Keynote Speaker: Dr. Kelsey Ruppel

Topic: Skill-Based Treatment for Automatically Reinforced Interfering Behavior

Abstract:

The Practical Functional Assessment and Skill-Based Treatment processes (Hanley
et al., 2014) were designed with a focus on problem behavior sensitive to social
reinforcement, such as escape from adult-led tasks to child-led play with specific
forms of adult attention.

However, recent research has extended the Skill-Based Treatment to behavior
sensitive to automatic reinforcement. This presentation will discuss such
applications, drawing a distinction between dangerous behavior and behavior that is
not dangerous but interferes with learning under some conditions. Such a distinction
leads to discussion of when behavior such as stereotypy should and should not be
treated. We will then discuss the use of Skill-Based Treatment to teach learners with
autism to refrain from stereotypy when it interferes with important learning
opportunities and to allocate stereotypy to times and places in which it is not
interfering. The presentation will also discuss the use of Skill-Based Treatment to
address mouthing of non-food items. Future directions in this line of research will be
noted.

About this event

NHABA Annual Conference will be held in-person and virtual attendance option. Saturday, 9/11/21 from 8:30 – 5:20 in Concord, NH 6.5 CEU’s