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| Changing Roles of Behaviorists in Schools: Roles, Responsibilities and Bedside Manner; Or What Teachers Really Think of Us |
| Saturday, May 29, 2004 |
| 8:00 AM–11:00 AM |
| Beacon D |
| Area: PRA; Domain: Applied Research |
| CE Instructor: Kimberly A. Smalley, Ph.D. |
| KIMBERLY A. SMALLEY (Behavior Support Advocacy Consultation) |
| Description: Applied behavior analysts working in schools with students with disabilities have unique and ever changing roles. We are faced with the challenges of our own learning curve and frustrated by what often feels like resistance. Many of the challenges we face we created ourselves, or were created by our colleagues before us. This session will present research and discussion revolving around facilitating social supports in schools as a means to create behavioral change in individuals with developmental disabilities, and the perceptions and actions of school based personnel. School systems and developmental disability organizations across central California were surveyed to establish a list of exemplary behavioral service providers. Interviews, record review, and direct observation of these providers indicated that behaviorists thought to be outstanding in their field, facilitated and manipulated ecological and molar variables and focused their efforts on antecedent management. This interactive session will discuss the roles and responsibilities assigned, accrued, and otherwise performed by behaviorists in public schools. Parallel jargons and team dynamics will be discussed with relation to the expectations and perspectives schools may have of us and our profession. Barriers to creating behavioral change and successful strategies to adapt our message to listeners ear will be provided. |
| Learning Objectives: At the end of the workshop, participants will be able to: Identify multiple strategies to facilitate social support as a means to create behavior reduction. Informally Assess molar and ecological variables. Reconceptualize their roles to provide active intervention. De jargonize themselves and approach. |
| Activities: Lecture format will generate and encourage audience participation to compare and contrast roles and performance of the behaviorists the in audience with those identified as exemplary from study. Small group activities, self-writing assignment. |
| Audience: Applied behavior analysts (BCBA, BCABA, professionals servings students with autism and or developmental disabilities) serving students with significant support needs in public schools; teachers, social workers, families, and self advocates. |
| Content Area: Practice |
| Instruction Level: Basic |