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| Why we’re heading for trouble: Evidence-based Practice and the Behavior Analyst |
| Saturday, May 23, 2009 |
| 8:00 AM–11:00 AM |
| North 122 A |
| Area: EDC/AUT; Domain: Applied Behavior Analysis |
| CE Instructor: Susan Wilczynski, Ph.D. |
| SUSAN WILCZYNSKI (National Autism Center), Timothy A. Slocum (Utah State University), Ronnie Detrich (Wing Institute) |
| Description: Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) is a powerful movement that is reshaping treatment in mental health and education settings. EBP is often confused with data-based clinical decision-making by behavior analysts which undermines our ability to serve our target populations because we appear out of touch or ignorant about a movement that is often legally mandated. This workshop will clarify what is meant by EBP so behavior analysts can speak meaningfully about this movement. Behavior analysts will become familiar with a range of EBP reviews that are based in accepted procedures of scientific methodology making them better equipped to be EBP consultants. The role of single-subject research design in EBP practice will be underscored through the example of the National Standards Project. Challenges to the role of single-subject research design in the EBP movement will be discussed throughout the workshop. Finally, complex issues that influence the likelihood treatments will be identified as EBP will be considered. Although attendees can expect to gain an understanding of the EBP movement and to appreciate the complex decisions contributing to EBP guidelines that can strengthen or undermine our ability to promote behavior analysis, this workshop will only provide a foundation upon which practitioners and scholars must build. |
| Learning Objectives: • At the conclusion of the workshop, the participant will be able to describe the contextual influences that have resulted in the evidence-based practice movement.
• At the conclusion of the workshop, the participant will be able to define threshold and hierarchy of evidence approaches to validating interventions as evidence-based.
• At the conclusion of the workshop, the participant will be able to describe several sources of evidence-based intervention reviews including target populations and key review standards.
• At the conclusion of the workshop, the participant will be able to identify features of reviews that influence which interventions are found to be ‘evidence based.’
• At the conclusion of the workshop, the participant will be able to describe reasons single subject research should be included in EBP.
• At the conclusion of the workshop, the participant will be able to specify areas in which behavior analytic literature may fall short of the strongest criteria for EBP. |
| Activities: Participants will participate in a discussion about the evidence-based practice movement. Particular emphasis will be given to misunderstandings they may hold about evidence-based practice and to the barriers they may experience when trying to implement evidence-based interventions in educational or health settings. Participants will also review information contained in leading websites that provide information about evidence-based practices. By reviewing these websites, they can become more independent in their ability to stay abreast of advances in the evidence-based practice movement. Participants will examine single-subject research design methodologies in relation to the evidence-based practice movement. Particular attention will be given to the strengths and limitations behavior analytic perspectives can bring to the evidence-based practice movement. Finally, participants will develop a list of concerns they hold about the evidence-based practice movement which will lead to a discussion of these critical issues. |
| Audience: This workshop is intended for two target audiences. First, practitioners that are uncomfortable with their knowledge of evidence-based practices should find this workshop illuminating. For better or worse, this workshop should allow them to better understand how the evidence-based practice movement is currently and has the potential to shape their professional activities. Second, evidence-based practice guidelines can influence the curriculum taught at universities or the likelihood that extramural funding to support our research interests will be secured. Therefore, scholars who do not fully understand the complex decisions that influence the evidence-based practice documents should consider attending this workshop. |
| Content Area: Practice |
| Instruction Level: Basic |