Newsletter
Volume 29 | 2006 | Number 2
Taiwan ABA
By Dr. Feng Hua
The history of Taiwan ABA begins in July 2001, when the first international applied behavior analysis conferences in Taiwan were held in the cities of Taipei and Taichung. The conferences were possible through the joint efforts of Autism Society of Taiwan, SEEK Education, Inc. from the United States, and a group of respected scholars and professionals in the field of behavior analysis. Dr. Julie Vargas of West Virginia University and Dr. Joseph Morrow and Brenda Terzich, co-owners of Applied Behavior Consultants, donated their time and expertise by speaking at the conferences.
Through the continuous support from SEEK Education, and the commitment and hard work of the local governments, organizations, professionals, parents, and university professors, the growth and development of applied behavior analysis in Taiwan has continued over the past five years. For example, in the past three years, many organizations (including Autism Society of Taiwan) education centers, and schools were established in Taichung and Taipei that use the principles of applied behavior analysis to serve children with autism and developmental disabilities.
In addition, Dr. Feng Hua, chairperson of the Institute of Rehabilitation Counseling of National Changhua University of Education, has been a driving force in disseminating knowledge of behavior analysis. Each year, workshops of beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels of applied behavior analysis have been conducted to train parents, teachers, and professionals. She is also planning the first university-based behavior analysis program in Taiwan, which will be targeted to meet the requirements of the Behavior Analysis Certification Board of the United States.
Taiwan ABA was created in 2005 to further the science of applied behavior analysis and its practice in Taiwan.
Today, with the recent establishment of Taiwan ABA and the continuous support of university professors, parents, educators, and professionals, we hope that Taiwan will eventually have its own Board Certified Behavior Analysts, and that the knowledge of behavior analysis will spread and will be used in the education and treatment of children and other individuals in need.