Association for Behavior Analysis International

Behavior science's core principles involve compassion towards recipients of our services, with the goal to prevent human suffering and maximize the quality of life for those we serve. Over the past several years, there has been an increasing number of behavioral researchers advocating for more discussion of assent-based procedures, where clinical interventionists provide frequent opportunities for the recipients of our services to indicate their 'willingness' or 'dissent' from participating in the activities requested of them. This increased focus is laudable. However, up to this point, there have been only conceptual and advocacy papers written supporting this more enlightened view. The conceptual importance of using more assent-based procedures has been determined. However, now we must begin to explore aspeccts of assent and dissent using our research approaches inherent in the behavioral sciences. This symposium will consist of three research studies that empirically investigated aspects of assent and dissent. The researchers will present data-based results from systematic research studies exploring what are the behavioral components of assent and dissent, how to maximize assent and minimize dissent in clinical behavioral intervention, and how to train staff to deliver services in line with this new approach to treatment.

clinical interventionists; beginners

In recent years, there have been calls to action regarding the integration of compassionate care and assent into behavior analytic practice. Assent, in medical and educational interventions, is associated with an absence of coercion and with a willingness to engage. It is a core foundational value of humane and compassionate intervention across human service professions. A recent review of the research literature (Morris et al., 2021) revealed that attention to assent in Applied Behavior Analytic (ABA) research is scarce. Critiques of the field have implied an inadequate focus on assent in clinical practice as well. There are definitional and measurement challenges associated with assent that are barriers to the integration of it into clinical work. In this study, instructors were trained to identify individualized indices of assent and withdrawal of assent for learners in their care. The focus on individualized indices represents an advance and reflects the highly tailored nature of behavior analytic intervention. Staff members were also taught to shift instructional strategies when assent was withdrawn. The study represents an empirical successful demonstration in training staff to identify and to honor both assent and withdrawals of assent. Limitations and future directions are discussed, in terms of measurement, training, and clinical practice. Implications for clinical practice and practitioner training are reviewed.