Presenters

Matthew Spicer, The Centre for Positive Behaviour Support (CPBS)

Rebecca Beights, The Centre for Positive Behaviour Support (CPBS)

Alisha Banks, The Centre for Positive Behaviour Support (CPBS)

Description

Applied behaviour analysis (ABA)has a strong scientific foundation driven by context-specific, socially valid assessment and intervention strategies. Many years ago, Wolf (1978) reminded scientists, practitioners, and the field in general that ABA needed to find its heart, namely place values and social validity more strongly at the forefront of practice. Today, we are again reminded of the need to bring values forward (Mathur et al., 2024; Penney et al., 2023) and explicitly have values guide clinical work and leadership in ABA and behaviour support within Australia. Recent news related to ABA and behaviour support and ongoing changes within services and supervision indicate a need to address the provision of values-based, high-quality support (Kelly et al., 2024).

This workshop will connect values from ABA and positive behaviour support with values upheld in the multielement behaviour support (MEBS; LaVigna, 1996; LaVigna & Willis, 2005, 2022). Participants will have the opportunity to learn about MEBS as a values-based, constructional behaviour analysis (Goldiamond, 1974) framework that emphasises evaluation of nonlinear contingencies and development of comprehensive proactive and reactive strategies that lead to meaningful outcomes. Discussion and engagement activities will focus on the use of MEBS as a structure for understanding the concerns of stakeholders and managing those concerns through skills within the established values base.

The workshop will present a series of brief didactic sessions followed by learning exercises that incorporate values and practice with implementing interpersonal interaction strategies. These learning exercises will support participants in gaining skills for effective values-based practice. Moreover, participants will have the opportunity to learn helpful strategies to avoid common pitfalls that undermine the therapeutic alliance. All workshop activities will be connected back to the MEBS framework and the seven dimensions of ABA to illustrate the importance of a values-based approach in behaviour support.

Learning Objectives

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

• Define at least 2 professional values for practice of behaviour analytic-behaviour support services.
• Identify at least 2 areas in which the multielement behaviour support (MEBS) framework explicitly addresses values with clients, stakeholders, or staff.
• Create a plan with least 3 specific, values-based strategies to use when managing challenging clinical situations.

Duration

3 hours (with breaks and lunch)

Professional Development

3  ABAA PDU/BACB Supervision CE

Target Audience

Behaviour analysts, behaviour support practitioners, and supervisors

Get to Know your Presenters

Matthew Spicer

Matthew is a registered Psychologist and Board Approved Supervisor in Psychology. He has over 25 years of experience with working within positive behaviour support with constructional behaviour analysis and the multi-element behaviour support (MEBS) clinical framework. He is a registered behaviour support practitioner with the NDIS, contributing as an expert panelist for establishment of the capability framework.

He has published work on MEBS, non-aversive approaches to crisis management, and trauma informed practice. Matthew’s values of compassion, social justice and effective practice are evident through his work with people impacted by trauma, people living with disability, their families, and staff members.

Dr. Rebecca Beights

Dr. Rebecca Beights is a BCBA, CBA, and the Director of Research at CPBS. Becca holds a PhD in Special Education, emphasis in ABA and ASD, and a MS in Clinical Psychology. She has over 20 years of experience working within ABA, with more recent roles focused on research, teaching, and program review.

Becca has taught ABA courses at Australian and American universities. She served as the subject matter expert for a grant-funded Australian behaviour support training course. Becca’s values of meaningful contribution, measurable outcomes, and a scientist-practitioner spirit are seen throughout her work with clients, students, supervisees, and colleagues.