"ABA as a Profession: Challenges Without and Within"

This sounds like an interesting paper session at the ABA International Annual Conference, Phoenix; First, addressing what does the public, and in particular the media as agents of public information, perceive applied behavior analysis to be, and how are they passing it along?

The second presentation addresses a more thorny question of what do practitioners in the field believe that behavior analysis is, and are they sufficiently cognizant, approving and embracing of the scientific underpinnings, and precise and coherent in utilizing and presenting these?

Other related presentations are noted below.

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#484 International Paper Session
5/25/2009
4:00 p.m. - 4:50 p.m.
North 131 BC
TPC
ABA as a Profession: Challenges Without and Within
Chair: Douglas S. Lee (Behavioral Solutions Inc.)
Analysis of Mainstream News Media as it Relates to Applied Behavior Analysis.
(Theory) DOUGLAS S. LEE (Behavioral Solutions Inc.), Mike R. Johnston (Behavioral Solutions, Inc.), Cristin D. Johnston (Behavioral Solutions, Inc.)

Abstract:

The term Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is becoming increasingly associated with a myriad of services and programs in the human service area (e.g., Positive Behavioral Support, Behavior Based Safety etc). Keeping track of how ABA is being linked with various endeavors and services is of benefit not only conceptually (how Behavior Analysis is doing as a science) but also for consistency amongst professional services described as having an ABA component (how Behavior Analysis is viewed as a profession). A sampling of mainstream news articles made possible through an ongoing Google search using “Google Alert” of Applied Behavior Analysis, Positive Behavior Support, Behavior Based Safety, Precision Teaching, Direct Instruction, and Behavioral Modification for a period of the past 24 months has been conducted. Data indicate a striking lack of reference to ABA across these service areas typically thought of as very closely linked to the field of Behavior Analysis. Our sampling to date also points to very limited public news awareness of several areas and outmoded and potentially misleading information is commonplace. Implications of this result as well as recommendations for improving this situation are discussed.

Our Growing ABA Field and its Players….How do YOU Play the Game?
(Applied Behavior Analysis) THOMAS P. KITCHEN (Achievement Center / Mercyhurst College)

Abstract:

Over the better part of the past decade, the ranks of professionals carrying the title "Behavior Analyst" and practicing within the field has grown considerably. This growth has presented the field with both tremendous opportunity and tremendous challenge. This paper will describe the divergent progressions established by this growth. On one hand, growth has brought new leaders of the field who are pushing behavior analysis into greater levels of scope and precision. On the other hand, the spawning of a large new generation of behavior analysts has arguably had a "watering down" effect on the entire ABA field, as the fastest-growing group includes those with the least amount of reverence for the scientific rigor and precision inherent in true behavior analysis. There is a growing majority of practitioners representing ABA who receive minimal training in advanced theoretical and scientific aspects of the field, and subsequently fail to realize the importance of the data-based analytical hallmarks of the field. Through presentation of common traits of such behavior analysts, the paper aims to discourage inconsistent implementation of both behavioral technology and behavioral philosophy.

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Some related presentations at the Conference,

#31 Symposium, 5/23/2009, 1:00 p.m. - 2:20 p.m., North 228
EAB; Experimental Analysis
Behavioral Momentum: Translational Research and Practice

#34 Paper Session, 5/23/2009, 1:00 p.m. - 2:20 p.m., North 225
EAB
Experimental Analysis of Human Behavior I

#47 Paper Session, 5/23/2009, 2:30 p.m. - 3:20 p.m., North 126
AUT
Facilitated Communication Lives

#79 Symposium, 5/23/2009, 3:30 p.m. - 4:50 p.m., North 226 C
BPH/EAB; Experimental Analysis
Science Board Translational Series: Delay Discounting and Drug Abuse

#152 Symposium, 5/24/2009, 9:00 a.m. - 10:20 a.m., North 120 BC
AUT/EAB; Applied Behavior Analysis
Stimulus Control in Autism: Translational Research and Practice

#169 Symposium, 5/24/2009, 9:00 a.m. - 10:20 a.m., North 122 BC
EDC/VRB; Service Delivery
Evidence-Based, Empirically Supported, Best Practice: What Does It All Mean?

#176 Panel Discussion, 5/24/2009, 9:00 a.m. - 10:20 a.m., North 129 B
TBA/EDC; Theory
Professional Development Series: Dissemination - Spreading the Word without Sounding the Alarm! [previous blogpost]

#181 Invited Presenter, 5/24/2009, 10:00 a.m. - 10:50 a.m., West 301 CD
EAB
Mainstream Behavior Analysis: Do We Need to Go Back to Meet the Future in the 21st Century?

#188 Symposium, 5/24/2009. 10:30 a.m. - 11:50 a.m., North 120 BC
AUT/EAB; Applied Behavior Analysis
Science Board Translational Series: The Science and Practice of Discrete-Trial Training

#252 Panel Discussion, 5/24/2009, 1:30 p.m. - 2:50 p.m., North 129 B
TBA/CSE; Theory
The Survival of Behavior Analysis: Disseminating It and Protecting It from Threats

#253 Panel Discussion, 5/24/2009, 1:30 p.m. - 2:50 p.m., North 132 A
TPC/Theory
Professional Development Series: Future Perspectives of Behavior Analysis

#378 International Tutorial, 5/25/2009, 10:00 a.m. - 10:50 a.m., West 301 CD
TPC; Theory
BACB CE Offered. CE Instructor: Michael C. Davison, Ph.D.
The Quantitative Analysis of Behavior

#393 Symposium, 5/25/2009, 10:30 a.m. - 11:50 a.m., North 225
EAB; Experimental Analysis
BACB CE Offered. CE Instructor: Michele R. Bishop, Ph.D., BCBA
Recent Developments in the Experimental Analysis of Human Behavior

#443 Symposium, 5/25/2009, 1:30 p.m. - 2:50 p.m., North 129 B
TBA/AUT; Applied Behavior Analysis
BACB CE Offered. CE Instructor: Rachel S. F. Tarbox, Ph.D., BCBA
Current Issues in Graduate Training in Behavior Analysis

#523 International Panel Discussion, 5/26/2009, 9:00 a.m. - 10:20 a.m., North 122 BC
EDC; Service Delivery
BACB CE Offered. CE Instructor: Erick Dubuque, M.A., BCBA
Professional Development Series: Aspects of Being a BCBA

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Reference and for further reading,

Google [news] Alerts (BETA)

Page 6, Experience
APBA 2009 Professional Employment Survey Results
Retrieved from http://www.apbahome.net/survey-report-johnston.pdf
May 14, 2009

Schreck, K.A., & Mazur, A. (2008). Behavior analyst use of and beliefs in treatments for people with autism. Behavioral Interventions, 23(3), 201-212.
DOI: 10.1002/bin.264

Disseminating Behavior Analysis Special Interest Group (DBA-SIG), ABA International

Positive Behavior Support

• Positive Behavior Support Special Interest Group, ABA International
• OSEP Technical Assistance Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports
• Association for Postive Behavioral Supports

Direct Instruction

• Direct Instruction Special Interest Group, ABA International
• Education (PSI, Direct Instruction, Precision Teaching)
  Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies
• National Insitute for Direct Instruction
• Association for Direct Instruction

Precision Teaching

• Standard Celeration Society (Precision Teaching)
• Precision Teaching Hub & Wiki
• Education (PSI, Direct Instruction, Precision Teaching)
  Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies

Behavioral Safety

• Organizational Behavior Management Network Special Interest Group, ABA International
• Behavioral Safety
  Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies

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6 days and counting...

DISCLAIMER: Personal opinion and blog, not an official outlet intended to represent ABA-International® or other official entity or organization.

"ABA as a Profession: Challenges Without and Within"