ABAI-2013 Events

Consumer Guidelines for Identifying, Selecting, and Evaluating Behavior Analysts Working with Individuals with Autism

The Autism Special Interest Group (SIG) of the Association for Behavior Analysis International asserts that all children and adults with autism and related disorders have the right to effective education and treatment based on the best available scientific evidence. The Autism SIG further recommends that consumers seek to determine if those who claim to be qualified to direct ABA programs for people with autism actually meet minimum standards. These standards can be found within the "Revised Guidelines for Consumers of Applied Behavior Analysis Services to Individuals with Autism and Related Disorders." To download the complete text, please go to:

http://www.abainternational.org/Special_Interests/AutGuidelines.pdf

An Update About our Consumer Guidelines

The Autism SIG  recognizes that many changes have taken place in our field since the Consumer Guidelines were last updated.

As a result we are actively revising the Autism SIG Consumer Guidelines to reflect changes in the field and to incorporate feedback we have received since the last version was written.  We have established a careful and deliberate process for the revision this time around.  The initial review will be conducted by a Development Committee,  a review committee of key stakeholders will then comment on the draft revisions. Finally an external review will be conducted by relevant behavior analytic organizations.  We have solidified the membership of the development committee (6 members - Andy Bondy, Suzanne Buchanan, Michael Fabrizio, Nicole Pearson, Bob Ross, Mary Jane Weiss), the review committee (will consist of 8 individuals ), and the external review committee (is comprised of Dr. Gina Green, Dr. Dick Malott, and Dr.  Jerry Shook).

The development committee is the working committee.  We have begun to review the old version of the guidelines, and will actively revise them in the next month.  By mid May, we hope to send them to our review committee.  We sincerely hope we will be able to share updates at the annual meeting, and have a draft of them ready for distribution this summer.

Autism SIG Events at ABAI in Minneapolis 2013

Bob Ross, Ph.D., BCBA-D, President, Autism Special Interest Group

Please join us for the following events taking place during the 39^th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavior Analysis International.

1. 1. Saturday, May 25 @ 10 AM: Location - Room 201 A and B, Minneapolis Convention Center
   Parents, Professionals, and Students: Welcome to the ABAI Annual Convention
   Chair: Kerry A. Conde (Western New England University)
   
   Parents and other caregivers of individuals with special needs as well as professionals and students are attending the ABAI convention in increasing numbers but may have questions about how to make the most of the experience. Furthermore, an event as large as ABAI may seem overwhelming to newcomers. Parents, professionals, and students who may be attending ABAI for the first time are encouraged to participate in this convention orientation and visit our website. We will provide an overview of ABAI and its convention and highlight the types of events that parents, professionals, and students will encounter.
   
   
2. Saturday, May 25th @ 7:00 PM: Location - Room 101 A, Minneapolis Convention Center
   Autism Special Interest Group Business Meeting
   Chair: Robert K. Ross (Beacon ABA Services)
   A business meeting will be held to address various administrative matters relevant to the Autism SIG. The Autism SIG brings together those who specialize in or have an interest in the application of behavior analysis to the education and treatment of individuals with autism throughout the lifespan. The SIG was created to promote behavior analytic research and the exchange of scientific information in the area of autism treatment, to advocate for and promote high standards in the application of behavior analytic treatment, and to support consumers of ABA services. The Autism SIG maintains a website and publishes a quarterly newsletter to provide clinicians, educators, and parents with information regarding scientifically supported interventions for individuals with autism. Other ongoing initiatives include participating in the ABAI annual convention and autism conference exhibitions, presenting an annual student research award, and maintaining consumer guidelines for identifying, selecting, and evaluating behavior analysts working with individuals with autism. All are welcome to attend.
   
   
3. Saturday, May 25^th @ 8:00 PM: Location – Exhibit Hall B, Minneapolis Convention CenterABAI Expo
   The Autism SIG will have a table at the ABAI Expo. Please come and meet our officers and discuss how you might contribute to SIG activities.
   
   
4. Monday May 27th @ 10:00 AM: Location – Main Auditorium, Minneapolis convention Center
   Establishing Standards of Practice in ABA Treatment of Autism
   Chair: James E. Carr (Behavior Analyst Certification Board)
   ROBERT K. ROSS (Beacon ABA Services)
   JAMES E. CARR (Behavior Analyst Certification Board)
   MARY JANE WEISS (Endicott College)
   
   Abstract: The demonstrated effectiveness of applied behavior analysis-based interventions has led to its increasing acceptance by insurance providers, parents, and schools as the "treatment of choice" for individuals on the autism spectrum. However, much variability exists in the forms of and quality of what is labeled as "ABA" in practice. How is a parent, school district, or HMO administrator to distinguish between what constitutes "ABA services" and what does not? Who is competent to provide or supervise these services? A real potential exists for harm to consumers and to the positive perception that ABA now enjoys, if we as a field do not establish clear standards for the delivery of "ABA services." The panel will discuss three projects designed to help codify standards in critical areas of behavior-analytic autism treatment. These projects include the BACB Health Plan Coverage of Applied Behavior Analysis Treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder, the Autism SIG Consumer Guidelines (for identifying qualified professionals in autism treatment), and the ABAI Empirically Supported Treatments project. The panelists will describe the purpose and status of each project. The implications of not establishing practice standards for practitioners in our profession will be highlighted and the ethical issues that such standards raise will be discussed.