Inside Behavior Analysis
Volume 1 | 2009 | Number 1
Speech Pathology (SPABA)
By Barbara E. Esch
Speech Pathology (SPABA) SIG Barbara E. Esch, Ph.D., BCBA-D, CCC-SLP The mission of the Speech Pathology-Applied Behavior Analysis (SPABA) SIG is to promote dissemination of behaviorally oriented speech and language research/application of evidence-based practices to speech and language professionals. Our members have been active during the past year in activities both in the US and internationally to further this mission.
Our members report the following activities for 2008-09 in venues accessed by speech and language professionals (SLP):
Manuscripts (published or in press) included 13 empirical papers and 13 discussion papers, books, or book chapters. This compares favorably to our 2008 contributions of 11 empirical papers and seven discussion papers or book chapters.
Conference presentations consisted of papers, posters, seminars, short courses, and workshops. There were 15 such presentations at ABAI 2009, the same reported for ABAI 2008. For the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association's 2008 convention, one SIG member submitted two proposals; both proposals were accepted and presented at ASHA's November meeting. At international, state, and regional conferences attended by speech/language professionals, SIG members made 21 presentations, compared to 18 presented last year. SIG members also conducted 145 non-conference workshops during the year for U.S. and international audiences of SLPs, occupational and physical therapists, teachers, program administrators, paraprofessionals, and parents or other caregivers.
Other Activities
SPABA SIG extends congratulations to SIG member Lori Frost, recipient of the 2009 Distinguished Professional Service Award from the New Jersey Speech-Language Hearing Association. Ms. Frost is co-founder of Pyramid Educational Consultants, Inc. and is co-author of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS; www.pecs.com). We also are honored to report that another SIG member, Dr. Jim Carr, currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc. (BACB®; www.bacb.com) and the Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior (SEAB; http://seab.envmed.rochester.edu/society/) and is a member of the Autism Task Force of the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA; www.apbahome.net). Dr. Carr is associate professor of psychology at Auburn University (http://www.auburn.edu/~jec0018/).
Last year, we established a student representative position and Julie Ray, SIG member from Texas, served as our first student representative. Julie provided us with a comprehensive database of behavioral organizations in the US and Canada. We look forward to her continued contributions as we seek to offer opportunities for students to become involved in the SIG and in ABAI more broadly. SPABA SIG goals for 2009-10 will be aimed at increasing our dissemination activities in the areas listed above and continuing to promote professional collaboration between speech pathologists and behavior analysts.
We invite interested individuals to learn more about the Speech Pathology SIG at www.behavioralspeech.com or through our e-mail at SPABASIG@yahoo.com
For other information, please contact us:
- Chair: Barbara Esch, besch1@mac.com
- Secretary: Mareile Koenig, mareilekoenig@comcast.net
- Membership: Jamie Severtson, jamie.severtson@hotmail.com
- Treasurer: Tracie Lindblad, tracie@cdco.com