Association for Behavior Analysis International

The Association for Behavior Analysis International® (ABAI) is a nonprofit membership organization with the mission to contribute to the well-being of society by developing, enhancing, and supporting the growth and vitality of the science of behavior analysis through research, education, and practice.

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49th Annual Convention; Denver, CO; 2023

Event Details


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Invited Paper Session #211
CE Offered: BACB — 
Ethics
Social Validity and the Spectrum: Finding the Rhythm of Autism in the Heart of ABA
Sunday, May 28, 2023
3:00 PM–3:50 PM
Convention Center Four Seasons Ballroom 2/3
Area: AUT; Domain: Service Delivery
Chair: Yanerys Leon (University of Miami)
CE Instructor: Yanerys Leon, Ph.D.
Presenting Author: AMY GRAVINO (Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services/A.S.C.O.T Consulting)
Abstract: Forty-five years ago, Dr. Montrose Wolf named and defined the concept of “social validity” in his seminal published paper on the subject. Changes to and controversies within the field of ABA over the intervening years have made obtaining and measuring social validity for autistic individuals challenging, but more necessary now than ever before. This presentation discusses the need for social validity as it pertains to children and adults on the autism spectrum and highlights the barriers that exist to collecting social validity, as well as how we can make the ideas put forward by Wolf relevant to the present state of the field of ABA. Strategies for creating collaboration between relevant stakeholders and ABA practitioners will also be discussed. At the conclusion of the presentation, participants will be able to: 1) Understand how best to support the rights and promote the well-being of autistic clients when delivering ABA services; 2) Define “social importance” as it pertains to individuals on the autism spectrum and the autistic community; 3) Identify several strategies for collaborating with relevant stakeholders to promote social validity when implementing services for autistic clients.
Instruction Level: Basic
Target Audience:

ABA practitioners, researchers, those working in the field of early intervention, clinicians/professionals working with autistic adults, and anyone looking to learn more about autism.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation, participants will be able to: 1) Understand how best to support the rights and promote the well-being of autistic clients when delivering ABA services; 2) Define “social importance” as it pertains to individuals on the autism spectrum and the autistic community; 3) Identify several strategies for collaborating with relevant stakeholders to promote social validity when implementing services for autistic clients.
 
AMY GRAVINO (Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services/A.S.C.O.T Consulting)
Amy Gravino, M.A., is an autism sexuality advocate and Relationship Coach in the Center for Adult Autism Services at Rutgers University. She is also the President of A.S.C.O.T Consulting, which offers autism consulting, college coaching, and mentoring services for organizations, schools, individuals on the autism spectrum, and their families. Amy is an international speaker who has given TED talks, spoken twice at the United Nations for World Autism Awareness Day, and presented worldwide to audiences on a variety of topics related to autism, with a dedicated special focus and research on the subject of autism and sexuality. Ms. Gravino obtained her Masters degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Caldwell University in 2010 and currently serves on the Boards of Directors of Yes She Can, Inc. and the Golden Door International Film Festival of Jersey City, as well as the Scientific Advisory Board of Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research (SPARK). She is an award-winning writer who has co-authored a chapter on autism and sexuality in the Handbook of Quality of Life for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and her work has been featured in Spectrum, the leading online news source for autism research, and other outlets. Visit www.amygravino.com to learn more.
 

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