Zuzana Maštenová is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who graduated with a Master’s degree in Psychology from Prešov University, Slovakia, in June 2004. Upon relocating to the UK, she began her career in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), focusing on supporting children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as a behavior therapist in both home and school-based programs.

Subsequently, after completing her BCBA coursework, she returned to Slovakia and co-founded VIA ABA, o.z., a non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to delivering evidence-based instruction to children with autism.

Through VIA ABA, Zuzana is committed to disseminating information about ABA and evidence-based practices in autism treatment, providing training for parents and professionals, and organizing practical workshops, presentations, and conferences.

Presentation:

Step by step: Parent-Mediated Early Intervention program for autism targeting early social interaction and communication skills

Abstract: 

In countries where Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is not government-funded or supported by health insurance, accessing early intervention services for children with autism can be challenging. Drawing on evidence-based approaches, we highlight the effectiveness of parent-mediated interventions particularly focusing on play based teaching in natural environments with emphasis on supporting early social and communication skills. The Step by step program is a 3-month parent-mediated intervention designed to develop social communication skills in young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Parents receive individual behavioral skills training at the centre for 2 hours per week over 12 training sessions. During these sessions, they learn how to promote social interaction, communication, imitation and play skills to stimulate child’s development. Parents then engage in 3 hours of planned activities each day , applying the strategies they learned during traning. The program is based on a naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention, using reinforcement naturally embedded in play and creating learning opportunities during everyday activities.

We emphasize the pivotal role parents play in the treatment team and advocate for their integration into every intervention program for children with autism.

He is the Director of the Center of Excellence on Inclusive Practice for OCALI, the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence. He recently transition to OCALI from his role as the Lake and Edward J. Snyder, Jr. Distinguished Professor of Special Education in the Cato College of Education at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

He has over 30 years of experience working with individuals with disabilities, their families, and teachers. He graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2010 and since has published 90 articles, book chapters, and books related to working with persons with ASD and intellectual disability. Robert is passionate about the dissemination of research-based practice and has provided hundreds of refereed and invited presentations to researchers, practitioners, and families.

He also values service to field and his local communities through membership on numerous advisory committees, editorial boards, and grant review panel; leadership in professional organizations (i.e., President of Board of Directors for DADD, ACRES, KYABA); and consultation in schools.

His current research interests involve behavior analytic communication instruction, expanding students’ repertoires in written expression, and improving educational programming for students with severe disabilities.

Presentation:

Behaving Behavior Analytic in the Provision of School Supports 

Abstract: 

Serving educational professionals and their students in school contexts is a challenging but meaningful endeavor. In this session, Dr. Pennington will draw on his over 30 years working in schools to discuss functional contingencies related to teacher behavior change and provide an approach for assessing and then supporting teachers in the improvement of classroom programming. Dr. Pennington will demonstrate the use of the program evaluation tools, model the development of behavioral objectives for addressing teacher behavior, and describe several strategies for improving teacher engagement (peer to peer coaching, training students, behavior skills training).

A Behavior Analytic Approach to Teaching Written Expression to Students with Autism and Intellectual Disability

The development of written expression skills is essential to success in a range of critical life domains including academic performance, employment, and social interaction. Despite its importance, there has been little guidance from the research literature on strategies to teach students with complex support needs to write. In this exciting workshop, Dr. Pennington will describe a behavioral approach to teaching written expression to students with autism and intellectual disability. Further, he will distill findings from a decade of research investigations into practical teaching strategies for educators to implement quickly in their classrooms.

Dr. Pennington will draw on decades of experience in classroom settings to engage participants as they work through activities and learn powerful new concepts.

Dr. Ellie Kazemi has devoted her career to supporting supervisors and leaders. She merges behavioral science, advanced digital technology, and data-based decision-making with her years of experience working with leadership to promote strong organizational cultures, effective supervision strategies, and practical and efficient workforce training.

She has worked on several large nationwide projects (e.g., with FEMA and NASA) focusing on effective training and behavioral outcomes. She currently wears multiple hats. She is a tenure-track professor at CSUN, where she founded the M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis program and where she is also the Director of AI/VXR Initiatives for the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

She is the founder and CEO of Transform VXR, a training platform she is building to make experiential learning more accessible to the public.

Presentation at the ABA International Conference 2024

Transformative Supervision: Enhancing Staff Performance through Targeted Interventions

Abstract:

Effective supervision of clinical staff is crucial for staff development and achieving optimal client outcomes. In this presentation I will focus on best practices for supervisors, particularly in conducting “can’t do versus won’t do” assessments to identify staff needs accurately. By differentiating between skill gaps (“can’t do”) and contingency management issues (“won’t do”), supervisors can tailor their support strategies accordingly. For staff requiring further training, behavior skills training (BST) and coaching can be employed to enhance competence and confidence.

Conversely, for those facing motivational challenges, supervisors can modify the work environment to bolster engagement and morale, utilizing strategies such as differential reinforcement, recognition, and workload adjustments. I will provide actionable insights, tools, and case examples to illustrate the implementation of these approaches, emphasizing the importance of compassionate and effective supervision. By adopting these best practices, supervisors can foster a supportive work environment that enhances staff performance and, consequently, improves treatment outcomes.

Justin Leaf, Ph.D., is the Executive Director for Autism Partnership Foundation and the Progressive Behavior Analyst Autism Council and the Executive Director for Contemporary Behavior Consultants.

Justin received his doctorate degree in Behavioral Psychology from the Department of Applied Behavioral Science at the University of Kansas. His research interests include Progressive ABA, improving behavioral intervention, social behavior, and methodologies to improve the lives of autistic/individuals diagnosed with ASD. Justin has over 150 publications in either peer reviewed journals, books, or book chapters and has presented at both national and international professional conferences and invited events.

Justin has served on numerous editorial boards for behavior analytic and autism journals. Justin career has been dedicated to improving the field of Applied Behavior Analysis and lives of Autistic individuals.

Presentation at the ABA International Conference 2024

Behavior Analytic Approaches to Teaching Social Skills for Individuals Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract:

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by deficits in social behavior, including, but not limited to, social communication, interaction, and reciprocity. To address these deficits, there are a myriad of social skills interventions available to the behavior analyst. It is essential for behavior analysts to have a firm understanding of effective social skills interventions, meaningful social curriculum, as well as the skills necessary to identify social skills interventions that lack empirical support and may be ineffective or harmful. The purpose of this talk is to introduce practicing behavior analysts to the empirical evidence of several popular social skills interventions, provide information on how to develop meaningful social curriculum, and provide examples of how to identify and research potentially pseudoscientific interventions. The presenter will use video examples throughout the talk.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

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

• identify and describe several evidence-based social skills interventions for individuals diagnosed with ASD.
• identify and describe at least two commonly used social skills interventions for individuals diagnosed with ASD that lack empirical support or align closely to a pseudoscience.
• describe various social behaviors that can be taught and effective ways to teach them.
• describe findings from the latest research on DTT as it relates to social behavior.
• describe findings from the latest research on cool versus not cool as it relates to social behavior.
• describe findings from the latest research on teaching interaction procedure as it relates to social behavior.
• describe findings from the latest research on social skills groups as it relates to social behavior.

With nearly 15 years of experience as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), I have dedicated my career to facilitating meaningful behavior change. My clinical expertise lies in working with individuals engaging in dangerous behaviors, including aggression, self-harm, and elopement. For my doctoral research, I focused on feedback and goal setting to enhance exercise performance, underlining my commitment to health and wellness.

In addition to my professional background, I am trained in Krav Maga and Shotokan Karate. I have completed three triathlons and over five endurance and obstacle course races, including Spartan and Tough Mudder. My dedication to fitness is further demonstrated by my adherence to a plant-based diet for almost a decade.

Currently, I am the founder of Smart Tools Consulting, where I provide coaching to individuals and groups to achieve their wellness goals. My approach integrates performance feedback, setting achievable goals, emphasizing the role of nutrition in fitness, and promoting regular exercise as a sustainable lifestyle. I take pride in guiding you on your journey to improved wellness and fitness through evidence-based strategies and personalized support.

Presentation at the ABA International Conference 2024

Programming for health as a replacement for dealing with illness and burnout

“If you don’t make time for your wellness, you will be forced to make time for your illness.” – Joyce Sunada

Abstract:

Clinical work is demanding and without proper self-care, clinicians risk injury and burnout. In this presentation, I will explore best practices for wellness and fitness from a behavior analytic perspective, aimed at helping clinicians sustain their physical and mental well-being. Attendees will learn how to apply behavioral principles to enhance their fitness and wellness, enabling them to remain active with their clients, endure physically taxing sessions, and mitigate burnout.

Key topics will include data tracking for fitness and nutrition and effective behavioral strategies to initiate and maintain fitness goals. Additionally, the presentation will cover the establishment of reinforcement systems to promote ongoing wellness. Emphasis will be placed on the critical role of diet as a modifiable factor influencing both healthspan and lifespan. By integrating principles of sleep hygiene, balanced nutrition, and regular physical activity, clinicians can significantly improve their overall health.

Through practical guidance and evidence-based strategies, this presentation will equip attendees with the tools necessary to prioritize their wellness, ensuring they can continue to provide high-quality care to their clients.

William L. Heward 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 24 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 (3rd ed., 2020), Exceptional Children: An Introduction to Special Education (12th ed., 2022), and Let’s Make a Contract: A Positive Way to Change Your Child’s Behavior (2022).

Awards recognizing Dr. Heward’s contributions to education and behavior analysis include the Fred S. Keller Behavioral Education Award from the American Psychological Association’s Division 25, the Ellen P. Reese Award for Communication of Behavioral Concepts from the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies, and the Distinguished Psychology Department Alumnus Award from Western Michigan University.

Presentation at the ABA International Conference 2024

Making a Difference as a Behavior Analyst

Abstract:

Baer, Wolf, and Risley’s (1968, 1987) seven dimensions of applied behavior analysis (ABA) have served the science and its practice well. ABA embodies five additional characteristics that should raise the spirits of those who study, teach, practice, and/or research this science and encourage decision makers and consumers in many domains to view ABA as a trustworthy technology for achieving socially significant behavior change.

I will identify those characteristics and suggest several actions behavior analysts, regardless of role or career stage, can take to narrow the gap between ABA’s tremendous potential to help make the world a more humane place and the science’s much-too-limited impact to date.

Director at the Professional Crisis Management Association (PCMA), Dr. Paul "Paulie" Gavoni, an esteemed behavior scientist and educator, has dedicated decades to positively achieving results through the elevation of performance and behavior within education and human services. His rich professional journey spans roles ranging from COO to Professor, Vice President, School Administrator, and School Turnaround Manager. These diverse positions are united by his extensive expertise in Organizational Behavior Management (OBM), which he utilizes to improve human services on a profound level.Dr. Gavoni is unwavering in his commitment to harnessing behavioral science for the betterment of individuals and organizations. His impact on employee and leadership development across various domains is nothing short of transformative. Armed with a deep command of organizational behavior science, he fearlessly addresses educational challenges, offering candid evaluations that unveil systemic weaknesses. Yet, he isn't confined to critique; rather, he emerges as a visionary equipped with pragmatic solutions. He masterfully blends his forthright assessments with a touch of humor, rendering intricate issues both comprehensible and compelling. This unique ability solidifies his standing as a thought leader who is dedicated to problem-solving.As a Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-selling co-author, his contributions to the world through his best-selling books and top-ranked podcasts are a beacon of innovation and positive approaches, striking a remarkable balance between science and application. An athlete and coach in his own right, the former Golden Gloves Heavyweight champion, Coach Paulie Gloves, as he is known to the Mixed Martial Arts community, has also made a large mark in combat sports. His fearless approach and hands-on expertise in behavioral science have cultivated champions at the local, state, national, and even international levels, underscoring his multifaceted talent for applying the science of human behavior to help anybody, anywhere, reach their potential.Renowned internationally as a compelling speaker, Dr. Gavoni marries expert knowledge with an approachable demeanor, captivating global audiences with his genuine insights. His philosophy, grounded in behaviorism, is one of servant leadership, continuous growth, positive transformation, and unyielding efficiency, positioning him as a true symbol of integrity and excellence.

Presentation at the ABA International Conference 2024