Inside Behavior Analysis
Volume 2 | 2010 | Number 2
Positive Behavior Support
By Bob Putnam
The Positive Behavior Support (PBS) SIG is dedicated to promoting research-based strategies that combine applied behavior analysis and biomedical science with person-centered values and systems change to increase quality of life and decrease problem behaviors. The overall goal of the PBS SIG to promote the use of positive behavior support interventions in schools, communities, agencies and in homes and support practitioners in its use. The PBS SIG addresses members of ABAI engaged in experimental and applied analyses of behavior who are interested in positive behavior support. Established in 2005, the goals of the SIG are to promote and disseminate positive behavior support within ABAI. The PBS SIG held its annual business meeting at the 2009 ABAI Annual Convention. The PBS SIG currently has over 50 members, including officers Bob Putnam, Ben Smith, and Patricia Egan. There will be vacancies in the President and Secretary and Treasurer positions this year. Potential interested applicants will be encouraged to apply for elections at next year's meeting. Tom Zane—Associate Professor of Education Center for Applied Behavior Analysis, Sage College and former Chair of ABAI's Governmental Affairs Committee—presented on ABAI's position on licensure for applied behavior analyst practitioners. The Governmental Affairs Committee has reviewed how other professions have obtained licensure and its impact on ensuring the future needs of the field and the profession. Licensure would also be useful for the public for ensuring quality of services and protection and third party payment for behavior analysis services. Dr. Zane reported that this initiative is important if we are to continue as a unified field and have one voice for behavior analysis—that voice being ABAI's—that supports the efforts and needs of practitioners, researchers, and academicians alike. Seeking licensure for applied behavior analysts will promote credibility of the field, increase efforts to seek funding for research, create and maintain academic positions, and to provide for the needs of practitioners and the public using behavior analysis services. Licensure bills for "behavior specialists" have already been passed in several states and are being considered in several others.
Discussion of how to increase membership of the SIG by current members of ABAI was conducted. There are many members of ABAI who are also members of the Association for Positive Behavior Support (APBS). A survey was suggested to determine how many of the current PBS SIG members are members of APBS and how many of APBS members are also members of ABAI. Another suggested goal was to further develop relationships with the APBS and to provide information to its membership and to encourage APBS members to join ABAI. It was suggested that a newsletter be reestablished and distributed on a semiannual basis to increase visibility and increase interest in positive behavior support interventions and practices. Anyone who is interested in behavior analysis or positive behavior support is welcomed to join the SIG. To become involved, you can e-mail Bob Putnam at bputnam@mayinstitute.org.