Association for Behavior Analysis International

This poster will provide an update on the Behavior Analysis Accreditation Board's (BAAB) standards and activities.

The Department of Applied Behavior Science is housed in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Kansas. It comprises 16 regular faculty members, 55 adjunct and courtesy faculty members, more than 200 undergraduate majors, and over 40 doctoral students. The Department exists because a natural science of behavior uniquely helps us understand and improve the human condition locally, nationally, and globally. Our graduate mission is to train scientist-practitioners and researchers in the discovery, production, translation, application, and communication of knowledge for the same purposes. These missions entail four domains of teaching, training, and research: Basic principles of a natural science of behavior; research methods in basic and applied research, the latter including prevention and intervention research; historical and conceptual foundations; and the extension and application of these domains for understanding and improving the human condition. What makes our missions unique is their foundation in a science of behavior, dedication to rigorous standards of experimental proof, and applications of the science and these standards to solving socially relevant problems. Rigor and relevance, together, are the Department's hallmark, both in making knowledge and taking it to practice.

The program's mission is to enable its students to work proficiently with the coherent system of concepts and principles of behavior analysis, preparing them for professional careers in a variety of environments. The core principles and techniques of ABA are broadly applicable; hence, the interdisciplinary character of this program. Demand for individuals with applied behavior-analytic competencies is intense and growing, especially in social service agencies and educational institutions that serve individuals with autism or with developmental disabilities and functional deficits resulting from head injury. The program also provides competencies for diverse types of work, such as devising arrangements for more effective instruction and classroom management, teaching strategies for effective behavior management in home settings, and designing and improving performance, productivity, and safety in organizations. The program is anchored upon fundamentals of the behavior - analytic approach. These include direct and continuous measures of behavior both before and during interventions and graphical representation of outcomes, especially as applied to within-subject research designs. Complementing these is an emphasis upon the logic and style of scientific prose and upon principles of ethical practice.

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at the Los Angeles and Orange County campuses offer graduate programs that provide students with a solid understanding of the Science and Philosophy of Behavior Analysis as the foundation that informs Applied Behavior Analysis, the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, and Service Delivery domains to produce graduates who rely on the science of behavior to contribute to the betterment of society. The M.S. ABA program incorporates the content areas and practicum requirements to make graduates eligible for national board certification by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board in addition to providing a solid foundation in the philosophy, science, and application of behavior analysis. The Ph.D. Psychology, Behavior Analysis Specialization program expands upon the knowledge and skills learned in the M.S. ABA program by strengthening students research and clinical skills and their knowledge base, as well as training students to become university professors and high-level supervisors and consultants. In addition, graduates of the Ph.D. Psychology, Behavior Analysis Specialization program are eligible to seek licensure as a Licensed Psychologist in the state of California.

With close to 100 years of experience in higher education, the University of South Wales has played a significant role in the economic, social and cultural advancement of Wales. The university’s Centre for Behaviour Analysis, housed with the School of Psychology, includes undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, as well as our research-led Behaviour Analysis Clinic. Approved by the BACB, our academic programmes are designed to equip students with a solid foundation in cutting-edge behaviour analytic research and clinical skills, while our supervised practice programmes ensure students have opportunities to apply and refine their skills across a range of populations and settings. Our on-campus clinic provides a variety of services, including early intervention, parent training, behaviour therapy, and fluency-based academic intervention. In addition to the opportunities at our clinic, close linkages with local schools, charities, and the National Health Service ensure that students have ample settings for both research and clinical practice. Our faculty have a range of specialisations, helping students contact the scope of behaviour analytic science and applications.

This poster highlights the range and of ABAI affiliated chapters and the accomplishments of the board over the past year.

The Brazilian Association for Behavior Analysis (Associação Brasileira de Análise do Comportamento, ACBr) started in 2016 "to promote nationally the study and dissemination of the cultural matrix known as Behavior Analysis, in its contemporary verbal practices, as they are presented in journals published under the auspices of the national and international communities of behavior analysts". In 2016 and 2017 ACBr, ABAI's brazilian Associate Chapter, worked as an independent entity providing exclusive services and benefits for our members. Teaching and disseminating behavior analysis is a main issue for ACBr: we're investing in continued education agenda, providing online lectures and materials related to basic research and applied behavior analysis. One of the highlights of this agenda was an online lecture with Prof. Alan D. Poling, PhD. ACBr is planning for the next year an agenda full of different kinds of events. ACBr will also provide other modalities of online events, such as supervision for basic and applied researchers, debates about controversial topics inside behavior analysis. We're improving our communication with our members through our new website, in which members can log in to access exclusive content. As ACBr grows, it has to become more agile and less bureaucratic. So during the next months ACBr board will work along with our members to propose a new bylaw and improve both the internal work of our association and the relation with our members. In 2017, ACBr, in a partnership with the Brazilian Association of Psychology and Behavioral Medicine (ABPMC), will hold its first annual convention entitled Symposium I of Experimental Analysis of Behavior, that will take place at the state of São Paulo, in September 6th. A special issue of the Brazilian Journal of Behavior Analysis (REBAC) will be dedicated to presented papers at the symposium.

Arkansas parents and professionals have worked together to advocate for children with autism and other needs. We want to share our struggles and successes as well as our hopes for the future.

The Behavior Analysis Association of Mississippi for in February 2014 in an effort to promote the science of behavior analysis and its associated technologies with the state of Mississippi. The organization serves as a scientific and professional reference group for those who embrace the principles and practices of behavior analysis, while also engaging in efforts to advise the political, legislative, and policy-making bodies with respect to all matters pertaining to behavior analysis in the state of Mississippi.

This poster will highlight the work the British Columbia Association of Behavior Analysis (BC-ABA) has been doing in the past year as a very active affiliate chapter of ABAI. Data will be presented on current and past membership levels, BC-ABA sponsored and co-sponsored events, annual conference attendance and presentation numbers, as well as new developments in behavior analysis in British Columbia.

CalABA continues to evolve and grow as does the practice of behavior analysis in California. Membership topped 2,000 for the first time in the organizations history. The 34th annual conference took place in Santa Clara and attendance was 2,106 which was a 15% increase from 2015. In order to provide improved communication and service to our membership, a new website and career center were launched. CalABA and APBA also hosted a series of joint Town Hall meetings which provided direct access to our members for Board members and staff of both organizations. CalABA continues to be active in the public policy arena and sponsored AB 1715 to license behavior analysts in 2016. The bill ultimately did not pass, but valuable lessons were learned which will be used moving forward. CalABA held the 3rd annual Science Retreat where professors at grounded California universities were invited to collaborate with Board members and staff on issues related to higher education. Topics included research opportunities and competitions, the development of Ph.D. program in California as well as the development of resources for practice-based research. All of these activities support the organizations mission to Advance, Promote, and Protect the science and practice of behavior analysis.

The Icelandic Association for Behavior Analysis (ICEABA) is now in its twelfth year. ICEABA is a young association with a diverse membership. Since the establishment of our organization we have grown in numbers and ambition. Our first conference was held in 2009 and we plan to hold a conference every other year with smaller events, such as workshops, in between. The Association places emphasis on informal meetings every month where members share information on research and work in the field. These meetings continue throughout the year. Our email list and facebook page have also been a great venue for lively discussions for members and these continue with verve. The members of ICEABA are excited for the future. We aim to continue working on promoting the science of behavior in Iceland and being a professional reference group for scientists and practitioners in the field of behavior analysis.

This poster describes the history and current status of the Japanese Association for Behavior Analysis. The Japanese ABA was established in 1983 as the primary membership organization to promote the science of behavior and its application. The membership reached 1007 as of September 2016. The Japanese ABA holds annual convention, publishes the Japanese Journal of Behavior Analysis twice a year and J-ABA Newsletters four times a year, provides a grant for students who attend ABAI/SQAB conventions, supports seminars and workshops on behavior analysis, and more.

Lone Star Association for Behavior Analysis (LSABA) is a local ABAI affiliate, serving the Houston area in Texas. LSABA is proud to be a rapidly-growing membership of professionals and educators who are dedicated to promoting Applied Behavior Analysis, the importance of professional Board Certification, and to serving needs within the Houston area. LSABA has recently formed a Peer Support Committee in order to better support providers in the greater Houston area. In addition, LSABA provides professional discussion and development, opportunities for continuing education, professional networking, and collaboration with other local organizations to provide training and other services for professionals and consumers alike. LSABA welcomes new members across disciplines who utilize Applied Behavior Analysis in a variety of applications.

The North Carolina Association for Behavior Analysis, NCABA, celebrated its 28th conference February 22-24, 2017, in Wrightsville Beach, NC. Melanie Bachmeyer, our NCABA President, coordinated an outstanding array of speakers including Travis Thompson, Kenneth Silverman, Pat Friman, Claire St. Peter, Carole Van Camp, Mark Galizio, Denny Reid and others. The NCABA conference featured over 20 presentations, a poster session and five workshops offered for both behavior analyst and psychologist continuing education credits. Attendees received over 1000 behavior analyst CEs for BCBAs and BCaBAs in NC and surrounding states. Visit our great NCABA website (www.nc-aba.com) for news about next year's 29th anniversary conference in February, 2018, and to view our NCABA newsletters and history of awards. Don't forget to "Catch someone doing good!"

The Philadelphia Metropolitan Association for Behavior Analysis Chapter was created with the mission to to bring together new and established behavior analysts from the region. The Philadelphia Metropolitan region includes areas regionally surrounding Philadelphia in the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland. Specifically this includes but is not limited to areas such as: New Castle County, Delaware; Cecil County, Maryland; Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester, Mercer, and Salem Counties in New Jersey, and Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties in Pennsylvania. Our objective is to provide continuing education for behavior analysts in an informal setting that has the atmosphere of a social gathering. Another primary goal of the Philadelphia Metropolitan Association for Behavior Analysis is to increase cohesiveness among local behavior analysts who might otherwise be isolated as a result of working in diverse settings with service providers and researchers who are not behavior analytic, as many of our members are the only behavior analysts at their places of employment. Specifically, the organization shall: (a) Serve as a scientific and professional reference and networking group for its members. (b) Disseminate information to promote its mission to a wider audience. (c) Organize at least one annual business meeting to provide a forum for discussion of the affairs of the chapter. (d) Organize at least two CEU events per calendar year (e) Maintain a list serve or web page for postings, announcements, and events for members.

Autism Home Support Services (AHSS) provides individualized behavior therapy in center and home environments throughout the greater Chicago, Ann Arbor, and Denver areas. The AHSS culture is driven by our Core Values: Teamwork, Positivity and Energy, Empathy, and Getting Stuff Done for our clients. Utilizing the evidence-based practices of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), a treatment scientifically proven to have the most effective results for helping children with autism, we make a meaningful difference in a child's overall development, skills for independence, and long-term success. Since opening their doors in 2009, AHSS has been striving towards clinical excellence by staying in touch and current with the changing landscape of service delivery, promoting, supporting, disseminating research, and by maintaining keen focus on clinical quality. Take the opportunity in Denver, to come learn about our model of service delivery and vast clinical distinctions, along with the growing accomplishments and next directions for AHSS.