Past, Present, & Future: Experiences of Behavior Analysis Graduate Students

Progressive ABA Curriculum Considerations

During this episode we chat with Jessica Piazza and John McEachin. Jessica is the Project Manager for Certification for the Progressive Behavior Analyst Autism Council® (PBAAC®) and John is the President of the PBAAC. The PBAAC was established to provide credentials in the field of ABA as it applies to progressive intervention for individuals diagnosed with ASD. We ask Jessica and John about all things PBAAC including how it differs from other certifications in the field, what the future looks like for the PBAAC, and how others can learn more about the PBAAC and progressive ABA.      CEU OBJECTIVES:  Listeners will be able to identify the possible benefits and limitations of certification.  Listeners will be able to identify at least 2 distinguishing features of a progressive approach to ABA.  Listeners will be able to identify at least 2 ways in which the PBAAC certifications are different than currently available certifications.    RESOURCES:  https://progressivebehavioranalyst.org  Leaf, J. B., Leaf, R., McEachin, J., Taubman, M., Ala'i-Rosales, S., Ross, R. K., Smith, T., & Weiss, M. J. (2016). Applied behavior analysis is a science and, therefore, progressive. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 46(2), 720 - 731. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2591-6   Leaf, J. B., Cihon, J. H., Leaf, R., McEachin, J., & Taubman, M. (2016). A progressive approach to discrete trial teaching: Some current guidelines. International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education, 9(2), 361 - 372. http://iejee.com/index/makale/344/a-progressive-approach-to-discrete-trial-teaching-some-current-guidelines   Milne, C. M., Leaf, J. B., Weiss, M. J., Ferguson, J. L., Cihon, J. H., Lee, M. S., Leaf, R., & McEachin, J. (2022). A preliminary evaluation of conventional and progressive approaches of discrete trial teaching for teaching tact relations with children diagnosed with autism. Education and Treatment of Children, 45(4), 357-381. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43494-022-00084-4   Ferguson, J. L., Cihon, J. H., Majeski, M. J., Milne, C. M., Leaf, J. B., McEachin, J., & Leaf, R. (2022). Toward efficiency and effectiveness: Comparing equivalence-based instruction to progressive discrete trial teaching. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 15(4), 1296-1313. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-022-00687-8

During this episode we had the privilege to talk with Malika Pritchett. Malika is an Assistant Professor of Practice in the Department of Applied Behavioral Science at the University of Kansas. We discuss all thigs social validity and invalidity. More specifically we discuss what social invalidity is and is not, and, surprise, it is not just the inverse of social validity.     CEU OBJECTIVES:  Listeners will be able to define social validity and identify the process of assessing social validity.  Listeners will be able to define social invalidity.  Listeners will be able to identify different types of consumers that can be used to assess social validity.   RESOURCES :  Aragon-Guevara, D., Castle, G., Sheridan, E., & Vivanti, G. (2023). The reach and accuracy of information on autism on tiktok. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Advance Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-023-06084-6   Baer, D. M., Wolf, M. M., & Risley, T. (1987). Some still-current dimensions of applied behavior analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 20(4), 313-327. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1987.20-313   Baer, D. M., Wolf, M. M., & Risley, T. R. (1968). Some current dimensions of applied behavior analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1(1), 91-97. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1968.1-91   Ferguson, J. L., Cihon, J. H., Leaf, J. B., Van Meter, S. M., McEachin, J., & Leaf, R. (2019). Assessment of social validity trends in the journal of applied behavior analysis. European Journal of Behavior Analysis, 20(1), 146-157. https://doi.org/10.1080/15021149.2018.1534771   Schwartz, I. S., & Baer, D. M. (1991). Social validity assessments: Is current practice state of the art? Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 24(2), 189-204. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1991.24-189   Wolf, M. M. (1978). Social validity: The case for subjective measurement or how applied behavior analysis is finding its heart. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 11(2), 203-214. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1978.11-203

During this episode we had the privilege to talk with Jessica Cauchi. Jess is the director at Atlas Behavior Consultation and has over 25 years of experience using applied behaviour analysis to teach children, teens, and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. Jess’ passion in clinical work is driven by a need to provide highly individualized clinical services, in a respectful instructional format. She is most focused on the development of real-life skills, choose targets for teaching that will matter for her clients and help improve their short and long term quality of life. We chat with Jess about her new book A Clinician’s Guide to Sexuality and Autism and other topics related to sexuality, ABA, and autism.    CEU OBJECTIVES:  Listeners will be able to identify some barriers to teaching skills related to sex and sexuality.  Listeners will be able to identify some important skills related to sex and sexuality.  Listeners will be able to identify some evidence-based methods for teaching skills related to sex and sexuality and challenges related to using these methods for some of those skills.

This month's episode will welcome Dr. Bobby Newman and Jessica Cauchi to discuss the topic of Let's Talk About Sex. Affectionately known as the Dark Overlord of ABA, Bobby is the first author on 13 books regarding applied behavior analysis, the philosophy of behaviorism, autism spectrum disorders, and utopian literature. He has published over two dozen articles in professional journals, as well as numerous popular magazine articles, and has hosted two series of radio call-in shows.  Jessica is the Director of Atlas Behaviour Consultation and a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst. She received her Master of Science degree in Applied Behaviour Analysis from St. Cloud State University in Minneapolis. She has over 18 years of experience using Applied Behaviour Analysis to teach children, teens, and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities.  You'll want to tune into this one!

The 8th and final chapter of our second season is bringing back Christine Milne, Jeremy Leaf, and Jonathan Rafuse for another round of curriculum discussion! The panelists will expand on the previous discussion about the development of innovative curriculum for ABA-based intervention for autistics/individuals diagnosed with ASD. Like last time, the audience will be encouraged to ask our guests questions about the development and scope and sequence of curriculum.  CEU OBJECTIVES  At the completion of the discussion the audience members will identify at least one new approach to targeting learning how to learn skills for autistics/individuals diagnosed with ASD. At the completion of the discussion the audience members will identify at least one new approach to targeting social skills for autistics/individuals diagnosed with ASD.

Chapter 7 of Rants with Justin and Joe will feature special guest Amanda N Kelly (aka Behaviorbabe). Justin, Joe, and Amanda will chat about what it means to be an advocate. The discussion will include the conditions under which advocacy is commonly sought, the qualities that are important to be an effective advocate, and common challenges an advocate might encounter. Learning Objectives: 1. Following this podcast, the audience will identify three behavior analytic skills that an advocate needs to display when working with autistics/individuals diagnosed with ASD. 2. Following this podcast, the audience will identify three challenges that advocates may face and how to resolve these challenges using behavior analytic skills. 3. Following this podcast, the audience will identify three components of quality advocacy as it relates to behavior analysis.

Chapter 6 of Rants with Justin and Joe will feature special guest Melissa Saunders. During this Rants, Justin, Joe, and Melissa will discuss the complicated role of a behavior analyst providing supervision. Today’s supervision context for behavior analysts can be a complex endeavor creating many challenges for the supervising behavior analyst. The discussion will include challenges unique to behavior analysts providing supervision, tips to address these challenges and maximize the effectiveness of your supervision, and any questions from the live audience. CEU OBJECTIVES  At the completion of the discussion the audience members will identify at least one challenge unique to behavior analysts providing supervision. At the completion of the discussion the audience members will identify at least one approach to address challenges to behavior analysts providing supervision. At the completion of the discussion the audience members will identify at least one maximize the effectiveness of supervision. Gibson, J.A., Grey, I.M., & Hastings, R.P. (2009). Supervisor support as a predictor of burnout and therapeutic self-efficacy in therapists working in ABA schools. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 39(7), 1024-1030. doi:10.1007/s10803-009-0709-4   Kazemi, E., Shapiro, M., & Kavner, A. (2015). Predictors of intention to turnover in behavior technicians working with individuals working with autism spectrum disorder. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 17, 106-115. doi:10.1016/j.rasd .2015.06.012   Parsons, M. B., Reid, D. H., & Crow, R. E. (2003). Best and worst ways to motivate staff in community agencies: A brief survey of supervisors. Mental Retardation, 41(2), 96-102.   Reid, D., Parsons, M., B., & Green. C. (2011). The developmental disabilities supervisor training curriculum: Evidence-based ways to promote work quality and enjoyment among support staff. Washington, CD: American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAID).   Reid, D. H., Parsons, M. B., & Green, C. W., (2012). The supervisor’s guidebook: Evidence-based strategies for promoting work quality and enjoyment among human service staff.   Reid, D. H., Parsons, M. B., & Jensen, J. M. (2017). Maintaining Staff Performance Following a Training Intervention: Suggestions from a 30-Year Case Example. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 10(1), 12–21. http://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-015-0101-0

Chapter 5 of Rants with Justin and Joe will feature special guests Anna Dotson, Asim Javed, Danielle LaFrance, & Wes Lowery. Each of the guests will provide their unique experiences as being current and past graduate students of behavior analysis. Justin and Joe will ask the guests to provide any insight and advice for anyone interested in seeking a graduate degree in behavior analysis. Our special guests will also field any questions from the audience related to the graduate school experience. FREE CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FOR A STUDENT!  During this episode we will be selecting one student attendee at random to win a free conference registration for APF’s 6th Annual Conference on April 16th!

Chapter 4 of Rants with Justin and Joe will feature special guests, Mary Jane Weiss and Thomas Zane!! Justin, Joe, Mary Jane, and Tom will discuss the recent update to the BACB ethics code. Differences between the current code and the 2022 code will be highlighted as well as the BACB’s rationale for the changes. The panelists will also discuss ways in which the new code should influence ethical behavior of behavior analysts CEU OBJECTIVES  At the completion of the discussion the audience members will list the major components of the 2022 ethics code. At the completion of the discussion the audience members will explain at least 5 differences between the current ethics code and the 2022 model. At the completion of the discussion the audience members will give the BACB rationale for some of the changes made. At the completion of the discussion the audience members will explain how the new code will influence ethical behavior of behavior analysts in at least 3 ways.