ABA as a universal language of behavior
Beyond labels, toward understanding.
Human behavior cannot be reduced to labels. Behind every reaction, difficulty, emotion, or behavioral pattern there are causes, contexts, and mechanisms far more complex than they may appear at first glance. Yet they can be understood through a science: the science of behavior.
ABA is more than therapy. It is the science that explains how people learn, communicate, adapt, and relate to one another. It is the bridge between observation and understanding, between theory and practical application in everyday life.
In a society where labels are quickly assigned and access to accurate information makes the difference between exclusion and empathy, this edition addresses the need to understand behavior beyond its immediate implications: in education, mental health, autism, family life, business, within the community.
The conference brings together international experts, practitioners, neurodivergent individuals, and professionals from a variety of fields to explore how the principles of behavioral analysis can contribute to bring forth healthier relationships, more efficient systems, and a more open and tolerant society.
For parents and families
- You will better understand your child’s behaviors, the causes behind them, and the factors driving them.
- You will discover practical strategies for communication, breeding autonomy, and managing everyday challenges.
- You will gain access to hands-on, scientifically validated information.
For therapists and professionals
- You will explore the most recent directions and applications of ABA.
- You will learn from the experience of international experts and practitioners with significant contributions in the field.
- You will discover how behavior analysis can be applied in interdisciplinary contexts: education, mental health, inclusion, organizations.
For leaders, HR professionals, and the organizational environment
- You will understand how behavior influences organizational culture, performance, and team dynamics.
- You will discover science-based tools for motivation, leadership, and organizational change.
- You will explore how to build healthier, more accessible, and more efficient work environments.
This edition is about making high-quality information accessible and about the power of understanding to transform relationships, communities, and mindsets.
Because when we understand behavior, we build greater empathy, and when we have access to accurate and authentic knowledge, we can go beyond labels.
Save your spot and be part of the conversation that takes behavior analysis to a whole new level: that of a universal language of human understanding.
Alessandro Dibari
Alessandro Dibari is a psychologist, International Behavior Analyst® (IBA®), and Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®). He currently serves as Clinical Director of the “Casa dei Sogni” Day Center for Autism in Celano, Italy, managed by the Oltre le Parole Foundation. He also collaborates with the Foundation as a speaker in training courses for teachers, professionals, and parents, and has helped organize seminars and workshops featuring international speakers. His teaching experience includes lecturing in both national and international ABA Master’s programs. He has presented research at national and international conferences. His main interests include verbal behavior analysis and teaching functional skills to strengthen adaptive repertoires and reduce challenging behavior.
Presentation at the ABA International Conference 2027
Behavioral Skills Training (BST): From Scientific Literature to Clinical Practice in Educational Settings
Abstract:
Behavioral Skills Training (BST) is one of the most widely used procedures in Applied Behavior Analysis for teaching new skills in an effective, structured, and replicable way.
This presentation will provide a clear, practical overview of the four components of BST—instructions, modeling, role-play, and feedback—combining findings from the international research literature with clinical examples drawn from educational services.
Practical applications of BST will be presented in the teaching of:
- personal safety skills;
- assertive communication;
- social skills with peers;
- functional skills in natural settings.
Particular attention will be given to skill generalization, implementation fidelity, and adapting the procedure for autistic adolescents and adults.
The presentation aims to provide practitioners with tools they can apply in their own work settings, supporting data-based practice focused on the quality of life of the people they serve.
Daniele Rizzi
Daniele Rizzi is a BCBA and a Psychologist, working as Clinical Director for “la Casa dei Sogni-Fondazione Oltre le Parole Onlus”, a semi-residential center for adolescents and adults with ASD and intellectual disabilities in Pescara, central Italy. He serves as program coordinator and lecturer for A.B.A. post-university courses (VCS) at Consorzio Universitario Humanitas in Rome, teaching classes in experimental designs among other topics. He is involved as lecturer in the advanced training courses in A.B.A. and Autism organized by the Italian NIH (Istituto Superiore di Sanità). His main focus is in developing interventions for adolescents and adults using strategies based on Applied Behavior Analysis integrating a Quality of Life model. He presented scientific researches and gave talks both nationally and internationally, included participations as keynote speaker for the ABAI conference and Penn State Conference. He is father of 2 wonderful little boys.
Presentation at the ABA International Conference 2027
Interventions to increase adherence to medical procedures in individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities
Abstract:
Individuals with autism (ASD) and/or intellectual disabilities (ID) often show low level of adherence with medical procedures. Studies suggests that around one third of this population may show non-compliance during medical treatments (Gillis et al., 2009). Examples of medical procedure that may evoke problematic behavior can include, but are not limited to, taking medication (Raiff, Jarvis, & Dallery, 2016; Schiff, Tarbox, Lanagan, & Farag, 2011), MRI (Cox, Virues-Ortega, Julio, & Martin, 2017; Slifer, Koontz, & Cataldo, 2002), dental care (Szalwinski et al. 2019), blood drawn (Shabani & Fisher, 2006) etc. In presence of problematic behavior it may be necessary to opt for more intrusive procedures such as sedation (Lowe & Jedrychowski, 1987) or physical restraint (Klein & Norwak, 1999). Considering this scenario, it is of utmost importance to help people with ASD and ID to accept medical procedures, decreasing their indices of unhappiness and increasing acceptance during those situations. Some different interventions are used to address this concern, such as Differential Reinforcement, Stimulus Fading, Systematic Desensitization, Graduate Exposure etc. Some of those treatments may include an extinction component that, even if proved to be effective, may not be feasible or safe to implement during medical treatment. During this talk published studies and procedures related to increase adherence with medical interventions will be reviewed, with a focus on procedures that do not include an extinction component. Clinical examples and videos of the application of some of these procedures will be discussed as well.
Christoph Bördlein
Christoph Bördlein obtained his PhD in psychology from the University of Bamberg in 2001. He worked as an executive psychologist in a rehabilitation facility for blind and visually impaired adults and as the head of the Department of Occupational Health Management at the Federal Board of Auditors in Germany. Concurrently, he provided organizational consultation in the field of behavior-based safety for various businesses and industries. Currently, he is a professor at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS), teaching classes in behavior analysis, research methods, and clinical psychology. He is the director of a training course for specialists in behavior-based safety. He authored books and articles on critical thinking, introductory textbooks on applied behavior analysis and research methods, and the only textbook on behavior-based safety in German. Christoph Bördlein’s interests are in the areas of behavioral safety, behavioral community interventions, and behavior analysis in sports, fitness, and health.
Presentation at the ABA International Conference 2027
Behavior-Based Safety as a Community and Systems-Level Application
Abstract:
Behavior-Based Safety (BBS) applies principles of behavior analysis to the prevention of behavior-related accidents in organizational settings. It is widely regarded as the most effective evidence-based approach for reducing occupational injuries by focusing on observable behavior and its controlling contingencies. This talk outlines the core logic of BBS and illustrates how behavior-analytic methods such as observation, feedback, and consequence-based interventions can be successfully implemented at community and systems levels to achieve sustained behavior change.
Organizers:
