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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51st Annual Convention; Washington DC; 2025

Event Details


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Panel #59
CE Offered: BACB/IBAO
Writing Skills of Behavior Analysts: An Underdeveloped Skill Repertoire?
Saturday, May 24, 2025
12:00 PM–12:50 PM
Convention Center, Street Level, 147 A
Area: EDC/VBC; Domain: Service Delivery
CE Instructor: Cheryl Davis, Ph.D.
Chair: Cheryl J. Davis (Russell Sage College; SupervisorABA; 7 Dimensions Coonsulting)
JACOB PAPAZIAN (Capella University)
DANA R. REINECKE (DDI)
DANIELLE BRATTON (Ball State University)
Abstract:

Behavior analysts are trained to alleviate suffering and improve the lives of individuals. Their skill set includes measuring behavior, understanding the conditions that occasion behavior, implementing behavioral strategies, and teaching others. Behavior analysts collaborate with professionals, clients, and families, and they must interact effectively and compassionately in both spoken and written communication. As effective as behavior analytic interventions are, there is still an acknowledged public relations problem in the field (Arthur et al., 2023; Freedman, 2016). The current discussion around compassionate care (Denegri et al., 2023; Rodriguez et al., 2023; Taylor et al., 2019) and working collaboratively with other professionals (Kirby et al., 2022; Neuringer, 1991) stems in part from patterns of poor communication. Training for behavior analysts is largely focused on philosophy, behavioral principles, and change tactics (Reinecke et al., 2025). While the emphasis on teaching behavioral artistry has gained traction in recent years (Callahan et al., Canon & Gould, 2022; Gatzunis et al., 2023), writing skills may not be highlighted in behavior analysis programs and in supervision (Reinecke et al., 2025). This panel will discuss how effective behavior analytic writing can be taught so that aspiring behavior analysts acquire the technical proficiency, together with soft skills as compassionate practitioners.

Instruction Level: Intermediate
Target Audience:

The target audience would include supervisors, academic instructors, and aspiring behavior analysts and researchers.

Learning Objectives: 1. Describe variables contributing to compassionate and effective writing for behavior analysts.
2. Identify examples and nonexamples of effective writing as a student, clinician, supervisor, faculty member, and a researcher.
3. Describe strategies to teaching compassionate and effective writing skills.
Keyword(s): Communication, Supervision, Training BAs, Writing
 

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