Association for Behavior Analysis International

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has been useful in addressing societal problems related to the criminal justice field. For example, the role of teaching families in reducing recidivism and the improvement of prison drug programs. ABA has been helpful in guiding the court system in identifying effective sanctions, called graduated sanctions, understanding the effects of behavioral/cognitive-behavioral programs on recidivism, parent training, functional behavioral assessment and team problem solving schools for emotionally and behaviorally disordered students. It has also impacted the assessment of child sexual abuse. Continued advocacy and research are needed to make behavior analytic services available to criminal justice, mental health, military and veterans’ fields and to document the efficacy of behavior analysis in these applications. The Mission of the Crime, Delinquency and Forensic Behavior Analysis Special Interest Group is to ensure that those in the criminal justice fields have access to appropriate, evidence-based, behavior analytic, therapeutic resources to reduce crime and delinquency.

The ACT and Psychological Flexibility Special Interest Group was launched in 2018. This paper provides an overview of the current SIG Board and initial SIG initiatives, including various committees and task forces. Initial actions included developing the SIG mission, name and objectives, reviewing leadership selection and structure, and communications and activities initiatives.

To disseminate the science of human behavior to the public at large, through the use of easy to understand explanations. Our goal is to promote behavior analysis in a positive and accurate light, to help society realize the potential of our science. If you are interested in the dissemination of the science of behavior analysis worldwide, this is the place for you. We're looking to release behavior analysis from its pigeon-holes, and really publicize the potential our science has to develop global solutions in all realms of life. Behavior Analysts have demonstrated our efficacy in very specific populations, and we're really good at proving that our interventions work...to ourselves. We are not as good at getting the word out to those who aren't aware of the science of behavior!

The mission of the Health, Sports & Fitness Special Interest Group (SIG) is to bring together and support behavior analysts with personal and/or professional interests in the areas of health, sports and fitness (HSF). The Health, Sports & Fitness SIG's current activities and goals are 1) to bring together increasing numbers of behavior analysts with professional and/or personal interest in the areas of health, sports, and fitness, (2) to highlight behavioral research and application in the areas of health, sports and fitness (3) to expand current methods of communicating with SIG members and other interested parties (4) to provide incentives and support to student members conducting research in these areas and (5) to provide activities and events that will strengthen collaborative efforts among members. Current members participate in research and practice in the areas of health and wellness training with individuals with and without disabilities, sports training and workplace wellness. SIG members have the opportunity to network for practice and research purposes, as well as learning ways to become more involved in the areas of health, sports, and fitness as behavior analysts.

Positive behavior support (PBS), a systems approach, uses behavioral principles to redesign environmental contexts that enhance quality of life while decreasing problem behavior and increasing socially valid replacement behavior. Behavior analysts involved in PBS operate within various levels from providing direct supports to individuals to applying principles to broad systems (e.g., organizations, schools). The Positive Behavior Support Special Interest Group provides a forum for behavior analysts to discuss issues relevant to the profession.

The Speech Pathology and Applied Behavior Analysis (SPABA) SIG poster will provide information about the SIG’s mission, the composition of our membership, the treatment and research areas applicable to the members of our SIG, and nally, the various benets of membership in and donation to our SIG. The SIG’s mission is to promote the dissemination of behaviorally-oriented speech and language research and the application of evidence-based practices relevant to the full range of services provided by speech and language professionals. Expo attendees to our poster will receive information about SIG membership and its benefits and the resources that are available on the SIG website and the SIG's various social media. As well, opportunities for participation on various SIG committees will be highlighted. In addition, SIG Executive members will be available at the poster for informal discussions with visitors, to answer specific questions and, in general, to promote interest in the dissemination of behavioral interventions for speech and language disorders.