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The current study compared the effects of interteaching and discussion forum activities on quiz and assignment scores in a master's-level asynchronous research methods course. In an alternating-treatments design, six participants engaged in interteaching on half of the weeks and in the discussion forum on alternate weeks. Participants in the interteaching condition (M = 96.75) generally scored higher on quizzes than did those in the discussion forum condition (M = 75.95). The results of a paired-sample t test indicated statistically significant differences between the two conditions at p < .0001, with a substantial effect size of 0.6760. Significant differences in assignment scores were not observed between the interteaching (M = 87.28) and discussion forum (M = 89.08) conditions. Limitations and directions for future research are discussed.

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Safety is a significant clinical challenge in settings serving adults with developmental disabilities. Few resources exist to guide clinical teams in this realm; this study explored safety elements through interviews with experts in critical areas of safety management. The present study aimed to gather knowledge and insights regarding assessing risk among individuals with disabilities. Due to gaps in the available safety literature in adult services, interviews in related areas were conducted and analyzed for thematic content. This paper focuses on the extracted safety themes' categorization, summarization, and implications. The safety themes extracted from the interviews included environmental arrangements, medical, independent living skills, historical indicators of risk, family life skills, challenging behavior, and communication. The interviews identified areas of concern that might guide assessment and inform providers about the most individually relevant contexts to consider when supporting clients.

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Behavior analysts are concerned with developing strong client-therapist relationships. One challenge to the development of such relationships may be a reliance on technical language that stakeholders find unpleasant. Previous research suggests that some behavior analysis terms evoke negative emotional responses. However, most relevant research was conducted with individuals from the general public and not individuals with a history of interaction with behavior analysts. The current study evaluated how parents of individuals with disabilities, who accessed behavior analytic services for their child, rated their emotional responses to 40 behavior analysis terms. We found that half of behavior analysis terms were rated as less pleasant than the majority of English words by parents. Furthermore, word emotion ratings by our stakeholder sample corresponded closely to norms obtained from the general public (Warriner et al. Behavior Research Methods, 45(4), 1191-1207, 2013). Our findings suggest that, while learning history may mediate some emotional responses to words, published word emotion data could be a useful guide to how stakeholders may respond to behavior analysis terminology. A need remains for additional studies examining word emotion responses that may be unique to particular sub-categories of stakeholders and evaluating how emotional responses impact the development of effective relationships.

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Individuals with developmental disabilities sometimes display avoidance responses such as a lack of cooperation, aggression, and vocal refusal when completing health-care routines such as dental cleanings, physicals, and haircuts. This study evaluated the effects of both graduated exposure and a differential reinforcement procedure on the acquisition, maintenance, and generalization of cooperation with dental routines. In addition, autonomic responses were used as an ancillary measure of distress or comfort and were included in the decision tree of practitioner actions. Procedures were completed in a simulated context of a dental examination. The results of this study may lead to more comprehensive treatment plans that include the use of physiological responses in addition to cooperation with procedures as an indicator that an avoidance response has been extinguished. Assessing autonomic arousal may be a useful addition to the procedures of exposing participants to dental visit routines, to improve adaptation, cooperation, and generalization. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40617-023-00808-x.

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As a field that predominately supports individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), we have an ethical duty as behavior analysts to ensure that the goals we write and interventions we prescribe promote best outcomes across the lifespan. This is critical, given that as it stands now, outcomes in adulthood for individuals with ASD are poor in every area assessed. The Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts can be interpreted to provide support for teaching the right goals, the right way, with respect to inherent rights of those we serve, in order to help affect positive changes in these outcomes. The present article highlights ethical themes that are relevant in order to affect these changes that are supported by the Code, as well as actionable steps to take next. The aim is to provide a resource for practitioners to use in clinical practice and in making ethical decisions that will help to improve outcomes for individuals with autism in adulthood. In addition, recommendations are made about integrating these values and approaches in terms of training, supervision, advocacy, and research.

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Human service practitioners from varying fields make ethical decisions daily. At some point during their careers, many behavior analysts may face ethical decisions outside the range of their previous education, training, and professional experiences. To help practitioners make better decisions, researchers have published ethical decision-making models; however, it is unknown the extent to which published models recommend similar behaviors. Thus, we systematically reviewed and analyzed ethical decision-making models from published peer-reviewed articles in behavior analysis and related allied health professions. We identified 55 ethical decision-making models across 60 peer-reviewed articles, seven primary professions (e.g., medicine, psychology), and 22 subfields (e.g., dentistry, family medicine). Through consensus-based analysis, we identified nine behaviors commonly recommended across the set of reviewed ethical decision-making models with almost all (n = 52) models arranging the recommended behaviors sequentially and less than half (n = 23) including a problem-solving approach. All nine ethical decision-making steps clustered around the ethical decision-making steps in the Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts published by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (2020) suggesting broad professional consensus for the behaviors likely involved in ethical decision making.

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Within the field of applied behavior analysis, there is a recognized need for increased training for practitioners on cultural responsiveness, as well as to improve behavior analysts' demonstration of compassion and empathy towards the families with whom they work. The present study used behavioral skills training via telehealth to teach three skillsets-functional assessment interviewing, empathic and compassionate care, and cultural responsiveness. Participants were seven graduate students who had no previous coursework in behavioral assessment and whose caseload mainly included clients who did not share the participant's cultural, ethnic, or religious backgrounds. The results showed that behavioral skills training was effective in improving performance across all three skillsets. In addition, high levels of responding maintained following the completion of the training for the majority of the participants. Several levels of social validity measures support the utility and impact of this training. The findings have implications for training practitioners on these vital skills.

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Behavior analytic translations of nonbehavioral treatments were recommended by Brodhead in Behavior Analysis in Practice, 8(1), 70-78 (2015) as part of a decision-making framework for practitioners working on interprofessional treatment teams. Professionals from different disciplines often have overlapping scopes of practice and competence, yet each recommends interventions according to their discipline-specific worldview and training. Nonbehavioral treatment recommendations may be especially challenging for behavior analytic practitioners who are committed to the science of human behavior and who are also ethically obligated to work cooperatively and in the best interest of the client. Learning to translate nonbehavioral treatments into behavior analytic principles and procedures may function as a valuable means of improving professional judgment, thereby promoting evidence-based practice and effective collaboration. Behavioral translations may expose procedures that are, in fact, conceptually systematic, creating more opportunities for behavior analysts to partner in interprofessional care. Using a behavioral skills training package, graduate students of applied behavior analysis were taught to translate nonbehavioral treatments into behavior analytic principles and procedures. All students produced more comprehensive translations following training.

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Identifying the maintaining contingencies of problem behavior can lead to effective treatment that reduces the occurrence of problem behavior and increases the potential for the occurrence of alternative behaviors. Many studies use descriptive assessments, but results vary in effectiveness and validity. Comparative research further supports the superior utility of analog functional analyses over descriptive assessments, but clinicians continue to report the consistent use of descriptive assessments in practice. Direct training on the recording of descriptive assessments as well as the process for interpreting the results are limited. The absence of research-based guidance leaves clinicians to interpret the results as they see fit rather than following best practice guidelines for this critical activity. This study examined the potential impact of direct training on several components of descriptive assessment: the recording of narrative antecedent-behavior-consequence data, interpretation of the data, and the selection of a function-based treatment. Implications for training and practice are reviewed.

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Recent behavior analytic research has demonstrated that the provision of applied behavior analytic services via direct telehealth can be an effective teaching modality for some learners with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Historically, teaching procedures based on applied behavior analysis (ABA), including discrete trial teaching (DTT), have been provided and evaluated via in-person delivery. This study sought to compare the implementation of DTT via direct telehealth to DTT implemented in-person within and across participants. Specifically, this study evaluated the two delivery modalities in terms of skill acquisition, maintenance, efficiency, and learner responding during teaching sessions. Results of an adapted alternating treatments design nested into a multiple baseline design demonstrated that all three participants diagnosed with ASD met the mastery criteria for the expressive labels taught. Areas of future research, participant prerequisite skills, and clinical implications will be discussed in the context of these results.

Asunto(s)

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Socially valid practices are at the heart of applied behavior analysis and can influence how interventions are experienced by families. However, the training of practitioners of applied behavior analysis is primarily focused on the implementation of technical procedures with little focus on therapeutic approaches. Empathy and therapeutic rapport have been associated with improved outcomes in allied professions (Beach et al., Journal of the American Board of Family Practice, 15(1), 25-38, 2006; Hojat et al., Academic Medicine, 86(3), 359, 2011; Horst et al., Journal of Child & Family Nursing, 3, 5-14, 2000), but have been minimally studied within the field of behavior analysis. In the present study, several sources were utilized to identify and define empathic and compassionate care skills. These skills were divided into three skill areas (i.e., basic interviewing skills, interest in the family, joining with the family) and taught to ABA master's students using behavioral skills training via a telehealth platform. All four participants significantly improved their engagement in compassionate care skills following training and maintained these skills in follow-up probes and with a different experimenter. Several post-study measures of outcome were taken, including social validity measures from participants, ratings of compassion from consumer and professional experts, as well as comparison measures on the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy. Participant reports of social validity were high, as were consumer and professional ratings of compassionate behaviors. Improvements on the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy were also observed. Implications for training practitioners and for expanding the focus on compassionate care skill development within the field are explored.

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Online learning is extremely prevalent in education, more than ever given the COVID-19 pandemic that has shifted most educational services to an online platform. More specifically, in 2015, close to six million students were taking at least one online learning course, which was 29.7% of all postsecondary students (U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics 2018). In 2017, the Online Learning Consortium reported an almost 4% increase in online learning students in 2015 as compared to the previous two years. Although online learning is becoming more prevalent, there has been little to no research to determine what makes online learning most effective. Those that have, either have not compared modalities (i.e., only testing one format) (Sella et al. 2014; Walker and Rehfeldt 2012) or have focused on another aspect of the learning (e.g., does grading anonymously affect performance) (Liu et al. 2018). Determining the components of online learning that lead to better student outcomes will add to the current literature and improve online learning as a whole. The primary purpose of this experiment was to determine what forms of discussion (synchronous vs asynchronous) are most effective in an asynchronous online master-level applied behavior analysis course.

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Behavior analytic supervisees need to master technical and conceptual skills in their fieldwork and training. Recently, the profession has recognized the need for cultural responsiveness to be emphasized and woven throughout clinical practice and supervision. However, findings from research within applied behavior analysis (ABA) yield limited information on specific methods to increase one's cultural responsiveness, as well as few tools to identify areas of development. This paper highlights challenges BCBA®s face in providing culturally responsive supervision. The authors also make recommendations for specific areas of focus in the pursuit of culturally responsive training and skill development through the introduction of the Culturally Responsive Supervision Self-Assessment (CRSS) tool. Cultural constructs that could be addressed using the CRSS tool include, but are not limited to, race, religion, gender conformity, and intersectional paradigms of culture. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40617-022-00688-7.

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This study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a video game-based digital therapeutic combining applied behavior analysis techniques and gaze-contingent eye tracking to target emotion recognition in youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Children aged 4-14 years with ASD were randomized to complete Lookware™ (n = 25) or a control video game (n = 29). Results from a 2 × 2 mixed ANOVA revealed that children in the intervention condition demonstrated significant improvements in emotion recognition from pre- to post-intervention compared to children in the control condition, F(1,52) = 17.48, p < 0.001. Children and staff perceived high feasibility and acceptability of Lookware™. Study results demonstrated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of Lookware™.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

As the field of behavior analysis expands, our need to develop ourselves as more effective collaborators, particularly with families who may be the primary consumers of our science, becomes paramount. As scientists, our training lies primarily in the behavior analytic technologies that we study and apply. But our ability to disseminate our science, collaborate with non-behavior analysts, and ultimately grow our field hinges on our ability to navigate interpersonal situations in a way that puts forth compassion and humanity. We have the opportunity and capability to use our empirical procedures to implement and assess the effectiveness of interventions that target the soft skills of our field. The current article discusses the benefits of empathic and collaborative approaches in fields related to behavior analysis and provides suggestions for current behavior analysts to incorporate compassionate care into their practices. We provide a checklist for compassionate interactions accompanied by possibilities for its use as a tool for self-evaluation, procedural fidelity, and comprehensive training in the area of collaboration with families. Finally, we discuss areas for future research with respect to assessing and improving behavior analysts' compassionate approaches to treatment.

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Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often display repetitive and restrictive patterns of behavior, which can be seen in food selectivity and other feeding problems. Feeding problems in children with ASD not only lead to medical complications for the child but also can lead to increased caregiver stress. In order for behavior analysts to ensure adherence to the Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts, many factors need to be addressed prior to and during feeding assessments and interventions. The need for interdisciplinary collaboration and ethical situations that may arise are reviewed. The purpose of this article is to assist the behavior analyst in determining best practices for feeding assessments and interventions while maintaining ethical compliance.

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Interprofessional collaboration has become an essential component in the treatment of individuals with autism spectrum disorder, as practitioners from a range of disciplines are often necessary to address the core features and co-occurring conditions. Theoretically, such cross-disciplinary collaboration results in superior client care and maximal outcomes by capitalizing on the unique expertise of each collaborating team member. However, conflict in collaborative practice is not uncommon given that the treatment providers come from varying educational backgrounds and may have opposing core values, fundamental goals, and overall approaches. Although the overarching interest of each of these professionals is to improve client outcomes and quality of life, they may be unequipped to effectively navigate the barriers to collaboration. This article reviews the potential benefits and misconceptions surrounding interprofessional collaboration and highlights common sources of conflict. As a proposed solution to many of the identified issues, we offer a set of standards for effective collaborative practice in the interprofessional treatment of autism spectrum disorder. These standards prioritize client care and value each discipline's education and unique contributions. They are intended to function as core standards for all treatment team members, promote unity, prevent conflict, and ultimately help practitioners achieve the most integrated collaborative practice among professionals of varying disciplines.

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Interdisciplinary collaboration is challenging, but necessary, to meet the needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Among the dyadic interactions in interdisciplinary teams, the relationships between occupational therapy practitioners and board certified behavior analysts are uniquely challenging. The disciplines define evidence-based practice differently and approach intervention from different angles. Furthermore, there are fundamental differences in worldview between the disciplines. Both disciplines offer necessary treatment, and successful collaboration between these disciplines is essential for maximizing outcomes. Hence, finding ways to help bridge the gap between these professions, in particular, is essential. Common barriers to developing collaborative alliances include misperceptions of the other discipline, differences in terminology, and unprofessional behavior. This article reviews the history and foundational concepts of both disciplines, and the common approaches associated with each. In addition, models of collaboration are discussed, with suggestions for enhancing interdisciplinary communication and treatment. Successful collaborative treatment is predicated on an understanding of the value and expertise offered by different disciplines, and requires mutual respect and professional dialogue.

RESUMEN

In recent years, there has been discussion of the need for training behavior analysts in collaboration skills. There is some consensus that these skills are needed to improve outcomes with clients and with colleagues. Specifically, students of behavior analysis and behavior-analytic practitioners need to learn the skills associated with functioning effectively in interdisciplinary teams. At Melmark, a model of training in this skill set has been developed and integrated into supervision modules for those seeking Board Certified Behavior Analyst certification. In this model, supervisees are exposed to information about the expertise and value of the allied professions of speech-language pathology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and developmental pediatrics. Rotations are done within these fields to expose trainees to the expertise of these fields and to build skills in collaboration with members of those professions. Trainees are also assigned tasks that require them to identify the contributions of other professions and display appropriate collaborative behavior. Future directions for the model are discussed, including extending it across the organization and developing performance-based assessments and social validity measures.

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[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1007/s40617-021-00561-z.].