Association for Behavior Analysis International

Professional Development Series (PDS) Event designed to provide information to current graduate school students currently in pursuit of both Masters and Doctoral degrees. Information presented will relate to successful completion of current academic programs in terms of maximizing students marketability to doctoral and post-doctoral programs, as well as to potential future employers. Panelists will discuss their personal account of furthering their academic and/or professional growth following completion of a graduate degree. These accounts will include strategies for success and may also highlight potential pitfalls. Panelists will also share recommendations to audience members related to preparing for the successful transition from graduate school. Recommendations related to success in each topic area will be provided. Topics to be covered include but are not limited to: pursuing a doctoral degree following receipt of MS/MA, pursuing postdoctoral experience, pursuing employment post-graduation with a Masters degree, and pursuing employment after graduation with a doctoral degree.

The field of behavior analysis has provided the autism community with a wealth of interventions to support the growth and development of individuals with ASD. The speakers on this panel will briefly discuss their work in the field of behavior analysis, paying particular attention to the experiences they have had in providing training to parents and families, and the benefits of having families participate in behavior interventions. It is known that family involvement for both individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and typically developing children can increase developmental success tremendously. This discussion will include empirically supported interventions that can be used to train parents and families of children with ASD and other disabilities, and speakers will examine the challenges and successes in this area. Panelists will provide recommendations and advice to students and pre-service clinicians who are embarking on a career that will include working closely with consumers and their families. A significant portion of time will be reserved for audience questions for each panelist.

Widespread dissemination of behavior analytic principles at the undergraduate level is vital to the future of behavior analysis, as the development of future practitioners and researchers is facilitated by introducing students to behavior analysis early in their academic careers. More specifically, the promotion of behavior analysis through both effective teaching and the establishment of behavior-analytic programs at liberal arts universities is essential, as liberal arts universities are attended by many undergraduates, and many of these students continue on to graduate study. Panelists will discuss the promotion, dissemination, and teaching of behavior analysis at liberal arts universities. Discussion will include strategies for effective teaching at liberal arts universities, including effective methods of introducing students to behavior analysis; experiences in establishing behavior-analytic programs of study at liberal arts universities, and how these programs have related to previously existing Psychology programs; and strategies for obtaining academic positions in behavior analysis at liberal arts universities.