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| Disseminating Behavior Analysis through Community Outreach: Three Effective and Efficient Strategies for Making a Difference |
| Tuesday, August 14, 2007 |
| 8:00 AM–9:20 AM |
| L4 Room 1 |
| Area: CSE/TBA; Domain: Service Delivery |
| Chair: Jennifer L. Austin (California State University, Fresno) |
| Discussant: Joseph E. Morrow (Applied Behavior Consultants) |
| CE Instructor: Jennifer L. Austin, Ph.D. |
| Abstract: Effective dissemination of behavior analysis has always been a problem for our field. Although marketing mistakes might account for some of these difficulties, exploration of more basic issues might be warranted before tackling our historical PR problems. Three key issues seem to elucidate the scope of the problem: 1) many people do not know that the field of behavior analysis exists; 2) those who do know that the field exists are often confused about our nature and scope; 3) those who understand the benefits of our science often do not have access to our services. For all three problems, a common outcome is that those who could benefit most from behavior analysis are not afforded the opportunities to realize those benefits. This session will present three potential options for addressing these problems. Specifically, it will address three specific strategies for increasing knowledge about and access to behavior analytic services. |
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| Spreading the Word without Using the Words: Community Outreach Conferences as a Mechanism for Informing Laypersons about Behavior Analysis. |
| JENNIFER L. AUSTIN (California State University, Fresno) |
| Abstract: In a market flooded with non-empirical strategies for behavior change, dissemination of factual information about what “works” is more important than ever. This presentation will address the process and outcomes of organizing behavior analytic conferences for lay audiences as a mechanism for disseminating accurate information. It will cover such important issues as developing conference programs that fit with the needs of the community, selecting speakers who are likely to be good PR agents for ABA, marketing the conference to the people who could most benefit from attending, and ensuring reinforcing experiences for conference attendees. Descriptive data derived from conference attendees will be shared to elucidate some challenges for dissemination. |
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| Family-Based Behavior Analysis: Positive Parenting Classes to Increase Access to Resources. |
| CRISS WILHITE (California State University, Fresno) |
| Abstract: In Central California, parents of children with disabilities have access to a nine-week behavior analytic parent training course. A state-funded agency that provides services to the disabled contracts with the local state university to provide the service. Parents attend six classes taught by a graduate student in Applied Behavior Analysis while their children are being cared for in other rooms by the program supervisor and undergraduate behavior analysis students. Each parent also has a student intern to help with individual questions, program design and homework. Three home visits are made by the intern and a childcare worker familiar with the client child to ensure the principles and techniques learned in class are generalizing to the home. Classes are offered in English and Spanish with user friendly materials provide in both languages. |
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| Fresno State Autism Research and Treatment Center: Reaching out to a Community in Need. |
| AMANDA N. ADAMS (California State University, Fresno) |
| Abstract: This presentation will describe Fresno State’s center-based program for young children with autism. The goals of this program are threefold: 1) to provide the community with outstanding behavior analysis programs for children with ASD; 2) to provide excellent training and experience in behavioral treatment for children with autism to undergraduate and graduate students; 3) to conduct and promote active research in best practices for behavioral treatment for autism. This presentation will highlight the process for developing the program and describe how such programs can be mutually beneficial to communities and service providers. Specific attention will be given to factors that present challenges to development and service delivery, such as working with diverse cultural and socio-economic populations, acquiring resources from existing human service agencies, and developing services in non-urban areas. |
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