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 Fostering Belonging Through Person-Centered Assessment, Strength-Based Treatment, and Compassionate, Assent-Based Practices |
| Friday, May 23, 2025 |
| 8:00 AM–11:00 AM |
| Marriott Marquis, M2 Level, Marquis Salon 15 |
| Area: AUT/DDA; Domain: Service Delivery |
| CE Instructor: Kathleen I Dyer, Ph.D. |
| KATHLEEN I DYER (Endicott College), ANNA LINNEHAN (Endicott College) |
| Description: A growing body of research highlights the importance of compassionate, assent-based intervention within the behavior-analytic community, particularly in addressing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) (Abdel-Jalil et al., 2023; Alai-Rosales et al., 2024; Dyer et al., 2024; Linnehan et al., 2023; Roher & Weiss, 2023; Syed et al., 2024; Taylor et al., 2018). This workshop introduces a framework for behavior analysts to support neurodiverse individuals and communities. Participants will receive tools for conducting person-centered assessments, setting individualized goals, and implementing strength-based interventions to foster community, connection, and belonging within neurodiverse populations. The workshop will also address common barriers to intervention and critiques of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) from the neurodiversity movement. In addition to highlighting areas for improvement, the session will emphasize the foundational principles necessary for serving diverse neurological profiles. Strategies for promoting social inclusion and belonging will be shared, focusing on genuine assent, individualized interventions, and collaborative approaches with families and communities. All tools and strategies will be framed within a compassionate clinical practice, guided by the seven dimensions of behavior analysis. |
| Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to describe collaborative approaches to person-centered support related to increasing the quantity and quality of social connections in neurodiverse individuals Participants will explain barriers to effective intervention and discuss criticisms of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) raised by the neurodiversity movement. Participants will describe tools and strategies framed within an assent-based compassionate approach to person-centered assessment and strength-based treatment for improving social connection with neurodiverse individuals |
| Activities: Workshop objectives will be met through: 1) lecture 2) applied exercise on concept analysis of belonging; 3) small group breakout on applying tools for assessment of socialization and belonging, person-centered goal development, assent-based intervention, evaluation, and modification. Supplemental materials will be provided for 1) constructional interview; 2) indirect assessment of belonging; 3) direct assessment of belonging; & 4) outline for steps of intervention. |
| Audience: Beginning level |
| Content Area: Practice |
| Instruction Level: Basic |
| Keyword(s): assent-based practice, belonging, inclusion, neurodiversity |
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