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| Behavior Analysis Around the World: Examples of Poland, Ecuador and Armenia |
| Monday, May 25, 2020 |
| 3:00 PM–3:50 PM |
| Marriott Marquis, Level M4, Independence A-C |
| Area: TBA/AUT; Domain: Translational |
| Chair: M. Fernanda Welsh (InTouch Behavioral Services) |
| CE Instructor: Lusineh Gharapetian, Ph.D. |
| Abstract: Behavior Analysis is a fast growing field, not only in the US, where it originated, but also around the world. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) has become a widely accepted certification body both within the US and in many other countries. This not only creates opportunities for Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) to find employment in various parts of the world, but also for professional organizations from around the world to standardize basic requirements for individuals who practice behavior analysis. The increasing acceptance of the BCBA certification abroad is reflected in the growing number of BCBAs practicing outside of the US as well as in the fact that the BCBA exam is now offered in an increasing number of languages. In addition to the BCBA certification, there are many other professional organizations who regulate the practice of behavior analysts in countries other than the United States. The profession of Behavior Analysts in various countries is shaped by variables such as local laws, licensure or certification processes, and funding sources. This panel will provide an overview of the field in Poland, Ecuador and Armenia. |
| Instruction Level: Intermediate |
| Keyword(s): behavior analysis, certification, international dissemination, staff training |
| Target Audience: BCBAs, BCaBAs, and other certified or licensed professionals |
| Learning Objectives: 1. Participants will describe three differences in acquiring, maintaining and providing supervision for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst certification and the Polish Behavioral Therapist Certification. 2. Participants will describe three strategies to increase effectiveness when implementing a behavioral skills training approach in a different country. 3. Participants will describe three factors for consideration regarding the barriers to dissemination of applied behavior analysis in developing countries. 4. Participants will describe three strategies for raising awareness about developmental disabilities. 5. Participants will describe three strategies for dissemination of ABA-based practices in a different country. 6. Participants will describe three ethical and practical considerations in the dissemination of ABA-based practices in different countries. |
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| Behavior Analysis in Poland |
| (Service Delivery) |
| KINGA WOLOS-ZACHMEIER (The ABRITE Organization), Przemyslaw Babel (Jagiellonian University ) |
| Abstract: The history of Behavior Analysis in Poland reaches as far back as the early 1930s, when studies on operant and respondent conditioning were being conducted at Polish Universities. With the exception of World War Two, the science of behavior continued to advance in Poland throughout the decades. However, many early studies are not available to the broader behavioral analytic community due to lack of translations. In recent years, the field has experienced rapid growth, just as in the United States. While very few individuals hold certification granted by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, hundreds practice Behavior Analysis and hold the Polish Behavioral Therapist Certification. The presentation will summarize the development of Behavior Analysis in Poland, highlighting the most significant events, and will draw a picture the current state of the field. Additionally, a comparison between the credentials of Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Polish Behavioral Therapist Certification, including differences in requirements and maintenance, will be presented. Areas of practice and demographics of customers served by Behavior Analysts in Poland will be discussed and compared to certificant data published by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. |
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| Ecuador and Autism: An Overview of Current Services and Next Steps |
| (Service Delivery) |
| M. FERNANDA WELSH (InTouch Behavioral Services), Maria Chang (Centro Enigma) |
| Abstract: The diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder in Ecuador is increasing; however, services and resources available for those in need are far and few in between. The field of behavior analysis has grown at a rapid rate in the United States in recent decades. Unfortunately, its growth has not yet reached many countries in South America, such as Ecuador. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is accepted as a research-based treatment across many different fields, more saliently in treating individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). While there are over 60 years of research to support the efficacy of ABA treatment, Ecuador still relies in non-evidence based methods to treat individuals with ASD. Furthermore, the acceptance of an autism diagnosis or identification of early signs of autism is very limited. This presentation will discuss a consultation model in behavioral skills training with a local ABA agency in Ecuador, Centro Enigma. Effective strategies, areas of need, ethical guidelines and addressing cultural differences will be at the core of this presentation that seeks to bring awareness and acceptance to an underrepresented population in Ecuador. |
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| Applied Behavior Analysis, Autism, and Armenia: Issues in Dissemination in a Developing County |
| (Service Delivery) |
| LUSINEH GHARAPETIAN (Pepperdine University) |
| Abstract: The tactics derived from Applied Behavior Analysis have widely been used to improve behavioral health outcomes of individuals with autism and developmental disabilities in the United States and Europe. As the field grows, it is necessary to expand our reach to disseminate the science of behavior to developing countries. One such country is Armenia, who gained its independence in 1991. Armenia does not currently have an affiliated ABAI chapter, and it does not have any graduate behavior analytic training programs. Resources for those with autism and behavioral disorders are minimal, with disorders often going undiagnosed due to stigmatization and lack of information. This presentation will describe the state of mental and behavioral health practices in the country, issues related to the accessibility of appropriate evidence-based services, and factors that have impacted their development, including the lack of education and financial resources. Current pathways for dissemination of ABA in Armenia, including practical and ethical factors, will be described. Recommendations will be made for wide-spread dissemination, including considerations for ensuring quality training and ethical application of ABA-based procedures in Armenia. The presentation will conclude with considerations for wide-scale application for other countries facing similar challenges with dissemination. |
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