Association for Behavior Analysis International

This symposium will cover the need for advocacy and policy change related to adults with autism spectrum disorders. The talks will focus on specific interventions that target high risk aggressive behavior and the manner in which these issues can be addressed through the use of a comprehensive treatment package that is steeped in applied behavior analysis. The indications for organizations and the population of adults will be evaluated within its broader context. The symposium will also discuss the application of a specific curriculum for use with the adult population with ASD and other intellectual disabilities. The Assessment of Adult Core Competencies Curriculum for Clients with Severe Aggression (ACCEA), as well as The Skills Based Treatment model (SBT) will be detailed as they are employed in active treatment settings to enhance autonomy for those that serve adult populations.

Participants will be able to identify proactive approaches to problem behavior. Participants will be able to select effective Organizational Behavior Management techniques. Participants will be familiar with the Skills Based Training (SBT) approach.

This presentation will cover the need for advocacy and organizational change related to adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and problem behavior. The talk will focus on specific interventions that target high risk aggressive behavior and the manner in which these issues can be addressed through the use of a comprehensive treatment package that targets some of the crucial outcome areas that are important for adults with autism or other Intellectual Disabilities. Specific clinical applications of the Assessment of Adult Core Competencies Curriculum (ACCEA) will be detailed along with the socially valid outcomes that were observed for each case. The indications for organizations and the population of adults with ASD will be evaluated within a broader context. The application of the ACCEA curriculum will also be detailed as it applies to specific outcome areas that are crucial for community inclusion for adults with ASD that display problem behavior.

Building autonomy or safely addressing behavioral challenges in congregate care requires continuity between clinical interventions and the day-to-day behaviors of direct support professionals. The Universal Protocol can fill this gap, teaching interactions that are safe, dignifying, and relationship-based. This talk will describe the Universal Protocol and the role it plays as both a cultural foundation for an organization and the first step to an integrated skill-based teaching model for adults with (and without) behavioral challenges. Additionally, the talk will highlight the introduction of Universal Protocol to Upstate Cerebral Palsy over the past few years and its impact on various outcome measures such as restraint reduction and staff satisfaction.

This talk will discuss the conceptualization of synthesized reinforcement contexts for adults with limited sense of agency and expressing choice who also display significant aggressive behavior. Further, this talk will underscore the importance of teaching an omnibus mand through Skills-based Treatment (SBT) to those with limited communication repertoires in order to promote autonomy and self-advocacy in congregate care and educational settings.