Newsletter
Volume 31 | 2008 | Number 2
Delaware Valley ABA
By Dr. Paul Neuman
The mission of the Delaware Valley Association for Behavior Analysis is to bring together new and established behavior analysts from the local region (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland) in a casual yet informative setting. Our objective is to provide continuing education for behavior analysts in a setting that affords local behavior analysts the opportunity to socialize. This approach has been very successful at assembling behavior analysts who have busy and hectic work schedules. Another primary goal of DVABA is to increase cohesiveness among local behavior analysts and to provide a support network for individuals who might otherwise be isolated as a result of working in diverse settings with service providers and researchers who do not have a behavior-analytic orientation. Many of our members are the only behavior analysts at their places of employment.
Typical of the past several years, we succeeded at attracting quality speakers. We had four excellent speakers over the 2007/2008 academic year. First, Katie Croce, MA, BCBA and Kelly Kates-McElrath, MA, BCBA gave a presentation titled “Self and Match: Self Monitoring in the Classroom.” Then, Christopher Bloh, Ph.D., BCBA presented his work “Comparing Transfer of Stimulus Control Procedures across Learners with Autism.” Our third speaker, Breanna Winder, presented research on “Gestures, Vocalizations, and Toy Play at 18 Months: Possible Early Indices of Autism.” Finally, Bill Ahearn, Ph.D., BCBA, spoke of “Research to Practice and Back Again: Translation, Automatic Reinforcement, and Behavioral Momentum.” Overall, our speakers provided us with an educational and fun year.
We added many members this year, and some of our new members are new, as well, to behavior analysis. In addition, we continue to offer continuing education units to board certified behavior analysts. We plan to continue growing over the coming years, and to have interesting and informative speakers. Those who are interested in becoming a member should contact Paul Neuman at pneuman@brynmawr.edu.