology to train individuals to respond to an active shooter.
10 s impulsive choice in rats, and the behavioral mediators of i
Resurgence of Problem Solving this change. Her other research interests include effort lys By Catherine Stephens discounting, effects of delay framing on consumer decision
Catherine Stephens is a doctoral making, and translating laboratory successes to address a An or i student in behavior analysis at West impulsive choice in vulnerable populations. v Virginia University (WVU) under The SABA grant will support an experiment examining
the supervision of Dr. Claire St. Peter. the effects of high-effort training on effort-based impulsive a Beh e Her primary research focus is applying choice in rats. High-effort rats will be given a history of id behavior analytic principles to improve working hard to obtain a reinforcer, while low-effort rats will post-secondary education. She pursues complete a single response to obtain the same reward (time
this interest by conducting basic and applied research on to food will be yoked across groups). In the impulsive-choice Ins behavioral processes involved in education and procedures test, rats will choose between a smaller, less-effortful reward to improve student outcomes in a variety of undergraduate and a larger, more-effortful one. Sara’s hypothesis is that rats 2018
classes. Ultimately, she hopes to use this research to promote completing high-effort training will make fewer impulsive policy changes that will increase the use of research-based choices compared to low-effort rats or a no-training control ER B practices in all educational settings. group. Because low persistence and low effort tendencies are Catherine’s thesis investigates the connection between related to maladaptive proclivities in humans, this research D ECEM
resurgence and problem solving. The study examines the has translational potential. Sara would like to thank her extent to which college students use previously taught current and past mentors, her lab mates, and those generous
methods to solve math problems. First, the students are individuals who contribute financially to SABA. No 3 taught one method of solving quadratic equations. Then, students are presented problems that can be solved using Effects of Reinforcement Rate this method, and their responses are reinforced when the on the Aversive Function o l u m e 10 method is used correctly. Next, the students are taught a V second method of solving quadratic equations. Following of Timeout From Positive this instruction, the students are presented with problems Reinforcement that can be solved only using the second method, essentially placing the first method on extinction. During this time, By Cory Whirtley correct responses using the second method are reinforced. Cory Whirtley is a doctoral student at Following this procedure, students are given problems they West Virginia University (WVU). Her cannot solve using either of these methods. In effect, both interest in the experimental analysis methods are placed on extinction. Attempts to use the first of behavior began when she was an method to solve these problems are resurgence. Catherine’s undergraduate researcher in Michael study may inform methods of teaching that increase a Perone’s animal laboratory. She is student’s ability to solve future problems, both in class and currently completing her master’s thesis. in novel situations following the class. Catherine thanks During her time at WVU, Cory has received training in SABA for supporting this research, as well as the faculty both basic and applied behavior analysis and has worked and her peers at WVU for inspiring the study. extensively with animal subjects in the laboratory and with children with severe behavior in school settings. Master’s Thesis Grants One of Cory’s primary interests involves the study of factors that underlie the effectiveness of punishing stimuli. (Basic): Although punishment is a basic process, ubiquitous in our natural environment, we still lack a clear understanding Effects of High Effort Training on of the conditions under which punishment will be Effort-Based Impulsive Choice effective. Cory has been studying timeout from positive reinforcement, a common component of interventions to By Sara Peck reduce undesirable behavior. Several lines of research have Sara Peck earned her BA in demonstrated that timeout will reduce behavior; however, psychology from Massachusetts the isolation of the variables responsible for this effect has College of Liberal Arts, working in not been sufficiently explored. the laboratory of Dr. Thomas Byrne. Cory’s recent experiments, including her master’s thesis, She is currently a Ph.D. student at have been designed to evaluate timeout’s effects using an Utah State University, working with animal model with rats. Specifically, Cory is examining Dr. Gregory Madden. Sara studies parametrically the contribution that the ongoing rate of interventions designed to reduce reinforcement has on the punitive effects of timeout. In 11 Volume 31 No 3 September 2009 2018 SABA GRANT REPORTS children with ASD. with children in behavior of destructive to resurgence its applicability demonstrating research little is but there recurs, behavior whydestructive explains that theory quantitative anovel is RaC resurgence. impact will of reinforcement parameters certain how manipulating predicts (RaC) choice as Resurgence time. over gains treatment maintain ASD with children that so resurgence to reduce need apressing is There resurgence. as known to due aprocess returns often behavior but this behavior, destructive or eliminate reduce can training communication functional as such treatments Function-based institutionalization. to lead may and safety, and health, integration, to social detrimental are behaviors These behavior. self-injurious and destruction, property aggression, as such behaviors destructive developing for risk high at very are children these and children, disorders. behavior of severe treatment and assessment the and relapse, research, translational in is work Her Dr. advisement. Wayne Fisher’s under Institute, Center’s Munroe-Meyer Medical of Nebraska University at the analysis behavior applied in program doctoral the in applied approaches. applied and basic using significance of problems clinical addressing continue and setting academic an to work in plans Cory Ultimately, university. at aresearch position postdoctoral a obtain and at WVU analysis behavior in degree doctoral endeavor. this in Cory assist will grant SABA The application. clinical in of timeout use for the implications possible and of punishment process the surrounding questions theoretical address to aims research This stimulus. punishing another hold with will timeout and reinforcement of rate between relation the whether to assess shock with experiment aparallel conducting be will she addition, 12 Children Diagnosed With ASD Destructive Behavior in ofMitigating Relapse Translational): (Applied/ Grants Doctoral Dissertation Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects 1 in 1 59 (ASD) affects disorder spectrum Autism Following this research, Cory plans to finish her to finish plans Cory research, this Following Institute of Technology and is a student astudent is of Technology and Institute Florida from degree master’s her ASD.” With received She Diagnosed Children in Behavior of Destructive dissertation study “Mitigating Relapse of the investigator principal is BCBA, MS, Keevy, Madeleine Keevy Madeleine By with new tools to combat treatment relapse. to treatment combat tools new with analysts behavior applied equip thereby and RaC to validate help also will investigation This on resurgence. preference reinforcer of effects on the investigations applied further for foundation the to lay and settings, clinical in practices reinforcement to improve potential the have study of the findings The design. multielement atwo-component using resurgence, on of preference effects the to isolate conditions controlled highly and responses arbitrary use will study The of extinction. conditions under behavior of target resurgence on behavior) on appropriate itemslow-preference contingent or high- either providing (by reinforcer alternative for the preference manipulating of effects the investigates ASD immediate outcome at the cost of the larger, delayed outcome outcome delayed larger, of the cost outcome at the immediate the to receive defect they and delay the during maintained be cannot future) the in consequences health negative the to avoid cigarettes outcome (e.g.,delayed smoking quit more for alarger, decision initial the which in face humans decisions the capture to more closely designed is procedure This immediately. reward smaller the to receive delay the during to defect option the have will rats reward, delayed more larger, the choosing after However, assessments. discounting delay typical in as reward, more delayed larger, a and reward more immediate asmaller, between choose will rats assessment, gratification delayed the In assessment. gratification adelayed and assessment discounting a delay assessments: two complete will Rats rats. in gratification to delay ability the for studying aprocedure to develop non-human animals. and humans in decision-making impulsive affect that manipulations within-session as well as humans in abuse of nicotine amodel as rats in administration self- on nicotine focused are interests His timing. and relapse on drugs of effects behavioral the examining animals non-human with projects research several in involved been he has State Utah At Odum. of Dr. Amy guidance the under University State at Utah Ph.D. his completing he is Currently, Preference for the Larger-Later? Can Rats Maintain Their (Basic):Grants Doctoral Dissertation This translational study with children diagnosed with with diagnosed children with study translational This Jeremy received the SABA grant for a project aimed aimed for aproject grant SABA the received Jeremy regarding learning in college students. students. college in learning regarding studies several in involved laboratory, Dr. McCarley’s and Dr. Williams’s in assistant aresearch he was where Georgia, Savannah, in University State at Armstrong psychology aBSin earned Haynes Jeremy Haynes Jeremy By decreased productivity in the workplace. workplace. the in productivity decreased and as procrastination such significance, ofproblems social address help can factors these of understanding An effects. these engender can reinforcement of positive schedules that but stimuli, aversive obvious of biologically context the in just not occur does avoiding or otherwise postponing, delaying, research. transition schedule in of responding aspects these to measure force transducer of a use made has to date No study keyboard. and or mouse alever as such equipment, traditional using when unobserved go otherwise would that of responding aspects physical and temporal of both measurement for detailed allows transducer use ofa force The reinforcement. of schedules differing to juxtapose used be will schedule Amultiple experiments. multiple across pausing on fixed-ratio requirements and force ratio in disparities of effects the evaluate systematically will Andrew shows. to television access brief conclusions. to draw state steady at sessions multiple workrequires this as effort, and time for their participants to compensate used be will grant SABA The analysis. behavior in for aPh.D. requirement dissertation Andrew’s satisfy will research this Pinkston, of Dr. Jonathan advisement the Under students. college with effects transition schedule these to examine of acomputer-based task use make will research Nuzzolilli’s Andrew events. aversive as function transitions these that and of reinforcement, schedules lean Pausing in Humans Disparities on Fixed-Ratio Force andRatio Requirement EffectsThe of Response administration). drug (e.g., acute differently them affect variables what and similarly gratification delayed and discounting delay affect variables what determine can researchers session, within gratification to delay ability the to examine aprocedure developing by abuse). Furthermore, or substance behavior, sexual risky smoking, (e.g., cigarette humans in behaviors to maladaptive related are of which both gratification, to delay ability the and discounting of delay degree the between relation the dissociate further will study This to withdrawal). avoid intosmoking (e.g., back relapse The broader implication of this research is that pausing, pausing, that is research this of implication broader The for aforce transducer press will participants Up to 40 signaled transitions between rich and and rich between transitions signaled during pausing longer suggest findings Empirical non-human subjects. and human both in pausing on fixed-ratio reinforcement of amounts differing involving transitions of schedule effects the evaluated have Researchers NUZZOLILLI ANDREW By behavior analysis across Latin America. Latin across analysis behavior of dissemination but to the Colombia, of ABA growth continuing the to contribute not only will efforts these that We expect objectives. project’s of the accomplishment to assess used be will of hits number and completion, and assistance course creation, course as such Indicators platform. learning an open-source Moodle, via offered be will Courses aforum. and quizzes, tutorials, conferences, or video-recorded live-streamed topics, lectures, analysis on behavior videos to explanatory access have will students For course, each self-paced. and free be will Courses website. the with integrated be will that system course online an develop and to create used be will grant SABA the from funds Spanish, in resources analytic behavior quality English. in only available are conferences recorded and tutorials, literature, analytic behavior most Spanish—as events) in on information articles, field (e.g., newsletters, be adequate to meet students’ learning needs. Two needs. major learning students’ to meet adequate be not may services these However, services. education special receiving of students 70% for approximately accounting Behavior Analysis in Spanish in Behavior Analysis and Webinar System on Free-AccessA Online Course Grants: Development International Instruction in China Computer-Assisted Naming Teachers to Implement a Training Special Education Considering the need for more free-access and high- and for morefree-access need the Considering access to information relevant to the to the relevant to information access free of providing result the is success This visits. of monthly thousands and users registered 1,000 more than with America, Latin across and Colombia in analysis for behavior forum major a been has chapter, affiliated ABAI an Colombia, ABA website of The By CAMILO HURTADO-PARRADO developmental disabilities (DD), disabilities developmental (ASD), other and disorders spectrum autism (ID), disabilities intellectual with children school-aged million 36.5 approximately are there of Education, China’s Ministry from report to arecent According LEE GABRIELLE By 13
Vo l u m e 10 No 3 DECEMBER 2018 Inside Behavior Analysis obstacles are the lack of evidence-based instruction adapted Even when suitable conditions for behavior analysis can to Chinese culture and the lack of trained professionals to be found in Mexico, its scarce impact, along with increased
T REPORTS deliver this instruction. Currently, there are only 14 board interest in non-scientific descriptions of behavior and a lack N certified behavior analysts in mainland China. of interest in understanding BA principles, has contributed RA The integration of listener and speaker behaviors to the establishment of undergraduate programs lacking a lays the foundation for naming, a behavioral cusp that scientific basis. expands a child’s learning without direct reinforcement. MSBA recently decided to address this issue. Its Most children with ID or ASD/DD do not acquire the Technology and Dissemination Commission will generate naming capacity unless it is systematically and specifically user-specific content for undergraduate students via social targeted. Therefore, it is necessary to design such targeted media, focused on behavior analysis principles and how they 2018 SABA G instruction, as preparation for advanced learning. can be identified in real-life situations. Students will also For the project funded by the SABA grant, the learn about scientific approaches to dealing with problem
2009 researchers will develop computer-assisted naming behavior. The SABA grant will help fund this project,
instruction and provide training to special education and matching funds from MSBA will be used to produce er b teachers to implement it in their classrooms. The goals of introductory videos, available on YouTube. We expect the project are to (1) build technical capacity by training increased interest in behavior analysis courses and demand
eptem teachers to implement the computer-assisted naming for their inclusion in university curricula. S
instruction in their classrooms as a localized, long-lasting Kenneth Madrigal, a doctoral student at CEIC, addressed instructional approach for improving education for students members of the MSBA Technology and Dissemination
No 3 with special needs and (2) empirically evaluate the effects Commission. He will be involved in the development and
of the training on the accuracy of implementation, student oversight of social media content for this project. performance of the target behaviors, and student acquisition of the naming capacity. A manual will be developed, and Creation of ABA Bulgaria olume 31
V a single-subject study will be conducted to examine the By MILA MARINOVA functional relationships between the program and accuracy The SABA grant will support a of implementation, as well as student performance. project to create the Association for Gabrielle T. Lee, Ph.D., LP, BCBA-D, assistant professor Behavior Analysis Bulgaria (ABA in the Faculty of Education at Western University, London, Bulgaria). This association will help Ontario, will implement this project with her collaborator, disseminate our science in a country Xiaoyi Hu, Ph.D., BCBA-D, associate professor of special with no behavior analysis tradition. education at Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China. Bylaws will be created by founding members, lawyers, and the elected Approximations to Behavior board and assembly; and legal registration in court and with Analysis Through the Use of two national agencies will follow. National and international networking to support professional development will be the Technological Tools and Social first activities of this new organization. Media Mila Marinova, Ph.D., initiated the creation of ABA Bulgaria and will be responsible for implementing all steps By KENNETH MADRIGAL toward its establishment, as well as for recruiting its first The Mexican Society for Behavior members and partners. Analysis (MSBA) and the Centro de Estudios e Investigaciones en ABA Library and Resource Comportamiento (CEIC) at the Center in the Philippines Universidad de Guadalajara are two of only a few institutions in Mexico that By KATHRYN MENDOZA promote behavior analysis. Over the Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is past 43 years, MSBA has contributed to the dissemination increasing in popularity, but in the of behavior analysis through the open-access Mexican Journal Philippines it is still largely unknown of Behavior Analysis and annual conferences. During its first and misconceptions are many. For years, MSBA established links with public universities in example, there are only a few board order to integrate behavior analysis principles into their certified behavior analysts (BCBAs) in curricula. As a result, 27 years ago the CEIC was established, the whole country. Kathryn Millano- contributing to education and research development through Mendoza, the first native Filipina BCBA, runs a center its master’s and Ph.D. programs. for individuals with special needs. For 8 years, she has
14 s worked hard to bring out the best in her clients using ABA major Brazilian behavior analytic associations, the Brazilian i principles, and to disseminate ABA to more Filipinos, Association of Behavioral Psychology and Medicine and lys she has also given free seminars about ABA, facilitated the Brazilian Association of Behavior Analysis, beginning
parent trainings, and developed a 40-hour RBT training. with those who earned undergraduate degrees in psychology a An or i Despite these efforts, there is still limited awareness and in the mid-1950s. The invitees are asked to describe as v understanding of ABA. Universities do not offer ABA accurately as possible (1) the contingencies they consider courses, and there are few professionals or institutions relevant to understanding their paths in behavior analysis, (2) a Beh e dedicated to behavior analysis. how they contributed to the establishment of contingencies id Grant funds, therefore, will be used to establish a relevant to the development of behavior analysis in Brazil, collection of behavior analytic textbooks, journals, and and (3) the events they consider historically relevant for
training resources. ABA Training Solutions, a behavior this development. The autobiographies will be published as Ins analytic training company in the Philippines that Kathryn chapters in a book series. is working with, will provide space for these resources, Behavior analysis has been established as a major force in 2018
and students, parents, and others will be able to freely Brazilian psychology; therefore, the time is ripe to preserve access them. Teachers will have more opportunities to read its history for future generations. ER B relevant scientific literature to encourage evidence-based practices in their work with children with and without ABA Access Nationwide in the D ECEM disabilities. Kathryn hopes that through this project the Dominican Republic Philippines will have the potential to become a significant
contributor to the field of ABA. By THOMAS ZWICKER No 3
Dr. Thomas Zwicker and his company, In Honor of Our Pioneers: ZABA Therapy, have an agreement Rescuing and Preserving with the Office of the First Lady of the o l u m e 10
Dominican Republic, Cándida Montilla V the History of Behavior de Medina, to develop ABA programs Analysis in Brazil Through the for children with autism spectrum disorders in conjunction with el Centro Autobiographies of Its Leading de Atención Integral para la Discapacidad (CAID). The Figures project will include a range of activities designed to teach professionals throughout the country to set up and manage By BRUNO STRAPASSON ABA services as well as training for parents in implementing Fred Keller sowed the seeds of behavioral treatment at home. Dr. Zwicker provides ongoing behavior analysis in Brazil in the early training and direction for both professionals and parents, 1960s while working at the University including lectures and workshops on specific topics. of São Paulo and later at the University For professionals, Dr. Zwicker offers in-person and of Brasília. From this beginning, online training in (1) the principles and practices of behavior a team of distinguished Brazilian analysis as applied to children with autism and (2) support pioneers took upon themselves the for their work with families of these children. task of deepening the roots and expanding the branches For parents, he offers training in early intensive of behavior analysis in theoretical, experimental, and behavioral intervention as well as focused behavioral applied areas. The project supported by the SABA grant, intervention for severe problem behaviors (including training “In Honor of Our Pioneers: Rescuing and Preserving in functional assessment) and applied behavioral treatment the History of Behavior Analysis in Brazil Through the for older children. He also provides access to electronic Autobiographies of Its Leading Figures,” will allow these data collection programs with ongoing consultation, plus pioneers to tell their stories, revealing important and monitoring by professionals at CAID. As part of that effort, perhaps unknown historical details about the inception and Dr. Zwicker and ZABA Therapy have donated more than a development of behavior analysis in Brazil. dozen iPad minis and waterproof cases for families to use in The project was conceptualized and proposed by Bruno running programs and collecting data. Angelo Strapasson, who invited Robson Nascimento da In addition, Dr. Zwicker is working with the largest Cruz (Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais) university in the Dominican Republic to set up a course and Alexandre Dittrich (Federal University of Paraná) to sequence with the goal of verification, to enable those who participate as editors. All three authors are researchers in earn a master’s in psychology to be eligible to sit for the the history of behavior analysis and psychology. BCBA exam. The invitees were selected with the help of the two
15 Sidney W. & Janet R. An Evaluation of Flashcard
T REPORTS Interventions to Teach Letter N Bijou Grants: RA Sounds Perturbing the Development By Erica D. Lozy of Sustained Attention by Erica D. Lozy received her MA in applied behavior analysis at Adolescent Contaminant the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Currently she’s
2018 SABA G Exposure studying under the supervision By Dalisa Kendricks of Dr. Jeanne M. Donaldson in
2009 In 2016 Dalisa Kendricks decided to the school psychology doctoral
pursue her doctoral degree under the program at Louisiana State University. Erica’s research er b supervision of Dr. M. Christopher focuses on increasing early learner skills in young Newland in Auburn University’s children, particularly those at risk of falling behind in
eptem cognitive and behavioral sciences literacy. Because the current approach to teaching pre- S
program. Dalisa is in her second reading skills is class-wide instruction that combines year and recently received an NSF multiple skills (e.g., letter names and sounds) and
No 3 Graduate Research Fellowship. She is interested in arbitrary mnemonic devices (e.g., hand gestures and
understanding the long-term impacts exposure to drugs pictures), the extent to which mnemonic devices speed or neurotoxicants early in development have on behaviors up letter-sound acquisition is unknown. Erica plans to associated with neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., attention evaluate the differential effects of instructional variations olume 31
V deficit/hyperactivity disorder; ADHD). Her study seeks and hand gestures on letter-sound acquisition with to determine how chronic exposure to methylmercury preschool children. In the first study, she will compare (MeHg)—a known neurotoxicant—during the sensitive the outcomes of an empirically supported traditional adolescent period alters sustained attention in adulthood. drill (TD) flashcard method and a modified strategic A potential link between MeHg exposure during gestation incremental rehearsal (SIR) flashcard method to the and early childhood and inattentive-type ADHD has been traditional class-wide teaching. Erica expects the results shown in human populations but has not been explored to demonstrate the modified SIR method as the most in experimental models that allow us to isolate the roles of effective procedure. In the second study, Erica will methylmercury exposure and age of exposure. She is using compare the outcomes of an effective flashcard method as an operant signal detection task modified from Bushnell, determined via study one (SIR or TD) with and without Oshiro, and Padnos (1997) for use in a mouse model. Jolly Phonics hand gestures to the traditional class-wide She will compare performance in this sustained attention teaching. The results will determine whether inclusion of task between exposed male and female mice and healthy, one mnemonic device, hand gestures, paired with letter un-exposed, sex-matched controls. To model the role of sounds increases or impedes skill acquisition compared to therapeutic stimulant exposure during adolescence, some the intervention without hand gestures. In addition, Erica subjects will also be exposed to known drug treatments will evaluate the maintenance of letter sounds across each for ADHD, desipramine or d-Amphetamine, in order to intervention during both studies to attest to the durability determine potential modulating effects of these treatments of procedures. She expects the results to aid in closing the on MeHg deficits. She believes the outcomes of this remaining gaps in skill acquisition procedures for early study will provide greater understanding of the normal learner skills. development of behaviors requiring sustained attention and how these behaviors are altered due to disruptions in Evaluating the Generality and normal development, as well as address potential causes, and Social Acceptability treatments, of such disruptions. of Early Pivotal Friendship Skills
By CIOBHA MCKEOWN Ciobha McKeown is a doctoral student at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Munroe-Meyer
16 s Institute under the supervision of Dr. Kevin Luczynski. The (e.g., giving away a toy to a peer or stopping play to comfort i
Bijou grant will support her dissertation on systematically a peer in distress). For this reason, the secondary objective lys replicating the friendship unit of the preschool life skills is to promote the generality of the skills via persistence
program (Hanley, Heal, Tiger, & Ingvarsson, 2007) with teaching, which entails the systematic introduction of a An or i children diagnosed with autism or related disabilities. unpredictable reactions following the skills that emulate v The friendship unit is the foundation on which complex how peers may respond. That is, the teaching is geared prosocial behaviors are established, and it serves as a toward preparing children to perform effectively in the a Beh e starting point for facilitating socially desirable interactions face of consequences that likely do not serve as reinforcers id between people at a young age. Given the inconsistent (e.g., refusing an invitation to play). Finally, the project will results in previous research with neurotypical children, the assess caregivers’ satisfaction with their children’s prosocial
first objective is to extend features of the prosocial skills improvements and, most notably, whether the children’s Ins and evaluate the procedures necessary to teach all the skills likability increases as indicated by their same-age peers. in a one-on-one format. Beyond acquisition, promoting Regarding the latter, same-age peers will choose a more 2018
maintenance in natural contexts (e.g., school) represents a preferred play partner after watching videos of children with formidable challenge because these types of skills may rarely and without the targeted friendship skills. The outcomes ER B produce an immediate benefit (e.g., saying, “Thank you” will have direct implications for teaching prosocial to a peer after receiving a toy) or an immediate worsening behaviors to children with and without disabilities. D ECEM
No 3
o l u m e 10 V
17 Updates From ABAI’s U.S.A. Affiliated Chapters
hapters Arizona ABA By Adam D. Hahs Field Advancement ated C i
l The Arizona Association for Behavior Analysis (AzABA) • Goal: Support self-governance efforts for licensure. i
ff 2017 efforts were guided by a number of organizational • Year-End Data: After extensive discussions on what
. A AzABA’s role should be with the newly created licensing A values including core membership value, professional . S . development, facilitating collaboration, industry board and committee, we agreed that applicants could
I U representation, field advancement, member support, request a letter of recommendation from AzABA. Two administrative continuity and sustainability, statewide individuals requested and received such a letter. participation, and member engagement. We sought to accrue data in support of those values, Member Support and the data below support the board’s and community • Goal: Provide guidance for ethical dilemmas.
pdates from ABA efforts. For ease of review, bulleted focus areas and progress • Year-End Data: Our website now has an ethics portal U updates are provided below. to submit questions, and a separate Facebook group has Our values are many, but we truly believe that we can been developed for discussion around ethical questions. be an exemplary state-level behavior analysis organization. The committee is currently planning ways to facilitate Because we’ve targeted our values in an OBM fashion and these discussions and disseminate the content. created strategic plans as to how to engage in behavior in line with those values, the following data represent our Administrative Continuity and Sustainability targeted efforts and related successes over the past year. • Goal: The integration of KCA (our event management company). Core Membership Value • Year-End Data: We have a new contract now with KCA • Goal: Offer 16+ CEs per year (enough to re-certify), that provides double the monthly hours and a wide including ethics and supervision. range of additional supports. Nearly all administrative • Year-End Data: We exceeded this goal in that we and member communication functions should be finished with 43.5 CEs made available to AzABA handled by KCA going forward. members (almost tripling the original goal). Statewide Participation Professional Development • Goal: Provide webcasts for CEs and board member • Goal: CE workshop with out-of-state speaker additions. • Year-End Data: We exceeded this goal as well in that • Year-End Data: Two new members (one from Flagstaff we had four events featuring out-of-state speakers. and another from Tucson) will join the board in 2018. All 2018 events are to be webcasted such that members in Facilitating Collaboration other areas of the state are able to access the CE events. • Goal: Offer monthly networking events. • Year-End Data: Networking events have not had much Member Engagement turnout, as members seem much more motivated to • Goal: Create special interest groups and an annual attend the CE presentations. After the recent OBM meeting with SIG presentations. workshop, less than 20% of participants attended. The • Year-End Data: While the SIG project seems to sponsor VIP reception on the night before the event, have stalled, it’s our intention to revive this such that however, was well attended and successful. This goal has members are able to hone their interests via our state been revised for 2018. organization. We will maintain this goal for 2018.
Industry Representation We view these values in a holistic fashion, in that all of • Goal: Encourage as many BCBAs and ABA companies them play a role in the betterment of behavior analysis in in the state to join our organization as possible. our state. To that end, our 2018 goals will be to maintain • Year-End Data: The BACB currently lists 283 BCBAs the successes of 2017, while shoring up the areas in which and BCBA-Ds in Arizona. AzABA currently has we showed less growth. Per our previous report, the aim 229 full members, equaling 81%. This means we have of 2017 was to evolve into a mature organization. It is our achieved our goal of representing 80% of Arizona hope that the sustained efforts of the aforementioned values BCBAs! According to Jim Carr, the average for state and development in other under-developed value areas will associations is 30%. Additionally, we now have 40 serve to aid in our efforts to reach maturity. sponsor agencies.
18 s is that she immediately follows up ideas with action. This i
Arkansas ABA year, she was busy leading the charge for streaming the lys By Sheila K. Barnes conference and all things social media. Tiffany Mrla, vice
In 2017, the Arkansas Association for Behavior Analysis president, worked to spread the word about our conference a An or i (ArkABA) members increased our presence in the state and recruited lots of volunteer manpower to ensure that the v of Arkansas and beyond in several ways. Officers attended conference ran smoothly! Katrina Lawson, secretary, has numerous meetings around the state related to behavior stellar organizational skills and generated meeting minutes a Beh e analysis but particularly at the Governor’s Task Force on that were timely, informative, and extremely accurate. id Autism in Little Rock. ArkABA joined in on important Brandon Thurman, treasurer, managed our finances ongoing conversations as a group and outside of our group beautifully and ensured that we are in compliance with tax
ensuring the growth and protection of our field as board filing (a heroic effort). Lindsey Lovelady, faculty advisor, Ins certified behavior analysts. ArkABA leadership chose to not only spread the word about our conference, but ensured leverage technology and increase our online accessibility that students had the opportunity to share their work 2018
and presence by approving the use of Wild Apricot, a through poster presentations. Last, but not least, ia our membership software package that will improve the social media coordinator, Karlin McKee. There isn’t enough ER B ease with which we can communicate with members that can be said about the time and talent she offered this about events, membership status, and more. We also last year with social media posts, website updates, Wild D ECEM
increased our social media presence through Facebook and Apricot setup, and correspondence with members. Instagram. Our president-elect, Beth McKee, and social media coordinator, Karlin McKee, ensured weekly posts on Behavior Analysis Association No 3 social media. As a result of this, we have maintained our membership numbers from 2016. of Michigan Leading up to the 2017 conference, a core group of By James T. Todd o l u m e 10 dedicated members worked feverishly to get the word out As it did last year, the Behavior Analysis Association of V about our conference. In order to add to our offerings, a Michigan (BAAM) can once again report on the growth pre-conference workshop the day before the conference was and vigor of behavior analysis in the state. Our members available. Thirty people attended this event, which was a continue to make many positive contributions to the perfect size for absorbing new information while allowing effective, ethical, and science-based treatment of problems for stimulating conversation. associated with autism, traumatic brain injury, addiction, In keeping with the theme of leveraging technology and other conditions. We can add to that the important to increase awareness and training related to the field of work of those in organizational behavior management, behavior analysis, our group chose to offer the conference behavioral medicine, education, behavioral research, online as well as in person. Online attendees were gracious university and college instruction, animal training, and to be patient with us as we worked through a few technical other areas. We are in an interim period in terms of difficulties. In the end, we were able to deliver the content legislative activity. The passage of behavior analysis licensure in full, allowing participants from across Arkansas, means the formulation and promulgation of licensing rules, surrounding states, and as far away as Canada, the UK, which we anticipate seeing in the coming year. Changes and China to participate! Dr. Gordon Ramsay, Dr. Vince to psychology licensure are also being considered at the Carbone, Mark Maladay, and Ryan O’Donnell were all legislative level, which, if they come to be, may affect some extremely generous with their time, and we are grateful members of the behavior analysis community. for their participation as speakers. In following up with all The 2018 annual convention was an incredible success. four speakers, they without fail commented on our vibrant It was held February 15–16 at the Student Center on the community and engaging conference attendees. campus of Eastern Michigan University (EMU). We again All of our ArkABA members have worked diligently had over 700 attendees, up by about 50 over 2017. Those to advance our profession and disseminate information in attendees came from more than two dozen universities our local communities and across our state. These leaders and colleges, over a dozen states, and Ontario. The rising offered their expertise, their time, and their energy to attendance figure is even more impressive when we consider ensure that ArkABA continues to grow. Sheila Barnes, that the Michigan Autism Conference, offered in September ArkABA past president, never hesitated to drive the group by our friends at Western Michigan University, is also forward with new ideas while sharing her expertise born growing and attracts about the same number of attendees. out of many years of service in similar collaborative efforts. This year, we once again had a record number of poster Beth McKee, president-elect, brought fresh perspectives presentations, mostly by student contributors. and ideas in all areas, but particularly related to Many local and regional agencies sent staff and communication with membership. One of Beth’s strengths administrators, reflecting the expansion of behavior
19 analysis opportunities in the state. The growing Dannell Roberts (president), Breanna Newborne (president- participation of faculty and students from Central elect), Dorothy Scattone (secretary), Janelle Upthegrove hapters Michigan University, Michigan State University, Oakland (treasurer), Kyle Rowsey (ABAI representative), Kimberly University, and Wayne State did not go unnoticed. Bellipanni (APBA representative), Bailey King (Region 1 ated C i
l BAAM scheduled all regular sessions in meeting rooms Representative), Brittany Bell (Region 2 representative), i
ff overlooking EMU’s Lake House area. BAAM extends Katie Boozer (Region 3 representative), Kelly Walker . A
A special thanks to the staff of the EMU Event Planning (Region 4 representative), Meleah Ackley (student . S . Office, especially to Linda Moore and Meg Castro, the representative), and Neelima Duncan (past president).
I U Catering Department, and to all the workers in the Student The Mississippi Autism Board (MAB), the licensing Center for their contributions to making the conference agency for behavior analysts in the state, has thus far run smoothly. The support of the EMU Psychology licensed 48 behavior analysts and 2 associate behavior Department, BAAM’s sponsor, was again essential to our analysts. A member of the BAAMS Executive Council success. Special thanks go the Psychology Department and a master’s-level licensed behavior analyst (LBA), Bailey
pdates from ABA Head, Carol (Ketl) R. Freedman-Doan. As always, the King is an appointed representative, serving as a non-voting U BAAM staff and volunteers, lead by EMU students Elise special advisor and liaison to the MAB. We are pleased to Pearl, Morgan Wright, and Caitlyn Sorensen-Kowalski did have such a great working relationship with the MAB! an excellent work planning and managing the convention. During the First Extraordinary Session of 2017, the BAAM once again had two keynote addresses. The Mississippi Legislature approved Senate Bill No. 2001. Thursday keynote, “Behavioral Cusps: 20 Years Later,” was Within this bill, the legislative body amended Sections delivered by Jesús Rosales-Ruiz of the University of North 73-31-7, 73-75-11, and 97 73-75-27 of MISSISSIPPI Texas. Rosales-Ruiz’s presentation discussed the history CODE OF 1972. These amendments stated that and utility of the behavioral cusp concept, providing an effective July 1, 2018, the MAB is to be assigned to advanced analysis of its similarities and differences from the State Board of Psychology for administrative and other concepts such as pivotal behavior. The Friday keynote ministerial support and that it will no longer be assigned was a special symposium on global warming chaired by R. to the Secretary of State’s office. These amendments Wayne Fuqua of Western Michigan University. Dr. Fuqua did not change the composition of the board itself or and his group described the problem of global warming as its responsibilities. As presented during the BAAMS one resulting from a combination of technology, ordinary conference to the membership, the MAB is working with human behaviors, and behavior problems, meaning that the Board of Psychology and the Secretary of State to stay we as behavior analysts have much to offer in terms this transition through a memorandum of understanding of a solution. The many other convention sessions and for a year to assist with an organized transition. presenters are too numerous to fully list. Their important We successfully held our inaugural conference March and interesting contributions can be seen in the 2018 31, 2017, and just recently concluded the second annual convention schedule on the BAAM website. conference on March 1–2, 2018. We had 134 attendees at BAAM will hold its annual convention February the 2018 conference, which was at the Hollywood Casino 21–22, 2019 in the award-winning Student Center at in Bay St. Louis, MS. The 2018 conference was a two- EMU. BAAM intends to continue to offer a mix of basic, day event with two workshops on Thursday, and a full applied, and theoretical presentations and workshops. day of breakout sessions on Friday. Dr. Mark Sundberg Online program submission and registration will presented a 4-hour workshop on the VB-MAPP and again be available, and we look forward to even greater its applications to working with children with autism. attendance and will add some new convention features to Dr. Elizabeth Sellinger presented a 4-hour workshop on accommodate the growth. For more information, visit the organizational behavior management and its use in the BAAM website at www.baam.emich.edu. training of staff. On Friday, Dr. Mark Sundberg presented our keynote address with Dr. Valerie Volkert speaking Behavior Analysis on feeding disorders, Julie Riley, BCBA, speaking on school consultation, Dr. Amanda Kelly presenting on local Association of Mississippi advocacy efforts, and Dr. Sheila Williamson speaking By Dannell S. Roberts on parent training. BAAMS is an Approved Continuing The Behavior Analysis Association of Mississippi Education (ACE) provider through the Behavior Analyst (BAAMS) celebrated its third anniversary in February Certification Board (BACB) and was able to offer 14 2018. BAAMS continues to grow as an organization and continuing education hours at the conference. BAAMS has accomplished much in the course of 3 years. BAAMS was also able to offer psychology continuing education currently has 62 Full members, 63 Student members, and 9 units through the USM Department of Psychology and Affiliate members. Our current Executive Council includes CEs for educators in the state of Mississippi through
20 s Mississippi College’s continuing education program. the mentors. This group will continue to expand with i
BAAMS hosted a “Day at the Capitol” at the the goal of offering new opportunities for growth and lys Mississippi Capitol during the legislative session on January professional development to all involved. Similarly, our
16, 2018. This day was about promoting ABA in the state Practice Briefs Workgroup was launched in the past year. a An or i and was met with huge success among state officials. At The group has enjoyed collaborating and producing useful v this event, the Secretary of State’s office announced in resources for our membership. In their first paper, the group conjunction with the Mississippi Insurance Department reviewed telehealth practices and included a discussion a Beh e and three commercial insurance companies to lift the age on the practicalities, funding considerations, and ethical id cap for ABA services in the state. BlueCross BlueShield implications of its use in behavior analytic services. The of Mississippi, UnitedHealthcare of Mississippi, and group’s next paper focuses on the setting in which treatment
Magnolia Health voluntarily agreed on Tuesday to lift the occurs and the related considerations of service provision in Ins age cap from 8 as stated in our current laws through age 21. each environment. It will be available later this year.
California ABA Member Mixers 2018
By Jennifer Harris CalABA hosted five networking events across the state, ER B The California Association for Behavior Analysis which were very well attended. Members were encouraged (CalABA) has had yet another busy year driven by our to attend the evening events, meet their Board of D ECEM
founding mission to advance, promote, and protect the Directors, and network with other behavior analysts while science and practice of behavior analysis. To that end, our enjoying food and drink.
active board has collectively worked to engage our members No 3 via professional events and dynamic communication efforts, Membership Communication while continuing to streamline our internal processes Our PR and Marketing Committee has continued their in order to create optimal efficiency and impact for the efforts to reach all of our members in a manner that is o l u m e 10 association. Our organizational infrastructure has been easily accessible. As such, we have continued to use Twitter V enhanced with the addition of our executive director, and Facebook, and have recently added Instagram to administrative coordinator, informational technology our information-sharing platforms. Via these sites, our consultant, and a new, dedicated office space. members may access conference updates, legislative news, special membership offerings, our Board of Director Membership meeting reports, Notes from the Board, and much more. CalABA membership continues to grow exponentially each year with an overall 118% increase over the last 10 Public Policy years. At the end of the first quarter of 2018, we confirmed CalABA’s public policy efforts are guided by our mission a total membership of 2,400 (and increasing), making to protect and advance the practice of behavior analysis. our chapter one of the largest in the country. Significant In California, our members and those they serve are increases in our Student memberships were observed increasingly faced with new obstacles and roadblocks and were attributed to CalABA’s new outreach efforts to that threaten both the practice of and access to behavior university ABA programs across the state. Additionally, analysis. As such, our public policy efforts are ongoing our overall membership was further increased by offering a and have necessitated the expertise of our contracted new category of membership for our behavior technicians. lobbyist. Licensure continues to be a priority for our With membership in the thousands, CalABA seeks association with our new licensure bill expected in 2019. to provide many benefits to our members. Members enjoy In addition to licensure, we continue to work closely discounted access to our annual conference and associated with our membership to advocate for legislation that events, professional development events, continuing encourages best practices and appropriate regulation for education opportunities, access to advertising and job behavior analytic practices across settings. placement, public policy sessions, and much more. As always, our ultimate goal is to create an active, well- Disseminating Behavior Analysis informed, and supported professional membership. Perhaps our most exciting news of the year came from Following is a summary of 2017–18 membership our collective decision to spread the truth about our outreach initiatives. science. Discouraged by a series of inaccurate descriptions of behavior analysis circulating in the media, the board CalABA Workgroups sought ways to get the real story out to a public audience. Our ABA workgroups proved to be quite a success in We recruited the assistance of the Hearst Group, San the first year. The Mentor Workgroup has received much Francisco Gate, and wrote a piece for mass publication support with benefits reported for both the mentees and about the incredible impact behavior analysis may have
21 for young children diagnosed with autism. The online 2 monitor, 4 charging station, 64 exhibitors, and 26 job fair publication had tremendous readership. In fact, with over sponsors. We also hosted 18 programs at the Graduate Expo. hapters 1.5M impressions, CalABA’s custom story earned a total New this year, CalABA was thrilled to showcase our of 11,175 brand engagements throughout the campaign. Red Carpet and Reinforcement Event, which followed ated C i
l With the success of this effort, we plan to continue these the phenomenal symposia, panel discussions, and poster i
ff campaigns and will publish informative articles for presentations on the first evening of the conference. Not
. A only did the 1,000+ attendees have an exciting opportunity A public distribution that will further promote the many . S . applications and efficacy of behavior analysis. to celebrate the successes of colleagues and dance the night
I U In addition to memberhsip outreach, CALABA also away, they were also able to feast their way through the an focuse on supporting and collaborating with academia. impressive array of dinner and dessert options. The event provided the perfect setting to announce both the Student Annual Science Retreat Poster Session Awards, as well as raise funds via our annual As an organization, we are committed to supporting the B. F. Skinner Live Auction. Without a doubt, this event
pdates from ABA needs and concerns of our members working in academia. will become a new CalABA tradition! U Our dedicated Academic Liaisons have continued to We have already started planning for our 2019 Annual support California’s ABA faculty by providing an annual Conference, scheduled for February 1–3 at the Long Beach forum, coined the “Science Retreat,” for conversation Hyatt and Convention Center. We are thrilled to include the related to the needs of graduate university programs. The addition of an invited address on the topic of diversity and liaisons brought feedback from the Fourth Annual Science inclusion in our field. Mark your calendars and register early! Retreat to the CalABA board, and associated action items As we continue to respond to the growing population have been developed for the coming year. of behavior analysts and those they serve in California, we look forward to increasing our membership and benefits Student Focused Initiatives offered, disseminating the wonderful contributions of our CalABA is committed to encouraging our student members science to the public, providing state-wide representation and facilitating their success in the field. To this end, we of behavior analysts in California, ensuring sustainability have designed numerous opportunities for our students to of our practice through legislative efforts aligned with network with each other and with professionals working best practice, and collaborating and partnering with those in clinical practice and academic settings. Our academic working in academia and related fields. As members of the liaisons have recently established and host a private Facebook larger behavior analytic community, we remain committed group for our student members. In addition, not only are to our core values and driving mission to advance, promote, our students exclusively able to participate in the poster and protect the science and practice of behavior analysis presentation awards at our annual conference, but they in California and beyond. We remain steadfast in our also benefit from attending the CalABA Conference Meet commitment to ensure an environment that supports our and Greet where they are introduced to and mingle with diverse membership in achieving their academic, scientific, our invited speakers. In addition to these unique offerings, and professional goals. CalABA also selects Student Representatives to serve on our To learn more about Cal ABA or join our association, board as non-voting members. One student is selected from please visit calaba.org. Northern California and the other from the South. Connecticut ABA Annual Conference By Michael Weinberg The 36th Annual Western Regional Conference was Connecticut ABA (CT ABA) had a very busy year! We March 8–11, 2018, at the Santa Clara Hyatt Regency and adopted new bylaws approved by the members in late 2016 Conference Center. Once again, there were record numbers providing for up to 15 board of director (BoD) members. The of attendees, with 2,653 registered for the conference, and BoD identified additional members throughout the year to another 444 registered for the workshops that followed. join in this capacity. A new piece of these bylaws included a The conference featured 31 invited speakers from across CEO to manage the affairs of the organization. This person the country who presented on diverse topics including attends as a member of the BoD, but has no voting power. behavior analytic treatment for various clinical populations; We are pleased to have brought on Melissa Saunders, MS, the treatment of problem behavior; ethical standards for BCBA, in this new role. Melissa has experience as a board behavior analysts working with funders, with supervisees, member of CT ABA and MA ABA, as well as clinical and across varying settings; and ACT for behavior analysts, leadership experience in a private organization providing mindfulness training, and the pursuit of happiness for our community-based behavior analysis services. Her experience clients. The conference benefitted greatly from generous and leadership have helped move our organization forward contributions in the form of 5 Platinum, 5 Gold, 20 Silver, in many positive ways.
22 s There has been dramatic growth in the numbers practices regarding functional analysis, led by Drs. Greg i of BACB credentialed practitioners, including 682 Hanley and Michael Dorsey. A large sold-out audience lys BCBAs, BCBA-Ds, and BCaBAs combined, and 317 attended this event with great anticipation, and it is still
RBTs, totaling 999 behavior analyst practitioners. CT being spoken of as the highlight event of the past year. a An or i ABA currently has 343 members and 20 organizational Our fourth annual summer networking meeting took place v members as of February 28, 2018. on June 2018 at the University of St. Joseph with invited
Among other activities and actions, we are most presenters Dr. Susan Ainsleigh and Dr. Bob Ross. a Beh e pleased and excited to announce that after many hours of Our Membership, Organizational & Sponsorship, id work by members of CT ABA and the behavior analysis Family and Consumer Outreach, Student Support, community of the state, the licensure bill for behavior Continuing Education, and Public Schools Special
analysts has passed and was signed into law by the Interest Committees have all been very active. We also Ins governor. The law goes into effect July 1, 2018. Licensure thank Dr. Joe Dracobly for managing all the technical will be overseen by the Department of Public Health, needs for CT ABA this past year. 2018
which opened the online application link during our state Since 2013, CT ABA recognizes an outstanding student chapter conference on March 2, 2018. in behavior analysis each year in memory of Rachel D’Avino, ER B In light of this development, the BoD approved a new a Connecticut student of behavior analysis who was killed Practitioner Issues Committee, which will provide support in the Newtown school shooting. This year, Katerina Jacobs D ECEM
to behavior analysts in Connecticut regarding matters of received the award. Congratulations, Katerina! licensure, insurance billing and processes, and ethical and We are pleased with our continued growth and efforts to
legal matters. It will also conduct online and live events to support and promote behavior analysis, and we look forward No 3 disseminate information and provide training. CT ABA has to our role as the voice of behavior analysis in Connecticut. a number of committees and all are quite active, including Please go to www.ctaba.org for a list of our current BoD the Legislative Committee, chaired by Dr. Melissa Olive. members and other information regarding CT ABA. o l u m e 10
This committee has worked to keep up with the many V legislative activities going on at the state capital including Four Corners ABA licensure, changes in insurance codes and insurance billing By Amy Kenzer procedures, and legislation regarding behavior intervention The mission of Four Corners ABA (4CABA) is to practices in public schools and early intervention. promote the science of behavior and evidence-based Our 14th annual state conference was a great success. technologies derived from the basic science in Utah, For the second year in a row, the conference was sold Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. The chapter had out at 400 and held again the Marriott Convention another strong year of providing behavior analysts in the Center Hotel in Hartford, CT, with over 70 on the wait Four Corners region with an intellectual home. Michele list. We were also at capacity for vendor booths—23 Bishop, Ph.D., BCBA-D (Devereux Arizona Director of organizations, which also had a wait list for space. We Autism Services), is the current president. are greatly appreciative of our Conference Committee co-chairs, Melissa Saunders, MS, BCBA, LABA, and In Memoriam Melissa Hunsinger-Harris, MSEd, BCBA, LABA, and It is with a sad heart that we report we lost our dear the committee members, who have managed and put friend Dixie Eastridge this fall. Dixie was an acting board on an excellent conference with invited presentations member of 4CABA when she passed away on November by nationally recognized behavior analysts including 7, 2017. She was the clinical director at Learning Services Dr. James Carr, Dr. Gina Green, Dr. Justin Leaf, Dr. Neurobehavioral Institute-West; a director of the Colorado Tim Shahan, Dr. Michael Dorsey, and Dr. Mary Jane Association for Behavior Analysis; a former president Weiss. We will be changing our venue to a larger capacity of 4CABA; and a certified brain injury specialist. She hotel in Cromwell, CT, for our 2019 conference due to received her master’s degree in psychology with an increased interest and demand for conference events here emphasis in behavior analysis from the University of in the Northeast region. Nevada, Reno. She loved her work with individuals with CT ABA held several CE events that sold out through autism, developmental disabilities, at-risk youth, typically the year, including our summer networking event at developing youth, and traumatic/acquired brain injury. In the University of St. Joseph and led by Maris Pelkey, her honor, Learning Services established a memorial fund, MA., BCBA, Carrie Hartman, MS, BCBA, and Dr. to be administered by 4CABA. Dixie valued the role of our Laura Turner. This gatthering offered an opportunity for annual outside speaker and, more generally, finding ways to attendees to learn about ethics across settings. We also held bridge relationships with related disciplines. Thus, the fund an interactive fall workshop on measurement and a winter will be used to support this speaker annually, henceforth to social that featured a discussion on current evidence and be named the Dixie Eastridge Memorial Speaker.
23 Annual Convention workshops will be attended by individuals from a variety of The location of the convention rotates annually through fields, areas of expertise, and surrounding states. hapters each of the Four Corners states. The 11th annual We also invited Dr. Keith Allen, which will allow convention was held in Park City, Utah, April 6–7, our members to learn about conducting behavior analysis ated C i
l 2018. The convention was hosted at the Yarrow, located in the context of the special education system. He will i
ff moments away from skiing and a few short miles from present, “What Applied Behavior Analysts Need to Know . A
A the Utah Olympic Park. Consistent with 4CABA’s focus About Negotiating the Special Education System.” Dr. . S . on balancing basic and applied research, we had a strong Andrew Craig will present basic research in his talk called
I U lineup of speakers from both areas. The convention was “Why Eliminated Behavior Resurges and What We attended by approximately 90 members, several exhibitors, Can Do About It.” We accepted one paper submission and nine amazing presenters. The annual convention from a doctoral student in the University of Nebraska schedule also included a poster session on the first night. Medical Center’s Ph.D. program in behavior analysis; The poster session traditionally includes a competition Andrew Blowers will present “Assessment and Treatment
pdates from ABA for best student poster. Award recipients receive a free of Elopement Maintained by Chase.” The other paper U membership and registration for next year’s conference. submission is from Dr. Jerry Rea, “Assessment of Sexual Thoughts and Arousal in the Natural Environment via a Annual Activities Portable-Penile Plethysmograph in Men With Intellectual In our ongoing efforts to increase membership and let Disabilities Who Had Committed Sexual Offenses.” other behavior analysts know what we’ve been up to, We offer a monthly speaker series that is free of charge 4CABA had an Expo poster at the 44th Annual ABAI to HLABA members. The speaker series allows members to Convention in San Diego, California. 4CABA also obtain continuing education units for BCBA certification, published our annual newsletter with updates from and members can join the speaker series remotely via video around the Four Corners region. conference. In the past year, we were fortunate to have Dr. Mahshid Ghaemmaghami, Dr. Greg Jensen, Dr. Kathryn 4CABA Membership Glodowski, Ms. Lauren Phillips, Dr. Sarah Lechago, Dr. 4CABA is open to anyone interested in the science and Adam Briggs, and Dr. Pat Johnson contribute to our series. practice of behavior analysis. While most of our members reside in the Four Corners region, we have numerous Illinois ABA members from various parts of the country who have By Jessica Gamba found our organization and annual convention to be The Illinois Association for Behavior Analysis (ILABA) is an important part of their professional lives. There are a state organization whose purpose is to promote behavior numerous benefits to being a 4CABA member, including analysis. The goals of the organization include encouraging being a part of a group of individuals who value the science collaboration among behavior analysts in Illinois, fostering and practice of behavior analysis and enjoy being part of relations between practices and universities in Illinois, and a strong, productive, and vibrant community of scholars keeping behavior analysts informed about licensure and and practitioners. Our members are also invited to our certification, changes to insurance provision, continuing annual convention where they are exposed to cutting- education opportunities, and public policy. edge knowledge regarding behavior analysis and receive ILABA’s seventh annual convention was held in Oak free CEs! If you think you might be interested in being Lawn, Illinois, April 12–13, 2018. Presentations covered a member, please take a look at our website for more broad swaths of issues related to both practice and theory, information (www.4caba.org) and follow us on Facebook. including ethical and sustainable entrepreneurship, training curriculum for supervisors, and how to keep the Heartland ABA science of ABA progressive. The two conference symposia By Kevin C. Luczynski were preceded by a poster session, social, and a workshop HLABA will hold its 12th annual conference April 26–27 on the vitally important topic of making ABA services in Omaha, Nebraska. We are excited that Drs. Tony accessible to marginalized populations. During the Biglan and Anna Petursdottir accepted our invitation to conference, ILABA’s annual business meeting included serve as the keynote speakers, with presentations called announcement of the board’s new operations coordinator- “Expanding the Scope and Depth of Behavior Analysis” elect and treasurer. Every year, conference attendees obtain and “Skinner’s Analysis of Verbal Behavior: Still Relevant?” continuing education credit at no additional cost. Drs. Biglan and Petursdottir will also conduct workshops The chapter’s Membership Committee has continued called “Evolving More Nurturing Communities Through to develop opportunities for tangible benefits to members Behavioral Science” and “Antecedent and Consequence as well as agency sponsors of ILABA. In addition to the Control in Verbal Behavior.” We expect that both annual conference, ILABA provides other continuing
24 s education opportunities and hosts town hall meetings new Executive Council representatives (or representatives- i for discussion of current events. Members may access to-be) and new committee members. KansABA is now lys a membership and agency directory along with other governed by an Executive Council that consists of a
member-exclusive resources on the website. Illinois president, Ed Morris; president-elect; Allison Tetreault; a An or i agencies may choose to support ILABA with sustaining a full member representative, Linda Heitzman-Powell; v contributions, or become agency sponsors with benefits an adjunct member representative, Katie Gower; and a including spotlights in quarterly newsletters and on social student representative, Alec Bernstein and Brett Gelino. a Beh e media, the ability to make posts to the ILABA job board, The Council is assisted by a secretary, Kelley Harrison, id and vendor tables at the annual conference. and a treasurer, Sarah Mead. In addition, KansABA has Throughout the 2017–18 membership year, ILABA’s a Legislative Affairs Committee chaired by Nan Perrin;
licensing committee has continued to work closely with a legislative liaison, Kelley Harrison; a Conference Ins state legislators to make progress on the Behavior Analyst Committee chaired by Alec Bernstein; a Web Site Licensing Act in Illinois (HB 5580). ILABA’s Academic Committee chaired by Matthew Novak; and a Professional 2018
Committee drafted a sample letter of support for licensure, Development Committee chaired by Tyler Re. which was made available for university representatives ER B to provide their backing. All board members continue to Membership advocate for the bill and gain support from other behavior KansABA has four membership categories, now that the D ECEM
analysts, legislators, and professionals in the state; ongoing affiliate representative position is no longer included. Full updates on this topic can be found via ILABA’s website members meet the requirements for Full membership
and social media outlets. in ABAI and are residents of Kansas or the Kansas City No 3
Another topic of great concern to ILABA’s board and metropolitan area. Only full members have voting rights membership this year has been the proposed rate cut by on KansABA bylaws, policies, and procedures. Adjunct Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL). ILABA board members are residents of Kansas or the Kansas City o l u m e 10 members, as part of an Insurance Task Force, have met with metropolitan area, but do not meet the requirements V BCBSIL and are working to continue with negotiations; for full membership in ABAI. Supporting members are Autism Speaks and the Illinois Autism Task Force have also individuals who reside outside of Kansas or the Kansas City both formally communicated their support of prevention or metropolitan area. Student members reside in Kansas or the adjustment of these rate cuts. As reported in the spring 2018 Kansas City metropolitan area and meet the requirements issue of our newsletter, “of the 57 agencies that responded to for student membership in ABAI. Membership in all our survey on the impact of these rate cuts, 88% responded categories includes conference registration. that the proposed rates would be insufficient to cover the cost of treatment while maintaining current quality.” Conference ILABA members are contacted by the board via email KansABA’s annual conference is our primary professional and can also access regular updates through the ILABA activity. It is built around themes in research, training, Facebook page and www.ilaba.org. Annual meetings will and practice in Kansas and often features presenters from continue to be held both at the ILABA conference and the the state. Our out-of-state presenters are often alumni ABAI annual convention. of the Department of Applied Behavior Science at the University of Kansas. The theme of our 2018 conference Kansas ABA was “The Science of Everyday Decision-Making: From By Edward K. Morris Research to Practice.” Our presenters were Iser DeLeon Mission (University of Florida), “Social Motivation Theories of Kansas ABA’s (KansABA) mission is to disseminate Autism: Is Insensitivity to Social Reward Really the information about the science and practice of behavior Problem?”; Kimberly Kirkpatrick (Kansas State University), analysis and its education and training; address issues “Improving Choice and Timing Processes Through relevant to the science and practice of behavior analysis; Time-Based Interventions”; Gregory J. Madden (Utah maintain disciplinary, professional, and ethical standards; State University), “It’s All Lunch and Games: Using and recruit interest in behavior analysis throughout Game Design Principles to Increase Healthy Eating in Kansas and the Kansas City metropolitan area (i.e., Clay, Schools”; Richard Yi (University of Florida), “Group Jackson, and Platte Counties in Missouri). Context in Intertemporal Choice”; and Darnell Lattal (ABA-Technologies, Inc.), “Making Ethical Decisions at Governance Work: Every Day Is Groundhog Day.” Michael L. Wasmer KansABA revised its governance this year. It no longer (Autism Speaks) also presented “Legislative Updates for includes an affiliate representative position. No one evinced the Behavior Analyst.” Attendance was 140, about 50% interest in it. We also held our first elections and have higher than any previous conference.
25 KANSAS continued from page 25 achievements, clinical practice, as well as for discussion We also held a business meeting, had a student poster of the affairs of the organization; and (6) publishing and hapters session, hosted a career and education fair, and closed the distributing information on behavior analysis. conference with an awards ceremony. The awards were for ated C Executive Committee i
l the best student posters, distinguished service to KansABA, i
ff and distinguished service to the State of Kansas. The KYABA is governed by an Executive Committee . A
A awardees for the latter two were Kelley Harrison (University composed of a president, past president, president-elect, . S . of Kansas) and Linda Heitzman-Powell (Integrated three representatives, and one student representative.
I U Behavioral Technologies). KansABA hosted an evening The 2018 Executive Committee is composed of Robert reception for the speakers, registrants, and staff. Pennington (president), Erick Dubuque (past president), Molly Dubuque (president-elect), Amanda Ralston Mini-Conferences (representative), Becky Nastally (representative), Tammy KansABA’s Professional Development Committee, Tyler Hammond Natof (representative), and Morgan Hunt
pdates from ABA Re, chair, holds mini-conferences that provide regular (student representative). The Executive Committee is U BACB and ethics BACB CEs. This year, the conferences assisted by a director of operations. The 2017 director were on January 21 and August 26. The first included two of operations is Maqenzi Hovious. Robert Pennington sessions, one by Ali Markowitz (BCBA), titled “Ethics and (president) will be leaving Kentucky for another position in Supervision in Behavior Analysis,” and one by Stephanie May, and as a result and in compliance with the KYABA Glaze (BCBA), titled “Effective Supervision: Is That the bylaws, the committee has appointed a replacement. Story Your Data Tell?” The second was by Pam Neidert Becky Nastally will complete his term and be replaced as (BACB-D) titled, “Functional Analysis of Problem representative by Lindse Murphy. Behavior.” About 30 registrants attended both conferences. Committees and Task Forces Legislation and Licensure In effort to improve the services offered by the organization, Kansas and Missouri parents of children with autism, KYABA has reintroduced a committee structure for 2017. providers of autism services, Autism Speaks, and KansABA Each committee and task force is headed by a representative have worked to develop licensure for board certified from the Executive Committee. Other committee members behavior analysts (BCBAs) in Kansas. BCBAs are now are drawn from the membership. Tammy Hammond- licensed in Kansas through the Kansas Behavioral Science Natof is this year’s chair of the Membership Committee. Regulatory Board (BSRB). KansABA’s Legislative Affairs The mission of the Membership Committee is to increase Committee and its legislative liaison stay current with membership in the association, disseminate information activities in the Kansas state legislature and the BSRB about association activities and opportunities, and develop that might affect our members and the practice of behavior new initiatives that increase the value of membership in analysis more broadly. the association. Maqenzi Hovious and Morgan Hunt are this year’s co-chairs of the Events Committee. The mission Kentucky ABA of the Events Committee is to assist in the planning and By Robert Pennington implementation of events sponsored by the association. Mission Many Ralston is this year’s chair of the Newsletter The Kentucky Association for Behavior Analysis (KYABA) Committee. The mission of the Newsletter Committee is an affiliated chapter of ABAI. Its mission is to advance is to disseminate information relevant to the association’s awareness, development, and access to the science and mission in a biannual newsletter. Erick Dubuque is this practice of behavior analysis in the Commonwealth year’s chair of the Awards Committee. The mission of the of Kentucky by (1) encouraging the understanding of Awards Committee is to develop, plan, and implement behavior analysis in academic, research, and the natural the nomination, selection, and presentation process for environments; (2) supporting the design and application of awards given by the association. Molly Dubuque is this effective behavioral procedures to improve the quality of year’s chair of the Outreach Committee. The mission of life of the citizens of Kentucky; (3) serving as a professional the Outreach Committee is to represent the association’s reference group for those who identify themselves as interests to external organizations that operate relevant scientists or practitioners in disciplines that embrace the activities. Finally, Becky Nastally is this year’s chair of the principles and practices of behavior analysis; (4) advising Billing Task Force. The mission of the Billing Task Force political, legislative, and policy-making bodies with respect is to develop a resource designed to help the association’s to all matters pertaining to behavior analysis; (5) organizing membership bill for behavior analytic services. colloquia, symposia, and conferences that shall serve as a forum for the presentation of scientific and technological
26 s
Membership i
KYBA offers three categories of annual membership: Montana ABA lys Full membership, Affiliate membership, and Student By Karlyn Gibbs
membership. Full membership status may be obtained As the field of ABA continues to grow throughout the a An or i by any individual who holds at least a master’s degree in state, Montana ABA (MTABA) proudly promotes its v a discipline that is explicitly related to behavior analysis, mission to support students and professionals in the field with training or professional experience in behavior of applied behavior analysis through education, research, a Beh e analytic teaching, research, and/or clinical applications, or and practice. The MTABA executive members as of id currently holds certification as a BCBA or BCaBA. Only September 2017 include president, Jackie Mohler, MEd, Full members of KYABA are allowed to vote on matters BCBA; president-elect, Lorri Coulter, MS, SP, BCBA;
of interest to the organization and hold office. Affiliate past-president, Kimberly Piper, MA, BCBA; secretary, Ins membership status may be obtained by any individual Crystal Fisher, student; and treasurer, Karlyn Gibbs, MEd, who is interested in the field of behavior analysis and who BCBA. The MTABA Executive Board is committed to 2018
does not qualify for full membership. Affiliate members making the organization a resource to members across enjoy all the benefits of full membership, except for the the fourth largest state (in area) in the country. Plans are ER B right to vote on matters of interest to the organization underway to further define executive roles and establish and the right to hold office. Student membership status committees to support the mission of MTABA. D ECEM
may be obtained by any individual enrolled at least half There are currently 31 board certified behavior analysts, time in a behavior analytic or related degree program. 5 assistant behavior analysts, and 35 registered behavior
There are multiple benefits to becoming a member of the technicians in the state of Montana, most of whom live No 3 organization. These benefits include, but are not limited and practice in the western half of the state. With the help to, reduced annual conference registration and CE fees, of chapter president, Jackie Mohler, and assistance from notifications about continuing education opportunities, both the BACB and APBA, Montana passed legislation o l u m e 10 access to the latest issue of our newsletter, listing of to license behavior analysts in 2017. Board certified V the latest job opportunities in the field, eligibility for behavior analysts are currently in the process of applying chapter/adjunct membership in ABAI, subscription to for licensure while concurrently providing input to the our professional listserv network, access to the latest news licensing board to further refine the administrative rules in behavior analysis, a vote on issues pertinent to the governing the licensing process. organization (Full members only), and the opportunity to To serve an area of 147,000 square miles inhabited by hold office in the organization (Full members only). slightly more than 1 million residents, MTABA had to establish efficient methods for disseminating information Events to chapter members and the public. To further this goal, KYABA has actively hosted events in the state since 2012. MTABA recently launched a website, www.mtaba.org, For the last few years, the organization has held an annual providing the chapter with a central location that includes spring conference and a fall workshop series. These events a member directory, online membership application and have consistently sold out and drawn registrants from every payment, and events calendar. Additionally, MTABA corner of Kentucky and surrounding states. In April 2017, hosts a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MontanaABA. KYABA held its annual conference in Louisville, KY. In September 2017, MTABA hosted its second annual The theme for the conference was Education Across the conference in Anaconda, MT, providing members from Lifespan, and our organization was fortunate to play host across the state the opportunity to network and share to Molly Dubuque, Erin Barton, Janet Twyman, Robert information related to the pending licensing process. Pennington, Sally Shepley, Jenny Root, Peter Gerhardt, Montana native Dr. Patrick Friman informed, educated, Leilani Feliciano, and Jon Baker. In November 2017, and entertained participants throughout his full-day KYABA held its annual workshop series in Louisville, KY. presentation titled “Behavioral Pediatrics: A Solution for a During this event KYABA was fortunate to host Lorri Major Gap in Child Health Care.” In addition to sharing and Dan Unumb, Melissa Nosik, Becky Nastally, Tammy stories related to his Montana roots, Dr. Friman articulated Hammond-Natof, Bart Baldwin, and Amy Cooper-Puckett. the significant need for applied behavior analysis in fields In 2018, we will hold our annual conference and host Andy such as childhood sleep disorders, enuresis, anxiety, and Bondy, Pat Friman, Ellie Kazemi, and Amanda Kelly. intervention for dangerous toddler behaviors. MTABA continues to grow, albeit slowly, not only in Contact Us membership, but in its ability to disseminate information. More information about KYABA can be found on the Our chapter anticipates another year of increased need for organization’s website: www.kentuckyaba.org. ABA as well as continued workforce shortages specific to our field. The Center for Medicaid Services approved
27 Montana’s plan for autism treatment, which, when made and Human Services, Courtney Miller. The focus of available to children on Medicaid, will further stress the this initial meeting was to provide Director Miller with hapters already stretched professional resources available. Montana information regarding behavior analysis and the role of a State University Billings continues to offer a BACB- behavior analyst in Nebraska. ated C i
l approved course sequence whose graduates contribute to Also in February 2018, a complaint was filed by a i
ff our numbers, and slowly BCBAs from other parts of the psychologist to the Nebraska Board of Mental Health
. A Practice alleging that non-licensed board certified behavior A country are discovering the beauty of our state. However, . S . the ratio of 1 BCBA to every 33,000 residents speaks to analysts (BCBAs) practicing applied behavior analysis in
I U our significant need for more credentialed professionals. the state (which includes the performance of functional Despite these needs, MTABA continues its mission to behavior assessments, or FBAs) violate the Nebraska support professionals and students in the field of applied Mental Health Practice Act and risk public safety. behavior analysis. Though there are relatively few of us, NEABA, along with other stakeholders, including members remain united in their efforts to educate their representatives from Autism Speaks, the Autism Legal
pdates from ABA respective communities about applied behavior analysis Resource Center, Behavior Analyst Certification Board, U and how it can change the world. the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts, and leading autism advocacy organizations in Nebraska, Nebraska ABA submitted signatures in response to this complaint, and the By Theresa Newton following issues were addressed: The Nebraska Association for Behavior Analysis • What is an FBA? (NEABA) held its third convention on November 10, • Does the practice of applied behavior analysis (ABA; 2017. The convention opened with a morning workshop (3 which includes the performance of FBAs) by non- hours) led by Dr. Jon Bailey, “Using Interactive Teams to licensed BCBAs in Nebraska violate the Nebraska Problem Solve Ethics Scenarios.” Dr. Bailey also started Mental Health Practice Act? off the afternoon with a presentation, “12 Reasons Not to • Does the practice of ABA (which includes the Report an Ethics Violation.” The convention closed with performance of FBAs) by non-licensed BCBAs in a symposium called “Current Practices and Guidelines Nebraska harm or endanger the health, safety, or for Conducting Effective Supervision.” Amber Paden welfare of the public? presented “Continued Training and Supervision: How and What to Document.” Terri Newton and Torri Smith-Tejral Mike Wasmer, Director of State Government Affairs presented “Registered Behavior Technician Certification, at Autism Speaks, spoke to these issues at the Nebraska Success and Challenges.” Victoria Cohrs and Claire Board of Mental Health Practice Meeting (March 23, Goodin presented “How to Build Confidence in Your 2018). Johanna Taylor, BCBA-D, was also available to Staff: An Errorless Teaching Approach.” Adam Briggs answer questions pertaining to behavior analysis and the presented “Evaluating the Effects of Supervision: Strategies role of a BCBA in the state of Nebraska. for Objectively Measuring Supervisee Performance.” During the convention, elections for the following Membership Update officers occurred: president, vice-president, and Chapter membership continues to grow and there are 170 representative-at-large. The 2018 officers are Terri Newton, members to date. At this time, there is no data indicating president; Nancy Lamb, vice-president; and Johanna how many of our members are also members of ABAI. Taylor, representative-at-large. In 2017, the board contracted with Colby Coash, former 2018 Goals Nebraska State Senator. The current board voted to continue NEABA is committed to promoting the science and practice its relationship with Mr. Coash for 2018. Mr. Coash will of applied behavior analysis in the state of Nebraska. We continue to monitor bills filed in the NE legislature, some will continue to focus on providing educational resources of which could impact behavior analysis in the state or identified by our membership, expanding ABA services the people we serve. He will also continue to suggest key across the state, and educating stakeholders about the individuals the board should get to know who are working in fundamental principles of ABA and its application in areas the legislature, Department of Health and Human Services, beyond autism (e.g., intellectual disabilities, education, as well as other agencies, and continue to keep us informed rehabilitation, business, and government). of relevant committee hearings and other developments. In February 2018, Mr. Coash arranged an New Jersey ABA informational meeting between NEABA board members By Kate Britton Terri Newton and Johanna Taylor and the director of The New Jersey Association for Behavior Analysis (NJABA) Developmental Disabilities at the Department of Health enjoyed another successful year in 2017. Dr. Eric Rozenblat’s
28 s presidential term ended in June 2017. Dr. Sandra Gomes, Following Treatment with Functional Communication i last year’s president-elect, assumed the role of president Training.” Among other workshops and symposia, we will lys on July 1, 2017, and Kate Britton was elected president- be featuring a supervision presentation, “Incorporating
elect. The remainder of the Board of Directors remained Best Practice Methods for Training Into the Supervision a An or i consistent, thereby maintaining stability. This year, one of Aspiring BCBAs” and also an ethics presentation, v new representative at large position was up for election. “Collaboration With Other Disciplines: How to Promote
We are pleased to announce that Alexis Higgins Battaglia, Applied Behavior Analysis.” Again this year, we will a Beh e MEd, BCBA, won the election and assumed her new role conduct a poster session on a variety of topics. We are id beginning July 1, 2017. We are lucky to have such dedicated expecting another great turnout at this year’s conference. professionals on the Board of Directors of NJABA. A large initiative of the organization over the past year
Since its inception, NJABA has consistently held an was to increase membership through a comprehensive Ins annual conference. Our annual conference is now routinely communications plan, which includes an updated website, attended by over 350 people. In 2017, the 12th annual up-to-date social media postings, and more interactions 2018
conference, which was held March 31, was attended by with students of New Jersey colleges and universities with nearly 400 people! We were honored to have Dr. Hank approved applied behavior analysis course sequences. ER B Roane, Gregory S. Liptak MD Professor of Child Through this plan, NJABA can be an even more Development in the Department of Pediatrics at Upstate influential resource for current and future New Jersey D ECEM
Medical University, deliver the keynote address, titled behavior analysts. We are also continuing to explore state- “Application of Behavioral Economics to the Treatment regulated professional credentialing processes, as we have
of Problematic Behavior Among Individuals With learned a great deal from other states’ experiences. We are No 3
Development Disabilities.” In addition to Dr. Roane’s lucky to have Dr. Gina Green helping to guide us through presentation, there were several workshops and symposia this exploratory endeavor. on topics including, but not limited to, a comparison of The commitment and dedication of the NJABA Board o l u m e 10 approach frequent and a compound preference index in of Directors certainly does not go unnoticed. These V predicting reinforcer effectiveness among individuals with individuals continue to volunteer their time to promote the MR and ASD; insurance assurance for ABA providers: effective and ethical practice of behavior analysis. Without tips from a managed care organization for a successful the individuals listed below, NJABA would not be the partnership; preparing for a successful transition to an adult organization it is today. day program; addressing social skill deficits with effective and creative strategies: ideas for conceptualizing, teaching, Executive Committee and evaluating mastery; effective consultation; empirically • Sandra Gomes, Ph.D., BCBA-D, president based procedures for training staff and caregivers; • Eric Rozenblat, Ph.D., BCBA-D, past president addressing common treatment challenges during skill • Kevin Brothers, Ph.D., BCBA-D, treasurer acquisition for learners with autism; ethical considerations • Lauren Besante, MA, LDT-C, BCBA, secretary for behavior analysts providing services through health insurance; a review of procedures designed to establish and Board of Directors: maintain stimulus control; and evaluation and remediation • Alexis Higgins-Battaglia, M.Ed., BCBA, representative of treatment integrity errors in instruction for learners with at large ASD. Additionally, we also conducted a poster session that • Robert LaRue, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Events chair included posters on a wide array of topics. All presentations • Dennis Machado, MA, Communications chair were required to be data-based with demonstrations of • Elena Garcia-Albea, Ph.D., BCBA-D, representative at experimental control. We have continued to improve our large conference based on the annual conference evaluations. • Suzanne Buchanan, Psy.D., BCBA-D, Government The 13th annual conference will be March 23, and Affairs chair our keynote speaker will be Wayne W. Fisher. He is • Catherine Taylor-Santa, Ph.D., BCBA, representative the H. B. Munroe Professor of Behavioral Research at at large the Munroe-Meyer Institute and the Department of • Emily Gallant, Ph.D., student representative/ Pediatrics at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Membership chair He is also the director of the Center for Autism Spectrum • Marylouise E. Kerwin, Ph.D., BCBA-D, University Disorders at the Munroe-Meyer Institute, a board- Program Liaison chair certified behavior analyst at the doctoral level (BCBA-D), • Erin Richard White, Ph.D., BCBA-D, Continuing and a licensed psychologist. His keynote is “Using Education chair Behavioral Momentum Theory to Behaviorally Inoculate Children with Severe Behavior Disorders Against Relapse We greatly appreciate the support of ABAI.
29 Carolina-Charlotte) in the graduate student category; North Carolina ABA and Melissa Chappell, Casey Irwin, Taylor Harrison, hapters By R. M. “Duke” Schell Lindsay Gordon, and Carol Van Camp (University of The North Carolina Association for Behavior Analysis North Carolina-Wilmington) in the undergraduate student ated C i
l (NCABA) held its 29th anniversary conference in Winston- category. Special thanks to our volunteer poster judges: i
ff Salem, NC, February 21–23, 2018. The conference was a Carol Van Camp, Denny Reid, Tom Cariveau, Charles . A
A great success thanks to the leadership of Whitney Luffman, Wood, Mark Dixon, and Fred Spooner (University of . S . president (Autism Society-NC), as well the rest of our North Carolina-Charlotte), Jim Phillips (Autism Society-
I U Executive Council, including Melanie Bachmeyer, past NC), Jeannie Golden (East Carolina University), Brad president (University of North Carolina-Wilmington); Stevenson (Melmark New England; University of North Selene Johnson, president-elect (ABC of NC); Kristi Carolina-Charlotte), and Mark Stafford (Butterfly Effects). Toward, vice president (Carolina Center for ABA); Leigh The 29th annual conference had over 375 participants, Ann Strain, secretary (Effective Interventions NC); Nancy including attendees and presenters. NCABA offered
pdates from ABA Poteet, treasurer (private consultant); Monique Baker, free registration for several student members, many of U member at large (Effective Interventions NC); Erica Brown, whom volunteered in varied activities at the conference. member at large (Carolina Center for ABA); Karla Durig, The evening social on the second night of the conference student representative (University of Cincinnati); Jamie was a wonderful gathering filled with behavior analytic Clary, publications editor (Riddle Developmental Center); conversations among presenters and attendees, assorted free Fred Spooner, senior NCABA advisor (University of North food and beverages, and a DJ hosting music and dancing. Carolina-Charlotte); Duke Schell, liaison to ABAI (Riddle Results of the 2018 officer elections announced at the Developmental Center); and a host of other volunteers. NCABA business meeting at the conference included The 29th anniversary NCABA conference opened with Callie Plattner (Access Family Services) as vice president; the presentation of awards to honor North Carolinians who Leigh Ann Strain (Effective Interventions NC) re-elected have promoted behavior analysis in research and everyday as secretary; Aleck Myers (Autism Society-NC) as member practice. Melanie Bachmeyer (University of North Carolina- at large; and Sydney Ramsey Batchelder (University of Wilmington) received the Fred S. Keller Excellence in North Carolina-Wilmington) as student representative. In Behavior Analysis Award, Christy Adams (Effective addition, a majority of members at the NCABA business Interventions NC) received the Technical Utilization Award, meeting voted to approve the use of limited NCABA funds Callie Plattner (Access Family Services) received the “Do to pursue possible resolution to contradictory wording in Things” Award, and Bruce Pate (East Carolina University) separate NC state laws regarding the appropriate scope of received the J. Iverson Riddle Student Scholarship Award. practice of certified behavior analysts and their supervision You can see descriptions of the NCABA awards and photos by NC licensed professionals. of our award recipients at our website: www.nc-aba.com. NCABA provided both BACB and NC Psychologist Invited speakers at this year’s conference included Tom continuing education credits. During the conference, Cariveau (University of North Carolina-Wilmington), certified behavior analysts from NC and other states Mark Dixon (Southern Illinois University), Charles Wood earned over 1,500 continuing education credits, and (University of North Carolina-Charlotte), Carol Pilgrim NC psychologists earned over 400 continuing education (University of North Carolina-Wilmington), Dennis credits in workshops and invited addresses co-sponsored Reid (Carolina Behavior Analysis and Support Center), by NCABA and the NC Psychological Association. Jeffrey Tiger (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee), David The NCABA conference continues to receive excellent Wilder (Florida Institute of Technology), Wendy Donlin feedback for attendees seeking professional continuing Washington (University of North Carolina-Wilmington), education at an affordable price. and Linda LeBlanc (LeBlanc Behavioral Consulting). At the ABAI 44th annual convention in San Diego Additional speakers participated in workshops, concurrent in May, NCABA’s president, Selene Johnson, hosted the sessions, and the highlighted student symposium hosted by NCABA Expo poster. For the third year, the NCABA Karla Durig (University of Cincinnati). Executive Council approved partial financial assistance in There were 19 research posters and 8 vendor posters order to send the president or another designated board in the poster session the first evening of the conference, member to the convention and annual chapter leadership which was coordinated by Kristi Toward. Several people training. This opportunity for financial assistance for an were recognized for outstanding posters, including Reem NCABA officer to attend the ABAI convention is reviewed Muharib, Kerry Kisinger, Ashley Voggt, and Charles annually by the Executive Council. Wood (University of North Carolina-Charlotte) in the Please visit our website at www.nc-aba.com and see professional category; Courtney Simpson, Elizabeth Reyes, additional highlights from the 29th anniversary NCABA Ashley Voggt, and Charles Wood (University of North conference, including photos of award and poster winners
30 s this year and in years past, and find information on 2017, OHABA was proud to offer a two-day conference i becoming an NCABA member. The NCABA website at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Speakers lys also provides information about our history since 1989, included Mark Dixon, Nancy Neef, Merrill Winston,
including the “25 Year History” slide show, links to Anthony Biglan, Tracy Guiou, Rachel Torrence, Sarah a An or i newsletters, and information about the conference and Kunkel, Maria Helton, Shelia Morgan, Elizabeth v upcoming events, including our NCABA summer autism Henry, Jen Gonda, Leah Gongola, Dacia McCoy, and conference and planning for our 30th annual conference to James Hawkins. The board continued the town hall a Beh e be held in February 2019 in Winston-Salem, NC. meeting series, which included ethics CE opportunities id for members across the state. Town hall meetings were Ohio ABA held in Twinsburg (22 participants) and Cincinnati
By Jennifer Sweeney and Bryan Droesch (9 participants). In March 2017, the board also held Ins The mission of the Ohio Association for Behavior Analysis an ethics presentation and supervision presentation in (OHABA) is to support the growth and dissemination Cincinnati, with 17 participants. Lastly, in September of 2018
of applied behavior analysis in the public and private 2017 in Cincinnati, the board held a two-day workshop sectors, with special emphasis on application in educational by Dr. Greg Hanley titled “Practical Functional ER B settings. Objectives include providing professional Assessment and Treatment of Problem Behavior.” The development in the form of a yearly conference; supporting event was attended by 26 individuals. D ECEM
the certification of BCBAs, especially in Ohio; and providing an informational website as a portal to support Membership Information
behavior analysis for businesses, schools, and clinics. Increasing membership across the state has been a primary No 3
The website also provides up-to-date information from focus for OHABA. The following table shows the growth legislative agencies and advocacy groups related to the in membership since December 2014. practice of behavior analysis in Ohio.
Year Number of Members o l u m e 10
OHABA is primarily an interest group and works to V further behavior analysis by (1) promoting it in educational settings, (2) promoting university programs that specialize December 2014 127 in applied behavior analysis, (3) providing a forum for the discussion of research and conceptual issues, (4) maintaining December 2015 148 a website containing information about the organization and about behavior analysis in Ohio and elsewhere, and (5) December 2016 185 functioning as the Ohio contact for and affiliate of ABAI. The OHABA Executive Board members as of March December 2017 225 2017 included the president, Bryan Droesch, MSEd, BCBA, PC, COBA; past president, Tracy Guiou, Ph.D., OHABA is intent on continuing to increase its BCBA-D, COBA; president-elect, Nicole Powell, Psy.D., membership by offering CE opportunities to members BCBA-D, COBA; secretary, Jennifer Sweeney, Ph.D., across the state. Individuals interested in joining BCBA-D, COBA; and treasurer, Elizabeth Henry, MS, OHABA can find a membership form on our website, BCBA, COBA. The OHABA Board is committed to www.ohaba.org. Fees are $20 for full members, $15 for making the organization a resource for members across affiliate members, and $10 for student members. Benefits the state. In 2017, the board voted to add a co-chair of membership include a reduced registration fee for position for Marketing and Technology and a new chair OHABA conferences with CEs included; free ethics position for Public Policy. The OHABA Board includes CE opportunities at town hall meetings held in different Marketing and Technology co-chairs, Ron DeMuesy, regions of the state four times per year; the opportunity to MEd, BCBA, COBA, and Eric Anderson, MA, BCBA, exchange ideas, discuss job leads, and share the results of COBA; Membership chair, Janet Hansen, Ph.D., research and practice efforts; upcoming access to various BCBA-D, COBA; Professional Standards chair, Nichole workshops and webinar opportunities; and updates Williams, MA, BCBA, COBA; Education chair, Hal on changes affecting the practice of applied behavior Houseworth, MEd, BCBA, COBA; Program co-chairs, analysis. Individuals interested in becoming members, Daniel Payne, MA, BCBA, COBA, and Tracy Guiou, or any members interested in serving on the board or a Ph.D., BCBA-D, COBA; Public Policy chair, Dimitri committee, should contact OHABA at [email protected]. Makridis, BCBA, COBA; and student representative, Kayley Sanger, MA, BCBA. Annual Conference 2017 In 2017, the full board and committees worked hard The 2017 Conference was April 7–8 at the Greater to coordinate opportunities for members. In April of Columbus Convention Center, in partnership with the
31 Hyatt Regency Columbus. We had approximately 150 elect PennABA’s first set of officers. With the creation attendees. Fees for our annual conference were $150 (full of PennABA, service providers, teachers, students, and hapters members), $200 (nonmembers), and $65 (student members). families in Pennsylvania gained a resource that fosters the From April 2017 through the beginning of 2018, application and growth of behavior analysis. ated C i
l planning was underway for our eighth annual conference, i PennABA Updates ff held April 6–7, 2018, at the Greater Columbus Convention . A
A Center, in partnership with the Hyatt Regency Columbus. The PennABA Executive Council issued a call for . S . Our invited speakers in 2018 included Patrick Friman, nominations and held an election for the positions
I U Sheila Morgan, Janet Twyman, Nicolas Weatherley, of president, secretary, member at large, and student and Matthew Normand. Fees for our annual conference representative. Seeing the need to better represent the remained the same as last year. unique geographical needs of Pennsylvania, the council unanimously agreed to increase the number of member- Certification in the State of Ohio at-large positions to three, with one each representing
pdates from ABA Over the past three years, the OHABA board has Eastern, Central, and Western regions of PA. We are U worked closely with the Ohio State Board of Psychology pleased to share the results of this election and welcome the to educate BCBAs on the process and importance of incoming Executive Council: becoming Certified Ohio Behavior Analysts (COBAs). • President: Jim Chock, Ph.D., BCBA-D Only individuals who have the COBA designation can • Member-at-Large, East: Nina Carraghan, MA, BCBA practice behavior analysis in the state, except in exempt • Member-at-Large, Central: Tim Caldwell settings. The last step in obtaining the certification requires • Member-at-Large, West: Jeff Everly, Ph.D., BCBA candidates to attend a half-day workshop and pass an exam • Secretary: Melinda Desmarais, MA, BCBA covering the rules and regulations regarding behavior • Student Member: Alli Aquila analytic practice in Ohio. The board has committed to having representation at each of these workshops to assist The newly elected Executive Council will officially begin in answering questions and to ensure newly certified their service following the 2018 annual convention. A big members are aware of OHABA as a resource. thanks to the outgoing Executive Council for their hard work and dedication. The outgoing president (Jonathan Ivy, Future Direction Ph.D., BCBA-D) and secretary (Lacey Bailey, MA, BCBA) The OHABA Board is committed to making the will continue to serve the organization in a different capacity. organization a resource for members. The board continues From April 3–5, PennABA held its annual conference to add additional positions and develop committees to assist in Hershey, PA. The conference featured two days of chairs in completion of their duties. The board continues workshops and a speaker series with six presentations. We to promote the town hall series with the goal of reaching were honored to have Dr. Thomas Critchfield, Dr. Mark ABA professionals across the state by regions: Cleveland/ Dixon, Dr. Richard, Foxx, Dr. Mary Louise Kerwin, Akron/Youngstown, Columbus, Toledo, and Dayton/ Dr. Daniel Mruzek, and Dr. Kathryn Glodowski present Cincinnati. The board would like to see membership and at this year’s speaker series. Membership and event participation from members in each area. registration continues to increase. We hosted around 200 attendees over the three-day conference. This year the Pennsylvania ABA conference included a record number of exhibitors and By Jonathan Ivy and Lacey Bailey poster presentations. For many behavior analysts in the The Pennsylvania Association for Behavior Analysis region, PennABA has become an annual tradition. We (PennABA) is pleased to share our annual update. are already busy planning the next conference. Members of the Executive Council have also been Mission and Vision closely involved in multiple meetings with state officials PennABA seeks to promote high-quality behavior analysis and local advocacy groups to improve access to quality in the region, maintain the scientific integrity of the ABA in Pennsylvania. As many behavior analysts in discipline, and advocate on behalf of behavior analysts and Pennsylvania are aware, the passage of ACT 62, the consumers of behavior analysis. Behavior Specialist License, created significant problems for families trying to access ABA and behavior analysts History attempting to meet this need. The education and training PennABA was incorporated in 1998. Richard Foxx and requirements for the Behavior Specialist License are William Helsel saw a need to support behavior analysis below the national standard, as codified by the Behavior in the state of Pennsylvania. In 2000, Richard Kubina Analyst Certification Board. As a result, a board certified chaired a meeting at the ABAI annaul convention to help behavior analyst and a licensed behavior specialist are
32 s viewed as equivalent, despite significant differences in which is always a great way to satisfy our cravings for fun i training, competency assessment, and continuing education and intellectual conceptual debates and discussions. lys requirements. More than ever before, PennABA has been The chapter has continued work to revise its bylaws and http:// advocating for vast improvements to these systems of administrative procedures, and updated the website ( a An or i service delivery. We believe that behavior analysis should pmabainfo.wixsite.com/pmaba), which is a resource for local v be delivered and overseen by qualified professionals. In the behavior analysts providing information on membership, coming months we will continue to advocate for increased events, and other topics. We are continuing membership a Beh e proficiency standards and improved access. efforts and planning future CE events as well. id Anyone interested in becoming a member of PMABA Closing should visit our website for membership information and [email protected]
PennABA will continue to serve behavior analysts and contact Beth Rosenwasser at Ins consumers of behavior analysis in the region through to be added to our email listserv to receive updates about continuing education and advocacy. We thank the upcoming events, job opportunities, and other local behavior 2018
members of PennABA, whose continued support is analytic information. integral to all that PennABA has accomplished. ER Tennessee ABA B Philadelphia Metropolitan ABA By James N. Meindl and Pablo Juarez D ECEM
By Amanda Fisher The Tennessee Association for Behavior Analysis (TABA) The Philadelphia Metropolitan Association for Behavior was established in 1997 and serves to advance awareness,
Analysis (PMABA) is the regional chapter of Philadelphia development, and access to behavior analysis across the No 3 and surrounding areas, formerly known as the Delaware state. Our organization has steadily grown over the years, Valley Association for Behavior Analysis (DVABA). The and we now have close to 350 members and counting. objective of PMABA is to provide continuing education This represents tremendous growth in recent years and we o l u m e 10 and networking for behavior analysts in an informal setting expect this trend to continue, particularly with student V that has the atmosphere of a social gathering. Another members. Each year, TABA hosts an impressive four primary goal is to increase cohesiveness among local conferences—our annual conference plus three additional behavior analysts who might otherwise be isolated as a regional conferences in the West, Middle, and East result of working in diverse settings with service providers regions of Tennessee. The annual conference serves as a and researchers who are not behavior analytic, as many of meeting ground and idea-sharing forum for all behavior our members are the only behavior analysts at their places analysts across Tennessee, whereas the regional conferences of employment. Our email listserv provides announcements allow the diverse regional needs to be more closely met. on local workshops, conferences, and events, as well In addition to the conferences, TABA also sponsored a as employment opportunities and recent legislative or Vanderbilt Kennedy Center-TRIAD workshop led by Greg advocacy issues relevant to local behavior analysts. Hanley on the topic of practical functional assessment and PMABA seeks to better serve as a scientific and skill-based treatment of problem behavior. professional reference and networking group for its Our 20th annual conference was a tremendous success, members by making a number of changes this year. We with over 400 attendees who joined TABA, October have held business meetings, continued membership 26–28, in the beautiful Music City Center in downtown efforts, and are renewing our commitment to Nashville. This conference was well attended thanks dissemination of information relevant to local behavior in large part to the excellent line-up of speakers. Our analysts as well as providing continuing education invited speakers included Richard Foxx (Pennsylvania events. The chapter is led by the following executive State University Harrisburg), who provided two talks council members: Amanda Guld Fisher, president; Beth covering his 45 years of research and practice and science- Rosenwasser, information officer; Jessica Kendorski, based treatments and fads in autism; Cathleen Piazza secretary; and Arthur Dowdy, website and membership (University of Nebraska Medical Center), who discussed coordinator. We are always looking for members feeding disorders and treatment for children with autism; interested in getting involved in the organization and and Jim Carr (BACB), who provided a timely update on taking leadership positions. Please contact us if interested! upcoming changes in the BACB. Our final conference We have reinvigorated Black Scorpion Society meetings, day was devoted to a workshop on addressing service gaps originally facilitated by Drs. Phil Hineline and Charles in Tennessee and was presented by Pablo Juarez, Alacia Catania. We’ve held three Black Scorpion meetings over Stainbrook, and John Staubitz (Vanderbilt Kennedy the last year, in which behavior analysts get together and Center-TRIAD). In addition to our excellent invited discuss journal articles at a local watering hole. Dr. Phil speakers, the TABA conference showcased 27 symposium Hineline often leads an article discussion in these events, and paper presentations and 11 poster presentations on
33 content that included clinical, community, and educational practice, and research issues. Texas ABA hapters Beyond the presentations, the TABA conference also By Sarah A. Lechago hosted a variety of exciting activities and events each day. Executive Council ated C i
l Each year, TABA presents three students with BACB The 2017–2018 Executive Council consisted of a president i
ff Exam Reimbursement Awards, which are designed to Einar Ingvarsson, past-president Dorothea Lerman, . A
A support and congratulate student members who have secretary Rachel Kramer, and treasurer Regina Crone. . S . recently become BCBAs. The most recent recipients are In June 2017, Dr. Ingvarsson had accepted the position
I U Katie Gregory, Amanda Speiss, and Meghan Ruddy. of director of clinical services at the Virginia Institute TABA also organized and hosted special roundtable of Autism. He recommended that Sarah Lechago be discussions on a range of topics. These discussions allow appointed, and with the approval of the Executive Council, conference attendees to have more direct interaction with she officially became president on June 10, 2017. The presenters in a relaxed forum. Finally, we continued our Council members included Sarah Lechago (until June 9,
pdates from ABA new tradition of closing the conference with our exciting 2017), Kate Patagoc-Johnson, and Kathleen Strickland- U Student Behavioralympics. This is an event wherein Cohen. Dr. Strickland-Cohen stepped down from her role, students engage in friendly competition across several and Richard Smith was appointed. Tashenna Gillmore was events: a shaping race, terminology face-off, schedule appointed to a Council position in early 2018. Regina Crone charades, and drive-by visual analysis. Several awards are was also appointed until the elections in 2019. The treasurer presented, and it serves as a fun vehicle for promoting and secretary positions were combined in 2018, and Rachel student interaction across universities. On the topic Kramer agreed take this position. Heather Barahona of students, TABA would like to sincerely thank the continued to serve as Texas ABA’s (TxABA’s) executive tremendous number of student volunteers who made the director. She announced her retirement from this position TABA annual conference possible! in February 2018. The council voted Zachary Morford to In 2017, TABA made important changes to the take her place. Heather will train him in the next year, and bylaws that will help promote longevity and further she will officially step down in March 2019. The student strengthen our influence in Tennessee. We have representative to the Council was Madeline Upthegrove formally created a Legislative Committee (chair, Beth from the University of North Texas. At the TxABA Urbanczyk) to promote our involvement in legislative conference in March 10, 2018, student members elected issues. Additionally, we have created two new Executive Kenya Miles from the University of Houston-Clear Lake as Committee positions, president-elect and past president. the student representative for 2018–2019. Both positions are 1-year terms and are voting members. Our incoming president-elect is Pablo Juarez. Our Committees other TABA Executive Committee members and TxABA’s Public Policy Committee (PPG), chaired by Committee chairs remain a strong presence. Current Gordon Bourland, played a very important role in TxABA’s Executive Committee members include James Meindl as activities, as it monitored legislative activity and other public president, Annie Cornelius as West TN representative, policy issues that may impact behavior analysts and their Lori Muchukot as Middle TN representative, Larua consumers in the state of Texas. The PPG is an independent Forkum as East TN representative, Lerkenda Little as group, which made it easier for them to coordinate West TN student officer, Marina Velez as Middle TN legislative activities and raise funds to support initiatives student officer, and Cindy Conley as East TN student like licensure. They organized the two-day “TxABA Days officer. Our committee chairs include Tiffany Denton at the Capitol” right before the TxABA conference in 2017, and Cady Conley (co-chairs; Continuing Education), which brought nearly 100 behavior analysts in contact with Erin Szarka (Publications), Erin Collins (Social Media), legislators to discuss important issues. All these efforts Jason Grosser (Professional Standards), and Joey Staubitz resulted in great success, as on Thursday, June 15, 2017, (Membership). Finally, Jason Otto continues on as our Governor Greg Abbott signed SB 589, enacting licensure strong and steady director of operations. Together, this for behavior analysts and assistant behavior analysts, group looks to continue the TABA goals of hosting making Texas the 28th state in the nation to establish top-notch conferences, expanding benefits of TABA licensure for the practice of applied behavior analysis membership, further defining and expanding our strategic (ABA). Legislators sponsoring the bill were Senators Lucio, plan for meeting the TABA mission statements, working Campbell, Menéndez, and Watson, and Representatives closely with the legislature on issues of importance to Simmons, Gonzales, Stucky, and Coleman. Practitioners behavior analysts, and serving as a driving force for will be required to obtain licensure in order to practice behavior analysis across the state of Tennessee. ABA in Texas by September 1, 2018. Dr. Bourland is part of the ABAI Licensing Committee and will be working
34 s with other members of this committee to roll out licensure of Wisconsin Milwaukee), Stephanie Hood (California i in Texas. In addition, Dr. Bourland was appointed to the State University Northridge), and Lee Mason (University lys state’s newly established Behavior Analysis Advisory Board of Texas San Antonio). Presentations covered a variety of
and designated its presiding officer. The PPG will continue topics such as complex verbal behavior, theory of mind, early a An or i to focus on implementation of licensure in Texas, and it is autism diagnosis, social repertoires in toddlers, conversation v also turning its efforts to expansion of insurance coverage skills in adults, delay fading procedures following FCT, and for ABA services in the state of Texas. As you can see, the the verbal behavior stimulus control ratio equation. a Beh e PPG is very active with our state government and with Invited speakers in the Autism Track 2 included id ABAI in representing and protecting ABA practitioners Dr. James Partington (Partington Behavior Analysts), and consumers of ABA services in the state of Texas. Loukia Tsami (University of Houston-Clear Lake),
The Professional Issues Committee, which focuses Dr. John Guercio (Benchmark Human Services), Amy Ins on professional development strategies for TxABA Wood (Families for Effective Autism Treatment), Ellen membership, was chaired by Jennifer Kaut. They will use Catoe (Texana), and Dr. Dorothea Lerman (University 2018
the results of a survey disseminated to TxABA members of Houston-Clear Lake). Presentations covered a variety requesting they rank-order a number of professional issues of topics such as elements for effective intervention, ER B based on importance, to guide committee activities. telehealth training, community integration and aggressive behavior, ethics, conducting the ABLLS-R and AFLS, Special Interest Groups D ECEM
and working with adults with ASD. In 2017–2018, TxABA had five active special interest Invited speakers in the Professional Track were Dr.
groups (SIGs) arranged around members’ common interests Raymond Miltenberger (University of South Florida), No 3 and geographical locations. This represents an addition of Dr. Regina Crone (Therapy and Beyond), Dr. Gordon one SIG from last year. Traci Cihon served as president of Bourland (Trinity Behavioral Associates), Dr. Michael Behaviorists for Social Responsibility (BFSR). Kimberlee Perone (West Virginia University), Brian Francis (Texas o l u m e 10
Flatt served as president of the DFW Area Autism SIG. Department of Licensing and Regulation), and Dr. V Domonique Randall served as president of the OBM SIG. William Ahearn (New England Center for Children). Erika Hamer served as president of the Behavior Analysis Presenters provided information on teaching safety skills to in Public Education (BAiPE) SIG. Alison Baucom served children, supervision and field experience, enhancing sports as president of the Austin, Texas (ATX) SIG. performance, higher education, impact of licensure for behavior analysts in Texas, evaluating and treating repetitive Annual Conference and TxABA Awards behavior, and ethics in the age of licensure and certification. The 32nd Regional Conference was March 9–11, 2018, Invited speakers in the Education Track were Drs. at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Houston, Janet Twyman (University of Massachusetts Medical TX. This year marks the seventh in a row with record- School; Shriver Center; Florida Institute of Technology; breaking attendence—1,379, which is 229 more than last Blast), Joanne Robbins (PEER International; year. Attendees included professional behavior analysts, Morningside Academy), Donny Newsome (Fit Learning), faculty, students, teachers, caregivers of individuals with and Grant Gautreaux (Nicholls State University). development disabilities, and service providers from related Presenters provided information on the teaching machine disciplines. Sponsors included Butterfly Effects, Behavioral in the new age, partnerships between the US and South Innovations, Central Texas Autism Center, Children’s Africa, functional mastery, relational frame theory and Autism Center, DataFinch Technologies, First Leap curriculum design, and observational learning. Pediatric Therapy, Pathfinder Health Innovations, Therapy Invited speakers in the OBM Track were Dr. Terry & Beyond, and The Shape of Behavior. McSween (Quality Safety Edge), Dr. Aubrey Daniels The conference hosted eight tracks this year, three more (Aubrey Daniels International), Dr. Florence DiGennaro than last year. The General Track included speakers Dr. Reed (University of Kansas), Dr. Domonique Randall Amy Odom (Utah State University), Dr. Jesus Rosales- (Shape of Behavior), Dr. Gordon Bourland (Trinity Ruiz (University of North Texas), Dr. Andy Lattal (West Behavioral Associates), Dr. Regina Crone (Therapy and Virginia University), Dr. Linda Hayes (University of Beyond), and Dino Eliopoulos (Behavioral Innovations). Nevada, Reno), and Dr. Timothy Hackenberg (Reed Presenters provided information on ABC analysis, College). Topics included delayed discounting, history of the importance of OBM, evidence-based performance a rat cartoon, shaping, cues for teaching and education, management to support practitioners, and the application romantic love, and social economics. of OBM in ABA clinics. Invited speakers in the Autism Track 1 included Drs. The Research Track consisted of speakers Drs. Mark Francesca degli Espinosa (UK), Rebecca MacDonald (New Galizio (University of North Carolina Wilmington), England Center for Children), Jeffrey Tiger (University Suzanne Mitchell (Oregon Health & Science University),
35 John Nevin (retired from University of New Hampshire; Delays: Recent Advances in Research and Practice,” and collaboration with NIMH & NICHD), Kimberly Christie Stiehl (University of Houston-Clear Lake) for her hapters Kirkpatrick (Kansas State University), and Mary Sweeney research titled, “College Students with Autism Spectrum (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine). The Disorder: Assessing and Teaching Conversation Skills.” ated C i
l presenters delivered talks on derived stimulus relations The poster session featured TxABA’s annual student i
ff in rats, behavioral momentum, delay discounting, and poster competition. This year’s winners were Brittany A.
. A Zey (University of Houston-Clear Lake) for her research A human substance abuse. . S . The Social Issues Track consisted of speakers Drs. titled “Teaching Peer Engagement with Reciprocal
I U Mark Mattaini (University of Illinois at Chicago), Angela Activities,” Elizabeth Sansing (University of North Sanguinette (University of California, Davis), Julie Smith Texas) for her research titled “Teaching Observational (CLG), Jomella Watson-Thompson (University of Kansas), Learning to Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: and Bernard Guerin (University of South Australia). The An In-Vivo and Video-Model Assessment,” and Margaret presenters delivered talks on behavioral systems to create R. Gifford (University of Wisconsin Milwaukee) for her
pdates from ABA social change, eco-feedback technology, improving patient research titled “Conditioning Preferences for Choice- U experience at scale, behavioral community approaches to Making Opportunities through Histories of Differential address societal issues through multisector collaboration, and Reinforcer Quality and Magnitude.” community-based research methods for functional analyses. The outstanding 2018 conference committee consisted The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation of conference coordinator Heather Barahona, staffing (TDLR) proposed new rules for the licensed behavior director Rachel Kramer, CE check-in coordinator Mariah analyst and licensed assistant behavior analyst program. Hope, BACB ACE provider Richard Smith, TSHA ACE The proposed new rules implement Senate Bill 589, 85th provider Christina Martin, and tech/media coordinator Legislature, Regular Session (2017) and were published in Evan Stone, and program chairs Jennifer Fritz, Kate the February 2, 2018, issue of the Texas Register (43 TexReg Johnson-Patagoc, Domonique Randall, Jeanne Donaldson, 501). The TDLR requested comments on the proposal Karen Toussaint, Zachary Morford, and Anna Petursdottir. through March 5, 2018. TxABA emailed its members PowerPoint slides from many of the presentations can be encouraging them to read the rules carefully and to provide accessed at www.txaba.org/conference/conference.php. feedback. The TxABA PPG crafted a letter that represented the collective feedback of the PPG and the TxABA EC. Upcoming Activity One of the primary concerns was the proposed cost for The upcoming year is an extremely busy one for TxABA. licensure and yearly renewal, which was set at $390 for We will continue to work with a lobbyist to implement BCBAs, and $330 for BCaBAs. The bill originally proposed licensure for behavior analysts in Texas. In addition, under the Texas Medical Board estimated a $250 fee for TxABA will remain very active in supporting legislation a two-year license. These proposed fees were exorbitantly relevant to behavior analysis and practitioners, including high and could have had detrimental fiscal effects, and Medicaid coverage of our services. detrimental effects related to attracting practitioners in The 2019 conference will be March 14–17 at the Texas. Brian Francis of the TDLR presented on licensure in Worthington Renaissance Hotel in Forth Worth, Texas. Texas at the TxABA conference. He said that our feedback was taken into consideration and the licensing fee has been Vermont ABA reduced to $160 for a two-year license. By Terra L. Reed TxABA also presented the Career Contributions to As ABA continues to grow and spread in the state of Behavior Analysis Award to Dr. Dorothea Lerman and the Vermont, Vermont Association for Behavior Analysis Pioneer of Behavior Analysis in Texas Award to Dr. Sander (VtABA) is proud to continue its mission of expanding “Sandy” Martin. Each year, if revenue permits, TxABA knowledge and expertise in behavior analysis throughout the awards James L. Kopp Memorial Scholarships to students state. On May 5, 2017, VtABA hosted its seventh annual of behavior analysis who plan to present their research at conference in Burlington, VT. A total of 110 behavior the upcoming ABAI annual convention. These competitive analysts, allied professionals, and community members scholarships of $500 each are intended to help defray the cost attended the event. We had the pleasure of hosting Dr. of attending the annual convention. A student must be listed Patrick McGreevy as the presenter. Dr. McGreevy presented as the presenting author of an accepted poster or symposium on Essential for Living, prompts and prompt fading, and how presentation to be eligible to apply for the scholarship. This to provide a method of speaking for nonverbal learners using year there were two recipients of the 2017 James L. Kopp Essential for Living. This presentation provided attendees Memorial Scholarship: Elizabeth Sansing (University of with the opportunity to become familiar with Essential for North Texas) for her research titled, “Improving Observa- Living, the ability to describe prompt fading procedures tional Learning in Children with Autism and Social that assist learners in acquiring a mand repertoire, factors to
36 s consider when selecting alternative methods of speaking for Commonwealth of Virginia has the eighth largest number i nonverbal learners, as well as the ability to describe functional of BCBA-Ds, BCBAs, and BCaBAs (combined) in the lys communication training compared to B. F. Skinner’s analysis United States. The association has been in existence since
of verbal behavior from the point of view of the learner. 2003 and is a 501(c)(6) organization. VABA contracts with a An or i a lobbyist and this year hired an administrative director. v 2018 Recently, with the help of our lobbyist, we introduced a
On January 26, 2018, VtABA hosted a supervision bill to classify behavior analysts as licensed mental health a Beh e and ethics training with 84 participants. This training professionals to increase the number of opportunities to id provided three supervision and one ethics continuing practice in the state. The bill passed both the House and education credits, and was free to members of VtABA. Senate, and as of March was awaiting signature by the
This year VtABA invited Dr. Allen Karsina to conduct governor. We have been working closely with the Virginia Ins our annual supervision and ethics training, titled “BCBA Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Supervision: Common Problems and Recommendations.” Services and the Virginia Department of Medical Services 2018
Feedback from this training rated Dr. Karsina’s (Medicaid) to make sure behavior analysts are included in presentation highly and described it as informative, well service areas where they can add value and be productive ER B prepared and organized, and understandable. members of multi-disciplinary teams. We have an active Following the supervision and ethics training, VtABA Policy Committee and are continually looking for areas to D ECEM
held our annual meeting. Discussions at this year’s meeting facilitate and disseminate behavior analysis in Virginia. focused on successes over the past year, including increasing Last fiscal year, VABA distributed four newsletters
our membership to 200, adding additional family resources that were each opened by more than half of our members. No 3 to our website, and increasing use of technology to promote We published seven blog posts with information that inclusion for all members to join the VtABA board. affects practitioners in Virginia, including public comment On April 16, 2018, we will be welcoming two presenters recommendations. We communicated to over 800 people o l u m e 10 to Burlington, Vermont for our eighth annual conference. via Facebook, and almost all our posts were shared by at V This will be the first time VtABA has hosted two presenters least one person. We publicized 25 jobs on our website. for the annual conference. Dr. Rebecca MacDonald, We held an annual conference in Midlothian that had over BCBA-D, will present “Establishing Social Repertoires in 300 attendees and 24 sponsors. We held two continuing Young Children with Autism,” and Tamara Kasper, CCC- education events (apart from the conference) and two SLP, BCBA, will present “Social Skills to Replace Problem happy hours—one in Richmond and one in Harrisonburg. Behavior.” VtABA will say good-bye to three members this For the first time, we published an annual report that can year, but we are excited to officially welcome our five new be found on our website: www.virginiaaba.org/about. members at the annual conference in April! To make sure we are meeting our members’ needs, we VtABA is excited to educate the community about produce an annual survey. This year, we are developing a applied behavior analysis and its diverse utility, as separate survey for Student members. Survey data are used well as to facilitate meaningful collaboration between to help create our strategic plan. Using data from the last service disciplines and providers for the betterment of survey, we recently updated our goals: (1) improve viability all Vermonters. VtABA is always considering ways to and sustainability of the organization, (2) provide quality recruit new members to the organization and to develop service to our members, and (3) advocate for the science of additional benefits for our members. During this next year behavior analysis in the commonwealth. In January, the VtABA will continue to research, educate, and advocate Board of Directors held a retreat where we fine-tuned these on the behalf of board certified behavior analysts, board goals and identified activities to support them, as well as certified assistant behavior analysts, and consumers of ways to measure our success. behavior analytic services across the state. VtABA will This year, we are set to hold a conference in Roanoke continue to offer free educational events to VtABA in April and are on track to exceed last year’s numbers. members and community partners, and further build We just recently hit 1,000 likes on Facebook and continue VtABA as a resource for professionals and community to communicate to our followers on a regular basis. We members in the state of Vermont. are frequently monitoring our strategic plan to find better ways of serving our members. We hope to hold more Virginia ABA networking events and offer more continuing education By Christy Evanko opportunities beyond our conference. The Virginia Association for Behavior Analysis (VABA) VABA membership offers a lot of benefits, including is the affiliated chapter of ABAI in Virginia. We represent an annual conference, networking opportunities, behavior analysts in Virginia and boast over 400 members! quarterly newsletter, CE offerings (at the conference and Last year, we increased membership by 12.5%. The beyond), members-only resources, lobbying and policy
37 efforts, and discounts on a variety of outside products. we held our 10th annual conference at the University of The VABA Board of Directors works diligently to make Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison), hosting a number hapters sure we are relevant to behavior analysts in Virginia. We of internationally recognized speakers, offering several meet quarterly and stay in continual contact to provide practical workshops, and providing continuing education ated C i
l benefits that our members need and ask for. We are proud credits for board certified behavior analysts (BCBAs). i
ff to represent behavior analysis in Virginia. The state of Wisconsin continues to offer behavior . A
A analyst licenses contingent upon Behavior Analyst .
S West Virginia BAA . Certification Board certification. Currently, we have over
I U By Claire St. Peter 120 licensed behavior analysts in Wisconsin. Behavior Our chapter had a relatively quiet year. We continued analysis training programs at UW-Madison, UW- to recruit new members, and designed and implemented Milwaukee, UW-Eau Claire, and UW-Whitewater electronic recruiting and registration systems in the continue to produce a substantial number of expertly latter part of 2017 that increased our 2018 membership. trained behavior analysts, but many agencies and providers
pdates from ABA In addition, we collaborated with the behavior analysis statewide are hiring additional BCBAs. U program at West Virginia University and the Mountaineer WisABA continues to advocate for and represent Autism Project to provide continuing education behavior analysts throughout Wisconsin. Now in our 14th opportunities for our members at the Mountaineer year, and building on the enormous success of our 10th Autism Project meeting. We look forward to expanded conference, WisABA held its 11th annual conference at membership and increased activity in 2018. the UW-Madison in August 2018. The event featured workshops, talks, forays onto State Street, the Suzuki Wisconsin ABA strings of Madison, poster sessions, social hour, our famous By Matthew Andrzejewski member-speaker dinner, and plenty of opportunities to The Wisconsin Association for Behavior Analysis network. Membership and conference information can be (WisABA) was founded in 2004 and continues to serve the found on our website, WisconsinABA.com. needs of behavior analysts in Wisconsin. In August 2017,
38 s i Supporting and lys a An or i 2018 Sustaining Members v
ABAI would like to recognized and thank those members who provide additional support to encourage the involvement a Beh e of undergraduate and graduate students in the science and practice of behavior analysis through increased membership id dues. To learn how you can enhance your support of the field through our supporting membership option, or push your support even further with a sustaining membership, please visit www.abainternational.org/membership.
Sustaining Supporting Ins Members Members 2018
Summer Adami Angelica Aguirre Eric Larsson ER B Simon Braver Gazala Ali Kennon Andy Lattal Lara Delmolino Gatley Ronald Allen Justin Leaf Yini Liao D ECEM
Kate Fiske Danielle Allessio Stuart Libman Suzanne Fitch Stephen Anderson Nicole Lustig
Mark Galizio Adriana Anderson Genevieve Marshall No 3
Grant Gautreaux Brittany Bauerle Mary McClure Tamlynn Graupner Anthony Biglan Scott Mckenzie R. Douglas Greer Lindsay Birchfield Courtney Micheel o l u m e 10
Kelsi Harris Sam Blanco Raymond Miltenberger V David Hatfield Joy Brewster Jaimi Mueller William Helsel Randy Campbell Ashley Musial Dagmar Hemmerich Cheryl Davis James Partington William Heward Catherine DeBroder Tatiana Peak-Gregg Lynda Hounshell Ron DeMuesy Brady Phelps Kent Johnson Marni Dick Cynthia Pietras LaRee Kelly-Warner Alyce Dickinson Raymond Pitts Robert LaRue Liliana Dietsch-Vazquez Jacqueline Potter David Lennox Brett DiNovi Tracy Pryor Robert Littleton Nelly Dixon Kristine Quinby M. Jackson Marr R. Wayne Fisher Ginger Raabe Jose Martinez-Diaz Roderick Fox Amanda Ralston Jill McGrale Maher Kristin Frigelj Norma Ramirez Megan Miller Gary Geer Scott Rhodes Debra Paone Peter Gerhardt Danielle Sayebrook Meeta Patel Laura Grant Amy Jo Schamens Robert Ross Genae Hall Carrie Shriner Kimberly Sloman Luciana Haloiu Richardson Valdimar Sigurdsson Greg Stikeleather Theodore Hoch Celso Socorro Oliveira William Sweeney Ramona Houmanfar Kelly Spears Douglas Taylor Zhenwu Huang Kim Strunk Beatriz Urcuyo Martha Hübner Thomas Szabo Ana Villanueva Hannah Kaplan Kathryn Theroux Dana Visalli-Gold Karen Kellum Travis Thompson Thomas Zwicker Ken Kerr Adam Ventura Adryon Ketcham Robert Vreeland Daniel Kilgallon Nancy Warren Julie Koudys Michael Weinberg Chris Krebs Alyssa Wilson Jeff Kupfer
39 Updates From ABAI’s Non-U.S.A. Affiliated Chapters hapters ABA Australia ABA España ated C i
l By Alayna Haberlin By Javier Virues-Ortega i
ff ABA Australia turned four years old in 2018. Each The past year has been an . A
A year, our association has grown both in membership and eventful period for ABA . S . community involvement. Our organization continually España. After a three- U - n develops new methods to disseminate behavior analysis year process, we launched
I No and lay the groundwork to make more systemic changes the Spanish version of within funding agencies. Applied Behavior Analysis Our National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) by Cooper, Heron, and committee has taken on the monumental task of Heward. A group of over 20 ensuring that ABA services receive equal consideration professional behavior analysts in government funding allocation. They are addressing and collaborators have pdates from ABA
U this by focusing on seven tasks to help make funding for brought about this exciting behavior analytic services easily available for those who development (some are pictured in Figure 1). The e-book desire it. One of their big accomplishments last year was version of the Spanish edition of “The White Book” is the submission of a paper to the Joint Standing Committee now available at abapublicaciones.com for all to enjoy. of NDIS about the provision of services under the NDIS We expect that this new resource will make a difference Early Childhood Early Intervention Approach. Currently, in education and training of future Spanish-speaking they are close to publishing a position paper on early behavior analysts. intervention services for children with autism spectrum disorder. We are excited to see what this amazing group will accomplish in 2018. Less than a decade ago, finding a behavior analyst was like finding a needle in a haystack. Now we have 161 members of ABA Australia and 71 certified behavior analysts in this country. We are growing and so is our voice. As our community of behavior analysts grows, we are seeing the demand for high-quality behavior analytic services continue to grow. However, meeting this demand is a challenge so we must continue to increase the number Figure 1. Representatives from ABA España pose with a translated copy of Applied Behavior Analysis. of behavior analysts and quality training institutions. Our board of directors has changed this year as well. We welcomed two new directors, Dr. Tessa Taylor as president ABA España hosted the II Summer School of the elect, and Dr. Max Jones as head of committees. We are European Association for Behavior Analysis in Cadiz delighted to have their expertise and passion on the board. (Spain). The conference was a big success, with all Last year, we were excited to become an affiliated seats sold out. Professionals and students from over 10 chapter of ABAI and were fortunate enough to have two countries attended, some of them via streaming. We board members present at the ABAI annual convention. Dr. enjoyed workshops and keynote addresses from many Alayna Haberlin and Mrs. Michelle Furminger traveled to distinguished Spanish and international behavior analysts, Denver, Colorado, last May to attend an affiliated chapter including Dr. Greg Hanley, Dr. Neil Martin, Dr. Per training and promote ABA Australia at the Expo. At the Holth, Dr. Eric Larsson, Dr. Ricardo Pellon, Dr. Jose Expo, they had a constant stream of behavior analysts Navarro, and Dr. Chris Podlesnik, to mention just a few. interested in learning about ABA in Australia while tasting We have continued our path toward developing user- Tim Tams and Vegemite. It was great to see so many people friendly tools for practitioners and researchers. This year we excited about what we are doing and a growing interest created an app for iOS devices, Big Eye Observer. The app about behavior analysis Down Under. is one of the most versatile tools for conducting behavioral Finally, we held our Second Annual ABA Australia observation in applied and research settings. The app is Conference last November in Sydney. It was a great capable of recording time-stamped events and computing success, and we are looking forward to seeing everyone most relevant behavioral dimensions for a range of target again in Brisbane this July! behaviors. We expect to more widely advertise Big Eye Observer on social media over the upcoming months.
40 s We continue our pioneering work in training and demands on their time from their clinical practice, leaving i education for Spanish-speaking students interested in little for networking with peer groups, arranging chapter lys applied behavior analysis. More than half of the students meetings, and taking up public dissemination tasks.
we have served over the years by way of our approved Second, the rising knowledge about ABA and a shortage of a An or i course sequence are monolingual students coming from professionals (India has only around 37 behavior analysts v low-income countries, a population that would be unlikely for a population of 1 billion!) has led to special educators to access quality education in applied behavior analysis by and para-professional starting clinics claiming to do ABA. a Beh e mainstream channels. Partially due to this line of work, There are challenges associated with going after such id Spanish is now the second most popular language after unethical practices legally, and so community education English among BACB exam takers. In order to expand options need to be explored. Third, the contingencies for a
our reach even further, we expect to present our new RBT community of behavioral experts to thrive is just emerging Ins course in 2018. As part of the preparatory work toward in India and need to be given impetus and all possible this aim, this year we facilitated the translation of the support from well-meaning behavior analysts. 2018
RBT task list into Spanish. To address these challenges, ABA India is planning
If you are interested in learning more about ABA some important initiatives. The first was a “meeting of ER B España and its activities, visit our website or check us out minds” retreat in June 2018. Behavior analysts from across on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. the country were encouraged to come together, share their aba-elearning.com D ECEM
• Web: experiences with the application of science through research • Facebook: @abaspanainfo paper presentations, and also contribute ideas to build a @abaespana
• Instagram: thriving, positive, strong, and growing behavior analytic No 3
• Twitter: @ABA_Spain community in India. Additionally, it has been proposed that a core, working group be formed to address the problem ABA India of non-credentialed para professionals claiming to provide o l u m e 10
By Sridhar Aravamudhan and Smita Awasthi ABA services. Every such instance brought to the attention V The Association for Behavior Analysis India enjoyed of the core group will be addressed through direct parent a year of reflection in 2018. Dissemination efforts by education in the specific locations. Behavior analysts the chapter in previous years have helped immensely in across India will also be encouraged to increase the pool of spreading the awareness of ABA across the length and credentialed frontline behavior therapists, as this could help breadth of the country. Many more students are motivated check the spread of a non-behavioral frontline forces. The to study behavior analysis and appear for certification problem of funding and shortage of people elude easy fixes. exams, with most continuing to choose the field of autism These, we believe, could be managed better by leveraging the for their careers. extended circle of contacts of behavior analysts to contribute We are delighted to share that for the first time a funds and volunteer time. In summary, there are exciting question presented by our chapter was raised in the question- times ahead for ABA India as the ground is getting prepared hour session in Parliament. The question was on the need for for the field to grow, flourish, and serve the society in India. recognizing behavior analysis in the country, and was sent to the relevant government ministry for a response. ABA India ABA Saudi Arabia is now drafting a response to the ministry’s reply. This was a By Mona AlHaddad big achievement, as it has generated discussion on behavior ABA Saudi Arabia was accepted as an affiliated chapter of analysis at the government level. ABAI on May 31, 2013. Four years since the establishment The Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP), in its of the chapter, ABA Saudi Arabia is taking responsibility guidelines for autism, has recommended that interventions to commit to its mission statement. for autism should be specific and evidence based, with ABA Saudi Arabia was created with the mission to ABA mentioned. We are also delighted to share that disseminate information about the science of applied Developmental Pediatrics Today, a monthly e-newsletter behavior analysis and support the development of and of the IAP Chapter of Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics, access to behavior analytic services for people in need. To has invited Dr. Smita Awasthi, founder of ABA India, to accomplish this mission, the chapter seeks to support the write an article each month to bring awareness of applied development of graduate opportunities for appropriate behavior analysis to the pediatric community. This is also a candidates within Saudi Arabia, plan and support continuing significant development for the field in India. education for practicing behavior analysts, and advocate for The challenges for ABA India as a chapter and ABA the right to community-based access to behavior-analytic as a field of practice remain high. First, ABA continues to services through governmental and regulatory channels. be under resourced in terms of both funds and volunteers. The founding and current officers are Mona Al-Haddad, A handful of committed professionals have very high MEd, BCBA, president; Faisal Alnemary, Ph.D., BCBA,
41 SAUDI ARABIA continued from page 41 Alnemary, and with the presence of the chapter president, president-elect; Shumaila Jaffry, MS, BCBA, secretary; Mona Al-Haddad, Secretary, Shumaila Jaffry, chapter hapters Katelyn Craig, MS, BCBA, treasurer; and Amal Abulayiah, members, and others who are interested in ABA. One of BS, BCaBA, publication and marketing officer. the major decisions made at this meeting was following up ated C i l ABA Saudi Arabia currently has a membership of with the SHC about licensure for certified behavior analysts i ff around 65 individuals, consisting of practicing behavior to legalize the practice of ABA in Saudi Arabia. . A
A analysts, professionals in behavior analysis, students Therefore, the chapter plans collaborative work with . S . (graduate and undergraduate), speech pathologists, and educational, governmental, and regulatory channels (Saudi U - n community-based individuals interested in the science Commission for Health Specialties and Saudi Health
I No and service of behavior analysis in Saudi Arabia. As Counsel) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The chapter is one aim of our mission is to disseminate the science of also carrying on with its mission and participating in major ABA to different communities in Saudi Arabia, the related conferences in Saudi Arabia (e.g., the 1st National chapter continues to commit to accomplish its mission Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics Conference through providing workshops to people in the community in Riyadh, 15–16 April, and The BLUE DAY: Autism including parents, practitioners at intervention centers Awareness Campaign in Jeddah, April 25–28). pdates from ABA U (e.g., Jeddah Autism Center, Saudi Association for Carrying out its mission to disseminate ABA to the Autism, Jeddah institute for Speech and Hearing-JISH), Arabic-speaking community, ABA Saudi Arabia is heavily and school teachers. Many of those who attend these involved in translating ABA-related documents. This year, workshops are looking for higher accreditation in ABA we added the BACB Experience Standards and Forms, in through accredited short courses or intense seminars (e.g., addition to previously translated documents: RBTs). Due to this fact, the chapter’s mission is to keep • Compliance code spreading awareness of ABA and credentialed people who • Glossary Version 1 are entitled to provide ABA services. • Glossary Version 2 In addition, this year the chapter is committed • 4th edition task list to regulating the practice of ABA and its profession • RBT task list through the Saudi Health Counsel (SHC) and the Saudi • RBT competency assessment Commission for Health Specialties (SCHS). First, on behalf of all practicing behavior analysts in Saudi Arabia, ABA Saudi Arabia is going to provide continuing Dr. Faisal Alnemary, chapter president-elect and Al Anoud education for its members this year as well. Dr. Lamis Al Saud, BCBA, presented a proposal to SHC to establish Baowidan, BCBA-D, is invited as a CE presenter for this the Saudi Board for Behavior Analysis. This entity will be year, with Ms. Mona Al Haddad, chapter president as a responsible for monitoring the practice of ABA in Saudi co-presenter April 18, 2018. Arabia and reporting to the BACB all approved practices Finally, the chapter is focusing on collaborating with of certified practitioners and supervising closely those who designated sectors in health and education to provide short practice but are not yet supervised. courses and training for their employees in addition to Also, a slight variation was submitted by Dr. Faisal designing an accredited degree in ABA. Alnemary, chapter President-Elect, along with Al Anoud ABA Saudi Arabia welcomes members at the full, Al Saud, BCBA, and Dr. Nouf Alzrayer, BCBA-D, to affiliate, and student level. Membership is open to all SCHS asking first to form a committee to establish the individuals interested in or actively engaged in behavior Saudi Board in ABA. In the proposal, we also asked analysis. For the time being until we become an associate the SCHS to regulate the practice of ABA for already chapter, any person wishing to become a member must certified practitioners and supervise closely those who submit a completed application form and pay annual practice but are not yet supervised. The chapter addressed membership dues. Contact [email protected] or its members’ needs to have the science and its practices [email protected] for membership information. recognized and legalized in Saudi Arabia and took the initiative through communicating to authorized sectors. ABA Turkey Also, we have a great commitment to inform the members By Elif Tekin-Iftar about the chapter’s activities, and in most meetings that Behavior analysis is an emerging field in Turkey. The involves taking the chapter forward. For example, in introduction and dissemination of The BCBA Task List February 2018, the chapter held a virtual meeting and and The Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for invited most available members to participate in making Behavior Analysis in Turkish across the nation has been decisions regarding the proposal sent to the SHC and the in progress since 2017. These documents are included current status of the Saudi Board in ABA. This meeting in the course syllabus of the behavior analysis in autism was headed by the chapter’s president-elect, Dr. Faisal graduate program.
42 s In addition to including these documents in the course 2017–2018 Conferences and Dissemination Activities i syllabus, it was planned to introduce these documents Judith Komaki led a workshop in Milan on May 8, lys nationwide, in various meetings such as conferences in 2017. Taking advantage of Prof. Komaki’s trip to Italy,
special education. Conducting a nationwide seminar about AARBA organized a workshop on behavioral leadership a An or i how to manage problem behaviors in individuals with for entrepreneurs, HR managers, and HSE managers of v developmental disabilities is planned for 2018. local companies.
We have an agenda to create a web page in Turkish; ABAI asked our association to present at the chapter a Beh e however, it is still in progress. We are hoping that it will be leadership training during the ABAI 43rd Annual id published by the time this publication goes to print. Convention in Denver, CO, on May 25–29, 2017. Our Association for the president, Dr. Fabio Tosolin, presented on the development of behavior analysis in Italy and the formation of the Italy Ins Advancement of Radical Associate Chapter. Our annual European conference took place in Rome Behavior Analysis 2018
on June 13–14, 2017. As in the previous year, AARBA
By Paola Silva and Fabio Tosolin and AIAMC worked together on a big applied behavior ER B The Association for the Advancement of Radical Behavior analysis conference, covering many of the applications of Analysis (AARBA) is happy to share our experiences behavior analysis. More than 400 attendees (psychologists, D ECEM
with other chapters because we think that by sharing our psychotherapists, doctors, HSE managers, HR managers, strategies and successes, we are reinforced, we learn lessons, consultants, and more) participated in different sessions
we instill hope, and we are instilled with hope. Before of the conference. There were two sessions dedicated to No 3 presenting our activities of 2017, we are happy and proud to behavior-based safety and performance management highlight two major achievements for our association: and two dedicated to behavioral therapy and behavioral First, AARBA became an associate chapter of medicine. International speakers were Timothy o l u m e 10
ABAI—the Italy Associate Chapter! This chapter is Ludwig (Appalachian State University), Lori Diener- V in collaboration with AIAMC, the oldest and largest Ludwig (Performance Blueprints Inc.), and Julie Smith association of behavior analysts in Italy, in order to (ChangePartner Healthcare). For the opening of the event gather together all Italian behavior analysts—clinical, we also welcomed a former Italian Minister of Labour, educational, and occupational. In this way, our members Maurizio Sacconi. The focus of the conference was on become ABAI members, which includes many benefits: how to bring behavior analysis closer to Italian political access to the ABAI web portal, electronic subscriptions to institutions in order to influence laws and legislature with ABAI e-newsletters, and subscriptions to Inside Behavior scientific principles. For this reason, the conference was in Analysis and Perspectives on Behavior Science. We would like the Italian capital city of Rome. to thank all our international supporters (Dick Malott, Since the first research on the application of BBS in Tim Ludwig, Mark Alavosius, Ramona Houmanfar, healthcare, conducted by our researchers with funding Maria Malott, Martha Hübner, and others) who have from the Italian Ministry of Health, our association has helped us and made it possible! been trying to spread the adoption of behavior analysis Second, in last year’s report, we summarized the techniques for the management of safety and hygiene activities that our association was carrying out, together behaviors in hospitals; for this reason, we invited the with AIAMC, in order to bring back professionals to president of the Senate committee dedicate to hygiene adopt a rigorous scientific approach in their practice, in and healthcare, Emilia Grazia De Biase. The event also every field. Since AIAMC has more than 2,000 members received a gold medal for its high social and moral value and 10 post-graduate schools in behavioral psychotherapy from the president of the Italian Republic. all over Italy (officially recognized by the Italian Ministry We hosted 12th European Conference on Behavior- of University and Research), AARBA and AIAMC Based Safety and Organizational Behavior Management in started to work with the educational committee to seek Como, June 14–15, 2018. The main theme of the conference ABAI accreditation. was the dark side of safety. The conference was enriched The process was long and complicated, but we are by the presence of three international invited speakers, and happy to announce finally that these schools are starting a by the CEOs and HSE managers of companies that have 2-year course in ABA therapy! The program of the course implemented behavioral management systems. follows those of the universities accredited by ABAI, The Ambiente Lavoro Convention took place in and the teachers will be both Italian ABA pioneers and Bologna, September 13–14, 2017. Every year AARBA prominent international friends who have helped and participates in this event, which is dedicated to supported AARBA and AIAMC. occupational safety and health, with the aim of spreading behavior-based safety for saving workers’ lives.
43 An AARBA delegation attended the ABAI Ninth • Workers who are also observers of the B-BS process International Conference in Paris, France, on November improve their safety behaviors faster than workers who hapters 14–15, 2017. The delegation presented some behavior- are not observers. based safety research and case studies, including ated C i
l “Teaching Applied Behavior Analysis to Professionals, These hypotheses satisfy the criteria of innovation required i ff and Not Psychologists: The Training and Coaching Path by the Polytechnic University of Milan. The results were . A
A for Spreading OBM and BBS Practices in a Country,” made available in July 2018. . S . by Fabio Tosolin (AARBA president); “Application of Finally, Alstom Grid Italia has a plant of about 50 U - n Scientific Methods for the Reduction of Risk Behaviors workers in eastern Italy, close to Venice, and they have
I No in Health Care: Follow-Up at One Year From the been running a B-BS process since 2012, with remarkable Implementation of B-BS,” by Maria Gatti (AARBA results in terms of safe behavior enhancement and very low secretary); “Emergency Contingencies: Building Safety index of accident frequency and severity. At the beginning Behaviors in Time-Pressure Conditions,” by Paola Silva of 2017 and at the beginning of 2018, they renewed the (AARBA researcher); and “The Change of Opinions first European B-BS Certification after a two-day audit Toward Colleagues, Leaders, and Plant Managers a Few by RINA (one of the main certification bodies in Italy and pdates from ABA U Months After the Beginning of a Behavior-Based Safety Europe) and AARBA specialists. This certification states Process: Strategy to Address a Distrustful Climate in a publicly the consistency of a B-BS process with principles Work Environment,” by Luca Giani (AARBA researcher). of behavior and the results achieved; this focus on results The AARBA president was also invited to participate in a and on effectiveness, not only on process activities, is panel discussion, “Assessing the Quality of Behavior-Based an important element in the world of managing system Safety Applications: International Efforts to Promote certification, which is usually committed to examining Effective Management of Occupational Health and only adherence to bureaucratic standards. Safety,” coordinated by Marc Alavosius. One of the activities we are carrying out for preserving Association Française— the integrity of behavior analysis interventions is teaching Les Professionnels de behavior analysis principles to safety professionals, explaining how to train and motivate people’s safe l’Analyse du Comportement behaviors. In 2017–18, we reached the 33rd edition of the By Diane Fraser 80-hour Behavior-Based Safety Master Course. The Association Française—Les Professionnels de l’Analyse du Comportement (AFLPA) is pleased to announce its Research new affiliation with the University of North Texas (UNT) After the death of Prof. Ettore Caracciolo, a pioneer online program in behavior analysis. This program will of behavior analysis in Italy and one of the founders of be consistent with UNT’s existing program— the only AARBA, our association established a grant in his memory difference is the French translation. The program promises a to finance research. The 2017 grant was awarded to the license and a maîtresse in the very near future. Meanwhile, project “OBM: Applications in companies and in the AFLPA continues to focus on recruitment and growth. private social field.” The aim of the project is to extend behavior analysis principles to all behaviors that allow Behaviour Analysis in Ireland a well-organized working environment, and therefore By Jennifer Holloway and Helena Lydon more efficient performance and increased productivity. Conference Reviews 2017–2018 Two organizations will participate in the research: a The 11th Annual Conference of the Division of Behavior nonprofit organization that deals with psychoeducational Analysis (DBA), Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI), interventions, and a small knitwear production company. held in May 2017, marked the 40th anniversary of AARBA president, Dr. Tosolin, is also professor behavior analysis in Ireland. The three-day event took of human factors on the safety engineering faculty at place at Trinity College Dublin May 11–13. The DBA Milan Polytechnic University. For this reason, some are delighted that this meeting is growing in attendance students have asked for support for their experiments year on year. As in previous years, the meeting was well and dissertation research and we have supported a supported by the behavior analysis community, with student’s research in a multinational company based in leading experts from Ireland and the US. Turin. The aim of the research is to confirm or refute two experimental hypotheses: Eleventh Annual Conference at Trinity College Dublin • There is a statistically significant difference between safe The conference commenced Thursday, May 11, with a pre- behaviors in all working groups, in the presence or in conference workshop by Dr. Rita Honan (Trinity College absence of the leaders (team leader, floor manager, etc.). Dublin) called “Let’s Talk: ABA Ethics in Ireland.” This
44 s was followed by three workshops on May 12, by Dr. Upcoming Events i
William H. Ahearn (New England Center for Children) DBA will host its 12th Annual Conference in the Galway lys called “Best Practices for Treating Characteristics of Bay Hotel, 27–28 April. The committee is delighted to
Autism: From Repetitive to Social Behavior,” and Prof. have amongst their speakers Keith Williams (Penn State a An or i Dermot Barnes-Holmes and Dr. Ciara McEnteggart Hershey Medical Center), Ian Stewart (National University v (Ghent University, Belgium) called “Tactics of Relational of Ireland Galway), Aoife McTiernan (University of South
Frame Theory Research.” The day was brought to a Wales), and Claire McDowell (University of Ulster). DBA a Beh e close with a workshop by Prof. Julian C. Leslie (Chair, will continue to work toward recognition of behavior id DBA, PSI) called “Becoming a Chartered Behavioural analysis as a professional specialty in Ireland. Psychologist,” which provided members with an update DBA Membership on progress made by the committee toward professional Ins accreditation by PSI for behavioral psychologists in PSI is the body representing professional psychologists Ireland. This is an exciting time for behavior analysts in in Ireland. The DBA represents recognized qualified 2018
Ireland. The evening concluded with the 40th Anniversary professionals in the science of behavior analysis. Those
Conference Dinner, with presentations made to Prof. wishing to apply for membership must be members of PSI ER B Leslie and Dr. Barnes-Holmes for contributions to the and hold a postgraduate qualification in behavior analysis science of behavior analysis in Ireland. recognized by the Division Committee. Relevant experience D ECEM
The third day of the conference consisted of three will also be considered. Membership application forms can parallel sessions, with a wide variety of both experimental be found on the PSI website, www.psychologicalsociety. ie/join-us
and applied research. Presentations were of extremely high . For queries regarding affiliated membership, No 3 quality and covered a diverse range of areas, including contact the committee directly at behaviouranalysis@ behavioral interventions and ASD, managing challenging psychologicalsociety.ie. Membership benefits include: behavior, ethics and practice, training relational • access to our network of members working in o l u m e 10 responding, examining complex human behavior using behavioral psychology V relational frame theory, and the diverse applications of • information about training events at our annual the IRAP as a measure of implicit relational. Sessions scientific meetings were interspersed by three keynote speeches from Dermot • access to our continuous notification of relevant job Barnes-Holmes (Ghent University, Belgium) called opportunities “Behaviour Analysis and Contextual Behavioural Science: • reduced admission costs to DBA events What’s the Difference?”; M. Jackson Marr (Georgia Tech and president of ABAI) called “On E Pluribus Unum, Bermuda ABA or, a Tangled Tale of the Behavioral Unit”; and William By Erica Smith and Thea Furbert H. Ahearn (New England Center for Children) called It was a milestone year for BABA and the behavior “Automatic Reinforcement: What Is It and Why Should I analyst profession in Bermuda! Through the continued Care?” The keynote addresses were very well received and partnership with Tomorrow’s Voices—Bermuda Autism stimulated some interesting discussions by delegates. Early Intervention Centre, Bermuda’s first and only autism early intervention center, BABA continues to expand its Professional Accreditation for Behavior Analysts Within PSI members’ skills, experiences, and numbers. DBA announced progression toward professional BABA’s membership in 2017 grew to 15! The growth accreditation for behavioral psychologists in Ireland. This in the awareness and use of ABA in Bermuda continues is a significant step forward for the science of behavior to be directly linked to the development and continued analysis. In March 2017, the division received notification sustainability of Tomorrow’s Voices. from PSI that accreditation guidelines will now outline In 2017, Tomorrow’s Voices celebrated its 10th year the competency framework for certification as well as the in Bermuda. Since its inception, the clinical center has requirements for postgraduate training in behavior analysis. hired and trained 40 staff in the use of ABA/VB, not to DBA believes this is a crucial step, and that achieving mention the hundreds of parents, volunteers, students, this recognition will lead to better standing for behavior educators, and allied health professionals trained through analysts within schools and services across Ireland. The workshops, seminars, and work shadows. The formation of next step will be to achieve accreditation of postgraduate Bermuda ABA in fall 2011 was due in part to the ongoing professional programs in behavior analysis from PSI. work by Tomorrow’s Voices and continues to be sustained In February 2018, the DBA committee established a through this synergistic partnership, as most who practice sub-committee to develop recommendations for a title to be ABA in Bermuda are employed by Tomorrow’s Voices. protected for exclusive use of registrants. In 2017, the partnership between Tomorrow’s Voices and BABA resulted in the following training workshops
45 being presented by BABA members, Tomorrow’s Voices In September 2017, three BABA members passed their senior verbal behaviour therapists, and BCBAs Emma exams to become board certified behavior analysts. One of hapters Martin, Natasha Pedro-Petty, and Jahnae Harvey, on those was the senior verbal behavior therapist at Tomorrow’s subjects related to ABA and special needs: Voices, Jahnae Harvey. This achievement has made Jahnae ated C i
l • February 23, 2017: “More Than Just the Two of Us: one of five BCBAs in Bermuda and to our knowledge the i
ff ABA in Group Settings” second Bermudian to achieve this goal to date! BABA is
. A extremely proud of Jahnae. A • April 19: “Behind the Scenes: Parents’ Perspective of . S . Autism” (with keynote speaker Mrs. Lorri Shealy Unumb, Looking ahead, we will continue to grow the profession U - n vice president, State Government Affairs, Autism Speaks) in 2018. In doing so, we will increase the number of BCBAs practicing on the island. BABA member Jahnae I No • June 21: “What’s on the Menu? Managing Picky Eaters” • •September 20: ”Let’s Put That on Paper: Data Harvey, BCBA, presented her poster at the 2018 ABAI Collection Methods” annual convention, “Selected Liquid Refusal,” featuring • November 15: “Let’s Talk About It: A Workshop on research on a Tomorrow’s Voices client. This is a major Communication” accomplishment for a Bermudian! Given the very small size and relative isolation of pdates from ABA
U A total of 113 persons attended the trainings, which Bermuda, we see this continual growth as validation of included parents, teachers, health professionals, government our commitment to advancing ABA in Bermuda. Anyone officials, and others in the community. Workshops planned interested in becoming a member of BABA or finding out for 2018 will focus on the following topics: more information should contact Erica Smith at (441) 297- • February 21: ”Show Me What You Know: Assessment 4342 or [email protected]. and Programming for Individuals With Autism” • June 19: “Challenging Behaviour—It’s a Two-Way Street” Central China ABA • September 18 (part 1) and November 20 (part 2): There By Hong Wen, Dehua Guo, and Frank Yu Is More to Language Than What You Say—Language The following is a list of some of Central China ABA Is a Behavior” (CCABA) accomplishments of 2017.
In April 2017, BABA members and Autism Speaks ABA Professional Training representatives met with the Bermuda Health Council, The Education Commission of the Haidian District in HIP, and other government partners to discuss Beijing commissioned Beijing KangNaZhou Autism Family opportunities for ABA insurance coverage. We also met Support Center to train resource teachers for K–12 schools in with private health insurers. Those meetings were positive, the district. As part of the project, 30 public school teachers and today two of the island’s private insurers offer coverage began to take BCaBA course sequences under SEEK’s for ABA services, which is a huge accomplishment! We professional support. This project is a milestone in mainland believe more insurers will come on board in the future. China because it means that ABA-based services have won Tomorrow’s Voices and BABA led the way with regards governmental approval and support. to growing the ABA profession in Bermuda. BABA Some universities have realized that ABA training members continue to serve on the government’s ASD is becoming more and more important and have started taskforce. In 2017, two BABA members, Frances Parkes to offer ABA talent training and research. For example, and Naomi Taylor, presented posters at ABAI; these were Beijing Normal University and Qingdao University now “The Effectiveness of Picture Exchange Communication offer BCaBA and BCBA certification programs. System (PECS) on Increasing Vocalisations for a Child With Autism” and “The Effects of Differential CCABA Associate Chapter Membership Program Reinforcement of Low Rates of Behaviour (DRL) With There are over 60 CCABA members, and we are working a Response Cost Procedure on Socially Mediated Vocal on the membership paperwork. Stereotypy in an Adolescent Male With ASD.” The posters featured research on client data from Tomorrow’s Voices. Promotion of ABA Services Among ASD Service Centers As a direct result of the leadership of BABA members The chapter gave specific focus to building the Beijing Thea Furbert, Emma Martin, BCBA, Natasha Pedro-Petty, KangNaZhou Autism Family Support Center as a BCBA, and Jahnae Harvey, BCBA, who have been at professional ABA service and talent training center, in the forefront of growing the ABA profession in Bermuda, areas of theory and practice to technology output. Tomorrow’s Voices won the Global Health & Pharma Social Over 90% of ASD service organizations in China offer Care Award for “Best Autism Treatment & Prevention ABA-related services. ABA is being accepted by more and Centre—Caribbean” and the 2017 AI Global Excellence more parents of ASD individuals. Award for “Best Autism Treatment & Prevention Centre.” CCABA plans to establish a national alliance
46 s for promoting ABA services in order to strengthen several times with senior representatives of the Department i cooperation among ABA service organizations and jointly of Health to promote the licensure and certification lys promote ABA technologies in China. of behavior analysts in Israel. We anticipate further
discussions in the near future. Our events committee a An or i ABA CE Among ASD Service Organizations held several workshops throughout the year focusing v Seventy-six individuals successfully finished CNABA on behavior analysis and games, using reasonable force, training and certification programs and 11 individuals applying to behavior analysis programs, and related lawful a Beh e earned BCaBA certification. CCABA offered a ABA Parent ethical ramifications. IABA recorded high participation id Training program 11 times to 1,500 total participants. rates in these events. Proudly, we announce that the ethics committee issued Free Public Services
its first annual newsletter, discussing different ethical Ins The Beijing KangNaZhou Autism Family Support issues as they relate to the Israeli work environment. Center offered free public trainings to more than The ethics committee functioned throughout 2017 as 2018
1,500 parents throughout the year and provided ABA an educational branch that provided support regarding professional services to families with ASD individuals as ethical dilemmas presented via Facebook or direct contact ER B a government purchase program. with committee members. In addition to the publication WeKair Institute of Autism Rehabilitation teamed of the ethics newsletter, in July 2017 IABA released its D ECEM
with CAPPDR and CCABA to offer six full days of annual newsletter, which focused on behavior analysis and ABA promotion classes in five major cities (Nanjing, complex populations. Our 2018 issue expands on behavior
Nanchang, Wuhan, Nanning and Chengdu). The free analysis through games. No 3 training classes were highly welcomed by over 1,300 Also in 2017, IABA placed emphasis on bringing professionals and ASD parents. behavior analysis to the front line by publishing two supportive articles in a major Israeli newspaper. In
ABA textbooks o l u m e 10
addition, the Facebook committee worked efficiently to V Guangxi College for Preschool Education plans to compile bring a variety of useful resources to its community. The three ABA textbooks for the launching of ABA degree resources include sample behavioral plans, introduction of programs in China. behavior plan accessories, announcements of interesting On behalf of the CCABA executive team, a delegation events in the field, and more. led by Dr. Dehua Guo and Frank Yu attended the 2017 There are several enriching events and workshops ABAI Annual Convention in Denver. The delegation team planned for 2018. Some of these will be collaborations had a friendly meeting with Dr. Maria Malott, Ms. Majda with other organizations to bring leading guest speakers Seuss, and other ABAI executives. from various segments of the field. Events sponsored solely by IABA are free of charge to IABA members. Among Israel ABA the intriguing events planned for 2018 are “Training By Michal Hirschmann and Einav Cohen the Trainers—Guidance and Training for Parents and In January 2018, Israel ABA (IABA) held its annual Others Engaged With Behavior Plans,” “Discussions of meeting, which resulted in reelection of Dr. Hirschmann Ethical Dilemmas—Existing Versus Desired,” “Using as president and nomination of a few new members to Reasonable Force—Ethical Issues,” and “I Speak to You the managing board. We thank the outgoing managing Behaviorally—Bridging Professional Language Barriers board members Mrs. Tami Sharabi, Mrs. Hilit Borovsky, When Communicating With Others.” All events offer and Ms. Zehavit Hershko for years of dedicated service to board certified participants CE credits. promote behavior analysis in Israel. Following the annual Additionally, in April 2018, the IABA online meeting, members were invited to listen to a variety of resource committee launched an online resource center leading speakers in Israel presenting different perspectives for its members. The center provides members, free on corporation between home and school behavior analysts. of charge, access to various samples of behavior plans The fascinating lectures and models of collaboration geared to different populations, abstracts of behavior presented led to interesting questions from the audience. analysis literature, explanations and tutorials of graphs, We are proud to announce an increase of 15% in the a dictionary of translated professional terms, samples of number of members who joined IABA this year. behavior plans accessories, and more. This resource center It was an exciting 2017 for IABA, filled with high is expected to continuously grow over the next years. involvement of volunteers on different committees. This Finally, IABA always welcomes volunteers of various involvement yielded remarkable achievements in different segments in Israel to join our professional community and areas that contributed to the dissemination of behavior our board, supporting the dissemination of applied behavior analysis in Israel. First, our licensure committee met analysis among Arab and Jewish religious societies.
47 large body of scientific literature supporting its efficacy. We Japanese ABA are planning on having the same for the upcoming autism hapters By Satoru Shimamune awareness event, also by Kaizora Institute, in April 2018. The 35th annual convention was held at Corasse We also held a workshop with Autism Lights in ated C i
l Fukushima, hosted by Fukushima University, from April 2018 to recruit members while also disseminating i
ff October 6–8, 2017. We had over 380 attendees, with 11 information on the principles of applied behaviour analysis. . A
A symposia and 102 poster presentations and Dr. Harry A. Over the past year, officers of KABA working with . S . Mackay’s keynote speech. We will hold the 36th annual organizations providing services in the field of ABA have U - n convention at Doshisha University, Friday, August 24, to held trainings and workshops for the public on topics such
I No Sunday, August 26, 2018. as functional communication training, reinforcement, Over the last few years, we have been working on two ABCs of behaviour, errorless learning, and the Premack major projects. One is reorganizing and standardizing Principle, among other topics. We are pleased that the behavior analysis terms in Japanese. The other is editing information has been received very positively and the the Behavior Analysis Encyclopedia. These two projects are audience has been eager to learn more about ABA. closely related, and are among our attempts to provide Two officers of KABA also attended the 2018 ABAI pdates from ABA
U quality educational materials both within and outside the annual convention, which was a great accomplishment for behavior analysis community. The encyclopedia is due to us. Travel expenses were provided by Kaizora Institute, for be published this year. which we are grateful. KABA has not been as active as we would like in the Jordanian ABA past year, and more efforts need to go into recruiting By Mahmoud Sheyab members. As additional members join, we will be in a Jordanian ABA (Jor-ABA) announced its collaboration position to expand our budget to add the various activities with the American Institute of Autism Science (AIAS) to on our agenda. support Jor-ABA to: • Allow for communication among behavior analysts and Korean Association others interested in behavior analysis in Jordan and other of Child and Adolescent Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) countries. • Advance the science of behavior analysis and disseminate Behavior Therapy and encourage its application for changing socially By Jung Yeon Cho relevant behaviors, advocating ethical practices, and Founded in 2008, the Korean Association of Child and providing leadership in the practice of the science Adolescent Behavior Therapy (KACBT) is an affiliated in diverse fields such as education, developmental chapter of ABAI covering the Republic of Korea. The disabilities, autism, mental health, organizational mission of KACBT is to support practitioners of applied behavior management, and research. behavior analysis in the region and to promote evidence- • Contribute to the well-being of society by developing, based behavioral practices in Korea. enhancing, and supporting the growth and vitality of With more than 600 current members, KACBT the science of behavior analysis in the region through consists of not only college members, including professors education, training, development, and technology. and undergraduate students, but practitioners, special education teachers, and behavior analysts. Supporting Jor-ABA held several events, including but not limited to members with practicum placements, KACBT has many the following: officially affiliated institutions and partners. • Training workshops: VB-MAPP, ABA basic concepts KACBT holds many events, including periodic regional and beyond, stimulus equivalence, DTT, VB-approach meetings, monthly group studies, annual conferences, to language. biannual workshops, and seminars. In 2017, KACBT • A conference called “Bridging the Gap Between Science completed many activities, as follows: and Practice.” • March 2017: Held research seminars and supported many local study groups. Kenya ABA • April 2017: Held a workshop for new members. By Pooja Panesar • June 2017: Opened a special lecture course to support The Kenya Association for Behaviour Analysis (KABA) behavior analyst certification exam candidates. was involved in the autism awareness event organized by • July 2017: Opened a case conference. Kaizora Institute in April 2017. We provided a talk on the • September 2017: Participated in Oeullim Festival importance of evidence-based interventions for individuals hosted by Daegu Cyber University. on the spectrum and how applied behaviour analysis has a • October 2017: Opened a case conference.
48 s • December 2017: Signed cooperation MOUs for the Once registered as an NGO, we plan to become i
practicum and fieldwork program with four affiliated Approved Continuing Education providers, thereby lys institutions and partners. offering continuing education units during our annual
conference and (approximately) semi-annual seminars/ a An or i Lebanese ABA workshops. Also upon official registration as a Lebanese v By Mona Saab NGO, we will open our doors to membership. Members
The Association for Behavior Analysis Lebanon (ABAL) will enjoy such benefits as discounts on all ABAL a Beh e is a national nonprofit organization spanning the Lebanese conferences/seminars/workshops, a free subscription to the id Republic. Founded in March 2017 by a group of 10 chapter’s newsletter, annual meetings, and the opportunity determined individuals, ABAL (formerly LABA) became to network with other professionals in a cohesive
affiliated with ABAI in May of that same year. At the time community. Ins of its founding, there were only two BCBAs in the country. The board will be holding elections in April, with At present, there are seven BCBAs in Lebanon, five of the new officers assuming office at the annual business 2018
whom make up the current board of ABAL. meeting in May, presided over by the current president.
Applied behavior analysis is still in its infancy in We are incredibly excited about the prospects for the ER B Lebanon, and still a subject of controversy. This is not upcoming year, and to striding forward full steam ahead! helped by the fact that anyone with access to YouTube Norwegian ABA D ECEM videos can claim to be an “ABA therapist”—offering mediocre services at best, harmful at worst—while By Erik Arntzen
consumers are none the wiser. This drove the founding In 2017, Norwegian ABA had about 820 members, and No 3 members, who come from varying backgrounds (behavior this number has been relatively stable for the past 20 years. analysis, psychology, special education, and pediatric Most of the members hold a bachelor’s degree in social neurology), to band together and establish an official body welfare; however, there is an increasing number who hold a o l u m e 10 whose mission is to spread knowledge of the science of master’s degree and Ph.D. in behavior analysis. V behavior analysis to professionals and parents in Lebanon Norwegian ABA arranges an annual conference. The and adhere to the practical and ethical use of ABA number of attendees at the annual conference was 700. The principles in the fields of education, business, research, and conference was four days with five to six parallel tracks. therapeutic and environmental services in Lebanon. At the 2017 conference, we had presentations within Throughout the past year, the members have faced all domains of behavior analysis, and there is growing many trials—including our former secretary-treasurer, interest in both experimental and conceptual issues. Also, Sara Kassem, moving to the USA and the board having translational research was presented. Dr. Mitch Fryling to vote in a new secretary-treasurer—as we trudged (California State University) gave two presentations: “The through a bureaucratic nightmare, effectively laying the Role of ‘Private Events’ in a Natural Science of Behavior” groundwork for what we are confident will be a very and “Observing as a Fundamental Psychological Activity.” productive endeavor. Once we had voted in our officers, Four years ago we included a poster session as part of drafted our bylaws, and officially became a chapter of the program at the annual conference. This session is a ABAI, the dedicated board met every two weeks, divided welcomed opportunity for students to participate. into subcommittees (Legal, Policies & Procedures, and Norwegian ABA publishes two journals: The Norwegian Marketing & Advertising) and delegated tasks amongst Journal of Behavior Analysis and The European Journal the members. We have been working on raising funds of Behavior Analysis (EJOBA). The Norwegian Journal of (each board member personally investing in ABAL) Behavior Analysis is published twice a year. It is a peer- to retain a lawyer, create a website, draft policies and reviewed journal that publishes papers on research, practice, procedures, and plan awareness campaigns and training and conceptual issues in behavior analysis, mainly in opportunities throughout the country. We will be Norwegian. From 2011 abstracts in English are included. submitting our official application to the Lebanese EJOBA (www.ejoba.org) is a peer-reviewed journal published Ministry of Interior Affairs to become a registered twice a year. EJOBA is primarily for the original publication non-governmental organization (NGO), at which point of experimental reports and theoretical or conceptual we will begin to put our many plans (currently being papers relevant to the analysis of the behavior of individual developed) into effect. We are in the process of registering organisms. EJOBA has published several special issues since our association in Lebanon, launching our website, and the first volume in 2000. EJOBA has a collaboration with planning our first annual conference. Taylor & Francis. Moreover, individual members have actively been pursuing professional development, attending workshops, conferences, and webinars, both in Lebanon and abroad.
49 partnered with Behaviour Supports Ontario (BSO) and Ontario ABA other stakeholders to advance the field of behavioral hapters By Jennifer Cunningham gerontology in the province. ONTABA was pleased The Ontario Association for Behaviour Analysis to offer a free webinar on behavioral gerontology in ated C i
l (ONTABA) continues to make noteworthy advancements partnership with BSO and Dr. Claudia Drossell. i
ff as an affiliated chapter. In 2017 our membership increased The Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis . A
A significantly, reaching an all-time high of approximately awarded a grant to Alison Cox of ONTABA, and thus the . S . 1,100 members by our annual general meeting in Ontario Scientific Expert Taskforce for the Treatment of U - n November. Our efforts continue to focus on our five Challenging Behaviour (OSETT-CB) was formed, with
I No strategic priorities: (1) build and maintain relationships the goal of completing a research synthesis on evidence- with key policy makers, (2) provide leadership on the based practices for treating challenging behavior displayed regulation of behavior analysts in Ontario, (3) improve by individuals diagnosed with an intellectual disability. financial viability and sustainability, (4) increase board ONTABA brought 2017 to an end with our largest and organizational capacity, and (5) protect the science of annual conference yet. Over 625 attendees were treated to behavior in Ontario. presentations by Dr. Friman, Dr. Winston, Dr. Williams, pdates from ABA
U The Ontario Scientific Expert Taskforce for the and Dr. Sturmey, as well as many wonderful local behavior Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders (OSETT-ASD) analysts across two days. completed a comprehensive research synthesis, Evidence- ONTABA remains committed to its mission of Based Practices for Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder, demonstrating leadership, knowledge, and innovation published in March 2017. This report continues to be in education, training, and research for the ethical and referred to by practitioners, policy makers, and consumers effective application of behavior analysis, and looks internationally. The full report is available to the public on forward to another great year. our website, www.ontaba.org, under the resources tab. In order to continue to support practice and policy Philippines ABA development. the ONTABA Accreditation Committee By Maria Teresa Cojuangco produced Recommendations for Clinical Supervisor In 2017, Philippines ABA (PABA) continued its autism Qualifications in Applied Behaviour Analysis Programming awareness program through cable, television, radio, print, for Children and Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder. The and social media in collaboration with several dedicated full report, including the history behind the need for these advertising agency members who initially created an recommendations, can be found here: www.ontaba.org/ awareness campaign in 2016. A study was conducted for pdf/ONTABA%20Recommendations%20for%20Clinical%20 2017 to extend the campaign to different major provinces Supervisor%20Qualifications%20ASD%2017-Aug-2017.pdf. in the country with the assistance of local radio and cable Additionally, members of the Education Task Force stations and local health agencies. PABA and the ad met with the Minister of Education to advocate for agencies came up with a vernacular version of the printed investments and improvements in behavior analytic English materials, and these were distributed to the services in Ontario’s education system. ONTABA different regions with high population density, but low participated in a pre-budget consultation held by the awareness of autism. Local community health centers were Ministry of Finance to advocate for investment in given seminars on how to include the awareness campaign behavior analytic services across the province. After in their programs. considerable advocacy over a period of more than a decade, PABA continued collaborating with local government the Ministry of Children and Youth Services made a health agencies in giving awareness and assistance to their public commitment to regulating practitioners of applied special education programs by including lectures and behavior analysis. The Minister of Health and Long- training to families with special needs children who have Term Care activated the Health Professions Regulatory financial difficulties in sustaining interventions and care. Advisory Council (HPRAC) process. The outcomes of the More local government health centers collaborated with report from HPRAC are pending. ONTABA continues several PABA affiliate centers in facilitating assessment to prioritize autonomous regulation through a private bill, with health care providers, behavior plans, and intervention which the Professional Regulation Committee submitted programs in different levels of support. to legislative council and for legal review. An increase in university student volunteers who In the fall of 2017, the Jurisprudence Committee was participated in the awareness programs was seen in local formed, and collaboration began with the BACB on a health care communities offering intervention assistance to jurisprudence training model for Ontario practitioners. families with less financial capability. They served as work The Adult Services Taskforce met with representatives aids in most programs extended by affiliated PABA centers from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and and were stationed in health centers and given training in
50 helping families with children with special needs. In 2014, the association formed a serie of non-public s PABA continued to assist local practitioners in giving schools, named “I CAN.” Two of these are in Crakow, i guidance to those interested in achieving certification and one opened in September 2017 in Raciborz. In total, lys as RBTs, BCaBAs, and BCBAs. Several practitioners “I CAN” schools now teach 27 students with autism
have completed their BACB course requirements and are spectrum disorders. a An or i preparing for their board certification by the second quarter Since 2010, the boards of the two Polish chapters v of the year. More practitioners are inclined to work on their (PABT and the Polish Society of Behavioral Psychology) credentials as more developmental health practitioners have been working on a joint program, the Polish License a Beh e prefer to have intervention programs for children with of Behavioral Therapist, to standardize requirements for id autism implemented by BACB-certified practitioners. behavioral therapists in Poland. The purpose of these PABA affiliate centers continue to avail themselves of activities is to consolidate and formalize professional
supervision and training by BCBA supervisors from the training for behavioral therapists currently in Poland, Ins US and Singapore in giving updated training for their and thus define the requirements for practicing therapists therapists in implementing their intervention programs. to make behavioral therapy clearly identifiable by the 2018
An increased number of therapists working in centers highest quality of therapeutic services. The Polish License obtained their RBT certifications, and more are preparing of Behavioral Therapist runs an integrated system of ER B for their BACB credentials. An increased number of theoretical and practical training to enable trainees to developmental practitioners encourage parents to use gain the title of behavioral therapist. At present 164 D ECEM
services of those with BACB certification. people in Poland have been granted the title of licensed PABA has an ongoing collaboration with local university behavioral therapist, and 646 are in the process of
medical professionals and government health agencies acquiring qualifications. No 3 in providing updated information on ABA by BCBA A set of theoretical and practical trainings framed as six professionals from the US and Singapore. It is committed to preparatory routes, as well as the appropriate examination giving assistance to other agencies in participating through criteria, have been prepared for persons applying for the o l u m e 10 their lectures and research studies involving ABA. occupational title of behavioral therapist: V • Route I (for practicing therapists) includes completion Polish Association of of a three-level course in behavioral therapy and at least five specialization courses, no less than 2 years Behavioral Therapy of professional practice under supervision, completion By Ewa Kuliga of no less than 50 hours of internships at any of the Polskie Stowarzyszenie Terapii Behawioralnej (the collaborating centers, and a positive reference from the Polish Association of Behavioral Therapy; PABT) is a head of the relevant therapy center. countrywide nonprofit organization, associating active • Route II includes completion of a three-level course practitioners of behavioral therapy. PABT’s mission is to in behavioral therapy and at least five specialization provide multidirectional, comprehensive, and professional courses, completion of no less than 120 hours of help to the disabled—in particular to persons suffering internships at any of the collaborating centers, from emotional and intellectual disabilities—and to their professional practice under supervision (a minimum of families. Another vital purpose of PABT is promoting 50 hours of supervision), and a positive reference from behavioral therapy among therapists and academics. the supervisor. Currently, PABT has more than 45 registered members • Route III includes completion of the following courses from every significant behavioral therapy center in Poland, from the Institute of Psychology at Jagiellonian as well as the parents of persons undergoing behavioral University: Wprowadzenie do psychologii behawioralnej therapy and other concerned experts (physicians, (Introduction to Behavioral Psychology) and academics, and students). It cooperates with a number Terapia behawioralna: teoria i praktyka (Behavioral of Polish centers and institutions focused on providing Therapy: Theory and Practice), completion of at least effective help to persons with autism and publishes the five specialization courses, no less than 100 hours informational periodical Krok za Krokiem (Step by Step), of internships at any of the collaborating centers, which contains articles by world-renowned experts on professional practice under supervision, and a positive teaching persons with autism. reference from the supervisor. PABT has promoted behavioral therapy by organizing • Route IV includes completion of postgraduate studies specialist trainings for a wide range of attendees (mainly in applied behavior analysis at the School of Social the teachers and parents of children with emotional and Sciences and Humanities, completion of no less than 80 developmental disabilities). Over 1,260 participants attended hours of internships at any of the collaborating centers, such trainings in 2017. professional practice under supervision (a minimum
51 of 50 hours of supervision per year), and a positive The classes are conducted on the basis of preschool reference from the supervisor. teaching methodology and the principles of applied hapters • Route V includes completing second degree studies with behavior analysis. The objectives of the classes are to the Faculty of Psychology of the University of Social integrate the children within a group and develop their ated C i
l Sciences and Humanities (also as a unified master’s social competence. There are currently eight children i
ff degree): the Psychology of Shaping and Modifying participating in the classes.
. A • The social skills trainings are classes conducted in A Behavior master’s degree studies in psychology at . S . the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in small groups and intended to develop positive social U - n Poznan, module called Application of Behavior Therapy behaviors. The classes are aimed at older children with emotional disorders, Asperger’s syndrome, and I No in Education for Children of Normal and Disordered Development: An Introduction; other relevant studies high-functioning children with autism. Eight students including a module covering applied behavior analysis currently attend these classes. lasting at least 60 didactic units. This coursework has to • PABT works to obtain resources that allow further be presented to the Board of Polish License of Behavior development of the organization and introduce new Therapy system for official acceptance. In addition, statutory activities (including research programs). pdates from ABA
U requirements include at least five specialty courses, at • One of the more important events of 2017 was a least 100 hours of training in one of the collaborating behavioral rehabilitation camp. Twenty families from facilities, including at least two training periods of across Poland participated in the event. The camp minimum five consecutive days each (at least 20 hours involved intensive therapy work aimed foremost at each), and work under supervision of a current holder of instructing and supervising parents and guardians of a supervisor’s license (at least 50 hours of supervision). persons with developmental and emotional disorders • Route VI includes obtaining BCBA certification. under the care of the BTC. The camp also included theoretical trainings, the purpose of which was to PABT has conducted practical trainings (training and broaden and deepen the scope of the parents’ and observational internships) for pedagogy (the Pedagogical guardians’ knowledge of applied behavior analysis. University of Cracow, Jagiellonian University) and psychology (Jagiellonian University) for students and tutors Québec ABA from other educational institutions. PABT continues to By Myra-Jade Lui fulfill statutory activities focused on helping the disabled: ABA services continued to receive some coverage in the • The Behavioral Therapy Clinic (BTC) in Cracow and media this year with the announcement by the Quebec local branches of the BTC in Wroclaw, Rzeszow, provincial government to increase funding for children Lublin, and Raciborz provide therapeutic support for the with autism. As such, Québec ABA (QcABA) made sure families of developmentally and emotionally challenged we were at the forefront of this activity. Our president took persons from all over Poland. The BTC’s operations a seat at a two-day roundtable event hosted by the research include diagnostic consultations for children with group in charge of developing provincial standards for suspected developmental disorders (performed usually by intensive behavioral intervention. Our vice president used a committee consisting of a psychiatrist, a psychologist, media interviews to transmit the importance of continued a speech therapist, a special education teacher, and a ABA services beyond early intervention. We also made rehabilitator) and conducting home therapy programs. ourselves available to parent advocates who wished to The consultations are an opportunity to establish a inform themselves about the current evidence for ABA program for therapy, and the parents are instructed on throughout the lifespan, and who were at the head of a its implementation; during subsequent visits, such a group publicly putting pressure on the government to offer program undergoes the necessary modifications and the better and more evidence-based services for their children. parents’ skills are further improved. Currently PBTA’s Through these efforts and many behind the scenes BTC oversees home therapy for almost 3,500 families activities, QcABA worked hard this year to disseminate throughout Poland. accurate and important information about behavior • The Emergency Intervention Team is short-term (up to 2 analysis within the province. weeks), intensive therapy for persons with developmental July 2017 marked the end of the first Francophone and behavioral disorders and their families facing cohort to take the ACS through QcABA. The final material and other hardships. In 2016, around 10 families 11 individuals who completed the coursework were from all over Poland used this form of therapy. professionals in the public and private French sector, as well • The integration classes are aimed at younger children as some from Anglophone communities. Those from the with disabilities identified as belonging to the spectrum public French sector were individuals already tasked with of autism, but possessing basic group-work skills. overseeing behavioral interventions executed by frontline
52 s staff, and their completion of the ACS was a significant As always, the annual conference took center stage on i milestone in the Francophone public sector’s commitment March 23, 2018. This year we were extremely fortunate lys to offer better standards of service delivery. Although this to host Dr. Peter Gerhardt, who presented two talks:
ACS has not been adopted by a local university, QcABA “Sexuality Education and Individuals with ASD,” and a An or i continues to pursue partnerships with other institutions “Evidence-Based Practice for Adolescents and Adults with v that are interested in offering this approved ACS in French. ASD.” We also benefited from a presentation showcasing
Throughout the course of the year the major work done local and provincial initiatives offering behavioral services a Beh e was on the development of a new website. The new site to different populations, and hosted a discussion panel id offers both improved functionality (such as a members- on the collaboration of behavioral service providers with only portal), as well as resources and information on ABA parents/users of these services. It was the first year our
specifically tailored to parents/users of behavioral services. association was able to finance a simultaneous translation Ins This work was being done quietly in the background, throughout the conference, making the content more but will help exponentially in future years to manage easily accessible to unilingual participants (either French- 2018
membership and conferences as QcABA looks to expand. speaking or English speaking), and we hope to continue to
Current functionalities for members include access to offer this service at future events. ER B special pricing for conferences and job postings, and As we embark upon another year, QcABA is looking to to once again grant Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis expand the board of directors to include at least one other D ECEM
access to our members. student member, and two other regular members (members After a brief hiatus, journal club resumed some regular at large). This is in order to respond to the growing needs
activity. The group attending these meetings has grown of our association to reach out to the community, to work No 3 and includes both certified behavior analysts as well as with local governments, and to help educate and inform professionals, paraprofessionals, and users of behavior what appears to be a growing group of behavior analysts analytic services who have become interested in the science. and practitioners residing in Quebec. o l u m e 10
We welcomed the new faces and used these meetings to V explain to newcomers the process of certification and the importance of education in the field of practice.
53 Updates From ABAI’s Special Interest Groups Applied Animal Behavior SIG Behavioral Development SIG By Kathryn Kalafut By Patrice M. Miller terest Groups n The mission of the Applied Animal Behavior (AAB) SIG The main mission of the Behavioral Development SIG
al I is to promote applied animal behavior analytic research, (DEV) is to promote a behavioral-developmental thrust i set high standards in methods and techniques of animal within behavior analysis. We strive to bring behavior pec
I S training, support those in the applied animal behavior analysis to the wider world of child psychology and field, and promote the well-being of animals in applied learning, comparative psychology, adult development and settings wherever they are found. gerontology, sociobiology, education, behavioral economics, In past years, we have spent a lot of time and effort developmental disabilities and autism, and language building the group, reaching out to potential members, development, among other fields. We do so in the context and working diligently to disseminate the principles of of ABAI, by bringing professionals from outside traditional pdates from ABA U behavior analysis in the area of applied animal work. behavior analysis and from developmental psychology to We are very proud to say that to date we have over 140 ABAI events and forming collaborations. The DEV SIG’s members (and over 380 followers on our Facebook page). membership includes faculty, students, and practitioners, Our members are researchers, publishing in scholarly many of whom are also members of other SIGs (e.g. autism) journals including Zoo Biology, Animal Learning and and are interested in the DEV SIG’s mission, conference Cognition, Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, International program, and discussions. Journal of Comparative Psychology and many others. Our In 2017–2018, the DEV SIG was primarily engaged members are teachers at competitive institutions, training in three major activities. The first activity is that the DEV future behavior analysts. Our members are in the field, SIG organizes events for the overall ABAI program, consulting all over the world helping to educate pet consistent with its mission. The second activity is that owners, animal trainers, veterinary staff, and caregivers for the past 2 years, members of the DEV SIG were at captive animal institutions (exotic and domestic). We involved in planning issues of the Behavioral Development are in animal shelters, classrooms, zoos, laboratories and Bulletin (BDB). Third, since 2015, the DEV SIG has been living rooms. Our members are actively engaged in the participating in ABAI’s effort to better support SIGs. applied animal sciences, aiding veterans by training service The DEV SIG’s contributions to the ABAI convention dogs, increasing welfare of captive animals, and enhancing program for 2017 consisted of sessions on a wide variety educational outcomes through animal interactions. of topics related to behavioral development. The DEV In addition to the impactful work our members engage SIG program committee, consisting of Dr. Per Holth and in, we are also eager to support budding behavioral scientists. Dr. Doug Greer, with the able help of many members, AAB continues to recognize excellent student scholarship helped to recruit and organize several symposia and paper in applied animal behavior with the Marian Breland Bailey sessions, two poster sessions, an invited tutorial and a B. Award for Student Research and Scholarship. This award F. Skinner lecture. Many of the symposia featured basic would not be possible without the gracious and generous or applied research on interventions or functional analyses support of Bob Bailey. The annual meetings also serve as a of the behavior of a variety of populations (from infants to platform for collaboration among our members, extend into college students to older adults). Some highlights include new areas, and create new opportunities. (1) a session on addressing bold claims and commons Our SIG is also very proud to contribute to the annual recommendations for infant and child care, chaired by convention. At the 2016 ABAI Convention in Chicago, Dr. Kathryn Glodowski; (2) a symposium on procedures the B. F. Skinner Lecture Series included animal welfare to accelerate the rates of learning for preschoolers and researcher Lance Miller from the Chicago Zoological adults, chaired by Dr. Yu Cao; (3) a B. F. Skinner lecture Society. His talk included a discussion of the behavioral on the implementation and evaluation of parent training status of zoo animal welfare. The AAB specialization in Norway; and (4) an invited tutorial by Dr. Charles included five posters, four symposia, one invited speaker, and Catania, “I Forgot the Name of This Talk: A Tutorial on two workshops. Remembering.” These sessions well represented the breadth If you are interested in joining or learning more of work presented by members of the DEV SIG, particularly about this special interest group, or any of the specific in terms of the age range of participants studied, and the applications/opportunities listed above, please contact many interesting issues being addressed. The contribution the SIG’s current president, Katie Kalafut, at kkalafut@ of all the session chairs, presenters, and discussants was very gmail.com, or find us on Facebook or on our website: www. much appreciated. animalbehavioranalysis.org. The second major activity of the DEV SIG has been its role in editing the BDB, under co-editors, Dr. Michael
54 s Commons and Dr. Martha Pelaez, both SIG members. is important in the field of behavioral medicine. It is the i
Beginning with the 2015 issues, BDB has been published by mission of the Behavioral Medicine SIG to encourage lys the American Psychological Association; nevertheless, the interdisciplinary research in the areas of behavioral
SIG maintained a presence, at least through the end of 2017. health promotion and the prevention of chronic illness, a An or i At that point in time, the editorship was assumed by Dr. emphasizing the need for function-based and empirically v Henry Roane of Syracuse University. The SIG will continue validated treatments for chronic health disorders. to work with Dr. Roane so as to maintain some presence in The Behavioral Medicine SIG offers students, a Beh e that journal. In the meantime, during the SIG’s business researchers, practitioners, and consumers opportunities id meeting last year, members discussed and approved the to discuss issues related to public health promotion and founding of a new online journal. This will be a completely disease prevention. All are welcome to join the Behavioral
online journal, similar to the original BDB Online. Medicine SIG. We hope that the SIG will help consumers Ins For many years, the DEV SIG has held a business and practitioners better understand the role of behavior meeting every year. All are welcome to attend, although analysis in the field of behavioral medicine and provide an 2018
only members are allowed to vote. The DEV SIG also outlet for discussions of current and developing research holds a no-host SIG dinner. This enjoyable occasion is also within the field. ER B open to all. In addition to being friendly, interdisciplinary To learn more about the Behavioral Medicine SIG, by our very nature, and interested in many different visit our website at https://sites.google.com/site/bmedsig D ECEM
approaches, we have been a relatively informal SIG. or like our Facebook page (Behavioral Medicine SIG Despite our historic information, for three years ago now, of ABAI). You may also contact us at bxmedsig@gmail. com
the SIG has been actively collaborating with ABAI in to receive additional information about the SIG, No 3 their efforts to better support SIGs. Recent SIG presidents or to become a member. The Behavioral Medicine SIG have all attended the meeting for SIG officers that is offers opportunities for members to engage in research organized by ABAI each year at the beginning of the collaboration and discussions about behavior analysis and o l u m e 10 convention. At these meetings, we have learned about health promotion. The Behavioral Medicine SIG supports V the many ways in which ABAI is actively supporting the student research in the area of behavioral medicine, and SIGs. We not only have access to a complete and accurate we are pleased to announce our newly established student list of individuals who are members of the SIG, but we can research award, which was introduced this year at the send messages to them through the ABAI team. Inspired ABAI annual convention. by these new support structures, the SIG is working on The Behavioral Medicine SIG sponsored a special panel adopting formal bylaws, as well as coming up with plans discussion at the ABAI convention in San Diego, titled and procedures for supporting SIG activities with some of “Beginning a Line of Research in Behavioral Medicine.” the membership dues that are being collected. While we The panel comprised Dr. Gretchen A. Dittrich, Dr. will strive to keep our welcoming and integrative attitudes, C. Sandy Jin, and Dr. Kylan S. Turner, and Jessica R. we also hope these new supports will help to grow the SIG Mias served as chair. The panel discussion provided over the coming years. We welcome you to join us and recommendations on beginning research in behavioral share your ideas and contributions. medicine, including how to enter the field of behavioral medicine, guidelines for supervision and mentorship, and Behavioral Medicine SIG how to maintain a line of research in behavioral medicine By Gretchen A. Dittrich long term. Within the science of behavior analysis, we recognize The second annual Behavioral Medicine SIG Student that all behavior is susceptible to conditioning, regardless Research Award was announced at the annual business of complexity. Therefore, the field of behavior analysis is meeting, held during the ABAI convention in San Diego. perfectly suited to identify and change behaviors related The Behavioral Medicine Student Research Award is to health and disease states. The field of behavioral awarded annually to a master’s or doctoral student who has medicine focuses on using behavior analytic principles completed innovative research in the area of behavioral and procedures to identify and manipulate variables medicine. Applications and nominations for the award influencing behaviors associated with health and disease may be submitted to [email protected]. We encourage states. By changing specific behaviors, we can improve all students to apply for this award. overall health status for individuals. During the annual business meeting, SIG members Behavioral medicine is an interdisciplinary field, which discussed strategies to enhance membership benefits. Goals integrates behavioral science with biomedical science to for the upcoming year include working on methods to improve overall health, increase adherence to medical improve dissemination of behavioral medicine technologies regimens, and modify behaviors associated with the and research among behavior analysts, consumers, and the prevention of chronic illness. The role of behavior analysis medical community, and securing funding to support SIG
55 efforts (e.g., Student Research Award). Additionally, the Perhaps the most exciting outcome of the SIG’s Behavioral Medicine SIG will be providing webinars and activities this year is the conclusion of the year-long project opportunities for CEs for SIG members. working with suicide prevention in the Air National Guard (ANG). SIG co-chair, Kent Corso, led the team including terest Groups Behavior Analysis in Military
n SIG members Jim Meador, Abigail Calkin, and Mike Kondis. In addition, five BCBA or BCBA-D licensed al I and Veterans’ Issues SIG i professionals assisted with various aspects of data analysis pec By Kent A. Corso and Abigail B. Calkin for this project. This one-of-a-kind project employed I S The Military and Veterans (MilVet) SIG is entering its surveys and retrospective data retrieval and analysis to seventh year of operation at ABAI. The SIG focuses on how identify system-level variables that increase or decrease the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA) can contribute the likelihood of suicides in the ANG. The project used to those who currently serve or previously served in the computer modeling and standard celeration charts to create military. There are many issues that concern the military and algorithms that can help prevent future suicide in the pdates from ABA
U veteran communities (e.g., suicide, PTSD, TBI, and autism). ANG. This is the first time the military has officially hired Co-chairs, Abigail Calkin and Kent Corso, and members behavior analysts to assist them with the military suicide remain excited about working on the issues and needs of this problem, and the first time a single-case design has been specific population. During its early years, the SIG devoted a applied to suicide prevention in the military. significant amount of time to increasing membership, while Two additional projects emerged from this work. also examining viable ways of accessing the military and The first is a three-year grant proposal submitted with veteran community. A few long-term projects are now well the University of Utah’s Center for Veteran Studies under way that have helped recruit additional members. to the Defense Suicide Prevention Program Office, The MilVet SIG currently has 69 members. When the which is the hub of all suicide prevention research and co-chairs first applied to be a SIG there were 14 members. implementation activities and funding for the active duty While the co-chairs are pleased with the SIG’s membership force. The proposal seeks to provide similar analysis to the growth, over the past year we have seen a decreased rate ANG project, but at a U.S. Air Force Base for a three- of new members joining the SIG. As a result, the co- year period as part of a peer-to-peer suicide prevention chairs commit to spending more time and effort this year initiative. Second, the director of the Air National Guard, increasing membership and stimulating more involvement Lieutenant General L. Scott Rice, invited Dr. Corso by current members. With the current projects in motion, to speak at the Air National Guard Senior Leadership members will begin playing more active roles in the actual Conference (ASLC), scheduled May 1–3, 2018. This is delivery of ABA to military and veteran community. the annual training for all senior leaders across the Air One of the MilVet SIG members, Megan Miller, created National Guard and will be an opportunity to offer these a Facebook page on May 28, 2014: Behavior Analysis in military leaders actionable information based on our Military and Veterans’ Issues SIG. The site is a closed group, project, so they can make data-driven decisions about how which grew to 86 members in its first year. At the end of its to prevent suicide. second year, it had 190 members, an increase of 220%. In its There is much that the field of ABA can contribute to third year, membership was 252, and as of March 15, 2018, evaluate functional communication deficits associated with the Behavior Analysis in Military and Veterans’ Issues SIG TBI, improving the management of suicidal behavior and has 367 members. See Figure 1 for a snapshot of the trend of prevention programs, using the standard celeration chart to members joining the MilVet SIG’s Facebook page. monitor individual and program changes, and occupational training for veterans and service members. The MilVet SIG continues to support the efforts of last year’s new presenters, Jim Meador and Amy Weich, and the ANG suicide prevention project. It also will continue to support Darlene Crone-Todd’s research, as well as that of Ted Hoch, who continues to develop an instrument for assessing verbal behavior among veterans with traumatic brain injury, in addition to any other clinical, research, and development initiatives aimed at increasing the use and recognition of ABA as an important modality for the military and veteran communities. Membership in the MilVet SIG is free, and the SIG will continue its presence at future ABAI Expos. This remains a great opportunity to meet prospective Figure 1. MilVet SIG Facebook page members. members of the MilVet SIG, current members, and the co-
56 s chairs. Any parties interested in SIG, contact upcoming year are to increase activity and engagement i
Dr. Corso at [email protected] or Dr. Calkin at among members, provide an improved forum for lys [email protected]. collaboration and sharing of research and application and
provide opportunities for CEs for members by members. a An or i Behavior Analysis for Membership in the SIG is open to all, and participation in v Sustainable Societies SIG the SIG offers professional connections to others interested in and working on behavior change related to sustainability a Beh e By Julia H. Fiebig and climate change issues. BASS continues to need a id Since the last Behavior Analysis for Sustainable Societies website/communications director to support a revamping of Special Interest Group (BASS SIG) meeting during the BASS website and collaboration on higher occurrence of
the 2017 ABAI convention in Denver, Colorado, there engagement on the listserv, BASS Facebook page, and blog Ins have been exciting developments and events that BASS postings for the website. Individuals who might lead efforts members have led and contributed to. Criss Wilhite and to offer CE events/webinars for the SIG are also welcome. 2018
colleagues sponsored and planned the Sustainability and A report back on other SIG leadership roles and/or trying a
Behavior Analysis Summit at Fresno State University, April new structure for SIG leadership and participation will be ER B 20–21, 2018. Keynotes and presentations were given by included in a subsequent annual update. BASS SIG and BFSR SIG members on topics related to Behaviorists for Social D ECEM leadership and climate change, communication, community interventions, and global behavior change. Additionally, the Responsibility SIG
summit offered opportunities for collaboration with other No 3 behavior analysts, and cross disciplinary collaboration with By Molli Luke professionals and researchers in other sciences and areas The Behaviorist for Social Responsibility (BFSR) SIG is of practice. Other conference presenters and collaborators composed of dedicated volunteers and a Board of Planners o l u m e 10 included local experts who discussed climate change science (drawing on Skinner’s Walden Two). The Planners, who V and resulting community needs and response. At the 2018 meet on a monthly basis, currently consist of Kendra ABAI annual convention, numerous presentations, panels, Combs, Traci Cihon, Molli Luke, Mark Mattaini, Felipe and workshops were presented on a variety of topics related Leite, Richard Rakos, and Holly Seniuk. The Planner to climate change and behavioral science; however, it is structure, active volunteers, the easy availability of digital unclear to what extent members interested in the SIG have communications, and the resulting increased level of also found opportunities as students to learn, research, and mutual accountability continues to produce a high level of engage in supervised practice of applications of behavioral activity by the SIG. The following material summarizes science to climate change issues and to what extent some of those activities for 2017–2018. internship and employment opportunities are available to allow specific opportunities for behavior analysts. This The Matrix Project was also a point of discussion at the Sustainability and One of the major, ongoing initiatives for BFSR is the Behavior Analysis Summit at Fresno. Continued efforts for Matrix Project (see bfsr.org). This project was initially conferences, workshops, and events addressing behavior introduced in a 2014 Behavior and Social Issues editorial science and climate change and showcasing work done by (Mattaini & Luke, 2014) and is focused on exploring behavior analysts in this area is desirable and necessary to practical approaches for expanding attention within create a community that supports continued work in this behavior analysis to societal and global issues (e.g., area by an increased number of behavior analysts. BASS environmental sustainability, public health, poverty). Since offers a membership that can support such efforts. Officer the editorial, BFSR members have used behavioral systems elections following the 2017 ABAI SIG meeting were not analysis to identify interrelations and practical steps that successful as a result of limited responses from members might be taken across more than a dozen sectors/players expressing interest in taking on BASS SIG leadership roles. (e.g., behavior analytic education programs, behavior Agenda items for the 2018 ABAI SIG meeting included analytic journals, students) who might have an impact on discussion of elected positions (and absence of those roles this goal. In the last year, the project has shifted to focus being filled) acting as a potential barrier to other SIG on disseminating the matrix and developing resources, as goals being addressed and accomplished. Discussion and identified in the matrix, to reduce barriers that might hinder invitation for proposals for different formats and shared behavior analysts being involved in these issues. Toward this responsibility in SIG leadership were addressed during goal, BFSR focused on three primary sectors in 2017–2018. the SIG meeting, a revisiting of member values in context Below is an overview of the current activities: of the SIG and how it functions, and identification of • Government: A group of volunteers has been focusing on goals to accomplish for the coming year. Plans for the identifying ways to incorporate behavior analytic insight
57 into governmental policies. One way that they are doing Social Media this is by developing a rubric to evaluate the behavior Under the leadership of BFSR’s social media committee, analytic soundness of environmental sustainability our presence on Facebook and Twitter has continued to legislation in California using the California League of expand to over 4,500 followers (as of March 2018) with terest Groups n Conservative Voters rubric as a model. increased quality and consistency of postings. As an
al I • Education: Education is a primary mechanism for exciting note, 58.7% of the SIG’s Facebook followers are i getting students involved in applying behavior analytic outside of the United States. As such, we have taken steps pec
I S principles to diverse social issues, so creating resources to translate several Facebook posts to Portuguese (i.e., 34% in this area has been a big focus of the SIG. One of our of our Facebook followers speak Portuguese) to ensure that current projects is the development of model course we are providing information to behavior analysts around syllabi and units on various social issues. These syllabi the world who are interested in social issues. should make it easier for faculty to provide students with an introduction to lesser-known social issues, Infrastructure pdates from ABA U such as behavior analytic approaches to environmental After resounding interest at the 2017 BFSR business sustainability. We are also working on a directory for meeting, we have been researching options for a volunteer students and behavior analysts interested in social issues registry and a way for members to donate to BFSR. We hope to find training sites, experience sites, and mentors. This to have something available on the BFSR website in 2018. was made available on the BFSR website (bfsr.org) in March 2018. Another project involves the identification ABAI Annual Convention of seminal articles in social issues of interest to BFSR BFSR held our annual business meeting jointly with (e.g., sustainability, community development and the editorial board of BSI at the ABAI annual convention. organizing, public health, conflict and violence). We BFSR was also represented at the convention Expo plan to have this list available in late 2018. Finally, the with a poster presenting further developments of the members of the SIG participated in and supported of the Matrix Project. Sustainability and Behavior Analysis Summit in April 2018 in Fresno, California, hosted by Fresno State. Ethics & • Regional groups: Social action is most likely to be effective by working collaboratively with those in the Behavior Analysis SIG community where the issue is occurring, so another By Shawn Quigley, Matthew Brodhead, David Cox, goal of BFSR is to support regional BFSR groups. and Nicolle Matthews Currently, there are BFSR groups developing in Texas, The Ethics and Behavior Analysis Special Interest Kansas, and Brazil. Group (EBA SIG) continued its mission of “enhancing the current state of and providing recommendations BFSR will continue to work on the Matrix Project over the for ethical conduct.” In the past couple of the years, the coming year and encourage those who want to get involved SIG has sponsored ethics-based symposia at the ABAI to contact BFSR at [email protected]. annual convention, facilitated publication of conference presentations, collaborated with other professionals to Behavior and Social Issues submit ethics-based publications, and provided other ethics- TheBehavior and Social Issues (BSI) journal has long been based continuing education opportunities. The SIG will the flagship project of the SIG. BSI (as Behaviorists for continue to enhance the ethical practice of behavior analysis Social Action Journal) began in 1978, essentially concurrent via these activities and others. A summary of publications with the origins of BFSR, and was retitled Behavior supported by the SIG, both published and in press, include: Analysis and Social Action in 1986. Under the present name, • Fong, L., Catagnus, R. Brodhead, M. Quigley, S.P., & Behavior and Social Issues, the journal has had 26 volumes as Field, S.P. (2016). Developing the cultural awareness of 2017. Currently, Mark Mattaini serves as the editor with skills of behavior analysts. Behavior Analysis in Practice, Richard Rakos as consulting editor and Jomella Watson- 9, 84-94. DOI: 10.1007/s40617-016-0111-6 Thompson and Traci Cihon as associate editors. Recently, • Quigley, S.P., Blevins, P.R., Cox, D.J., Brodhead, an “Activism and Advocacy Notes” section was added to M.T., & Kim, S.Y. (2017). An evaluation of the ethical BSI to highlight discussions and examples of activism and implications of telehealth research with individuals with advocacy. We encourage authors to submit manuscripts of autism. Behavior Analysis in Research and Practice. DOI: 300–2,000 words for consideration in this section. 10.1037/bar0000094. (Note: This manuscript is one of many telehealth manuscripts published with Behavior Analysis Research and Practice for a special issue regarding ethics. The EBA SIG wishes to thank Yaniz Padilla
58 s Dalmau, Stephanie Peterson, Joy Pollard, Patrick in the past year. Join us at gsig.squarespace.com and on our i
Romani, Richard Spates, Wayne Fisher, and their discussion board, or at upcoming conferences, or ABAI. lys coauthors for accepting an invitation from the SIG to Persons interested in gambling should also visit Analysis of http://repository.stcloudstate.edu/agb submit a telehealth manuscript for this special issue.) Gambling Behavior at a An or i • Brodhead, M.T., Quigley, S.P., & Cox, D.J. (2018). for a journal devoted to behavioral research. The GSIG has v How to identify ethical practices in organizations prior had a long relationship with Analysis of Gambling Behavior,
to employment. Behavior Analysis in Practice. DOI: as many GSIG members have supported the journal in a Beh e 10.1007/s40617-018-0235-y various roles over the years. id • Brodhead, M., Cox, D., & Quigley, S. (2018). Practical Ethics for Effective Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. History of Academic Press. ISBN: 9780128140987 Behavior Analysis SIG Ins The EBA SIG leadership is excited about another year By Edward K. Morris 2018
of opportunities to develop and disseminate ethics-based The History of Behavior Analysis Special Interest Group information. We hope that with our other initiatives up (HoBA SIG) was founded in 2011. Our listserv was ER B and running strong we will add further opportunities established in 2012. Our first business meeting was for practitioners of ABA. Specifically, the SIG has held during the 2013 ABAI convention and has been D ECEM
been discussing and preparing to offer a small grant to held annually since then. As of April 2017, we had support ethics-based research. We hope to have this grant approximately 229 members, an increase of 21% from 2016.
finalized in the next year. Any individuals interested in No 3 learning more about the SIG and participating will find Aim, Mission, Objectives, Purview, and Audience information at http://ebasig.xyz. Our aim is to advance behavior analysis nationally and internationally through its history and historiography. Our
Gambling SIG o l u m e 10 mission is to cultivate and nurture, enrich and improve, V By GSIG officers and disseminate the field’s history and historiography. The Gambling Special Interest Group (GSIG) is a home Our objectives are to enhance teaching (course content base for behaviorists interested in gambling research and and pedagogy); research (presentations, publications, and treatment. Our mission is to foster the growth of gambling workshops); and service (leadership, governance, and research in behavior analysis through collaborative research communications). Our purview is the field’s long past, short efforts, the coordination of researchers and ideas, and history, and recent origins. Our audience includes behavior the sharing of resources for the mutual benefit of the analysts, other scientists, humanists, and the public at large. field, its adherents, and those who are impacted by such endeavors. Most of our business is online, through email Reasons and Rationales chains and our message board. We invite interested parties In addition to our aim, mission, and objectives, Jack to join the GSIG for free; whether your interest relates Michael (2004) offers the following reasons and rationales to research, treatment, policy, all of the above, or more for teaching, researching, and serving the field’s history broadly about risk and choice, we bet you will find the and historiography: GSIG resources and literature on the behavioral analysis of gambling rewarding. Our website (gig.squarespace.com) “Students of behavior analysis who know little of its is where prospective members can get information about history will be less than optimally effective in acquir- the GSIG and join our group. The website also houses ing new knowledge. They will also be unaware of research software. Each program represents hours of work relations among various parts of their professional and or finances staked by a behavioral researcher, and each scientific repertoires. In short, it is important to know program is completely free to our members. The programs where we came from.” (p. 93) simulate gambling with control over features of the games. As always, GSIG members are encouraged to download More specifically, the history and historiography of behavior these programs, experiment with their features, and analysis place the discipline, its sub-disciplines, and its incorporate them into their own research. Also available practices in relation to each other. The field has breadth and through the website is our newsletter, The Handle, which is depth beyond any one of them. History and historiography available to members with back issues archived online. The reveal the interdependence of the field’s system, its sciences, Handle offers members stories and news that are not readily and its practices. The field is more than the sum of its parts. available in journals and conferences, and thus serves as an History and historiography address the field’s relations with additional source of useful information. GSIG members other sciences and the humanities. The field is defined, in and officers presented at ABAI as well as other conferences part, by its comparisons and contrasts with them.
59 History and historiography also have more general • Website. Todd McKerchar switched the HoBA website rationales. The Roman philosopher Marcus Tillius Cicero over from a less secure protocol, HyperText Transfer (106–43 BCE) offered among the first: “Those who Protocol (HTTP), to a more secure one, HyperText know only their own generation remain children forever.” Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS). HTTPS encrypts terest Groups
n Perhaps the most common is attributed to the Spanish- any information sent through websites (e.g., email American philosopher, George Santayana (1863–1952): addresses) over a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). This al I i “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat makes the site much less “hackable.” pec it.” Another is based on an observation by American writer • HoBA Expo Poster at ABAI. In 2016, Karen I S and humorist Mark Twain (1835–1910) about travel in The Wagner had a competition at the HoBA Expo poster Innocents Abroad: “[History] is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, for attendees to identify as many people as possible and narrow-mindedness….” (1869, p. 243). Farmington from pictures she posted from among 19,000 she had (1949) summarizes these and other rationales: scanned. Charlie Catania correctly identified the most people. In 2017, the SIG had a traditional poster (i.e., pdates from ABA
U “History is the most fundamental science for there is informational), but Karen will take over responsibilities no human knowledge which cannot lose its scientific of our Expo poster and add new features. character when men forget the conditioning under • Name change. The SIG discussed renaming itself the which it originated, the questions which it answered, Society for the History of Behavior Analysis. Several and the function it was created to serve. A great part divisions of the APA have renamed themselves “Societies.” of the mysticism and superstition of educated men The name change would not only denote a broader consist of knowledge which has broken base from its purview, but may also attract members outside of ABAI. historical moorings.” (p. 173) • Committees. A committee structure would allow more SIG members to participate in its governance and Membership advance initiatives. This could include a committee to Our membership is open to anyone interested in the history serve as a liaison to ABAI (e.g., for collecting archival of behavior analysis. This includes members of (a) ABAI; (b) materials); an awards committee for the best HoBA other behavior analytic organizations, including Division presentation or poster and publication in the preceding 25 for Behavior Analysis of the American Psychological year; a committee to create a symposium of HoBA Association (APA), the Cambridge Center for Behavioral content at ABAI each year; a syllabus bank committee; Studies, and the B. F. Skinner Foundation; (c) organizations and a membership committee, although the SIG outside of behavior analysis, including APA Division 26 for is growing without one. To volunteer for emerging the Society for the History of Psychology, the International committees and other activities described above, contact Society for the History of the Behavioral Sciences (aka Ed Morris at [email protected]. Cheiron), and the History of Science Society; and (d) • Newsletter. In discussing ways of providing benefits independent scholars. The SIG’s members need not be to HoBA members, Darlene Crone-Todd mentioned members of ABAI. Joining the HoBA listserv is the same creating a newsletter—Behavioral Artifacts—especially as joining the SIG and vice versa. We have no membership one that would be broad enough to appeal to ABAI fees. member outside the SIG. Todd McKerchar suggested an email newsletter, instead of a traditional or PDF Governance newsletter, as a format. Email newsletters can be created At present, our governance consists of a president, Edward easily in programs such as MailChimp. K. Morris (University of Kansas); a vice-president, Karen • HoBA donations and tax exemption. The SIG Wagner (Behavior Service of Brevard, FL); a secretary- discussed ways to collect donations to cover the costs of treasurer, Todd McKerchar (Jacksonville State University, running the HoBA website, which is $96 a year and $16 AL); and our listserv owner and moderator, Pat Williams for the domain name (i.e., $112 total a year). Currently, (University of Houston-Downtown). Todd McKerchar and Ed Morris cover the costs privately. Transferring the SIG’s status to a 501(c)(3) Business Meeting charitable organization would provide tax exemptions Our main activities have been establishing and hosting a for donations, but it would cost approximately $2,000 website (www. historyofbehavioranalysis.org) and holding (and require about 20 hours of paperwork). This is annual business meetings. The minutes of the 2017 meeting prohibitive. Besides, the 2018 IRS standard deduction included the following topics: will keep most donors from taking an exemption. • Bylaws. The SIG has no bylaws. They can be helpful ABAI recently began offering a service for its SIGs when organizations need to deal with leadership changes in which they collect their dues at $12 per member. and are an agenda item for the next business meeting. This could cover our webserver, domain, and annual
60 s Expo poster. However, this SIG fee would significantly i
decrease our membership. Neuroscience SIG lys • Archiving. Archives are, in some cases, just a set of boxes By Suzanne Mitchell
of dated material in a closet; in other cases, the materials The Neuroscience SIG brings together researchers, a An or i are arranged (e.g., chronologically, thematically) and academics, clinicians, and students interested in the v cataloged with indexes (e.g., the B. F. Skinner archives intersections of behavior analysis and neuroscience and
at Harvard University). The SIG is concerned that many has four primary missions: (1) to introduce behavior a Beh e ABAI members are throwing away potentially valuable analytic research to the neurosciences and introduce id archival information and discussed means of identifying neuroscience research to behavior analysis; (2) to serve people who may have archival material (e.g., contacting as both a meeting place and training environment for
HoBA members through the listserv, querying ABAI students and professionals alike interested in basic and Ins members through ABAI). Darlene Crone-Todd and Ed applied neuroscience research; (3) to serve as a forum Morris will consider writing an article on archiving. for collaborative relationships, funding applications, and 2018
• Center for the History of Behavior Analysis. In 2016, the sharing of best practice; and (4) to advocate for and
Ed Morris received a grant from the Society for the promote high standards in the application of behavior ER B Experimental Analysis of Behavior to start a Center for analytic treatments for individuals with neurological the History of Behavior Analysis at the University of dysfunction. D ECEM
Kansas and has begun to digitize Skinner’s publications. A business meeting and presence at the Expo were Once this is done, he plans to digitize Watson and included in the 2018 ABAI Annual Convention in San
Kantor’s works. Digitizing their works to make them Diego. Increasing the profile and relevance of the SIG No 3
searchable will allow people to quickly and easily search to ABAI members is a major focus, and anyone who is their works by keywords and phrases, which could interested in contributing to this effort or has ideas for greatly aid research in the history of behavior analysis. additional initiatives is encouraged to join and become
mitchesu@ o l u m e 10
involved by contacting Suzanne Mitchell at V To join the SIG and the listserv, go to the HoBA website ohsu.edu. Membership is open to all ABAI members, as (www.historyofbehavioranalysis.org) or contact Pat well as academics, researchers, administrators, clinicians Williams at [email protected]. from other organizations, and consumers. We welcome anyone with an interest in the intersection of behavior References analysis and neuroscience and look forward to an exciting Farmington, B. (1949). Greek Science, Its Twain, M. (1869). The Innocents Abroad. Moving Force. New York: Penguin. Hartford, CT: American Publishing. year further enhancing the SIG and its place in ABAI.
Michael, J. (2004). Historical antecedents of Positive Behavior Support SIG behavior analysis. In J. Michael (Ed.), Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis and Verbal By Rose Iovannone Behavior (pp. 93–104). Kalamazoo, MI: Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis. The Positive Behavior Support Special Interest Group (PBS SIG) is dedicated to promoting research-based strategies that combine applied behavior analysis and biomedical science with person-centered values and systems change to increase quality of life and decrease problem behaviors.
61 The PBS SIG’s goal is to create awareness of how behavior will be essential for the convention to be seen as a place analytic principles are applied in PBS activities and promote members can feel valued as well as gain information the use of PBS interventions in schools, communities, that is relevant to their settings and practices. Thus, at agencies, and homes, and support practitioners in its use. this year’s SIG business meeting, the PBS SIG resolved terest Groups n The PBS SIG members are those engaged in experimental to increase membership by problem solving how to
al I and applied analyses of behavior who are interested in reach behavior analysts who do not attend the ABAI i positive behavior support. The SIG was established in 2005 convention or conferences. pec
I S and has experienced three presidents since its inception. Anyone who is interested in behavior analysis or positive The PBS SIG held its annual business meeting at behavior support is welcome to join the SIG. To become the 2017 ABAI annual convention. Approximately 25 involved, email Rose Iovannone at [email protected]. people attended the business meeting. Combined with the people expressing interest the previous year, the current Rehabilitation and stable membership of the PBS SIG is approximately pdates from ABA U 50 individuals, an increase of about 8 people from the Independent Living SIG previous year. During the annual business meeting, the By Chris Persel group received an overview of the PBS SIG. The majority The Rehabilitation and Independent Living Special Interest of the hour was open to the members to provide input on Group (RAIL SIG), established in 1981, completed a what the SIG should emphasize and set as goals for the very productive year, continuing to promote opportunities next year. The primary goals for which consensus was for behavior analysts working in neurorehabilitation to reached were to try to build a greater partnership between collaborate with and support each other on a variety PBS and ABAI and to have a greater presence at both of topics. Patients with acquired brain injuries or other organizations’ conferences. Some suggestions were to get neurological disabilities present unique challenges for more sessions that focused on uses of PBS approaches in behavior analysts, including integration of services with the ABAI program while also having more presentations multidisciplinary teams and understanding related medical focusing on ABAI during the APBS conference. The conditions. The annual meeting at ABAI in Denver was group also discussed ways to increase the presence of the springboard for discussions ranging from research to the SIG. Behavior analysts who are vested in applying training and student internships. As a result, members PBS approaches have been decreasing their attendance at agreed to meet during the upcoming year prior to the 2018 ABAI events. As a result of the business meeting, the SIG convention to plan for presentations and review group developed an action plan identifying goals for 2017–2018: activities. All members were invited to join two tele- • Submit symposium applications to APBS and ABAI video meetings, the first held in July. In that meeting, a events that would describe the ABA principles used in representative from the Brain Injury Association of America PBS. and Mount Sinai Hospital outlined the organizations’ • Revisit the workgroup working on defining ABA project to develop rehabilitation guidelines for this terminology appropriate for implementation of PBS population, including effective behavior treatment. Several approaches. members are participating in research reviews to assist in • Explore the possibilities of having a SIG meeting at the guidelines’ development. Several follow-up discussions APBS that may identify behavior analysts who no described the critical need for more research projects in longer attend ABAI events. behavior analysis used in brain injury. Also discussed were • Explore methods to increase social media presence to the opportunities for growth of the SIG and the related connect resources. support from ABAI. Items reviewed included offering • Explore having an ABA network within APBS. continuing education for topics such as stroke and brain injury, utilization of the ABAI mass email, contributing The SIG has met Goal 1. Proposals were submitted to to Inside Behavior Analysis, and SIG organization support APBS and ABAI events. The APBS proposal did not through ABAI. Upcoming conferences were described as get accepted; however, we will plan to resubmit for the great platforms for providing BCBAs information on this 2019 conference. The ABAI proposal was accepted and dynamic population and to generate interest and ideas for presented in San Diego in May 2018. Goal 2 has been future growth. The members outlined several symposia initiated and will be continued into the next year (2018– and professional development presentation topics and set 2019). Goal 3 is in discussion with the APBS organizers. expectations to share related data and abstracts. Goal 4 continues to be an ongoing discussion, while Goal A follow-up tele-video meeting was held in October. 5 may not be appropriate as the network framework within During this meeting, submissions for CalABA and APBS does not include special interest groups at this time. ABAI were discussed. A professional development panel To grow and maintain the PBS SIG within ABAI, it submission covering working in brain injury was confirmed
62 s while symposia abstracts ranging from the theoretical general. Nuestro planes para el futuro incluyen: i to application of behavior programming were identified. • Traer el TRACK en Español nuevamente a ABAI el lys Further discussion was held regarding the use of RBT staff cual incluiría presentaciones de renombrados analistas
in rehabilitation. Currently, most RBT online training del comportamiento en importantes temas y diversas a An or i focuses on the autistic population, so several members agreed áreas de interés. v to outline the curricula targeting patients with brain injuries. • En un esfuerzo por compartir las importantes actividades
Both tele-video meetings were successful in maintaining que ocurren cada día en nuestros países de habla hispana, a Beh e the collaboration and support between members to continue que cada vez más miembros de ABA y del SIG Español id working to provide opportunities outside of autism. traigan sus presentaciones a la citada convención. Es Also, key members of the SIG were invited to nuestro deseo lograr que dichas presentaciones sean
participate in a strategic planning panel project sponsored conducidas directamente en español y que en muchos casos Ins by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. The panel sean simposium completos sobre temáticas de actualidad, helped summarize the need for BCBAs in acquired así como presentaciones extensas de las líneas globales de 2018
brain injury rehabilitation, an underrepresented ABA investigación de algunos grupos (con un resumen de los practice area. Strategic planning in areas such as faculty estudios más relevantes de cada línea). En este sentido, ER B mentoring, training for ABA students and practitioners, animamos a los miembros hispano hablantes de ABAI a visibility, jobs, and research was developed. The group que presenten comunicaciones específicas o líneas globales D ECEM
was very productive and thoughtful in managing this de investigación, así como que nos comuniquemos entre exciting process, and the project promises to guide ABA nosotros para organizar diferentes simposios.
and brain injury professionals going forward. Finally, • Finalmente, continuar la reunión anual del SIG Español No 3 the current membership reviewed and agreed to work durante la Convención Anual de ABAI, como un espacio closer with ABAI to become an associate group, enlisting para miembros y no miembros, donde tengamos la their support for managing our membership list and dues oportunidad de reunirnos con antiguos colegas, conocer o l u m e 10 collection. The association will assist in the further growth nuevos, y podamos intercambiar ideas y experiencias. V and development of the RAIL SIG while strengthening ABAI’s connection to its diverse membership. Si aún no son parte del SIG Español, los invitamos a This SIG continues to be an excellent opportunity for unirse. Si tienen alguna pregunta, o necesitan información BCBAs and rehabilitation treatment professionals involved adicional, pueden contactarnos escribiendonos a mapy. in brain injury and related neurological rehabilitation to [email protected]. gather and compare thoughts and develop and grow this specialized field with experienced support. The RAIL English translation SIG has had members/guests from across the US and from Fifteen years ago, the Spanish SIG was formed with the Germany, Ireland, Poland, and Canada. The past year saw intention of disseminating the analysis of behavior among tremendous strides in the SIG collaborating, meeting, and members of ABAI who speak Spanish, as well as the producing meaningful direction for this area of ABA. With Spanish-speaking community in general. Our plans for panels and symposia accepted at important conferences the future include the following: and projects guiding efforts for growth, renewed energy • Bring the Spanish track back to ABAI, which would has carried the RAIL SIG into 2019 and beyond. The include presentations by renowned behavior analysts on work ahead will require current and new members to take important topics and various areas of interest. an active role in developing better integration of behavior • In an effort to share the important activities that occur and rehabilitation services. Successful behavior analysts every day in our Spanish-speaking countries, more can expect daily challenges from this population while and more members of ABAI and the SIG bring their experiencing a great sense of pride as they help them regain presentations to the aforementioned convention. It is our life skills and quality of life. Thank you to all members who desire to ensure that these presentations are conducted continue to support the SIG and this population. directly in Spanish and that in many cases they are complete symposia on topical issues, as well as extensive SIG Español presentations of the global research lines of some groups By Mapy Chavez (with a summary of the most relevant studies of each Spanish line). In this sense, we encourage the Spanish-speaking Hace 15 años se formó el SIG (Spanish Internacional members of ABAI to present specific communications Group) con la intención de difundir el análisis del or global lines of research, as well as to communicate comportamiento entre los miembros de la Association for with each other to organize different symposia. Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) quienes hablan • Finally, continue the annual meeting of the SIG during español, así como a la comunidad de habla hispana en the ABAI convention, as a space for members and
63 nonmembers to meet with former colleagues, meet new without requiring SIG paid membership, the interest in this ones, and exchange ideas and experiences. group has increased exponentially; however, the impact of this free membership on our operating funds had also been If you are not yet part of the SIG, we invite you to join. If significant. Discussion regarding membership fees took place terest Groups n you have any questions, or need additional information, at the annual SIG meeting in 2015, when it was decided [email protected]
al I contact us at . that instead of a set membership fee, a donation would be i requested of members and potential members to primarily, pec Speech Pathology SIG
I S fund our annual SIG grants. This has had mixed results in By Nikia Dower terms of membership and operating funds since that time. The Speech Pathology-Applied Behavior Analysis The SIG, and our members, were active during the (SPABA) SIG mission is to promote dissemination of past year conducting research, disseminating information behaviorally oriented speech and language research and regarding evidence-based practice, applying the principles the application of evidence-based practices to speech and of applied behavior analysis to the research and treatment pdates from ABA U language professionals, as well as to foster active dialogue of speech, language, and communication disorders in between behavior analysts and speech-language pathologists children and adults, and teaching and/or mentoring (SLPs) studying issues in speech, language, feeding, students in both the fields of ABA and speech pathology. and communication, including augmentative-alternative These activities have taken place in North America and communication. internationally and have thereby furthered the SIG SPABA SIG is grateful for the support and guidance of mission. Our members presented at the ABAI 2017 former chair, Barb Esch. We would also like to thank our annual convention, ABAI 2017 international conference, current officers and volunteers. Tracie Lindblad and Nikia ASHA 2017 conference, and at several other annual state Dower are the current co-chairs. Additional committee speech/language association conferences and applied chairs include Amber Valentino Girman (Grant Awards), behavior analysis association conferences. Many members Heather Forbes (treasurer), Lina Slim-Topdjian (secretary), were speakers at non-speech/non-behavior analytic Deirdre Muldoon (communications coordinator), and conferences as well. Landa Mark (membership). SPABA offers two $250 grants annually, one in Our redesigned website has enabled us to continue application and the other in dissemination. These grants are connecting with our members and any interested available to ABAI members who, as students or practicing professionals. We are proud to announce that there now are clinicians, conduct empirical research or raise awareness over 350 SLPs who are BCBAs or BcaBAs worldwide. We about behavior analysis among SLPs. Research projects are present in over 43 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, should advance the evidence base for behavior analytic DC, in addition to 10 other countries. We continue to conceptualization or treatment of speech, language, provide and maintain an online database of practitioners communication, and feeding disorders. Application or dually certified as SLPs and BCBAs/BCaBAs from around dissemination projects should involve effective application the world and have a document available for upload detailing of the science-based principles of behavior by SLPs or the online/distance courses for the BACB approved course distribution of accurate information about the science- sequences and full master’s programs in ABA. These features based field of behavior analysis among SLPs. continue to provide families and individuals with pertinent The SPABA SIG’s ABAI 2018 grant recipients information in one place. Additional and ongoing social presented their research at the SIG’s business meeting media presence was a focus for the SPABA SIG in 2017. during ABAI’s annual convention in San Diego. Each year Currently, the SPABA SIG is very active via a Facebook student members and practitioners may obtain updated group, Facebook page, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. information about submitting grant proposals for the In our 2017–2018 membership cycle, our membership current year on our website, www.behavioralspeech.com. decreased to 17 members who provided a donation and 5 The SPABA SIG executive is looking forward to student members who provided a donation. SPABA provides expanding our membership through various initiatives a significant amount of free access to SIG information and and social media and also increasing member participation significant interaction through social media; therefore when on the executive and within our committees. We are also the combination of formal members and SPABA Facebook planning to complete a number of projects over the year to group members is calculated, we are pleased to report a support our members: total of 4,069 formal and informal members. The SPABA • Develop web-based tutorials and in-person courses to Facebook group has enabled our members to connect with disseminate information regarding a behavioral approach each other in order to share or request pertinent information to the study and treatment of speech, language, and in a more timely fashion. Since our decision to make our communication disorders in children and adults. Facebook group an open group for anyone requesting to join • Work with the Verbal Behavior SIG and Behavioral
64 s Gerontology SIG on joint programs and initiatives. One of the most exciting aspects of the past years has i
• Continue disseminating behavior analytic information been encouraging student discussions through a social lys on speech/language to ASHA members through media website. The SIG has sought to increase engagement
the ASHA community forum listserv and to speech with the SIG through a sub-Reddit on social media website a An or i pathologists in various speech/language Facebook groups reddit.com (www.reddit.com/r/TheoreticalIssuesSIG). The v website has kept fresh by posting new discussion topics
The identified initiatives are feasible only with increased regularly that cover a variety of aspects of the theory of a Beh e financial support from our members. Please consider human behavior. Such aspects included game theory, id donating your expertise/services in-kind, financial pragmatism, self-management, resurgence, verbal behavior, contributions, or committee support so that we may and much more. We believe that the sub-Reddit allows
meet the needs of our membership and complete our for a special opportunity for students to engage with other Ins targeted activities. students, practitioners, and theorists from around the If you are interested in learning more about the world. The sub-Reddit also serves as a space for anyone 2018
SPABA SIG, wish to volunteer to sit on a committee, to have their theoretical, philosophical, or conceptual www. or assist with a specific project, please visit us at questions answered by those who have devoted their ER B behavioralspeech.com, email us at [email protected], work to the very topic. The SIG views the sub-Reddit as or join or follow us on social media. a wonderful opportunity to develop and produce more D ECEM
individuals interested in disseminating and contributing Theoretical, Philosophical, and to behavioral theory. Moreover, the past year has been a
time when the SIG has attempted to increase awareness No 3
Conceptual Issues SIG of the website to encourage posting from a wider range of By Tyler S. Glassford individuals. Finally, the sub-Reddit allows users to search The Theoretical, Philosophical, and Conceptual Issues past discussions to read about already addressed topics. o l u m e 10
Special Interest Group (TPC SIG) has spent the past year However, those discussions will not be the final word, and V encouraging behaviorists to engage with theory. The TPC more discussions have been encouraged. SIG is an accepting and encompassing group. We continue The SIG also held an annual meeting at the ABAI to welcome anyone interested in theoretical, philosophical, convention in Denver, Colorado. At the meeting the SIG and conceptual issues in behavior analysis. To encourage discussed the topics of the listserv, the sub-Reddit, and cross-field collaborations, our membership is open to positions for the upcoming year. anyone, even those outside of ABAI or behavior analysis The TPC SIG’s listserv has also been maintained in general. We continue to have no membership dues. We throughout the past year. The listserv allows for invite challenges to current conceptualizations in behavior communication throughout the SIG. The listserv is slowly analysis. Philosophical concerns are readily open to debate, being faded as the sub-Reddit will be targeted as the as diversity in opinion amongst members is necessary for the primary outlet for communication and discussion. health of the field. We have a TPC sub-Reddit that serves as The SIG met again at the ABAI convention in San our primary outlet for discussion and debate, though we still Diego, California. During the meeting, leadership maintain a listserv. discussed the future projects of the SIG.
65 ew vi 13th Annual Autism ce pre n ce Conference Preview
not funding sources—set the standard of care for ABA. sm co n fere sm i Pre-Conference Workshops Participants will learn the variables that should and should not contribute to their determination of medically necessary Funding ABA: The Intersection of Law and Applied Behavior ABA and how to appeal an insurance carrier’s decision to Analysis in Evidence-Based Autism Treatment ABA. During the workshop, participants will have the aut Julie Kornack opportunity to complete an actual appeal of an insurance Julie Kornack is the director of public carrier’s denial.
2009 policy for the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD). Her work Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Persons With Autism er b includes identifying, developing, and Spectrum Disorders and Other Developmental Disabilities supporting state and federal initiatives Nirbhay N. Singh eptem that increase access to services and Nirbhay N. Singh, Ph.D., BCBA-D. S
supports for people with disabilities, as is a clinical professor of psychiatry well as analyzing the impact of federal and state legislative and health behavior at the Medical
No 3 and regulatory developments on access to mental health College of Georgia, Augusta services. She is co-author of “A Response to Papatola University. He was previously and Lustig’s Paper on Navigating a Managed Care Peer professor of psychiatry, pediatrics Review: Guidance for Clinicians Using Applied Behavior and psychology at the Virginia olume 31
V Analysis in the Treatment of Individuals on the Autism Commonwealth University School of Medicine, and Spectrum”, published in Behavior Analysis in Practice, and director of the Commonwealth Institute for Child is the author of “The History, Pitfalls, and Promise of and Family Studies, Richmond, VA. His research Licensure in the Field of Behavior Analysis”, published in interests include mindfulness, behavioral and cognitive Handbook of Treatments for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Her behavioral treatments of individuals with intellectual analysis of the economics of autism treatment was published and developmental disabilities, and assistive technology in the Handbook of Early Intervention for Autism Spectrum for supporting individuals with diverse abilities. He Disorders: Research, Policy, and Practice, and she was an editor is the editor-in-chief of three journals: Journal of of Evidence-Based Treatment for Children with Autism: The Child and Family Studies, Mindfulness, and Advances CARD Model. She co-founded and serves on the board of in Neurodevelopmental Disorders. His most recent directors of the National Coalition for Access to Autism books include Psychology of Meditation, Handbook of Services, as well as several state and national advisory Evidence-Based Practices in Intellectual and Developmental committees and task forces. Disabilities, Handbook of Positive Psychology in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (with Shogren and Description: With applied behavior analysis (ABA) joining Wehmeyer), Handbook of Recovery in Inpatient Psychiatry the mainstream of medically necessary treatments, insurers (with Barber and Van Sant), and Handbook of Ethical and managed care organizations have moved to introduce Foundations of Mindfulness (with Stanley and Purser). policies intended to influence treatment decisions – critical Dr. Singh is a Fellow of the American Psychological decisions about how many hours of ABA are medically Association and American Psychological Science. necessary, which locations are allowable, and who must participate in treatment. Arbitrary policies that constrain Description: The workshop will cover (1) mindfulness- behavior analysts from designing and implementing the based interventions, (2) the braiding of two evidence- most effective treatment plan are often indicative of an based interventions—mindfulness-based practices overreach by the funding source. Behavior analysts are in with positive behavior support, and (3) the basics of a position to shape funding practices by understanding mindfulness meditation, overview of different meditation the laws and regulations that underpin patient rights in practices, in vivo practice of several meditations, and the determination and funding of medically necessary simple yoga postures based on mindful movements. treatment. This workshop will teach participants how to Instructions will be provided on informal mindfulness challenge improper payer policies, stand by their clinical practices that can augment formal mindfulness practices. recommendations, and ensure that behavior analysts— The application of mindfulness in the rhythm of daily
66 s life as well as in clinical practice with clients and social When Practice Informs Research: The Road to Teaching i interactions with colleagues will be covered. In between Complex Verbal Discriminations lys meditation instructions and practices, there will be NICOLE RODRIGUEZ
discussions of the evidence base and current research on Dr. Nicole Rodriguez is the coordinator a An or i the use of mindfulness-based programs interventions for of the Early Intervention program v persons with ASD and other developmental disabilities. in the Center for Autism Spectrum
Disorders at the Munroe-Meyer a Beh e Institute as well as an associate id Invited Presentations professor in, and director of, the Ph.D. Marketing Behavior Analysis: program in applied behavior analysis A Few Words About the Importance of Words
at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She has Ins THOMAS CRITCHFIELD received training at arguably some of the top institutions Tom Critchfield is professor of in which behavior analysis is taught and applied, including 2018
psychology at Illinois State University post-baccalaureate training in applied behavior analysis at where he contributes to the masters the University of Florida, clinical and research training at ER B specialization in cognitive and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine’s Kennedy behavioral sciences. Graduate training Krieger Institute, graduate training under the supervision D ECEM
in experimental behavior analysis of Dr. Rachel Thompson at the University of Kansas and at West Virginia University and a Western New England University, and post-doctoral
postdoctoral fellowship at Johns Hopkins University School training under the mentorship of Dr. Wayne Fisher where No 3 of Medicine led to research interests in how fundamental she currently resides at the Munroe-Meyer Institute. She has learning processes operate in a variety of everyday authored several book chapters and published peer-reviewed phenomena. He has published more than 100 peer reviewed research studies in top journals in our field, including the o l u m e 10 articles and book chapters. Dr. Critchfield is a Fellow, and Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (JABA), Journal of the V has served as pesident of, the Association for Behavior Experimental Analysis of Behavior, and The Analysis of Verbal Analysis International and Division 25 of the American Behavior. She has also served on the editorial board as guest Psychological Association. He has held a variety of editorial associate editor of JABA and as a co-investigator on an NIH- positions, including his current position as associate editor of funded grant. Dr. Rodriguez’s research interests are largely Perspectives on Behavior Science. guided by her clinical work in early intervention and autism spectrum disorders. Much of her research is applied in that Abstract: Evidence-based practices help no one unless they it has a direct clinical impact on the children and families are disseminated. Dissemination is, at its core, a process of who serve as participants. However, she is also interested in communicating to recruit buy-in (from consumers, third- translational research that allows for a better understanding party payers, extramural funding agencies, policy makers, of the processes that underlie the efficacy of procedures. Her and so forth). Curiously, behavior analysts have shown research interests are versatile. Topics of current research relatively little interest in understanding dissemination as projects include: understanding and treating invariant a scholarly topic. Not so curiously, behavior analysts have responding in autism, addressing faulty stimulus control, often complained about their relative lack of acceptance establishing divergent and convergent control in verbal among non-behavior analysts. How we talk about our behavior, and developing a model of cost-effective training science and, especially, our practice, is a major facet of for caregivers whose primary language is Spanish. dissemination, but it’s a complex facet. To illustrate some of the underlying fundamentals, I’ll discuss a growing body Abstract: To acquire functional language, children with of research showing that the technical terms that behavior autism need to be able to respond to complex verbal analysts use for semantic precision can have visceral (i.e., discriminations. However, there is relatively little research emotional, nonsemantic) effects that probably interfere to guide the process of teaching such skills. The purpose with dissemination. Time permitting I’ll mention a few of this talk is to explore various considerations that should other aspects of how we communicate that probably also are be taken into account when teaching verbal conditional important. Those seeking best practices from my remarks discriminations such as intraverbal tacts and convergent are bound to be disappointed, because at present we know intraverbals. We will do so in the context of a practice-driven too little to define best practices. But it pays to at least research question, challenges that arose when teaching these be aware of some of the issues, and my hope is that some skills, and the inevitable research questions that followed. listeners will take up the challenge of making the language of dissemination a topic of formal study.
67 Variables That Influence the Effectiveness of Functional ew consequence-based variables, and factors that impact vi Communication Training generalization of treatment effects. Recent studies have TERRY FALCOMATA also begun to evaluate treatment relapse (e.g., resurgence) ce pre n ce Terry S. Falcomata is an associate pertaining to FCT both in terms of conditions under which professor of special education at it occurs and ways to modify FCT to prevent or mitigate the University of Texas at Austin. relapse. The current presenter will review the conceptual basis He received his master’s degree in for FCT as well as research pertaining to variables shown sm co n fere sm i Behavior Analysis and Therapy from to influence FCT outcomes including treatment relapse. He Southern Illinois University and his will also present relevant applied and translational findings Ph.D. in school psychology from the (including studies in progress and published works) from his University of Iowa. Dr. Falcomata conducts translational and applied-based and human operant laboratories. aut applied research that focuses primarily on the assessment and treatment of problem behavior. This research includes A Call for Discussion About Scope of Competence in Behavior Analysis 2009 particular emphases on functional communication training as well as the translation and application of basic learning MATTHEW BRODHEAD er b principles pertaining to persistence and relapse. In addition Matthew T. Brodhead, Ph.D., to pursuing these lines of research in his human operant BCBA-D is an assistant professor at eptem lab, he conducts his research in home, school, and clinical Michigan State University and the S
environments with individuals with autism and other research director at the Early Learning developmental disabilities. He is the editor-in-chief of the Institute. He received both his BS in
No 3 Journal of Behavioral Education, associate editor of the Journal psychology in 2008 and his MA in of Developmental and Physical Disabilities, former associate behavior analysis in 2010 from Western editor of Behavior Analysis in Practice, and he serves on several Michigan University. He received editorial boards including the Journal of Applied Behavior his Ph.D. in disability disciplines in 2014 from Utah State olume 31
V Analysis, Behavior Modification, Behavioral Development University. His current research has primarily focused on Bulletin, Review Journal of Autism and Developmental the evaluation of manualized social skills interventions for Disabilities, and Learning Disabilities Quarterly. children with autism, and he also writes about conceptual issues relating to the ethical and professional behavior of Abstract: Functional communication training (FCT) is practicing behavior analysts. He is on the editorial board among the most commonly cited reinforcerbased treatments of multiple journals, including Behavior Analysis in Practice, for problem behavior in the applied behavior analysis The Analysis of Verbal Behavior, and Behavior and Philosophy. literature. Following the publication of the seminal article Through workshops and consultation, he has established by Carr and Durand (1985) numerous second-generation multiple school-based programs for children with autism, studies have evaluated FCT and the components that impact and he has provided training to teachers, related service its effectiveness in the treatment of severe problem behavior. providers, and behavior analysts both nationally and Elements that have been studied in terms of their effects on internationally. Finally, he specializes in program evaluation FCT outcomes include antecedent-based variables, aspects for both applied behavior analysis and public school relating to target alternative communicative responses placements for individuals with autism.
68 s Abstract: The field of behavior analysis has defined its Prevention, Board of Directors for the Association of i scope of practice through credentialing and licensure Professional Behavior Analysts and the Autism Society lys efforts. However, scope of competence in behavior analysis Panel of Professional Advisors. She has been asked to
has received little discussion. Scope of competence refers provide expert testimony at Congressional Hearings and a An or i to activities that the individual practitioner can perform is a frequent contributor in the media, raising awareness v at a certain criterion level (e.g., the functional analysis is of effective intervention for those living with disabilities. conducted accurately and safely, a skill acquisition program Dr. Wright completed her Ph.D. and master’s in public a Beh e includes critical program components and establishes accurate health from the University of Hawaii. Her research focuses id stimulus control). Given the successful efforts of behavior on the delivery of evidence-based practices in schools and analysts in growth and recognition of the field, it is time for healthcare access for people with disabilities.
a robust conversation about scope of competence for the field Ins of behavior analysis. This discussion can clarify how behavior Abstract: Modern social movements are acknowledging analysts self-evaluate their own scope of competence and how inequity and encouraging discourse and action to bring about 2018
they might expand their scope of competence if the needs of change for disenfranchised communities. The ivory towers of consumers requires practitioners to expand into new areas. academia, and intellectualism specifically, have contributed ER B to an alarming separation of research from the real-world Talking Back to the Ivory Tower: Diversity, Cultural experiences of people living with Autism spectrum disorder. Humility, and Real-Life Practice Priorities D ECEM
Biases that lead to inequity exist within the discipline and PATRICIA WRIGHt application of applied behavior analysis (ABA). Practitioners
Dr. Patricia Wright’s commitment to of ABA can harness society’s drive to address such inequities No 3 ensuring all individuals with autism by critically analyzing our field and establishing new have access to effective services and repertoires of professional behaviors. Systemic change in supports has guided her work over the field can promote social justice and improve access to o l u m e 10 the past 30 years, from her earliest effective ABA services. Promoting professional learning and V responsibilities as a special educator, application of cultural humility, directly addressing diversity, to state and national-level program and focusing on socially significant behaviors, can increase management. Specific examples of her advocacy include Dr. the effective, equitable application of the science of ABA. Wright’s management in the design of a statewide system of support for children with autism for the state of Hawaii, Stimulus Control of Verbal Behavior: Practical Lessons several years as the National Director of Autism Services From Applied and Basic Research for Easter Seals, and her industry positions leveraging EINAR INGVARSSON technology and her current role at NEXT for AUTISM Einar T. Ingvarsson is the director of developing innovative service options to increase the quality clinical services at the Virginia Institute of life of those living with ASD. Dr. Wright has held of Autism in Charlottesville and part- advisory roles for a number of professional associations and time lecturer at Reykjavik University in advocacy groups, including the Organization for Autism Iceland. He received a master’s degree Research’s Scientific Council, the Executive Committee in behavior analysis from the University for the Friends of the Center for Disease Control and of North Texas in 2002 and a Ph.D.
69 Treatment for Improving Socialization and Academics ew in behavioral psychology from the University of Kansas in vi 2005. Subsequently, he completed a post-doctoral internship in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Recent Research on at the Kennedy Krieger Institute and then spent two years Pivotal Response Treatment LYNN KOEGEL ce pre n ce as assistant professor at Youngstown State University in Ohio. From 2008 to 2017, he worked as a research scientist Dr. Lynn Kern Koegel is a clinical at the University of North Texas and Program Director professor at the Stanford University at the Child Study Center in Fort Worth, Texas. Einar School of Medicine. She has been sm co n fere sm i previously served as associate editor for the Journal of Applied active in the development of programs Behavior Analysis (JABA) and The Analysis of Verbal Behavior to improve communication in children (TAVB). He currently serves on the editorial boards of with autism, including the development JABA, TAVB, European Journal of Behavior Analysis, of first words, grammatical structures, pragmatics, and social aut Behavioral Interventions, and The Psychological Record. Einar conversation. In addition to her published books and articles previously served as the president of the Texas Association in the area of communication and language development, she
2009 for Behavior Analysis. His primary research interests are has developed and published procedures and field manuals in the areas of verbal behavior and social skills instruction in the area of self-management and functional analysis er b for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other that are used in school districts and by parents throughout developmental disabilities, as well as the functional the United States, as well as translated in other major eptem assessment and treatment of problem behavior. He has languages. Dr. Lynn Koegel is the author of Overcoming S
published over 30 articles in peer-reviewed journals. Autism and Growing Up on the Spectrum with parent Claire LaZebnik, published by Viking/Penguin and available in
No 3 Abstract: B. F. Skinner’s Verbal Behavior has had significant most bookstores. Lynn Koegel and her husband, Robert, influence on behavioral interventions for individuals with are the developers of Pivotal Response Treatment, which ASD. Yet, questions are still raised about the extent to which focuses on motivation. The Koegels have been the recipients Skinnerian behavior analysis can account for a flexible and of many awards, including the first annual Children’s olume 31
V generative verbal repertoire. However, careful attention to Television Workshop Sesame Street Award for “Brightening basic behavioral principles, including stimulus control, can the Lives of Children”, the first annual Autism Speaks lead to outcomes that go beyond what was directly taught. award for “Science and Research” and the International The stimulus control preparations that are arranged during ABA award for “enduring programmatic contributions in acquisition have great implications for generalization, as behavior analysis.” In addition, Dr. Lynn Koegel appeared well as the emergence of novel (untrained) verbal behavior. on ABC’s hit show “Supernanny” working with a child with Assessment of stimuli that influence behavior in the autism. Their work has also been showcased on ABC, CBS, everyday environment is equally important. In the current NBC, PBS, and the Discovery Channel. The Koegels are the talk, I will discuss research on establishing appropriate recipients of many state, federal, and private foundation gifts stimulus control over verbal behavior (particularly tacts and and grants for developing interventions and helping families intraverbals). I will also discuss the implications of stimulus with autism spectrum disorder. control for establishing a generative verbal repertoire (e.g., emergent intraverbals) and programming for generalization Abstract: This presentation will describe intervention and maintenance across a variety of environmental contexts. procedures for improving socialization and academic
70 s engagement in individuals with autism spectrum in a number of special interest groups (SIGs), including the i disorders. Video clips will be presented to demonstrate ABAI ACT SIG, the ACBS Children and Families SIG, lys the procedures. Advances regarding Pivotal Response and the Women in ACBS SIG.
Treatment, including implementing the motivational a An or i components with a variety of behaviors and across the Abstract: ACT is part of a growing body of literature on v lifespan will be discussed. “third-wave” behavioral therapies. Derived from behavior
analysis, ACT seeks to increase adaptive, flexible responding a Beh e Learning to Thrive: Enhancing Outcomes by reducing the influence of problematic private events (in- id in Applied Behavior Analysis Settings With cluding rule-deriving and rule-following). Empirical support Acceptance Commitment Training for ACT-based interventions across a broad range of settings EVELYN GOULD
and populations continues to grow, however, research exam- Ins Evelyn Gould, Ph.D., BCBA-D, ining the application of ACT within ABA settings is still in LABA, is a clinical behavior analyst its infancy. This talk presents ACT as a treatment model that 2018
and research associate at the Child and holds promise for practitioners working with families of chil-
Adolescent OCD Institute (OCDI- dren with autism in ABA settings. Relevant theoretical and ER B Jr) at McLean Hospital, Harvard empirical literature supporting this promise will be reviewed Medical School. The OCDI-Jr and key components of ACT outlined. Adaptations for D ECEM
program provides residential level of care for children and parents, children and adolescents, and staff will be presented. adolescents struggling with treatment refractory OCD Finally, the potential benefits of combining traditional ABA
and related disorders. The program emphasizes evidence- strategies with ACT will discussed, in addition to implica- No 3 based behavioral interventions, including Exposure tions for the development and dissemination of ACT-based and Response Prevention (ERP) and Acceptance and treatments within the field of ABA. Commitment Therapy (ACT). Dr. Gould currently works
The Parents’ Perspective: How to Get Parents to Buy In o l u m e 10 under the supervision of Dr. Lisa Coyne, licensed clinical V psychologist, researcher, and world-expert in ACT and the SHANNON PENROD treatment of childhood anxiety disorders. Dr. Gould also Shannon Penrod was an award continues to collaborate with FirstSteps for Kids, providing winning comedienne and writer clinical consultation, mentorship, and training to staff. Dr. when her son was diagnosed with Gould has extensive experience working with children and autism at the age of 2 ½. Terrified, adolescents with ASD (and their families) across settings, overwhelmed, and unsure what and has fulfilled a variety of clinical, training, and research to do next, Shannon set out on a roles in the USA, UK, and N. Ireland over the years. Dr. mission to help her son. With luck, Gould remains passionate about the provision of high- fortitude, and a lot of help, Shannon found a quality quality clinical services for children, adolescents, and their ABA program and was able to access funding to give her families, and the dissemination of Behavior Analysis. Dr. son intensive treatment. The result was nothing short of Gould is an associate editor for the Journal of Contextual amazing. Her son, now 15, attends a college prep high Behavioral Science, and an Editorial Board member for school and is an active member of his school’s competitive Behavior Analysis in Practice. Dr. Gould is actively involved robotics team. In her quest to help other parents access
71 ew what she was fortunate enough to have, Shannon Penrod delivers, and evaluates the undergraduate introduction vi hosts the popular web show Autism Live, which features to behavior analysis courses and she co-supervises the free information and inspiration for the global autism Cultural Selection Lab. Dr. Cihon has worked in several ce pre n ce community. Shannon holds an MFA from The National clinical and academic systems including public and private Theatre Conservatory. Her award-winning one-woman sectors in both school and home settings in and outside show The Autism Mamalogues debuted at the Hollywood of the US with a variety of individuals with disabilities, Fringe Festival in 2018 and has upcoming performance children who are at-risk for school failure, and university sm co n fere sm i dates throughout the US. students. Her scholarship focuses on verbal behavior, international and interdisciplinary dissemination of Abstract: What are the biggest stumbling blocks to behavior analysis, behavior analysis as applied to social getting parents to participate in and embrace an intensive issues—namely education, and cultural selection and has aut behavioral intervention? Oddly enough, it can be as simple published in a number of peer-reviewed journals both as understanding the parent perspective. Shannon Penrod within and outside of the field of behavior analysis. Dr.
2009 is a mom of a child diagnosed with autism at 2 ½ years Cihon serves on the editorial boards for several major old; fortunately, he started an intensive, quality ABA disciplinary and non-disciplinary peer-reviewed journals er b program at the age of 3. His success has made Shannon such as The Analysis of Verbal Behavior, American Annals a true believer in the power of ABA in treating autism. of the Deaf, Perspectives on Behavior Science, and she is an eptem Now Shannon shares the often hilarious, sometimes associate editor for Behavior and Social Issues. S
tragic mindset of the autism parent. Can you get these overwhelmed, under-slept parents to understand and Abstract: The rise in popularity (for good reason of course)
No 3 participate in their child’s intervention? Yes! And when of interventions based on behavior analytic principles for you do they will often become your biggest cheerleaders. individuals with autism has changed the contingencies Shannon will give you the parent 411 so you can decode for those who provide the behavioral interventions for their behavior, arrive at the function, and begin to individuals with autism. Specifically, a number of systems- olume 31
V implement effective behavior intervention plans that level practices and/or regulations have been established parents can buy into. or have evolved by a variety of governing organizations (e.g., the licensing boards and certifying organizations, The Impact of Changing Social Systems on Behavioral university-based training programs in behavior analysis Practice: Overcoming Barriers to Providing Socially Valid and related disciplines) and social systems (e.g., economic, Behavioral Interventions education, health care). Many of these practices and/or TRACI CIHON regulations have been established or have evolved due to Traci M. Cihon, Ph.D., BCBA-D the need to process increasing numbers of clients who are is an associate professor in the being served or increasing numbers of those providing/ Department of Behavior Analysis coordinating the service provision. These practices and/ at The University of North Texas. or regulations might serve several functions – from She teaches graduate level courses in strengthening to evocative to selective. For example, they behavior principles; verbal behavior; set the occasion for individual behaviors to be reinforced and legal, ethical and professional issues. She oversees (or not) or punished, they restrict the repertoire of the Teaching Science Lab, which is a system that designs, potential responses that are likely to be emitted, and they
72 An Update From the Autism SIG: Saturday, January 19 s i condition or perhaps make different classes of reinforcers 3:50 PM–4:20 PM; Grand Ballroom A-C lys more available. Each of us—practitioner, scientist- Justin Leaf practitioner, student, researcher, professor—should The purposes of the Autism Special Interest Group (Autism be engaging in the complex contingency analyses that a An or i elucidate how these practices and/or regulations affect SIG) are to (1) promote evidence based practices in regard to v our behaviors with respect to our contributions to our treatment for individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum science, our discipline, our research, our practice, and disorder (ASD); (2) promote best practices as it relates to a Beh e most importantly to the education and training of behavior procedures/interventions based upon the principles of applied id analysts in order to ensure that we are engaging in a behavior analysis (ABA) as it relates to individuals diagnosed scientific approach to socially valid behavior change. with ASD; (3) help individuals diagnosed with ASD, families of individuals diagnosed with ASD, and consumers Ins Other Sessions to identify components of evidence based practices, quality Author Signing: Friday, January 18 behavioral intervention, and effective treatments; (4) help
6:00 PM–7:00 PM, Grand Foyer protect individuals diagnosed with ASD and their families 2018
Join us in the bookstore to meet with authors and have your from ineffective, non-evidence based, and/or potential ER B book signed! harmful treatment(s); (5) serve as a scientific and professional Poster Session: Friday, January 18 reference and networking group for its members; and (6) organize an annual meeting to provide a forum for discussion D ECEM 6:00 PM–8:00 PM; Pacific Concourse of the affairs of the SIG. In this talk we will briefly describe Over 100 research and practice posters will be on display recent developments that have occurred within the Autism and discussed. Join colleagues and friends for informative No 3 SIG as well as future plans in the upcoming year. presentations and intelligent discussion. Opening Remarks: Sunday, January 20 Opening Remarks: Saturday, January 19 8:00 AM–8:10 AM; Grand Ballroom A-C
8:00 AM–8:10 AM; Grand Ballroom A-C o l u m e 10
Jonathan J. Tarbox V Ruth Anne Rehfeldt The program committee co-chair will present opening The program committee co-chair will present opening remarks and introduce the day’s speakers. remarks and welcome attendees to the conference. Passport Prize Drawing: Sunday, January 20 Career Fair: Friday and Saturday, January 19 10:15 AM–10:30 AM; Pacific Concourse 12:30 PM–2:00 PM (FRIDAY) & 11:20 AM–12:50 PM; Pacific Concourse Visit all the exhibitors on the passport provided to you at registration, have each square initialed, and return it to the Jobseekers and employers, register early! Take part in bookstore to be entered in the drawing. Over $1,000 in prizes! the Hybrid Career Fair for the 13th Annual Autism Closing Remarks: Sunday, January 20 Conference. This event is tailor-made to increase ROI for 12:20 PM–12:30 PM; Grand Ballroom A-C employers and add value for behavior analysts at all stages Jonathan J. Tarbox of career development. Find out how to participate at www. abainternational.org/career-central/career-fair.aspx. The program committee co-chair will present closing remarks and summarize the topics presented during the conference.
73 Calendar of Upcoming Conferences F 2019 Conferences Upcoming of Calendar Hyatt Regency Long Beach Long Regency Hyatt and Center Convention Beach Long CA Beach, Long 1–3 February ABA January 2019 74 www.baam.emich.edu/conference. Center Student University Michigan Eastern Ypsilanti, MI 21–22 February A Michigan Behavior A www.nc-aba.com/ncaba-conference Twin Quarters City NC Winston-Salem, 20–22 February C C North https://ohaba.org/event-3121212 Area University Columbus Marriott The OH Columbus, February 8–9 O https://calaba.org/conference/ C February Francisco San Regency Hyatt CA Francisco, San 18–20 January R or more details, please visit the websites indicated and the C the and indicated websites the visit please details, more or 37th A 37th ABA alifornia onference egional C A ABA hio I 13th A 30th A 30th ABA arolina onference nalysis A nnual C nnual C nnual nnual A nnual
onference onference onference utism C utism ssociation ofssociation nnual W nnual nnual nnual onference estern estern Worth Hotel Worth Fort Renaissance The Worthington TX Worth, Fort 14–17March Behavior A University of British Columbia of British University Vancouver, BC 8–9 March 11th A Cromwell Lion Red CT Cromwell, 1 March 15th A Illinois ABA www.hlaba.org/annual-conference Center Conference Scott NE Omaha, 21–22 March H www.baams.org/event-3131226 M Behavior A www.txaba.org/conference/conference T conference/ https://bc-aba.org/events/11th-annual- B conference www.ctaba.org/ctaba_events/2019_ Connecticut ABA March www.ilaba.org/conference 100 Table MS Flowood, 20–21 March Wyndham Springfield City Centre City Springfield Wyndham IL Springfield, 21–22 March and C R exas ABA ritish C ritish A ABA eartland ississippi S onference nnual C nnual C olumbia ABA olumbia nalysis nalysis A A egional C egional onference onference econd A onference nnual W
nnual C nnual
ssociation ofssociation
nnual C
orkshop hapters section of the ABA the of section hapters onference on on onference onference onference onference www.pennaba.org Center &Convention Lodge Hershey PA Hershey, 21–23 March C P www.massaba.net Marlborough, MA 21–22 March Ninth A M (cont.)March www.kansaba.org/conference Campus Edwards of Kansas University KS Park, Overland 30 March A ABA Kansas www.4caba.org/conference Fonda Plaza La on the Fe, NM Santa 29–30 March C F conference https://virginiaaba.org/vabaevents/ Hyatt Regency Reston VAReston, 22–23 March 15th A ABA Virginia conference https://virginiaaba.org/vabaevents/ Hyatt Regency Reston VAReston, 22–23 March 15th A ABA Virginia our C our 21st A ABA ennsylvania onference onference ABA assachusetts 12th A ABA orners nnual C I website. nnual C nnual onference nnual C nnual C nnual onference nnual nnual nnual nnual onference onference onference s i lys a An or i v
April July September a Beh e New Jersey ABA 14th Annual ABA Australia Fourth Annual Florida ABA 39th Annual Conference id Conference Conference September 19–21 April 5 July 26–28 Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Somerset, NJ Melbourne, Victoria Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa Ins The Palace at Somerset Rydges Hotel www.fabaworld.org www.njaba.org/conferences https://auaba.com.au/conference-2019
ABAI 10th International Conference 2018 Norwegian ABA Annual Seminar September 29–30 ER B April 24–28 August Stockholm, Sweden Gol, Hallingdal, Norway Wisconsin ABA 12th Annual Stockholm Waterfront Congress Centre Conference D ECEM
Storefjell høyfjellshotell www.atferd.no August 8–10 October
Madison, WI No 3
May University of Wisconsin-Madison Berkshire Association for Behavior ABAI 45th Annual Convention www.wisaba.org/copy-of-conference Analysis and Therapy 40th Annual May 23–27 Conference
Japanese ABA 37th Annual Conference o l u m e 10
Downtown Chicago, IL October 2–4 V Hyatt Regency Chicago, Swissôtel August 30–September 1 Worcester, MA Chicago, and Fairmont Chicago Otaru, Hokkaido DCU Center Millennium Park Otaru City Hall https://babat.org www.abainternational.org/events/ www.j-aba.jp/meeting annual-2019
75 ps i d fellowsh d ts a n ts Gra n saba
13th Annual
Conference Hyatt Regency San Francisco January 18–20, 2019 76 www.abainternational.org/events/autism-2019.aspx 13th Annual
Conference Hyatt Regency San Francisco January 18–20, 2019 www.abainternational.org/events/autism-2019.aspx PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID ST. JOSEPH MI PERMIT N.o 335
550 West Centre Avenue, Suite 1 Portage, MI 49024 www.abainternational.org
Photography: Jean Herbrandson