Despite an abundance of research centered on reading and applied behavior analysis, minimal literature exists on the use of applied behavior analysis methodologies to treat reading disabilities. This dissertation-in-practice action research study examined the extent to which a behavior-analytic intervention infused with the science of reading…

In recent years, there have been calls to action regarding the integration of compassionate care and assent into behavior analytic practice. Assent, in medical and educational interventions, is associated with an absence of coercion and with a willingness to engage. It is a core foundational value of humane and compassionate intervention across…

Research demonstrates corporal punishment can negatively affect learning outcomes, produce feelings of isolation, and increase rates of aggression and anxiety in the students with whom it is used Gershoff, 2017; Lansford et al., 2014). Although Kenya outlawed corporal punishment in schools in 2001 (Government of Kenya, 2001), these practices have…

This study investigated school psychologist's professional self-efficacy in working with students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), applied behavioral analysis (ABA), and other general domains. This study recruited 215 specialist and doctoral level school psychologists or school psychology interns. The Applied Behavior Analysis Efficacy Scale…

Parent-teacher collaboration is crucial for optimizing outcomes for students with autism spectrum disorder (SWAs). This qualitative study addressed perceptions among parents of elementary-aged SWAs regarding the lack of transfer of school-based behavioral skills to the home environment. Parental perceptions of the transfer of behavioral…

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the evidence-based treatment for individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) that has the strongest evidence of positive effects on the ASD population. However, historically, ABA has developed a reputation of limited social validity, with Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) often being cited…

It is critical that schools reduce maladaptive behaviors and increase prosocial behavior through the provision of high-quality evidence-based practices (EBP). School psychologists are uniquely positioned to facilitate the delivery of evidence-based applied behavior analytic EBPs, with regard to the foundational training they typically receive in…

Expanding the field of behavior analysis allows empirically validated practices to be more accessible for children impacted by autism, developmental disabilities, and behavioral challenges. However, even with the global advancement of applied behavior analysis (ABA) getting the science into the area where children spend most of their time,…

Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS), also called 22q13.3 deletion syndrome, is a rare genetic disorder affecting at least 2,000 people worldwide (Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation, 2019, How rare is Phelan-McDermid?). PMS has many distinguishing characteristics and many medical specialties have been recommended to treat the clinical features. While…

Children with emotional disturbance have historically poor outcomes, including separate school environments, exclusion from school due to disciplinary actions, high dropout rates, poor employment outcomes, and incarceration. Therefore, it is imperative that children displaying early warning signs for risk of emotional disturbance receive effective…

In behavior-analytic clinical work and research, opportunities for choice can be arranged as an independent variable, and response allocation among choice options can be measured as a dependent variable (i.e., engaging in one response given two or more concurrently available options). Choice-based interventions provide behavior analysts with tools…

Published research in scientific journals are critical resources for researchers as primary sources about: what is important in the field, the direction the field is headed, how the field relates to other sciences, and as a historical record for each of these. In this exploratory study, we analyzed the articles of five behavior analytic journals…

This book responds to a critical need for highly qualified personnel who will become exemplary professionals because of their advanced knowledge, skills, and experiences in working with students and adults that have varying disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Since Board Certification for behavior analysts was introduced,…

Through innovation in research and self-correction, it is inevitable that some practices will be replaced or be discredited for one reason or another. De-implementation of discredited and low-value practices is a necessary step for school psychologists' maintenance of evidence-based practices and to reduce unnecessary costs and risk. However,…

Researchers have examined factors of authors such as sex of author, gender identity, and seniority within the field of behavior analysis to determine if any biases towards a certain group existed. Most recently, Kranak et al. (2020) found that women and new authors are well-represented in the "Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis"…