Association for Behavior Analysis International

Volume 31 | 2008 | Number 3

ABAI's Dissemination of Behavior Analysis in the Treatment of Autism

By Drs. Maria E. Malott and William L. Heward

ABA International continued the huge success of its first Autism Conference by hosting its second Autism Conference, much to the delight of those who enjoyed the event in 2007. The conference, Issues and Recent Advancements in the Behavioral Treatment of Autism: Practical Strategies for Changing Behavior at Home and School, took place February 8-10, 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia. The main themes of the conference were: home- and community-based interventions and curriculum and instruction in the classroom/school, which were of interest to professional behavior analysts, teachers of preschool and school-age children with ASD, adult service providers, in-home behavioral therapists, caregivers, teacher trainers, and students. The conference was attended by more than 700 people from 21 countries and from 17 states in the USA.

ABAI greatly appreciates the support provided by the Autism Special Interest Group; Autism Society of America; Applied Behavior Consultants, Inc.; the Center for Autism and Related Disorders; and the Parent Professional Partnership Special Interest Group. ABA International’s Autism Special Interest Group brings together individuals who specialize in or have an interest in the application of behavior analysis to the education and treatment of autism. The Autism Society of America works to increase public awareness about the issues faced by people with autism and related disorders, advocate for appropriate services, and provide the latest information regarding treatment, education, research, and advocacy. Applied Behavior Consultants, Inc. is a human services agency that dedicates itself to the enhancement of the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities and learning disorders. The Center for Autism and Related Disorders develops individualized plans to effectively treat children with autism and related disorders. ABA International’s Parent Professional Partnership Special Interest Group serves both parents of children with autism and related disabilities and interested professionals. The development, marketing, presentations, and assistance these groups contributed to the conference helped make the event such a great success.

The conference featured ten invited speakers who addressed a variety of topics relating to autism. Dr. Mary Beth Walsh emphasized the fact that children with autism are capable of much more than was once thought and addressed the critical role parents play in fostering their children’s potential. Dr. Patricia Krantz described how scripts and script fading can be used to help children with autism learn to take part in everyday conversations with their parents, siblings, teachers, and peers. Dr. Andy Bondy outlined the Picture Exchange Communication System, how it can best be implemented at school, home, and in community settings, and how practitioners can avoid some common mistakes that may impede the results of the system. Dr. Ilene Schwartz reviewed research on what constitutes high quality primary school programs for students with ASD and described how educators and parents can work together to ensure that a quality education is received by all students with ASD. Dr. Cathy Watkins spoke of the validity of Direct Instruction programs in that they are scientifically based, empirically validated, and effective in addressing the needs of students ranging from those with severe disabilities to those that are identified as gifted. Dr. Gregory MacDuff described a variety of behavioral interventions that help adults with autism complete tasks in work, community, and residential settings. Dr. Gina Green presented potential answers of how parents and practitioners could gain confidence in recommendations that are said to be “evidence-based,” and talked about what is the best available scientific evidence about various interventions for autism. Dr. James Partington described the multiple sources of reinforcers readily available to children, many of which do not require interaction and can be obtained with little effort on the child’s part. Dr. Mary Jane Weiss presented an overview of well-documented instructional techniques, including discrete trial instruction, incidental teaching, and other naturalistic strategies. Dr. Laura Schreibman spoke of the need for an evaluation methodology that identifies which behavioral intervention will produce the best outcomes for a specific child. A brief article by each presenter is included in this issue of the ABAI Newsletter (see below). Also a part of the conference was a bookstore in which all invited presenters were available to sign their publications.

Figure 1. Invited presenters were on-site to sign their publications.

Conference attendees also enjoyed poster sessions on Friday and Saturday evenings. A total of 113 posters presented autism-related research and information under the following categories: experimental analysis of behavior, applied behavior analysis, education, service delivery, and theory.

Figure 2. Poster sessions were enjoyed by all.

ABA International is delighted to announce the availability of a DVD/Webcast package of the 2008 Autism Conference program. The DVD, which contains audio and slides of each of the invited speaker’s presentations, is available for purchase through the ABAI store at http://apps.abainternational.org/store/. Purchasers of the DVD/ Webcast package have the option of earning continuing education credits.

Figure 3. 2008 Autism Conference DVD

Evaluations of the 2008 Autism Conference were very positive and encouraged ABAI to offer another Autism Conference in 2009. ABAI’s 3rd Autism Conference, Research to Practice: Making Real Changes in the Lives of People with Autism will be held Friday, February 6th through Sunday, February 8th, 2009, at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville-Riverfront in Jacksonville, Florida. The 2009 Autism Conference Program Committee (members shown at end of this article) designed the program to be responsive to the challenges, interests, and needs faced by direct service practitioners (e.g., in-home behavioral therapists, teachers of preschool and school-age children with ASD) and parents/family members. The emphasis will be on pragmatic, research-based "how to" information that practitioners or parents can use to improve the lives of children with autism. In addition to the presentations by the invited speakers (see below), the single-track program will include three panel sessions to give attendees the opportunity to pose questions and raise issues of most concern to them. The three Expert Panel/Q&A Sessions will feature the following themes and participants:

Recent Developments in Behavioral Programming and Interventions – Panelists: Peter Gerhardt. Lynn Koegel, Robert Koegel, Diane Sainato, and Bridget Taylor. Moderator: Mary Jane Weiss (Rutgers University)
Using Science to Guide Autism Treatment – Panelists: Brian Iwata, Suzanne Letso, Sam Odom, Adrienne Perry, Susan Wilczynski (Executive Director, National Autism Center). Moderator: James Carr (Auburn University)
Current Status, Challenges, and Opportunities in Legislation of Behavior Analytic Autism Services: Observations and Recommendations from Professionals and Parent Advocates - Panelists: Mandy Davani (Parent Advocate), Michael Dorsey (Vinfen Corporation and Gordon College), Kim Lucker (Consultant), Eric Prutsman (Attorney), Judith Ursetti (Parent Advocate, Autism Speaks). Moderator: Jack Scott (Florida Atlantic University)

Dr. William L. Heward: Opening Remarks and Introductions

Dr. Diane M. Sainato: Fostering Independent Performance Skills in Young Children with Autism

Dr. Bridget Taylor: Improving Joint Attention and Reciprocal Language Skills in Children with Autism

	Dr. Lynn Kern Koegel and Dr. Robert L. Koegel: Pivotal Response Intervention

Dr. Peter F. Gerhardt: Applied Behavior Analysis and Adults with Autism: Applications to Promote Competence and Quality of Life

Dr. Adrienne M. Perry: Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention for Children with Autism: What Does the Research Tell Us?

Suzanne Letso: Defining, Designing, & Delivering ABA School Programs for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Dr. Samuel L. Odom: Now That We Know What to Do, How Do We Do It? Implementation Science and Applied Behavior Analysis

Dr. Brian A. Iwata: Experimental Approaches to Behavioral Assessment

An opening reception on Friday evening presents an opportunity for attendees to view poster presentations and exhibits of autism treatment providers while interacting with other attendees and invited presenters. We hope you will join us at ABA International’s 3rd Autism Conference.

To learn more about the conference program, go to:

www.abainternational.org/autconf/index.asp

Registration can be completed at:

http://www.abainternational.org/Events/autconf2009/registration/registration.asp

ABAI's 2009 Autism Conference Program Committee

James E. Carr, Ph.D., BCBA (Auburn University)
David Celiberti, Ph.D., BCBA (President, Association for Science in Autism Treatment President, ABAI's Parent-Professional Partnership SIG)
William L. Heward, Ed.D., BCBA (Chair) (Ohio State University)
Marianne L. Jackson, Ph.D., BCBA (California State University, Fresno)
Linda A. LeBlanc, Ph.D., BCBA (Western Michigan University)
Jack Scott, Ph.D., BCBA (Florida Atlantic University)
Mary Jane Weiss, Ph.D., BCBA (Rutgers University & Past President, ABAI Autism SIG)
Susan M. Wilczynski, Ph.D., BCBA (Executive Director, National Autism Center)