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| Assent-Based Procedures in Applied Behavior Analytic Research and Practice |
| Saturday, May 24, 2025 |
| 11:00 AM–11:50 AM |
| Marriott Marquis, M2 Level, Marquis Salon 7-10 |
| Area: AUT/DDA; Domain: Applied Research |
| Chair: Matisse Rose Lovett (University of Nevada, Reno) |
| CE Instructor: Matisse Rose Lovett, M.S. |
| Abstract: This symposium explores assent-based procedures in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). While assent has been acknowledged as an important feature of research and practice, there is minimal empirical evidence demonstrating assent-based procedures that are both effective and practical. The first presentation offers a qualitative analysis of how applied behavior analytic practitioners working with autistic children implement assent-based procedures. Preliminary data have led to the construction of an over-arching framework that aims to enhance the inclusion of child assent in ABA-based therapy. The second presentation details an experimental study evaluating assent-seeking procedures in 20 children under 8 years old. Results suggest that affirmative assent responses correspond with engagement when the research activity is the only option available but may not correspond well when other response options are available. The third presentation examines the impact of flexible assent-based procedures on the social validity and global affect of children with disabilities during research participation. Data show higher levels of positive affect in participants exposed to flexible procedures compared to traditional ones. This symposium underscores the importance of refining assent-based procedures to improve research and therapeutic outcomes in behavior analysis. |
| Instruction Level: Intermediate |
| Keyword(s): Assent, Assent-Based Procedures, Experimental Research, Qualitative Research |
| Target Audience: The target audience for this symposium is behavior analytic researchers and practitioners who work with populations for whom it is important to incorporate assent (e.g. young children, autistic individuals, etc.) |
Learning Objectives: 1. critically assess the ethical considerations and practical challenges of implementing assent-based procedures in behavior analytic therapeutic and research settings
2. identify a minimum of two ways assent-based procedures can be implemented in behavior analytic research and therapeutic practice
3. evaluate empirical and qualitative data analyzing assent-based procedures |
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| A Qualitative Analysis of Applied Behavior Analysis Practitioners Views and Approaches to Assent-Based Behavior Analytic Therapy for Autistic Children |
| Bethany P. Contreras Young (University of Nevada, Reno), Jennifer Castellanos-Bonow (The Learning Consultants), Jeffrey Gesick (The Learning Consultants), Lizbeth Vega Lopez (University of Nevada, Reno), MATISSE ROSE LOVETT (University of Nevada, Reno), Brittney Pauli (The Learning Consultants) |
| Abstract: Therapies based on applied behavior analysis (ABA) are be effective for improving outcomes for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD; National Autism Center, 2015). However, autistic self-advocates argue that ABA-based therapy does not include the patient themselves in the treatment planning process, violating the autonomy and self-determination of the patient (e.g., Wilkenfeld & McCarthy, 2020). The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) recently elaborated the consent requirements for therapeutic services within their Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts to include assent procedures (BACB, 2020). Despite the acknowledgement that patient assent should be a critical feature of ABA-based therapy, there is minimal research demonstrating assent-based therapy methods that are both effective and practical. Without evidence-based procedures to assess and obtain assent from patients, and procedures for guiding therapeutic decisions when clients withdraw assent, practitioners are at risk of violating patient autonomy. The purpose of the current research is to conduct practice-based research using a qualitative analysis of how applied behavior analytic practitioners working with autistic children implement assent-based procedures. Preliminary data analysis has resulted in the construction of an over-arching framework for assent procedures in the context of practice and an operationally defined pathway for building assent procedures into ABA-based therapy. |
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| An Experimental Model for the Analysis of Research Assent in Children |
| Javier Ortega (Emirates College for Advanced Education), Aida Rodriguez (Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Special Education operated by The New England Center for Children), Michelle P. Kelly (Emirates College for Advanced Education (ECAE)), Shannon Ward (Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Special Education operated by The New England Center for Children), Shaza Mohamed Attia (Emirates College for Advanced Education), Victoria Nguyen (Emirates College for Advanced Education), SARAH C. MEAD JASPERSE (Emirates College for Advanced Education) |
| Abstract: A critical component of conducting behavior analytic research with children is the protection of their rights and promotion of their autonomy. One way to empower children is to incorporate effective assent procedures. In this case, children can assent (agree) to participate in research or dissent (not agree) to participate. There are several factors that may confound the assent process (e.g., availability of other response options, relative preference of the activities). In this experimental study, we evaluated several assent-seeking procedures (e.g., verbally asking a child if they want to participate, using a written assent form) and compared the choices made during the assent procedures to subsequent actual engagement with research activities. Twenty young children (under 8 years) participated. A reversal design was used to compare engagement during conditions in which an alternative activity was available and a condition in which only the research activity was available. Additionally, relative preference for the research activity and the type of assent-seeking procedures were compared across participants. The findings suggest with a reasonable level of confidence that affirmative assent responses correspond with engagement when the research activity is the only option available but may not correspond well when other response options are available. |
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Assent-Based Procedures to Guide Participation of Children With Disabilities in Applied Behavior Analytic Research |
| ANDREA NICOLE MICHAELS (University of Nevada, Reno), Kathleen Wiley (The Learning Consultants), Bethany P. Contreras Young (University of Nevada, Reno), Svetlana Danielyan (Utah State University), Audrey N. Hoffmann (Utah State University) |
| Abstract: According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, assent refers to a child’s affirmative agreement and willingness to participate in research activities. Furthermore, assent is not simply complying with a researcher’s directions; there must be affirmation and volition (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.). To date, there are very few publications that describe assent-based procedures within research as part of the methodology (Morris et al., 2021). Additionally, there is little guidance within the literature on how to proceed if a participant withdraws assent while conducting research. Our study incorporated assent-based measures in order to determine social validity for each participant. The data from our first measure, trial-by-trial assent data, indicates that, overall, all participants participated in research activities the majority of the time. That is, when presented with the research task, the participants continually gave their assent. Our second measure, global affect, aimed to determine the participants’ overall affect each day research sessions were conducted. Results indicate that the participants who experienced more “flexible” research sessions demonstrated a positive global affect for more days compared to participants who experienced more “traditional” research sessions. Implications on measuring and reporting assent-based practices within literature will be discussed. |
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