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| Using Developments in Relational Frame Theory to Cultivate Flexible and Generative Repertoires in Children With Autism |
| Friday, May 23, 2025 |
| 8:00 AM–3:00 PM |
| Marriott Marquis, M4 Level, Liberty L |
| Area: DDA/VBC; Domain: Service Delivery |
| CE Instructor: Carolina Coury Silveira de Almeida, Ph.D. |
| CAROLINA COURY SILVEIRA DE ALMEIDA (iABA - Instituto de Análise do Comportamento Aplicada), JOAO HENRIQUE DE ALMEIDA (São Paulo State University), COLIN HARTE (Universidade Federal de São Carlos), DERMOT BARNES-HOLMES (Ulster University) |
| Description: Relational frame theory (RFT) is a behavior-analytic account of human language and cognition, which in recent years has experienced intense conceptual and empirical development. The overarching aim of the current workshop is to summarise these recent developments and how they are translating into advances in applied behavior analyses, particularly in understanding and treating language and cognitive deficits, and behavioral inflexibility in both verbal and emotional responses. The workshop centres around a recent RFT framework for conceptualising many of the key ‘behavioural units’ of human verbal behaviour and how to promote generalisation from one-on-one relational learning to responding in the natural environment. In particular, the workshop will consider ways in which it may be possible to overcome “relational rigidity” arising from the emotional or evoking functions of stimulus events. A semi-structured evaluation, referred to as the Relational Evolutionary System for Educational Progress (RES-EP) and based on developments in RFT, will be presented, focusing on the assessment and intervention of individual derived relational repertoires. A blend of lecturing, video material, examples of teaching programmes, and group-based practical exercises will be utilised. By the end, attendees should be able to utilise this new RFT evaluation and framework in their own applied environments. |
| Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation, participants will be able to: (1) articulate the basic descriptive and explanatory concepts in RFT; (2) identify and describe the key elements of a recent RFT framework and semi-structured evaluation (the RES-EP); (3) generate examples of how the developments and tools presented may be used to facilitate relational and emotional aexibility in children with autism and other developmental delays. |
| Activities: The workshop will involve a balance between lecture, active participation, opportunities to practice the skills demonstrated in groups along with feedback provided to participants by the workshop presenters. In addition, video demonstrations will be employed throughout, and examples of teaching programmes will be provided. Workshop slides and additional supplementary readings and materials will be made available to participants via an open access website. |
| Audience: A basic background in behaviour analysis is assumed. |
| Content Area: Practice |
| Instruction Level: Intermediate |
| Keyword(s): Autism, Developmental delay, Language, RFT |
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