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| Womxn Entrepreneurship in Behavior Analysis: Reflections, Barriers, and Ethical Considerations |
| Saturday, May 24, 2025 |
| 10:00 AM–10:50 AM |
| Marriott Marquis, M2 Level, Marquis Salon 6 |
| Area: CSS; Domain: Service Delivery |
| Chair: Lauryn Toby (LittleStar ABA Therapy) |
| CE Instructor: Lauryn Toby, Ph.D. |
| Abstract: On average, womxn (i.e., cisgender women, transwomen, and nonbinary individuals assigned female at birth) are significantly underrepresented in leadership roles compared to men (Bertrand, 2018). This is true for those who are self-employed or working for a company. The challenges womxn face in starting independent projects, businesses, or service lines are varied, but differ compared to those faced by men (Keller et al., 2023). This symposium seeks to highlight the experiences of womxn in behavior analysis in leadership and entrepreneurship roles. It will focus on ethical and intentional decision-making when creating a new business or project, with the aim of guiding participants in meeting their professional goals while still adhering to ethical standards. Through three interconnected presentations, participants will learn to transform their ideas into reality, starting with an initial concept, engaging in thorough research and networking, and culminating in a successful launch. Barriers to success and practical solutions will also be discussed. The presentations will reference the BACB ethics code, with a focus on Responsibility in Practice and Responsibility as a Professional. Key takeaways for attendees include the importance of engaging with stakeholders, reflecting on personal values, and committing to lifelong learning. As Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) continues to evolve, this symposium offers crucial insights for womxn professionals seeking to navigate these changes ethically and effectively. |
| Instruction Level: Intermediate |
| Keyword(s): Community Engagement, Entrepreneurship, Womxn Leaders |
| Target Audience: Intermediate - Content is targeted towards practitioners with some experience in the field looking for guidelines to grow or expand their practice, or start their own project, practice, or business. |
Learning Objectives: 1. List 3 ethical considerations when starting your own business, project or company
2. List one advantage and one disadvantage of using social media for dissemination of behavior analysis
3. Outline 2 ways to engage with community partners in serving the autistic and disabled population |
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| From Idea to Impact: Starting Your Own Mission-Driven Organization |
| STEFANIE FILLERS MITCHELL (Run the Gamut, Inc) |
| Abstract: Founders of new organizations face a momentous task: building with intention. They must create an entity that embodies their mission and purpose, adheres to best practices, follows current research, and fosters a positive, supportive environment for all stakeholders. While a multitude of empirically based sources exists to guide decision-making, building an organization from the outset to incorporate all recommendations is a significant challenge. For example, Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) research has examined various aspects of improving workplace environments, including increasing efficiency, retaining staff, and identifying characteristics of effective leadership (Reid et al., 2021; Daniels, 2009). Additionally, research in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has explored best teaching practices and effective tools to increase the likelihood of meaningful outcomes (Bahry et al., 2022). This presentation will examine the decision-making process from the inception of an idea to the opening of a new organization, focusing on best practices, current research, and ethical considerations. Furthermore, it will address barriers to executing a mission as planned and strategies for overcoming adversity. |
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| Creating a Community of Belonging |
| JENNIFER D. SMITH (Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; University of Cincinnati College of Medicine) |
| Abstract: Community inclusion is a right for people with developmental disabilities (DD) and their families. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) serves as a guideline for physical accessibility in community spaces but is not enough to promote true inclusion. As behavior analysts and psychologists, we have a responsibility to provide guidance to our community partners so they are properly equipped. This presentation will discuss Cincinnati Children’s Hospital’s Starting Our Adventure Right (SOAR) program as a model to help community venues plan for accessibility, inclusion, and true belonging. SOAR has developed partnerships with several organizations in Cincinnati including an international airport, zoo, museums, theaters, parks, sports teams, and retail spaces. The goal of SOAR is for families to have opportunities to participate in successful outings based on what is right for them. Similarly, SOAR works to ensure that community members feel successful in supporting individuals with DD and their families during any visit to their venue, not just during specially designated events. Qualitative and quantitative feedback from SOAR has been positive. Attendees will hear steps guided by ethical and intentional decision-making to develop SOAR, how to apply steps in their own communities, and lessons learned regarding successes and challenges thus far. |
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| Using Social Media to Increase Dissemination Impact, Build a Behavioral Brand, and Ignite Community |
| ERICA RANADE (University of Louisville), Lauryn Toby (LittleStar ABA Therapy) |
| Abstract: Individuals now value social media as a communication medium more than ever (Nisar & Whitehead, 2016). As the discipline of behavior analysis continues to grow, practitioner-scientists seek alternative and unconventional ways to disseminate information. Dissemination impact refers to the successful sharing of information, including the distribution of non-scholarly products, such as social media (Critchfield et al., 2022; Trueger et al., 2015). Social media allows for a bidirectional interaction between producers and consumers, which allows for the discovery of consumer interests and tailored content (Nisar & Whitehead, 2016). The Behavioral Perspective Model (BPM) views consumer behavior through the lens of learning history and the consumer environment to signal socially mediated consequences within an embedded community (Foxall, 1990; 1997; 1998; 2002). This talk will approach topics such as dissemination, branding, and community-building through the lens of behavioral economics while providing a case study that follows the development of a book and subsequent social media community by two interdisciplinary behavior analysts. Additionally, key ethical considerations regarding responsible social media dissemination will be provided. |
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