William L. Heward

William L. Heward, Ed.D., BCBA-D, is Professor Emeritus in the College of Education and Human Ecology at The Ohio State University. He has taught at universities in Brazil, Japan, Portugal, and Singapore and lectured or given workshops in 25 other countries. A Past President and Fellow of the Association for Behavior Analysis International, Bill’s publications include co-authoring the books, Applied Behavior Analysis, Exceptional Children: An Introduction to Special Education, and Let’s Make a Contract: A Positive Way to Change Your Child’s Behavior. Awards recognizing Dr. Heward's contributions to behavior analysis and education include the Fred S. Keller Behavioral Education Award from the American Psychological Association's Division 25 and the Ellen P. Reese Award for Communication of Behavioral Concepts from the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies. Bill’s research interests include promoting the generalization and maintenance of newly learned skills, increasing the effectiveness of group instruction, and improving the success of students with disabilities in general education classrooms.

Presentation at the ABA International Conference 2025

Expanding Our Curiosity, Competence, and Impact: Take a Risk

Abstract:

Seventy years ago, B.F. Skinner proposed that behavior analysis could be a general-purpose science relevant to the entire human experience. Several trial balloons and groundbreaking experiments in the 1950s and early 60’s gave rise to applied behavior analysis (ABA), the applied wing of the natural science Skinner founded and championed. In the ensuing decades behavior analysts applied their science to an ever-growing range of socially significant domains. Several historic and current extensions of ABA with large-scale impact and world-changing potential will be reviewed. The talk will conclude with a description of actions behavior analysts can take to help fulfill ABA’s tremendous promise to help make the world a better place.