Newsletter
Volume 29 | 2006 | Number 1
Behavioral Intervention in Autism
An Online Curriculum Combining an Autism Specialization with BCBA-Level Preparation
By Richard K. Fleming, Ph.D.
Behavioral Intervention in Autism (BIA) is a five-course graduate-level curriculum now being offered on line through the University of Massachusetts-Lowell (UML) Department of Psychology, in collaboration with the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center at UMASS Medical School (Shriver/UMMS) and UMASS Online. The curriculum combines rigorous education in behavior analysis with a specialization in autism, and has been approved by the Behavior Analysis Certification Board as meeting the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) level coursework requirement. The five courses are:
- Introduction to Behavior Analysis in Autism
- Teaching and Positive Behavioral Support in Autism
- Measurement and Experimental Design
- Functional Analysis and Treatment of Challenging Behavior
- Behavioral Intervention Program Models in Autism
Development of BIA was first supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Fund for the Improvement for Post-Secondary Education (FIPSE) (Grant #P339B0003000).
Dr. Charles Hamad (Principal Investigator, Shriver/UMMS) assembled a core team of behavior analysts that included Drs. Beth Sulzer-Azaroff (The Browns Group) and Rick Fleming (Shriver/UMMS). This team worked with many others to design, develop, and field test the curriculum. Other individuals who played key roles in the development of BIA include Bob Bass and John Rochford (New England INDEX,), Megan Tupa and Lee Vorderer (Shriver/UMMS), Michelle Weissman (Rockman et al), Jennifer Crockett (Kennedy Krieger Institute), and Alicia Perry (Private Consultant).
Initially four courses were developed and tested, including a practicum course. The chart below presents the pre- and post-test scores for the first three educational courses in that early curriculum. Scores are charted by percentage correct. While our field test participants entered the program with relatively high baseline knowledge, they consistently acquired new knowledge and highly rated their satisfaction with the content, instructional methods, and instructors.
Participant feedback and numerous outside inquiries suggested that the curriculum would be more desirable as a BCBA-level specialization. Accordingly, with support from a grant from UMASS Online, BIA was modified extensively and found an academic home in UMASS-Lowell’s Psychology Department. There, Drs. Charlotte Mandell and Richard Siegel administer the program in partnership with Shriver/UMMS staff.
All five courses are taught by doctoral-level behavior analysts who interact frequently with participants, providing feedback on individual work and facilitating on-line discussion. BIA utilizes several features on the Personalized System of Instruction. Participants download study guides to prepare for and take weekly on-line “mastery assessments” on a host of reading materials, including: on-line “lectures,” applied behavior analysis and autism texts, and articles posted on scientifically credible Web sites. Participants complete essays and application exercises to demonstrate more advanced learning and participate in vigorous on-line discussions.
A full description on BIA, along with contact information, can be found at: http://continuinged.uml.edu/online/autism.htm. Two BIA options are offered: the BCBA track described above and the UML graduate certificate. The latter option does not require all five courses and is for students interested in learning about intervention in autism, but not necessarily interested in working toward BCBA certification.