Presenters

John Wooderson, Lojic

Oliver Roschke, Lojic

Workshop Description

This half-day workshop is designed for behaviour analysts and Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) practitioners eager to integrate the Constructional Approach (Goldiamond, 1974/2002) into their practice. Participants will receive a comprehensive overview of the Constructional Approach, practical tips and tools for application, and engage in hands-on activities to apply these principles effectively. The session will cover advanced assessment techniques, strategic goal-setting methodologies, and innovative intervention strategies tailored to Constructional principles.

Goldiamond's Constructional Approach created a paradigm shift in behaviour analysis by prioritising the outcomes individuals wish to achieve as the starting point for intervention. Aligned with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, this approach reinforces the right of people with disabilities to define their own intervention goals and determine their preferred means to attain them. Central to this philosophy is the construction of genuine options, focusing on building successful patterns of behaviour rather than solely removing undesired ones. This approach fits well with PBS practices, which aim to enhance individuals' overall quality of life (Carr et al., 1999).

Recent advancements in applied behaviour analysis highlight the significant benefits of incorporating the Constructional Approach into PBS programmes. These benefits include enhanced choice and control for participants, leading to more effective, person-centred interventions that respect individuals' autonomy and align with their personal preferences and aspirations (Abdel-Jalil et al., 2023; Scallan & Rosales-Ruiz, 2023).

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Explain the core principles of Goldiamond’s Constructional Approach and its alignment with PBS and the UNCRPD.
2. Develop person-centred goals that reflect the participant’s aspirations and preferences.
3. Identify key strategies for integrating the Constructional Approach into functional assessment and Behaviour Support Plan development processes.

Date/Time

25 July 2025

8:30am - 11:30 am

Duration

3 hours (with a break)

Professional Development

3 ABAA PDUs/BACB Learning CEs (2 General Learning, 1 Ethics)

Target Audience

PBS professionals, Behaviour Analysts

Get to Know Your Presenters

John Wooderson

John is a highly experienced Behaviour Analyst with over two decades of dedicated service in the disability services sector. He began his career as a classroom teacher before transitioning to the field of Disability Services. John holds a Bachelor of Education, a Master of Philosophy, and is a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA). He is currently pursuing a PhD in Education, focusing on the application of behaviour analytic instructional procedures to foreign-language learning. His various research publications and presentations at international conferences demonstrate his commitment to the field of Positive Behaviour Support through innovative, person-centred approaches.

Oliver Roschke

Oliver is an experienced Behaviour Support Practitioner, clinical supervisor and aspiring organizational leader with over two decades of experience in special education- and disability sectors across Scotland (UK), Ireland (Eire), New Zealand and Australia. His primary interests include constructional approaches to behaviour support, human rights and restraint reduction, organisational behaviour management and human performance technology. Oliver holds a MA in Applied Behaviour Analysis and is a Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA). He is currently the Head of Service Quality and Performance at Lojic, and serves as an Independent Specialist for DCJ NSW, providing expert advice and evaluation of regulated restrictive practices.