Association for Behavior Analysis International

Social validity, as a component of the curricular decision-making process, provides a framework for behavior analysts to ensure that the skills targeted for acquisition are as important as the extent to which our instructional interventions are evidence-based and technically precise. Unfortunately, given the continued poor outcomes for adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), (e.g., Roux, et al, 2015) it would seem as though social validity may rarely be a part of that decision-making process. Among the reasons for this may be more readily available professional reinforcement for technical precision than for the selection of socially valid targets for intervention; a greater response effort required to target more socially valid targets in less controlled community environments, and; quite simply, the fact that many behavior analysts are tasked with, primarily, the reduction of challenging behavior and not the acquisition of socially valid targets. This panel will provide an overview of the relevant practice challenges associated with a focus on social validity across both the age and disability spectrum.

Intermediate - This presentation is intended for behavior analysts and related professionals with experience and/or interest in programming and intervention in support of improved outcomes for adults with ASD and ID.