Research Ethics Grand Rounds Panel Discussion: "Ethical Applied Behavior Analysis in Practice"

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has become a ubiquitous service for children with disabilities, particularly those with autism. While proponents of the practice of ABA point to the potential benefits of participating in ABA treatment, there are a growing set of concerns regarding ABA, including ethical concerns raised my multiple self-advocates, advocates, and advocacy groups. In this Ethics Grand Rounds, the panelists will share a background of the controversies surrounding ABA, the challenges facing fieldwide quality improvement, as well as a responsive approach to the practice in which community feedback and input is pivotal to ethical progress of the practice.

Panelists:

• A. Pablo Juárez, M.Ed., BCBA, Co-Director, Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD); Senior Associate in Pediatrics, Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, and Special Education
• John Staubitz, M.Ed., BCBA, TRIAD Behavior Consultation Coordinator; Behavioral/Educational Consultant
• Zachary J. Williams, B.S., autistic self-advocate and Vanderbilt M.D./Ph.D. candidate
• Amy Weitlauf, Ph.D. (Moderator), Associate Professor of Pediatrics; TRIAD Associate Director of Research

Helpful Links:

• A commentary on ABA Controversies and the need for substantive community engagement by Pablo Juarez
• A Perspective on Today’s ABA from Dr. Greg Hanley
• Toward trauma-informed applications of behavior analysis

Resources Mentioned:

• TRIAD's Position on Identity First Language
• Changing the story: How diagnosticians can support a neurodiversity perspective from the start
• Neurodiversity and Autism Intervention: Reconciling Perspectives Through a Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention Framework
• Toward Trauma-Informed Applications of Behavior Analysis
• Child Mind Institute: Transforming Children's Mental Health
• AnxietyCanada.com: What is Anxiety?
• Commentary: What conflicts of interest tell us about autism intervention research—a commentary on Bottema-Beutel et al.

Last Updated: 2/28/2022 5:01:25 PM

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