What is Functional Communication Training?

My student Molly is nonvocal. Whenever I assign independent worksheets, Molly will often refuse to work by ripping up the assignment, throwing her pencil, or putting her head down. There are also times when the students are working and I must take a phone call or am helping another student, and she screams. I am…

How do self-injurious behaviors develop?

I am a new teacher who will have a student with some self-injurious behavior entering my classroom next year. Although his behavioral intervention will be overseen by a board certified behavior analyst, I would like a general understanding of how certain behaviors develop into self-injury. Answered by Ennio Cipani, PhD Like yourself, many teachers will…

Showcasing Behavior Development Solutions: An Overview

Showcasing Behavior Development Solutions: An Overview Kate McKenna, MEd, MSEd, BCBA, LBA Association for Science in Autism Treatment The term one-stop shop originated in the United States in the late 1920s and describes a business model offering customers the convenience of having all their needs met in one location, instead of having to “drive all…

An Interview with Melmark’s Executive Leadership Team

Interview conducted by Mary Jane Weiss, PhD, BCBA-D Association for Science in Autism Treatment I recently had the opportunity to speak with the Leadership Team at Melmark and ask them some questions about how Melmark delivers services, trains staff, and fulfills its mission.     Questions for Rita Gardner, MPH, LABA, BCBA; President and Chief…

Catatonia in Autism Spectrum Disorder

My child with ASD has begun to engage in a few behaviors that concern me. For example, he no longer performs skills that he used to be able to do on his own, and he now moves very slowly! I’ve heard about catatonia, and worry that it might be affecting my son. Can you tell…

Updated Resources for Promoting Dental Hygiene and Success at the Dentist

Resources for Promoting Success at the Dentist David Celiberti, PhD, BCBA-D, Maithri Sivaraman, MSc, BCBA, and Yash Gupta Association for Science in Autism Treatment Resistance associated with dental visits is an all-too-common challenge for many individuals with (and without) autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Such resistance can lead to the use of restraint or pharmacological management,…

Book review : The Training Curriculum for Supervisors of ABA Technicians in Autism Programs

The Training Curriculum for Supervisors of ABA Technicians in Autism Programs (2017) William T. Courtney, Breanne K. Hartley, Vince J. LaMarca, Mary Rosswurm, and Dennis H. Reid Distributed by LittleStar ABA Therapy Reviewed by David Celiberti and Sarah Treadaway The Training Curriculum for Supervisors of ABA Technicians in Autism Programs Effective training and supervision is…

Identifying Applied Behavior Analysis Interventions

Consumer Corner What follows is the Executive Summary of a white paper published by the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA) in May 2017. APBA is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote and advance the science-based practice of behavior analysis by advocating for public policies and informing, supporting, and protecting practitioners and consumers.…