Research project Behavior Analysis and Autism in Higher Education, 2nd International Summit and Conference
The prevalence of autism has increased at a much higher rate than any other disability and is estimated to be approximately 1 in 54
It is neuro-biological in origin, with onset thought to be early childhood. Autism is characterized by significant impairments in socio-communicative interactions across contexts, restricted stereotyped interests, activities and patterns of behavior (DSM 5, 2013) as well as resistance to environmental change, unusual sensory experiences, and lack of skills necessary to learn naturally from the environment.
Project description
It is now recognized that interventions implemented by competent practitioners based on applied behavior analysis (ABA) tailored to the individual prerequisites of each child and his/her contextual learning environments are the most effective practices for improving developmental trajectories in young children with ASD. ABA is a dynamic and expanding field and training programs have grown exponentially over the last decade. However, as this new and rapidly growing discipline emerges, there are ethical and pragmatic challenges which need to be addressed by higher education. Institutions devoted to training researchers and professionals in behaviour analysis are charged with designing curriculum to meet both scientific and clinical progress requirements.
The purpose of the three day conference and summit was to gather international and national researchers and scholars to present in the 2nd International Summit and Conference on Behavior Analysis and Autism in Higher Education (ISBA-Sweden) 2018, focusing on the themes listed below. As in the 1st ISBA hosted by the University of North Texas (UNT, 2009), researchers as well as doctoral students met to discuss issues in higher education, consider policy directions, and form new international partnerships. Activities and time was specifically allotted for these activities. Fourteen distinguished scholars gave an an individual address and participated in a panel discussion in their areas of expertise. The topic sections included were:
- Culture and global trends: How do changes in migration, integration, and diversity affect the content and processes of implementation?
- Implementation science and evidence-based practice: Definition of necessary criteria in relation to ASD, reliable change levels, randomized control and single-case research design
- Supervision and performance competencies: How are higher education programs approaching overall core competencies and curriculum? A discussion of the benefits and concerns with a range of models were addressed.
- Technology and distributed education: Research conditions under which distance education is most effective? What are the trends regarding instructional delivery in ABA?
- Scope of practice and regulatory bodies: Comparative international variations. Which regulatory bodies govern research, practice, higher education accreditation? What is the scope of practice? What are treatment and research settings in regard to the field?
- Inclusion, participation and engagement: What are the concerns and directions suggested by experts with in these areas? What are considerations related to interdisciplinary collaboration, program development and evaluation?
A key component of the summit was to bring together national and international experts paving the path for cross-cultural projects, and publications. All of which are of importance for improving the quality of life, participation and development for children with ASD, their families and learning environments. The European Journal of Behavior Analysis, a highly ranked international journal (Taylor and Francis group) which follows the same rigorous blind review process as non- special issues, i.e. be reviewed by at least two experts in the field published a special issue 2020 “Higher education, behaviour analysis, and autism: time for coalescence”.
Project members
Project managers
Lise Renata Pettersson Roll
Professor
Shahla Alai-Rosales
Associate Professor
Members
Lise Renata Pettersson Roll
Professor
Shahla Alai-Rosales
Associate Professor