Association for Behavior Analysis International

The panel session will provide ABAI student members pivotal perspectives from three professionals in navigating and communicating with the professional world of applied behavior analysis (ABA). This 50-minute panel session will allow ABAI members to interact with professionals in a conversation-like format. As well as ask questions regarding effective networking styles. The three professionals, Dr. Ross, Dr. Baker, and Dr. Joslyn, come from diverse backgrounds of ABA, including areas such as special education in PK-12 schools, behavioral gerontology, and crime and delinquency. The panel will address topics such as why networking is an important skill to acquire, how to make a great first impression with big names in the field, and tips and tricks on how to develop and improve one’s skill set. Discussions of interactions will not be limited to interacting with professionals in the field of ABA but also prospective mentors, employers, and clients. This panel intends to address questions we may have when networking with professionals. The panel seeks to aid students in learning how to make strong connections to increase their success as professionals in the field of ABA.

ABAI members, graduate students, and other individuals who want to learn how to network and communicate with other professionals in the field effectively.

This PDS features the editors of ABAI journals discussing the peer review process, its importance in science in general, and for consumers of scientific information. Panelists will describe the peer review process from article submission to addressing reviewer comments and understanding editorial decisions. The protections against misinformation that peer review offers are emphasized in this PDS.

All individuals interested in the publication process.

The relationship between a supervisor and supervisee is complex and dynamic and plays an important role in the training of behavior analysts. Supervision provides students with the opportunity to develop their skills as a behavior analyst with the support of someone with experience and expertise. While the supervision relationship is intended to be one of support and guidance, the imbalance in knowledge and experience can create a power differential between the supervisor and supervisee. This power imbalance can lead to an inauthentic relationship and the supervisee disregarding supervisor feedback. In an attempt to address these potential issues within the supervision relationship, supervisors can create a flexible context for supervision by making space for effective dialogue using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Relational Frame Theory (RFT) approaches. By noticing and allowing space for the differences, biases, and experiences that exist between the supervisor and supervisee, the supervisor can foster a bidirectional learning experience which allows the supervisor and supervisee to learn from one another. The panelists in this talk will speak to their supervision experiences and discuss how they have been able to integrate ACT and RFT approaches within supervision. Speakers will also answer questions about how supervisors can begin integrating these approaches in their own supervision.

Graduate students, BCBAs, BCaBAs