5th Conference of the Centre for Behaviour Analysis: Applied Behaviour Analysis: Meaningful inclusion in a changing world (Dec 2022)

For a copy of the Programme and Book of Abstracts, contact the Conference Chair Dr Katerina Dounavi

#1 Keynote Address: ABA, Skills Teaching and Creating A Better Quality Of Life-Johnny's Story

Presenter: Jane McCready

Chair: Prof Karola Dillenburger

Abstract

Jane McCready is a parent campaigner and former UK-SBA board member. Her talk will focus on the 16 years of kind, effective ABA teaching her autistic and learning disabled son Johnny, now 19, has experienced: at home and in both mainstream and now a special ABA school. The skills he has learned have immeasurably improved his access to the fun and important parts of life, and indeed improved his health outcomes, as he also has two lifelong health conditions. Jane firmly believes that - without ABA - her son would now have a far poorer quality of life.

Link to Jane McCready video 

#2 Keynote Address: Better Living Through Use of Behavior Analytic Concepts: Multiple Powerful Options

Presenter: Dr Patrick Friman

Abstract

The core idea of behavior analysis is revolutionary in that attributes the source or cause of behavior not to the behaving person him or herself but to what has happened to that person up to the exhibition of the behavior.  This is the most powerful idea ever invented by mankind for understanding, knowing, and dealing with human behavior, especially when it is a problem (because it seeks not to fix the blame but rather seeks to fix the problem instead).  And virtually everything this idea touches improves. It has revolutionized approaches to habit disorders, incontinence, addictions, delinquency, and numerous other major concerns of our time.  Still, the idea has only begun to be harnessed.  Not only can it be used to improve the lives of clients in need, but it can also be used to improve the lives of their providers, and indeed the lives of all people.  This talk will describe several options derived from behavior analysis the application of which could exert a powerful beneficial influence on everyday life.

Objectives

1. Attendees will be able to describe the core idea of behavior analysis.
2. Attendees will be to describe a way to use emotion to enhance persuasion.
3. Attendees will be able to describe a way to prevent the misbehavior that often occurs following the imposition of aversive circumstances.

Link to Pat Friman video 

#3 Keynote Address: A Behavioral Systems Approach to Ethics Training and Supervision

Presenter: Dr Matthew Brodhead

Chair: Dr Katerina Dounavi

Abstract

Professional and ethical behaviors are critical for high quality care and consumer protection. By using behavioral systems, behavior analysts may increase the probability of employees engaging in professional and ethical behaviors. This presentation will survey the basic components of behavioral systems analysis (BSA) and how BSA may be used in practice to promote ethical behavior. Ultimately, this presentation aims to provide a pragmatic, solutions-oriented, and socially-valid approach to ethics that focuses on teaching employees “what to do” in certain situations, instead of using a punitive “how not to behave” approach for employee management.

Objectives:

1. Participants will identify the six steps of behavioral systems analysis.
2. Participants will describe an example of how to use behavioral systems analysis to improve ethical behavior during one-on-one supervision.
3. Participants will describe an example of how to use behavioral systems analysis to improve ethical behavior during group supervision.

Link to Matthew Brodhead video

#4 Keynote Address: Living with Autism and Supporting Others Through ABA

Presenter: Armando Bernal

Chair: Dr Devon Ramey

Abstract

Autistic masking is an emerging research area that focuses on understanding the conscious or unconscious suppression of natural autistic responses. Hear from Armando Bernal, an autistic individual, as he describes the difficulty with participating in social experiences throughout his life as well as "fitting in" throughout his professional career. This explanation along with a Q&A afterward will delve deep into personal experiences as well as how ABA professionals can further promote independence and self-advocacy in their patients.

Link to Armando Bernal video 

#1 Paper Session: Autism Spectrum Disorders

Chair: Smita Awasthi

Teaching socio-communicative behaviours in the context of play routines with caregivers

ELENA CLÓ, Katerina Dounavi, & Karola Dillenburger (Queen’s University Belfast)

The Treatment of Anxiety for Autistic Children with An Intellectual and Developmental Disability

MONICA MILLAR, Catherine Storey, & Nichola Booth (Queen’s University Belfast)

Teaching Complex Intraverbal Verbal Behavior to Three School-going Children with Autism

SMITA AWASTHI, Sridhar Aravamudhan, Tejashree Mujumdar, Anamma T. J., Anupama Jagdish (Behavior Momentum India)

The Exploration on the Combination of Hand-Gesture Cues and Applied Behaviour Analysis Principles to Improve Speech Intelligibility of Autistic Individuals: A Systematic Literature Review

RAHMA FARAH & Nichola Booth (Queen’s University Belfast)

Link to #1 Paper Session video 

#2 Paper Session: Systems and culture

Chair: Michelle P. Kelly

ABA treatment and certification model of the Institute for Child Development (IWRD) in Gdansk, Poland

ANNA BUDZIŃSKA (Institute for Child Development, Poland)

Autism, Adolescent, and sexuality in the Arab World: Safeguarding through behaviour analysis

ASMAHAN SALEH & Karola Dillenburger (Queen’s University Belfast)

Evaluating Teachers’ Attitudes towards the Inclusion of Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in the United Arab Emirates

MICHELLE P. KELLY (Counseling, Special Education, and Neuroscience Department, Emirates College for Advanced Education, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates), Bryan Roche (Department of Psychology, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Ireland), Ian Tyndall (Department of Psychology, University of Chichester, United Kingdom), & Khawla Barley (Special Olympics, United Arab Emirates)

A comparison of the efficacy of an asynchronous online learning platform and telehealth (synchronous) training for ABA practitioners

MERAL KOLDAS & Catherine Storey (Queen’s University Belfast)

Link to #2 Paper Session video 

#3 Paper Session: Wide applications of behaviour analysis

Chair: Emma Delemere

Behaviour Analytic Strategies for Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Literature Review

KIRSTIN LEANNE BRADY (Queen’s University Belfast)

Serious Games for Energy Efficiency: Exploring the Role of Behaviour Analysis in the Development of the EVIDENT Serious Game

EMMA DELEMERE & Paul Liston (Centre of Innovative Human Systems, Trinity College Dublin)

Exploration of the relationship between curriculum and application of behaviour analysis

JASON LEAR & Joanne Hughes (Queen’s University Belfast)

Link to #3 Paper Session video