Association for Behavior Analysis International

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) has been spreading throughout the world over the last few decades. There has been a steady rise in access to ABA coursework, people pursuing certification in the field of ABA, and the availability of ABA services for those in need. However, these overall increases are not without challenges. In regions of the world where ABA is still relatively young, the establishment of behavioral services has often meant unsupported growth. Pioneering practitioners have been met with struggles in promoting the value of ABA, developing a local peer-group in the science, finding professionals for collaboration, and addressing the overwhelming demand of families in need. The Czech Republic and Australia, although on different sides of the globe, have both met with such growing pains. Despite drastically different locations, histories, and cultures, practitioners in both regions have shared experiences with the hardships of ABA practice and dissemination. In this panel we will discuss the barriers that have been faced when working to expand ABA, the measures that have been taken to overcome them, and how the culture of behavior analysis can sometimes bridge worldwide gaps.

Practitioners looking to disseminate behavior analysis in emerging regions.