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| The Threat of Misinformation and Disinformation in Autism Supports to the Applied Behavior Analysis Profession |
| Sunday, May 25, 2025 |
| 4:00 PM–4:50 PM |
| Convention Center, Street Level, 146 A |
| Area: PRA/AUT; Domain: Service Delivery |
| Chair: Alec M Bernstein (Children's Mercy Hospital; University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine) |
| CE Instructor: SungWoo Kahng, Ph.D. |
| Presenting Author: SUNGWOO KAHNG (Rutgers University) |
| Abstract: Misinformation and disinformation present significant threats to the integrity and public perception of applied behavior analysis (ABA) interventions to support autistic individuals. These challenges can undermine evidence-based practices, erode trust in professionals, and contribute to the proliferation of pseudoscientific alternatives. This presentation will explore the multifaceted impact of misinformation and disinformation on the field of ABA, including their influence on policy, funding, and the dissemination of effective interventions. Using recent examples, the talk will examine how false narratives about ABA circulate on social media and other platforms, often amplifying misconceptions about the therapy’s goals, methods, and outcomes. Strategies for combating these issues will be discussed, including the importance of coordinated, clear, transparent communication with stakeholders, proactive public engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Additionally, this presentation will highlight the role of behavior analysts in promoting media literacy and advocating for science-based practices. By fostering critical thinking and equipping practitioners with tools to address misinformation, the field can better safeguard its reputation and continue providing effective, ethical care to individuals with autism. This call to action aims to empower ABA professionals to actively counter disinformation while championing the scientific foundation of their work. |
| Instruction Level: Basic |
Learning Objectives: 1. Identify the Impact of Misinformation and Disinformation
2. Develop Strategies to Address False Narratives
3. Promote Media Literacy and Professional Advocacy |
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| SUNGWOO KAHNG (Rutgers University) |
 Dr. SungWoo Kahng is the Chair of the Department of Applied Psychology, Director of Academic Programs in Autism and ABA, and a Professor at Rutgers University. Previously, he was an associate professor at the University of Missouri (MU), where he also served as Chair of the Department of Health Psychology, Founding Director of the MU Graduate Programs in Applied Behavior Analysis, and Director of the Applied Behavioral Intervention Service at the MU Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Dr. Kahng has held faculty positions in the Department of Behavioral Psychology and worked as a senior behavior analyst on the Neurobehavioral Unit at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. Additionally, he was an associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Dr. Kahng earned his Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Kalamazoo College and his Ph.D. in behavior analysis from the University of Florida. He has served as an Associate Editor and on the Board of Editors for the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and is currently on the Board of Editors for Behavioral Intervention and the Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. A New Jersey Licensed Behavior Analyst and Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Dr. Kahng is a Fellow of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, a member of the Scientific Council of the Organization for Autism Research, a Trustee of the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies, and on the Board of Trustees for AutismMVP Foundation. He has been the President of the Board of Directors of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, the Applied Representative to the Executive Council of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, and a Past President of the New Jersey Association for Behavior Analysis. Dr. Kahng received the 2003 B.F. Skinner New Researcher Award from Division 25 of the American Psychological Association. His research and clinical work focus on assessing and treating complex problem behaviors in individuals with developmental disabilities. His broader research interests include employment and college supports for adults with autism spectrum disorder, as well as obesity and aging. Dr. Kahng has mentored numerous undergraduate, master’s, and predoctoral students, as well as postdoctoral fellows, and has co-authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles and chapters. |
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