Abstract: Implementing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)-based services in novel adult treatment settings requires significant changes to staff culture and practices. The discussion will highlight the successes and roadblocks experienced by a New York City residential agency, and a psychiatric hospital treatment team that have been moving in this direction. The agency provides residential and day services for approximately 270 adult consumers. The treatment team serves the adult inpatient units (160 beds) providing individualized behavioral plans to reduce challenging behaviors such as physical aggression, hyper-sexualized behaviors, and verbal aggression. The presenters will discuss the ongoing process of adapting their organizations’ procedures, standards, and culture to meet those recommended by the field of Applied Behavior Analysis, while navigating a changing financial and regulatory landscape. This discussion may be informative to other practitioners wishing to implement ABA-based treatments within their own adult services settings. |