Association for Behavior Analysis International

Applied Behaviour Analytic teaching programs were provided in 2008 and again in 2012 to staff in two regional neuropsychiatric facilities that assess and treat patients/residents with aggravated behaviours and complex neuropsychiatric presentations. This presentation includes a review of specific topics and strategies that were successfully taught to both professional and non-professional staff; were meaningful and had a good contextual fit to facilities; significantly reduced the use of aversive seclusion and restraint punishment procedures; and had a long-term influence on increasing the use of evidence-based ABA treatment practices and positive behaviour supports. The session will identify behavioural strategies with a good contextual fit for facility supports, as well as technically sound practices that can be taught and implemented successfully (systematically and with fidelity) by most non-ABA personnel. Evidence of the impact of ABA teaching in the programs will be included. The on-site support required to ensure staff follow-through of behavioural best practices will be reported as facility feedback and data on the outcomes, which were presented by hospital staff at a Neuropsychiatry Conference. A bibliography of supporting research will be provided.

Research shows that parenting a child with Autism is significantly more stressful than raising a typical child. While we spend a great deal of energy trying to identify the appropriate services and interventions to help the child with autism, we often neglect the social and emotional needs of the parents, siblings and families. This presentation will provide background on the most pertinent research on parental well being in families of children who have autism. We will learn what strategies and approaches have been found to be most successful in helping families decrease anxiety, depression, improve parental relationships, and increase social engagement. The video portion of our presentation features parents talking about what has helped them learn to cope. Finally, we will discuss some of the research on siblings of children with autism. From the time of seeking the first diagnosis, through navigating the school system, we hope to provide a solid understanding of what parents and families go through, and how we can help families not only survive, but thrive.