Ontario Association for Behaviour Analysis (ONTABA)’s Post

🌟News in the Autism Services Space for Adults 🌟 A recent article from Behavioral Health Business sheds light on emerging reimbursement trends that promise to expand access to autism services for adults, marking a pivotal shift in the availability and scope of support for this demographic. The insightful piece, featuring commentary from The Stepping Stones Group, LLC Stones' Douglas Moes, where Doug underscores the growing recognition of the need for lifelong care and support in the autism community. As we applaud these advancements, it's crucial to highlight solutions that cater to this evolving landscape. CentralReach is at the forefront with avail®, our award-winning digital support platform designed specifically for adults and children with cognitive disabilities. Since its inception in 2015, avail® has been a beacon of innovation, enabling individuals to master essential life skills for independent and confident living. Why avail® Stands Out: Research-Based: Built on clinical research and therapy practices, avail® leverages Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles to craft personalized learning experiences. Comprehensive Learning: Our platform addresses a wide range of skills necessary for independence, from employment to independent living, ensuring a holistic approach to development. Data-Driven: With a focus on outcome-based goals, avail by CentralReach provides invaluable insights through detailed reports and data analysis, enhancing the effectiveness of learning programs. Empowering Independence: avail® is not just a technology solution; it's a gateway to autonomy for countless individuals facing cognitive challenges. By partnering with organizations, companies, and associations, we're able to maximize resources and create impactful, quality programs that resonate with learners across various domains. As we witness the landscape of autism services for adults evolve, CentralReach's avail® stands ready to support this journey towards greater independence and opportunity. Let's embrace these positive changes together and ensure that every individual has the tools and support they need to thrive. https://lnkd.in/gyyCbS-8 #AutismServices #AdultLearning #CentralReach #Avail #BehavioralHealth #ABA #Independence #InnovationInCare #abatherapy

New Blog Post | Picking the Right Social Skills Assessment by Nahoma Presberg, https://lnkd.in/eYAEtmgq Read Here: https://lnkd.in/e4PRGeP7 "Social skills is a hugely broad category used to describe so much to do with the world around us. Young children begin to learn social skills starting with early play skills. Babies learn that making sounds from their mouth can often get an enthusiastic response from a caregiver. Preschoolers learn to share their toys with their friends. Every stage of development includes the expansion of a child’s social world. For children with developmental disabilities, social skills may not develop in the same ways. ABA therapy can often be a useful tool to help children understand about social contingencies and engage more appropriately with the world around them." #autismblog #socialskills #socialskillsforkids #autismtherapy #behaviortherapy #behavioranalyst #bcba #aba #abatherapy

Hey, #BehaviorAnalyst, #BCaBA, or #RBT! Do you care about the humans you serve to the degree that you want to set them up for success across their lifespans? And are you aware that Autistic adults are more likely to be on the #LGBTQIA+ spectrum than to be straight/heteronormative? So, many Autistic kids are going to grow up to be #queer humans, with queer needs -- including an affirming system who can help reduce the high likelihood of self-harm, isolation and suicidality that are reported in Autistic adults, especially ones who don't have socially-valid queer-affirming supports? Strang et al., 2018, noted that Autistic adults with Gender Dysphoria are at the highest risk of suicide of any comorbidity in the DSM-5 -- and we have the power to help! It takes 1 -- JUST 1 -- affirming support to reduce suicidality in queer persons from being 3x higher than their peers, to back within more common ranges (Trevor Project, 2019). One thing I also want to acknowledge is that #ABA is known for being non-affirming, coercive and aligned with conversion therapy, which was developed with contributions from Lovaas. We need to take the power of this science and turn Lovaas's ideas on their heads, SAVING lives instead of damaging people. But how can you BE that person -- an affirming ABA practitioner? #Skinner, the REAL father of our field (sorry, Lovaas!), noted "The ideal of #behaviorism is to eliminate coercion." Even Skinner would affirm the importance of affirming care! It starts with training -- *good* training that includes intersectional voices and the narratives of those living out their lives and facing challenges, rather than simply reading academic literature about them, written by people who may not actually be as culturally competent as they believe themselves to be. Come listen to the narratives shared by Maxi Glamour, a drag and music performer and International activist; along with myself, an Autistic queer adult who survived reparative therapy and went on to become a Behavior Analyst! Get some unique CEUs and make powerful positive changes, aligned with autonomy and self-direction, in the lives of the humans you serve! #affirmingcare #pride #pride2024 #sexualbehavioranalysis #certifiedbehavioralsexologist #bacb #ceus #continuingeducation https://lnkd.in/gmU_67Nt

Hi All,   I facilitated as a delivery team facilitator for Positive Partnerships 2-day professional learning workshop for Autism Inclusion Teachers at the education centre in Hindmarsh SA South Australia on the 4th and 5th of April.   What I did for this event   I was on the signing table helping direct participants to the room their workshop was in as they were 3 Positive Partnerships workshops running simultaneously for this event.   On day one   I facilitated the strengths and interest section I shared my own strengths and interests. Including how teachers applied this to my learning in re-entry year 12 in 2008.    I facilitated some slides on connections to community and culture section I also mentioned autistic pride day on June 18 as part of autistic culture in this section.   I contributed towards other sections by giving examples including executive functioning and communication One example of my contributions included that expressive language is motor and receptive language is sensory.   I facilitated the double empathy problem and the social section highlighting the different autistic social types.   On day 2   I Co-facilitated the sensory section and the self-care and independent section I also shared how I have supported my autistic niece with finding a sensory friendly hairbrush.   In the mental health section, I shared important statistics that affect autistic adults including the low rate of employment and tertiary education for autistic people I also shared my own example in relation to bullying in high school that was why originally left.   I shared About Five things to be considered when using Antecedent behaviour consequence with autistic individuals.   In the working in partnerships with parents and teachers I shared some alternative ways for autistic people to communicate their views for these meetings. #autism #autistic #PositivePartnerships #autismspectrum

🌟Staff Highlight!🌟Introducing our incredible staff at ABA Connect, who deliver exceptional play-based ABA therapy to kids with autism. Together, we are changing lives and improving outcomes for kids and their families. This week’s highlight is Artavia Dennis, BCBA at our Round Rock clinic! Q: How did you know you wanted to work in ABA? It’s always been my passion to help others. Whenever I discovered the field of ABA I said to myself “yep this is it” and haven’t looked back since. Q: What are you passionate about within the field of ABA? I’m passionate about teaching the client’s language and communication skills. I love to see these skills generalize into other environments. Just knowing that they were able to communicate effectively what they wanted/needed really warms my heart. Q: How does your personality influence your approach to therapy? I find I have a very relaxed and understanding personality. This helps me to find the positive in every situation. Q: What do you find most rewarding about your work? Seeing the client’s gain independence and make friends with one another 😊 Q: In three words, describe your therapy style: Calm, silly, loving.  Join Artavia, and our ABA Connect team by visiting us on indeed, or our website at www.abaconnect.com! #teamabaconnect #abaconnect #bcbacareers #aba #abacareers #wearehiring #bcba #rbt #bt #psychologycareers

A growing demand for ABA therapy is pushing the limits of healthcare and Action Behavior Centers - ABA Therapy for Autism (ABC) is responding with action. Through the ABC Foundations education program, developed in partnership with InStride, 87% of program participants are pursuing BCBA certification, addressing this critical need. With over 200 degree options, ABC is advancing careers while reshaping the future of care. “We aim to enable children to achieve their fullest potential by being the leading Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy provider in the nation,” says Sharon Alpizar, ABC’s Chief People Officer. 👉 Learn more about how career-aligned education is changing the landscape of healthcare: https://bit.ly/4eBCjbn #InStride #ABATherapy #EmployeeDevelopment #WorkforceEducation #SocialImpact

Asserting that PBS and ABA are one and the same is not just an oversimplification; it's a fundamental misrepresentation of what PBS stands for. Yes, PBS emerged from the principles of ABA, but it has since matured into a model that puts the person first, empowering individuals rather than controlling them. Let's be crystal clear: PBS is not about enforcing compliance or molding individuals into preconceived notions of 'acceptable behavior.' It's about enriching lives by creating environments that foster growth, understanding, and self-determination. To imply that PBS practitioners are not listening to the voices of the autism community is to ignore the very foundation upon which PBS is built. We are the ones in the trenches, advocating for rights, individualising support, and tirelessly working to tailor our approaches to the unique needs and wishes of each person. The path forward is clear: We continue to push the boundaries of PBS, guided by direct feedback, scientific evidence, and a relentless commitment to uphold the dignity and choices of those we serve. This is the heart of PBS, and it beats strong with the voices of the community. Let's not dilute our impact with misconceptions; instead, let's amplify the truth of our cause with the evidence of our actions 👌🏽

This needs to be shared as far and wide as possible to show the voices of autistic people. The spread of ABA and other similar conversion therapies needs to stop. In addition proper research on the long term effects of this kind of therapy needs to be conducted. “The majority of the 620 survey respondents from Europe were strongly against the use of ABA and ABA-based methods with autistic people. Yet the provision of these methods is growing in Europe (11), while the voices of autistic people remain unheard in decision-making concerning research and development of services. For example, there is growing concern regarding EU-funded projects aimed at introducing ABA-related methods to teachers, promoting them as the gold standard for addressing autistic pupils’ difficulties in schools and early education (12).”

Letter “E” is for Elopement! Elopement, known to many as wandering, is when a child leaves an area without permission or supervision. For some kids, this may just be running away from an instructional area, but for other kids, it can be a lot more dangerous. Some children elope from their homes, schools, or even while they are out in the community. This is always a concern when it happens because a lot of our kids are unable to answer questions if approached by someone in their community, or to let someone know if they are lost. Other behaviors such as stereotypy, self-injurious behavior, aggression, etc. may further complicate things because it may make others hesitant to approach an individual with autism who may very well need assistance. If elopement is a behavior your child engages in, consider ABA therapy! Through ABA therapy, skilled professionals will work to identify the reason why your child may be engaging in elopement and ways to prevent/reduce this behavior. #ABATherapy ⁠#rbt #bcba #bcaba #autismcommunity #autismtherapy #appliedbehavioranalysis #autismblog #boardcertifiedbehavioranalyst #autismspectrumdisorder #autismstrong #asdsupport #aba #bcba #bcbalife #behavioranalysis #behaviortherapy #education #abatherapy #appliedbehavioranalysis #behavioranalysis #specialeducation #autism #asd #autismsupport #autismcommunity #abalifecenter

The English SEND Code (2014) makes 6 references to Person-Centred Planning and the Wales ALN Act(2021) makes 24 references ...what does this look like across our schools? #schoolculture #schools #learning #evolvingsystems #systemsdesign