Association for Behaviour Analysis Australia News

Early Bird Registration Now Open for the 11th Annual Conference

Sat, 31 Jan 2026 22:00:00 GMT

ABA Australia has opened Early Bird registration for the 11th Annual Conference, with tickets now available to both members and non-members.

Early Bird registration provides discounted access to the conference for a limited period and follows the member-only flash sale offered to ABA Australia members in January.

Flexible registration options

Attendees may choose from the following registration options:

3-day Conference Pass – access to the full conference program from Friday - Sunday, includes preconference workshops and full conference.
2-day Conference Pass – access to the conference only on Saturday and Sunday

These options are intended to improve accessibility and accommodate a range of professional and travel needs.

The 11th Annual Conference will be held in Hobart, Tasmania, at the Wrest Point Hotel, bringing together practitioners, researchers, students, and allied professionals from across Australia.

Further information about registration categories, pricing, and inclusions is available on the conference website:https://www.abaaconference.com.au/

Keynote Speakers and Presentations Announced for the 11th Annual Conference

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 04:30:00 GMT

ABA Australia is pleased to announce Stephanie Peterson and Shane Spiker as keynote speakers for the 11th Annual Conference.

Stephanie Peterson

Keynote presentation: Conceptualizing Self-determination from a Behavior Analytic Perspective

Dr Peterson will explore what self-determination means from a behaviour analytic standpoint, including how concepts such as concurrent operants, self-control, and self-management relate to choice making in everyday life. Her presentation will highlight strategies for empowering clients across service settings by teaching skills that enable meaningful choice and autonomy.

Shane Spiker

Keynote presentation: A Locus of Change: The Impact of Intentional Supervision Practices in Behavior Analysis

Dr Spiker will discuss the central role supervision plays across behaviour analytic work, arguing that it shapes ethical development, practitioner wellbeing, and the quality of services delivered. His address will examine types of supervision, the effect of supervisory behaviours on trainees, and systemic variables that influence the field more broadly.

The ABA Australia Annual Conference brings together behaviour analysts, researchers, students, and allied professionals from across Australia to engage with contemporary issues in behaviour analysis and professional practice.

The 11th Annual Conference will be held in Hobart, Tasmania, at the Wrest Point Hotel, with further program and speaker details to be released in the lead-up to the event.

More information about the keynote speakers is available on the conference website:https://www.abaaconference.com.au/

Member-Only Flash Sale Tickets Now Available for the 11th Annual Conference

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 22:00:42 GMT

ABA Australia has opened member-only flash sale registrations for the 11th Annual Conference, offering a 25% discount on conference tickets for a limited time.

Flash sale tickets are available exclusively to ABA Australia members and will be open throughout January only. This discounted rate provides members with early access to the conference while supporting planning and program development.

New registration options for 2025

For the first time, ABA Australia is offering flexible registration options, including:

3-day Conference Pass – access to the full conference program and attending from Friday to Sunday.
2-day Conference Pass – for those who want to attend on Saturday and Sunday only.

These options are designed to improve accessibility and flexibility for practitioners, students, and attendees travelling to Hobart.

The 11th Annual Conference will be held in Hobart, Tasmania, at the Wrest Point Hotel, bringing together behaviour analysts, researchers, and students from across Australia.

Further information about registration categories and inclusions is available on the conference website.

For more information check out our conference website: https://www.abaaconference.com.au/

The 11th Annual Conference Heads to Hobart

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 19:39:44 GMT

ABA Australia is pleased to announce its 11th Annual Conference, to be held in Hobart, Tasmania, at the Wrest Point Hotel. This is the first year that we will be in Hobart and are excited to explore the city. Hobart is known for its rich history, vibrant arts scene, and proximity to Tasmania’s natural landscapes. As a smaller capital city, Hobart offers a more relaxed and accessible conference experience, supporting meaningful connection and conversation between delegates.

The Wrest Point Hotel provides a central waterfront location with on-site conference facilities and accommodation, making it easy for attendees to participate fully in the conference program while enjoying the surrounding city.

The annual conference brings together behaviour analysts, researchers, students, and allied professionals from across Australia to share knowledge, connect with colleagues, and engage with contemporary issues in behaviour analysis.

Registrations will open shortly, with further details to be released regarding keynote and invited speakers. The conference program will include a mix of keynote presentations, invited talks, and contributed workshops and papers.

We are currently be inviting submissions for:

Workshops
Panels
Symposium
Research and Paper presentations
Clinical Case Studies
Posters

Members and practitioners are encouraged to contribute to the program and support the exchange of applied, research, and practice-based knowledge within the field.

For more information check out our conference website: https://www.abaaconference.com.au/

NDIS Advocacy Campaign: Community Support and Next Steps

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 06:00:00 GMT

ABA Australia concluded its national advocacy campaign seeking formal recognition of behaviour analysts under the NDIS, with strong support from across the community.

A total of 854 individuals and organisations added their names to the Joint Statement calling for clearer recognition of behaviour analysts and safer, more consistent standards for behaviour analysis within the NDIS.

This level of engagement highlighted the importance of professional recognition for behaviour analysts and the value placed on evidence-based practice by participants, families, practitioners, and service providers.

Meeting with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission

ABA Australia had initially requested a meeting with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission on 22 October 2025. Shortly before the Joint Statement was finalised, the Commission confirmed a meeting date of 21 November 2025.

While the timing of the meeting cannot be directly attributed to the campaign, the collective response strengthened ABA Australia’s advocacy and demonstrated the breadth of support for professional recognition within the sector.

During this meeting, ABA Australia will raise key issues outlined in the Joint Statement, including:

The need for formal recognition of CBAs and CBAUs under Therapeutic Supports
The risks created by the absence of clear professional recognition
The importance of behaviour analytic services being delivered by appropriately trained and qualified practitioners

Ongoing transparency and engagement

ABA Australia is committed to updating signatories and members on discussions, outcomes, and next steps, and to continuing advocacy efforts.

ABA Australia thanks everyone who supported this campaign and contributed to strengthening advocacy for behaviour analysts and the participants who rely on their services.

ABA Australia starts a national advocacy campaign for recognition of Behaviour Analysts in the NDIS

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 05:30:00 GMT

ABA Australia commenced a national advocacy campaign calling for the formal recognition of Certified Behaviour Analysts (CBAs), Certified Behaviour Analyst – Undergraduates (CBAUs), and the discipline of applied behaviour analysis (ABA) within the NDIS Practice Standards Qualification and Professional Associations Required Documentation Guide.

The Guide released earlier in October 2025 did not explicitly include CBAs, CBAUs, or ABA services. This omission created uncertainty for participants, practitioners, and providers, and posed operational risks for services delivering evidence-based behaviour analytic supports.

ABA Australia identified that clearer professional recognition was essential to ensuring continuity of services, protecting participant access, and supporting safe and ethical practice across the sector, reflecting advocacy work the Association has been undertaking consistently since 2023.

As part of this advocacy, ABA Australia prepared a joint statement addressed to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, calling for:

Formal recognition of CBAs and CBAUs under the Therapeutic Supports category
Clear timelines and transparency regarding professional inclusion and review processes
A meeting with the Commission to clarify the professional review process
Representation in advisory and working groups to ensure behaviour analytic services are accurately considered

The campaign invited support from practitioners, families, carers, and organisations across Australia, reflecting the shared interest in maintaining access to high-quality, evidence-based behaviour analytic services within the NDIS.

ABA Australia November Newsletter 2023

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 02:41:46 GMT

ABA Australia October Newsletter 2023

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 02:40:43 GMT

ABA Australia September Newsletter 2023

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 02:39:19 GMT

ABA Australia June 2023 Newsletter

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 04:19:24 GMT

ABA Australia May 2023 Newsletter

Tue, 30 May 2023 04:02:32 GMT

ABA Australia April 2023 Newsletter

Tue, 30 May 2023 03:59:16 GMT

ABA Australia March 2023 Newsletter

Tue, 30 May 2023 03:56:16 GMT

Is ABA Just Discrete Trial Teaching? (No!)

Tue, 08 Nov 2022 03:47:17 GMT

Is ABA Just Discrete Trial Teaching? (No!)

“When one teaches, two learn” – Robert Heinlein

Author: Erin Leif, BCBA-D

Sometimes, people think ABA incorrectly is synonymous with discrete trial teaching (DTT). DTT is but one evidence-informed teaching tactic! In our recent survey of the professional practice of ABA in Australia, we found that BCBAs used a whole range of teaching tactics in ABA-based programs, including naturalistic teaching, shaping, modelling, positive reinforcement, and prompting.

However, DTT can be a useful strategy in an ABA-based program, as it offers several advantages, all of which are designed to maximise the learner’s success:

DTT provides a clear and technological description of all components of teaching so multiple teachers can teach the skill in a consistent way (which prevents the learner from becoming confused and maximises learner success)
DTT involves breaking larger skills down into small teachable components, to meet the learner where they are at and ensure the learner can fully participate
DTT provides multiple practice opportunities for the learner within in single session. It is similar to a high-impact teaching strategy called opportunities to respond, which is widely used in classrooms to actively engage all students in the learning process
DTT incorporates prompting and prompt fading to maximise the learner’s success and build the learner’s independence with the skill. Prompts are gradually faded as the learner becomes more independent with this skill. This is similar to the process of scaffolding, which is often used in classrooms to help students learn new skills a little bit at a time
DTT provides numerous opportunities for reinforcement within a single session. By keeping the rate of reinforcement high, the learning context should be enjoyable for both learner and teacher
DTT specifies clear mastery criteria. In other words, teaching continues until the learner demonstrates full independence with the skill (rather than moving on to new skills too quickly, before the learner is ready)
Each discrete response can be measured, and data can be graphed and analysed (e.g., by frequency, rate, or per cent correct/independent) to make teaching decisions and facilitate data-based problem-solving. In doing so, challenges the learner might be experiencing can be identified and addressed quickly, and changes can be made to the way we teach to keep the learner successful.

DTT is not an appropriate teaching strategy for every skill. It is best used to teach discrete skills, or those which require a single response. Examples of discrete skills include pointing to objects or pictures (receptive language), naming objects or pictures (expressive language), following one-step instructions, matching, or imitation.

Leaf et al. (2016) advocate for a progressive approach to DTT in ABA-based programs. In a flexible approach, fixed and inflexible protocols for using DTT are not used. Rather, teachers are encouraged to use their clinical judgement to make moment-to-moment decisions about the effectiveness of their teaching, based on ongoing analysis of the data. Leaf et al. recommend (a) making decisions about how to arrange teaching sessions (for example, the type and location of teaching materials) based on the strengths and needs of the learner, (b) using natural language when delivering instructions, (c) varying instructions when possible, (d) using flexible prompt fading strategies, (e) using a variety of consequences, including reinforcement and corrective feedback, which have been individualised to the learner, and (f) teaching in real-world (or “busy”) environments, when feasible. Such approaches may facilitate the development of more flexible and generalisable learner repertoires.

Reinforcement versus Rewards – What’s the Difference (And Why Does It Matter)?

Claire Connolly — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 00:11:44 GMT

Reinforcement versus Rewards – What’s the Difference (And Why Does It Matter)?

“Behaviour goes where reinforcement flows” – Aubrey Daniels

Author: Erin Leif, BCBA-D

In every day and in pop psychology, the terms reward and reinforcement are often used interchangeably. However, there are important distinctions!

A reward is defined based on what it looks like, such as a sticker, lolly, or smiley face on the board. In other words, a reward is a thing, not a process. Often, rewards are selected by the parent or teacher, are dispensed in the same way to everyone (for example, all students in the class), and are delivered for behaviours that may not be clearly identified and described to students. Rewards may or may not have any effect on behaviour.

By contrast, reinforcement is a process, not a thing. In ABA, reinforcement is defined as a stimulus change (or consequence) following a behaviour that increases the future likelihood of that behaviour. If a specific consequence is shown to increase the occurrence of behaviour (for example, getting an HD on a quiz increases study behaviour), we call the consequence a reinforcer. Sometimes, a reward can function as a reinforcer - but not always!

To use reinforcement effectively, the parent or teacher must be able to (a) describe the specific target behaviours for increase, (b) identify specific and individualised reinforcers for each person, (c) deliver the reinforcer following the target behaviour, and (d) demonstrate that the delivery of the reinforcer results in an improvement or increase in the target behaviour of the learner.

What functions as a reinforcer is likely to vary from person to person – we are all different, and we all have unique likes and dislikes! Reinforcers can include social interactions, types of social attention, activities, events, toys and objects, sensory feedback, and even task completion. Extrinsic reinforcers are consequences that are dispensed by other people, such as activities, stickers, pay cheques, and good grades. Intrinsic reinforcers are directly produced by the behaviour itself (i.e., are not delivered by someone else) and may include things like reading a book, engaging in a hobby, or playing a video game. Both extrinsic and intrinsic reinforcers are important and influence our behaviour all the time. We often use extrinsic reinforcers, like praise or a toy, to establish new behaviours or skills. Over time, engaging in the skill produces forms of intrinsic reinforcement, such as feelings of success!

When delivering extrinsic reinforcement, it is very important that we focus on interactions, not transactions. Every opportunity to deliver an extrinsic reinforcer is an opportunity for the adult to engage in a meaningful social interaction with the learner. This in turn can have the added effect of strengthening the relationship between the adult and learner.

Reinforcement is a very individualised process. When delivering ABA-based programs, it is important to identify the unique and personally relevant reinforcers for each person. We can do this by asking the person, asking others who know the person well, observing the person and noticing what types of things they like to do, providing the person with lots of choices, and helping the person experience new things in life. Ultimately, we should strive to create contexts for people we support in which they can experience lots and lots of reinforcement, both extrinsic and intrinsic!

Rewards and reinforcement are not the same! However, we often use these terms interchangeably in everyday language. In ABA, we advocate for the use of reinforcement, not rewards. Reinforcement is a person-centred and individualised process that leads to meaningful skill development and opportunities for strengthening relationships.

What has ABA Australia been up to? (July, Aug, Sept 2022)

Claire Connolly — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 03:51:32 GMT

What Actually is ABA?

Claire Connolly — Tue, 26 Apr 2022 23:00:00 GMT

What Actually IS ABA?

Author: Erin Leif, BCBA-D

I often have people ask me, ‘What actually IS ABA?’ And sometimes, I find this a hard question to answer! While most likely best-known among the public as a therapy for children with autism and developmental disabilities, Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) has diverse far-reaching applications. It’s important to note that ABA isn’t a single type of intervention for a specific population (for example, autism). Rather, it’s a branch of science concerned with the application of basic principles of behaviour and learning to solve socially important problems and teach new skills.

Behaviour analysis is a natural science approach to understanding behaviour, learning, language and cognition. As a science, it’s conceptually similar to the disciplines of psychology, biology, chemistry and medical science. It’s comprised of four branches that together form the foundation for research and clinical practice. The first is radical behaviourism, or the philosophy of the science. This attempts to understand all human behaviour, including thoughts, feelings, emotions, cognition and complex language, in terms of person-centred historical variables (i.e., learning) and biological endowment. The second branch is the experimental analysis of behaviour, a natural science approach to the study of basic behavioural processes. The third branch is applied behaviour analysis, in which basic behavioural processes derived from the experimental analysis are applied to improve socially significant behaviour in real-world settings. The scientific method is used to show that behaviour change and learning is due to the careful and specific implementation of the intervention or teaching strategy, rather than an uncontrolled variable. The fourth branch, the professional practice of applied behaviour analysis, involves the delivery of applied behaviour analytic interventions in a range of real-world settings, such as classrooms, clinics, and homes.

I wanted to share some thoughts on what the professional practice of Applied Behaviour Analysis is (since that is what most of us do!), and how we might define it when talking to people who are unfamiliar with our field. I like to talk about ABA as a framework for delivering a variety of teaching and behaviour support strategies. The different strategies that are used within an ABA-based program have all been evaluated in published research and have an evidence-base. However, simply delivering an evidence-based intervention is not enough. Applied behaviour analysis practitioners must be well-versed in the process of evidence-based practice and must be able to draw on peer reviewed published research, their own clinical judgement and expertise, and the values, preferences, strengths, goals, and needs of the person they are supporting when designing a therapy program or intervention. When used in clinical and educational contexts, the ABA framework consists of several important components:

Assessment – First, we seek to understand why, when, and how behaviours do (or do not!) occur by exploring the interactions between behaviour and the environment

Planning – Second, we work with the person to identify their unique strengths, preferences, goals, and needs, and use this information to develop an individualised plan to help the person achieve their goals

Teaching – Once the plan is agreed upon, we teach new skills that will help the person move closer to achieving their goals and living the life they want, using a variety of evidence-based teaching and behaviour support strategies

Monitoring – At all stages of assessment, planning, and teaching, data are collected to help us evaluate what is working well for the person, and what needs to be changed or improved

Supporting – Through coaching and feedback, we help others (e.g., family members, educators, therapists) learn to implement teaching and behaviour support strategies and evaluate outcomes

Applied Behaviour Analysis has broad and varied applications. For example, positive behaviour support (PBS) is an approach for supporting individuals with disability who display behaviour of concern that integrates the values of the disability community with the clinical framework of ABA. School-wide positive behaviour support (SW PBS) is a prevention-focused, tiered approach to supporting the social, emotional, and behavioural development of all students in school settings. Early behavioural intervention involves the delivery of comprehensive, evidence-informed early learning and skill building programs to young children with developmental delays and their families. Organisational behaviour management (OBM) uses the ABA framework to assess the effectiveness of various systems to improve employee job performance and create more effective work environments. What these applications have in common is that they use the framework described above to guide the development, delivery, and evaluation of strategies for helping people!

In our recent survey of ABA practitioners in Australia, we identified the different types of teaching and behaviour support strategies used as part of ABA-based programs. In the graphics below, you can see that practitioners reported using a wide range of strategies, each of which is individualised to meet the needs of the person.

In our upcoming blogs and practice briefs, we will share more information about what each of these strategies involves, and when they might be used as part of an ABA-based program.

World Behaviour Analysis Day 2021

Thu, 18 Mar 2021 20:14:58 GMT

Celebrate World Behaviour Analysis Day on 20 March 2021

The 20th of March has officially been proclaimed World Behaviour Analysis Day by National Day Archive. A group of behaviour analysts have worked over the past year to make this day a real thing! Check out their website and Facebook for more information!

http://behavioranalysisday.com/

https://www.facebook.com/WorldBehaviorAnalysisDay

#WorldBehaviorAnalysisDay #WBAD

What can you do for World Behaviour Analysis Day?

Watch the inaugural video premiering on Youtube on 20 March at 12pm EDT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSBeIJ68jZA

The Association for the Advancement of Radical Behavior Analysis, Italy’s ABAI affiliate chapter, is hosting an online event on 20 March from 4-6pm CDT

http://www.aarba.eu/world-behavior-analysis-day-en/

Create your own unique way to celebrate this day of behavioural science and love for all things behaviour analysis.

2021 Conference Announcement

Tue, 02 Mar 2021 20:09:49 GMT

2021 Conference Announcement

Let's Get Virtual!

After the postponement of our 2020 annual conference in Sydney due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ABA Australia had high hopes that we would hold our 2021 conference in Sydney as scheduled. About six months ago, the board of directors began discussing the reality of holding an in-person conference in 2021. To better understand our members' thoughts and preferences, we sent out a survey about the 2021 conference.

Members’ Survey

Out of the 84 respondents, most stated they had planned on attending the conference 2020. When asked how likely they would attend an in-person conference: 29.7% said unlikely, 27.4% were unsure, and 45.2% said likely to attend. When asked if the conference should be postponed again: 46.7% were unsure, 20.2% said yes, and 31.2% said no. When asked if the conference needed to be delayed again, what was the virtual format preference? There was a similar preference for either a virtual conference or webinar series. With this information and seeing what has unfolded with citywide and statewide lockdowns, it has become clear that holding a face-to-face conference in Sydney this July might not be possible. The COVID-19 virus is highly unpredictable and can get through some of the world’s strictest quarantine systems, meaning that we could potentially have to cancel the conference last minute due to government restrictions. As always, our top priority is making the annual conference a safe, productive, and enjoyable experience for everyone who attends. In these uncertain times, we have decided the best way to do that is to turn the annual conference into a virtual conference while keeping it in July. We have adjusted the dates a bit, as explained in more detail below.

Conference Program

We will have several prerecorded and some live presentations (available later on-demand) available across July 2021. We understand that the time spent online has increased over the past year and that ‘Zoom fatigue’ is real. We wanted you to be at your best when listening to our conference program, so we thought it best to let you choose when to watch the presentations.

But what about networking and real connections?

Networking is an essential part of a conference, one of the main reasons we love holding the conference. We are looking to host several small in-person networking events in each state and territory (yes, even you NT!). We will release more information about these events in the coming months. We wanted to provide a way for our members to connect with other local members or ABA nerds without crossing any borders. We are looking to hold these events in September - October 2021. As the requirements for live events change quickly, all we can say is that there will be presentations, roundtable discussions, and a poster session at each event.

What if you want to present?

We are securing several invited speakers worldwide (one of the benefits of a virtual conference). However, we still love to show off our local talent. Submission for presentations can be made on our website.

How much will this cost?

Virtual registration rates will be lower than for one of our in-person conferences. Check out our website for prices as they are based on your membership status. Ticket prices include access to all the recorded events and all BACB CEUs (Whoo Hoo!). There is an early bird discount if you purchase by 31/5. Tickets will go on sale 15/3/2021. We are also offering free tickets to people who live in low-income countries. One of our objectives is to disseminate this amazing science we love so much. As we are going virtual, this allows us to push our dissemination objectives beyond Australia's borders. More information about this is available on our website. Please spread the word about this opportunity!

Sponsors

We have sponsorship options available for our conference. Check out our website for options. Or contact us to discuss a customised sponsorship package.

What if I bought a ticket last year and kept it?

We'll be sending you an email shortly explaining your ticket options. More info here!

November 2020 Update

Thu, 26 Nov 2020 19:47:19 GMT

Hello Australia!

Summer is almost here, restrictions are being eased, and COVID-19 is getting a boot with hand washing, mask wearing, and a heap of rule governed behaviour. It has been a long 9 months but we are finally starting to see the benefits of this hard work. That being said, the last 9 months have not been easy for most, people have been deeply impacted by COVID-19, and it will continue to dominate our lives until a vaccine is available to all. Nevertheless, behaviour analysis doesn’t have to stop and wait too.

At ABA Australia we have been busy working on a number of tasks and hoping to create lasting change in Australia. Our main task has been to set up systems to launch self-regulation of behaviour analysis. But something had to be put on the back burner, so we haven’t been too busy working on getting next year’s conference ready (yup we just say it as it is).

First let’s get the conference out of the way. As a board, we have a number of concerns about running a conference with COVID-19 still knocking at our borders. To help us make future decisions with our members' viewpoints in mind we’ve created a survey for our members to give us their opinions on having a conference or another postpointment and what could be viable alternatives.

Under the current restrictions in NSW the 4sq metre rule is still in place. That means the number of people at our venue is 125 maximum. This also means that lunch will not be a buffet but a boxed meal. Finally, our social hour will need to a seated event, making networking and socialising much harder... in NSW you are not allowed to stand and hold a drink. Poster session can go on, but again the 1.5 metre social distancing must be followed.
We will also have to consider the border restrictions between states, and whether delegates can travel interstate. We have recently seen how quickly these restrictions can be imposed.
Our presenters will more than likely be only Australian and possibly our Kiwi friends, as we are not going to ask anyone to go through hotel quarantine to speak at the conference.
Additionally, dining out requires bookings, which could make planning food for the weekend a bit challenging.
Alternatives are that we postpone another year, and host a number of webinars throughout the year. This option would allow access to content from experts from around the world. With this option, a number of webinars would have to be pre-recorded due to time differences.

                                    We are very open to hear our member’s opinions on these options and share their ideas. A survey link will be sent to our members and a few reminders to take the survey in the weeks to follow to make sure we get your opinion. 
                                  

Self-Regulation

Our workgroups have been busy and we cannot thank them enough for all their time and energy they have contributed to this project. Here is a list of tasks that have been completed:

Self regulation business plan created
Literature search and review on ABA and regulation
Summary of articles on ABA and regulation
Powerpoint created about regulation in Australia
Standards of practices template and suggestion created
Code of ethics template and suggestions created
Stakeholder engagement plan developed
Stakeholder registry being created
Complaints process created

There are still more projects to do but we are focusing next on creating the code of ethics and standards of practice and reaching out to our stakeholders. We would like to see a big push in this area in the next few months to be able to roll out our self-regulation.

BACB Application

We are very excited to announce that our application has been approved by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). This means that BACB exams will continue to be available after 31 December 2022. Our status will be reviewed every 5 years to see if we continue to meet the necessary requirements. However, the BACB does caution that their regulations and legal issues may change at any time and we are subject to those changes. The BACB encourages us to continue to pursue our own regulation to ensure that we will have our regulatory body to continue to establish ABA a safe and ethical career in Australia.

Stay Apart but Stick Together

Sat, 28 Mar 2020 01:26:08 GMT

We are here for you, even though we will stay apart

As practitioners in the field of ABA we know these are challenging times for our members. Many of you may be in limbo about whether you can continue to provide quality services to your clients. We are all trying to figure out how to deliver services safely, which is causing a lot of disruption to our client’s routines and service delivery, all while dealing with the uncertainty of where the next few months will take us. This is taking a toll on all of us.

We want to update you on what the Board of ABA Australia is doing to help our community during these uncertain times. We feel now more than ever we want to ensure solidarity with our members and support the ABA community.

We’ve added a page on our website to list various resources in relation to COVID-19. This page will be updated regularly with new content. We ask if you find a resource you think the ABA community would find useful please email us the link to the webpage. If you have a document you created and want to share it, again send it to us and we will post it on the website.

Send all resource links to admin@auaba.com.au.
Title the email ‘COVID-19’.
Please include a brief title to the link to make it easy to organise on the webpage.

Connecting with others: We will offer opportunities for social hang outs where practitioners from around Australia can get together virtually and discuss how they are going and share ideas for making it through these uncertain times. These will be set up in the coming weeks and you can book your hangout time via our website. We’ll keep the group size small so everyone can have a chance to connect.

Our conference has been postponed to ensure that we can provide a safe environment for everything to gather and enjoy learning, seeing old friends, and making new ones. We have moved our conference date to 23rd - 25th of July 2021 and it will be held at the World Square Rydges Hotel in Sydney. If you have purchased a conference ticket, made a submission, or purchased a sponsorship package, you should have received an email about this. Please check out the website for more information.

We care about the well-being of our members and the ABA community, and we urge everyone to follow best practises to stay safe and healthy during this time. We know that these are uncertain times, but we will get through this together – we are here for you.

Kind Regards,

Tessa, Alayna, Shell, Alex, Megan, & Josh

ABA Australia Board of Directors

Tips for ABA Practitioners assisting in NDIS Tribunal applications

Fri, 13 Mar 2020 04:48:54 GMT

Tips for ABA Practitioners assisting in NDIS Tribunal applications

Matthew Cobb-Clark

In the 2018-2019 financial year, over 1,200 people commenced proceedings in the Administrative Appeal Tribunal (Tribunal)’s National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Division.With increasing demand for access to the NDIS, it seems likely that the number of applications will grow. ABA practitioners are finding themselves assisting their clients in preparing NDIS documentation, as well as Tribunal applications. The purpose of this article is to provide a brief overview of a recent Tribunal decision involving ABA, which gives practitioners a good outline of how the Tribunal approaches cases involving ABA.

In July 2019 the Tribunal handed down its decisions in FRCT and NDIA and WKZQ and NDIA The cases concerned twin boys with ASD. The applicants each sought funding for:

20 hours of ABA therapy per week, comprised of 2 hours of 1:1 therapy with a senior therapist, 4 hours of 1:2 therapy with a junior therapist and 2 hours of social skills group;
2 hours per month for ABA clinical meetings;
2 hours per month for ABA supervisor sessions;
4 hours per week of speech therapy; and
color="#000000">an annual full speech assessment and summary report.

color="#000000" face="Ubuntu">In contrast, the NDIA offered funding for:

110 hours per year of capacity building supports for early childhood intervention through a 'keyworker model'. The ‘keyworker model’ involved a speech pathologist “giving access to a range of therapists”. It is unclear how this was to work in practice, given the different skill sets of speech therapists as distinct from other types of therapists;
A 6-month transition away from ABA therapy, in the form of gradually-reducing ABA therapy to be done at home; and
192 hours per year of a support worker "to support the applicant and the family to access the community and to implement therapeutic activities into the applicant's everyday life and routine".

Among other things, the NDIA relied upon a report of Professors Roberts and Williams from March 2016. That report summarised some of the literature on ABA, which notes that ABA may be effective for children with ASD, but it is not clear that it is effective for all children. The report stated that early intervention should commence as soon as autism is diagnosed,and it should be for a minimum of 15-25 hours per week. Other than stating that interventions should be evidence-based, the report did not favour one type of intervention over another.

In a supplementary report prepared for the NDIA, Professors Roberts and Williams stated:

“The recommendation for early intervention in autism…includes working with children in natural environments to maximise the functional development of skills and provide maximum opportunities to interact with peers and develop social communication skills. Different providers define ‘in clinic’ differently, but it is likely ‘in clinic’ is not a natural context and would therefore not be the optimal setting for much intervention, especially once key elements of a desired skill or behaviour are mastered in that setting”

The Tribunal had to consider the requirements of s 34 of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (NDIS Act)were met. In order for funding to be provided for any support, the NDIA (or the Tribunal) must be satisfied that:

the support will assist the participant to pursue the goals, objectives and aspirations included in the participant's statement of goals and aspirations;
the support will assist the participant to undertake activities, so as to facilitate the participant's social and economic participation;
the support represents value for money in that the costs of the support are reasonable, relative to both the benefits achieved and the cost of alternative support;
the support will be, or is likely to be, effective and beneficial for the participant, having regard to current good practice;
the funding or provision of the support takes account of what it is reasonable to expect families, carers, informal networks and the community to provide;
the support is most appropriately funded or provided through the NDIS, and is not more appropriately funded or provided through other general systems of service delivery or support services offered by a person, agency or body (e.g. the public health or education systems);
the support is not prescribed by the NDIS rules as a support that will not be funded or provided under the NDIS; and
the funding of the support complies with the methods or criteria (if any) prescribed by the NDIS rules for deciding the reasonable and necessary supports that will be funded under the NDIS.

The Tribunal found that both ABA and the NDIA's proposed keyworker model would assist the boys to pursue the goals, objectives and aspirations in their statements of goals and aspirations and therefore s 34(1)(a) was satisfied. In relation to s 34(1)(b) the Tribunal was satisfied that most of the ABA therapy would support the boys to facilitate their social and economic participation, as did the NDIA's proposed keyworker model. However, the Tribunal found that there was insufficient evidence to explain how the 2 hours of clinical meetings and 2 hours of supervisor sessions per month would assist the boys' social and economic participation.

Importantly, the Tribunal found that ABA and the keyworker model were not comparable models of support for the purposes of s 34(1)(c) of the NDIS Act. The NDIA's proposal to transition the boys away from ABA therapy over 6 months was not a genuine alternative to the 12 month program of intensive ABA and speech therapy proposed by the applicants. Additionally, the Tribunal was not satisfied that the NDIA's keyworker model would substantially improve the life stage outcomes for the boys, or be likely to reduce the cost of funding of supports for them in the long term.

The Tribunal found that the evidence showed very clear and compelling reasons why the boys were participating in ABA therapy and speech therapy (in a clinical setting) at the current point in time. These included their challenging behaviour at home, the lack of ABA therapy providers where the boys lived, and their continuing participation in their community. The Tribunal left open the possibility that the boys may eventually be able to engage in appropriate behaviour in their home and preschool, and possibly be placed in a mainstream school. This would affect the amount of therapy that they would require in future years.

However, the Tribunal was not satisfied that the 2 hours per week of social skills group represented value for money. The Tribunal was also not satisfied that the ABA clinical meetings and supervisor sessions also represented value for money.

For completeness, the Tribunal considered whether the NDIA's proposed keyworker model represented value for money. The Tribunal identified a number of problems with the model. In particular, the model did not provide for ABA therapy, which was the therapy preferred by the boys' parents. The NDIA's desire to transfer the boys away from ABA therapy in direct contradiction to the parents' wishes was completely inconsistent with the objects and general principles of the NDIS Act, which reinforce the exercise of choice in the planning and delivery of supports, and acknowledge the role of families in this process. The proposal to decrease ABA therapy was counterintuitive to the evidence that showed the program was having a beneficial effect on the boys' skills development and their behaviour.

This decision is important for ABA practitioners involved in preparing NDIS applications, including Tribunal applications. I consider that it shows the following key points:

Although practitioners are convinced of the therapeutic merits of ABA, anecdotally the NDIA is reluctant to support it. It is perceived as expensive and proprietary. Practitioners need to be able to demonstrate to the NDIA not just why ABA is good, but why it is better than the other evidence-based forms of treatment for autism. The ABA profession should look to support more empirical research that establishes this.
The Tribunal emphasised the importance of parent choice in determining the type of therapy to be funded. That means that ABA practitioners need to not just convince the NDIA/Tribunal of ABA’s benefits; they need to be able to convince parents that it is the right choice as well.
More needs to be done to establish the clinical benefits of group social skills programs – the Tribunal was unconvinced that these represented value for money.
ABA practitioners may need to do more to make clear that ABA services can be provided in home as well as in a clinical setting. The NDIA's support for the keyworker model was based in part on research that suggests that therapy is more effective in natural settings, but ABA can of course take place in natural settings.
Obviously, each child with ASD is different and has different therapy needs. In preparing material for use by the NDIA/Tribunal, ABA practitioners should identify how the proposed therapy meets the criteria in s 34 of the NDIS Act for that particular child.

^{^[1]} Administrative Appeals Tribunal, 2018-2019 at a Glance https://www.aat.gov.au/about-the-aat/corporate-information/annual-reports/2018-19-annual-report/2018-19-at-a-glance

^{^[2]} [2019] AATA 1478 It is common for applicants in the NDIS Division of the Tribunal to be given four-letter pseudonyms.

^{^[3]} [2019] AATA 1480

^{^[4]} J Roberts and K Williams, Autism Spectrum Disorder: Evidence-Based/Evidence-Informed Good Practice for Supports provided to Preschool Children, their Families and Carers (March 2016), available here.

^{^[5]} Roberts and Williams, p 27

^{^[6]} Roberts and Williams, p 34

^{^[7]} Roberts and Williams, p 10

2020 Events

Mon, 13 Jan 2020 03:37:39 GMT

Check out our events for 2020!

We've got two great events planned for the year so far. Check them out, get tickets now and don't miss out on our super early bird sale for the conference.

Clinical Application of ACT for Behaviour Analysts: 3-Day Intensive Course
Dr. Evelyn Gould, BCBA-D

Date: 26th - 28th February 2019
Time: 9-5pm each day
Location: Charlestown, NSW
21 BACB CEU

Join Dr. Evelyn Gould for a 3-day intensive training course in the clinical application of ACT for ABA practitioners. This workshop is designed to provide practitioners with ‘hands-on’ training in assessment, case conceptualization, treatment planning, implementation, trouble-shooting, and treatment evaluation from an ACT perspective.

Tickets - $695 Members / $950 Nonmembers
SEATS ARE LIMITED!

ACT TICKETS BUY NOW

Pre-conference Workshop

Dr. Sorah Stein, BCBA-D
Date: 24 July, 2020
Time: 9am - 5pm
Topic: Sexual behavior, functional assessment, and human rights

Super Early Bird
1/12/19 – 31/1/20
Includes free BACB CEU for members

Member $160
Non-Member $230

Annual Conference
25th - 26th July 2020

Tentative time: 8:30am - 5pm each day

Keynote: Dr. Patricia Krutz from Kennedy Krieger Institute

Invited speaker: Dr. Lewis Bizo

More to be announced soon!

We will be hosting a Saturday Night Social and poster session. This is a great opportunity to network with colleagues and talk to researchers. Remember first drink is on us!

SUPER EARLY BIRD SALE CONFERENCE TICKETS BUY NOW

We are now taking submissions for our annual conference

Checkout our submission page

SUBMISSIONS OPEN CLICK HERE

A Tough Start to a New Year

Sun, 05 Jan 2020 21:39:02 GMT

A tough start to a new year

We want to start by saying we are devastated to see the destruction caused by the astronomical number of bushfires across the country. Please, everyone, stay safe during these times and listen to the Rural Fire Service's warnings and recommendations. These bushfires are affecting all of us, and we need to support each other during this environmental disaster and look at how we influence climate change with behavioural science. But for now, we say focus on staying safe.

Global Certification

Many of you are aware of the shocking announcement by the BACB on New Year's Eve for us. A horrible day for all Australia that will forever be remembered due to the horrific bushfires but also for the behaviour analytic community as the day we found out our certification was in limbo. ABA Australia is dedicated to supporting its members and the practice of ABA in Australia. We are finding out information at the same time as all of you. We will provide updates on the news to try to make sense of what has been said and what we plan to do. Here is what we can tell you:

Over the past year, ABA Australia has started discussions on how to start the national certification process for behaviour analysts (BAs) in Australia. We established a work group to start the process of figuring out how to do this. This project is still in its infancy. We are excited to hear the number of people willing to help in this area. In the coming weeks, we will present you with a more concrete plan and how you can best help.

If you have not already, please join the International Behaviour Analyst group on Facebook.This group is for BAs world-wide to voice concerns and share information. This group has developed a short survey for you to fill out about ABA practices and profession in your own country. Please fill out as this information be passed on to the BACB.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/464181270911069/

Make sure to read and re-read the BACB website page on global certification. They have some questions and answers to the concerns of BCBAs. From our understanding, those questions seem to get updated (changed or questions/answers added) from time-to-time, so please continue to monitor.

https://www.bacb.com/global-certification/

ABAI was in the dark, like the rest of us. They sent an email out on 4/1/20 stating their position on the matter. They also sent a survey out to their members, asking how ABAI can help. If you are an ABAI member, please read that email and respond to the survey. If you are not an ABAI member, they posted the email to their facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/ABAInternational.org/

We will make it out of this, the timeline is tight, and it would be nice to see the BACB expand it another few years to make it a little easier. Learning about the science of behaviour is to help people improve their lives, and people still need help. Keep up your studies during this time, seek supervision to become a better behaviour analyst; these things will not change, all that is changing is who will give you that stamp of approval.

Stay Safe,
ABA Australia Board of Directors

December 2019 Update

Sun, 15 Dec 2019 22:42:40 GMT

Hope everyone is having a productive and not too stressful end to the year. We we want to say for all those affected by the many bush fires across Australia, our thoughts are with you and we hope everyone continues to stay safe. We encourage members to find ways to support their local communities and states during this disastrous summer.

We have a number of announcements to catch you up on. Please read below to find out the exciting events on offer!

Check out our website for information about the 5th Annual Conference

Our website is updated with information about our 5th annual conference being held in Sydney 24th-26th of July. Check out the pre-conference workshop and invited speakers.

Ticket will go on sale shortly and we have a new super early bird prices, get in early to get the best deal. Also, get your tickets early as we sold out last year. Don't procrastinate.

SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW OPEN
We have a new submission option - clinical case presentations, check out the website more details.

Clinical Application of ACT for Behaviour Analysts:
3-Day Intensive Course

We are happy to announce that we will be offering a advance ACT 3-day intensive course given by the amazing Dr. Evelyn Gould. This is joint venture by Allambi Care and ABA Australia to provide you with a more in depth understanding of ACT and how to apply it to your practice. Check out the agenda. Seats are limited, so don't delay in buying your ticket.

Join Dr. Evelyn Gould for a 3-day intensive training course in the clinical application of ACT for ABA practitioners. This workshop is designed to provide practitioners with ‘hands-on’ training in assessment, case conceptualization, treatment planning, implementation, trouble-shooting, and treatment evaluation from an ACT perspective. An introduction to the underlying philosophical and theoretical roots of ACT will be provided, however, the focus of this training will be on clinical skill building and the application of ACT alongside more traditional ABA strategies. The workshop will also emphasize the importance of establishing a strong therapeutic alliance with families, and engaging in self-practice for behaviour analysts. Participants will learn skills and techniques they can use within their everyday work, while still staying within their scope of practice. Training will include didactic presentation, modeling and role-play, with active practice opportunities for participants to apply and receive feedback on new skills. The workshop will include individual, small group and large group exercises, and there will be opportunities for participants to present case examples and engage in case consultation with peers and the trainer.

Agenda

Day 1

Session 1: Introduction to ACT (RGB, RFT, Private Events)
Session 2: ACT assessment and case conceptualization 1
Session 3: ACT assessment and case conceptualization 2
Session 4: Writing treatment goals and assessing progress

Day 2

Session 1: ACT basics: Establishing the therapeutic alliance
Session 2: ACT basics: Shaping Curiosity and Broad Purposeful Attention
Session 3: ACT basics: Increasing Willingness and Motivation
Session 4: ACT basics: Strengthening Flexibility and Persistence

Day 3

Session 1: Recap and Questions
Session 2: Putting it all together: Case Examples with Practice
Session 3: Putting it all together: Case Examples with Practice
Session 4: Advanced ACT Skills (Avoiding common pitfalls; trouble-shooting)
Wrap up

Ticket prices
Member - $695
Non-Member - $950
Ticket prices include morning and afternoon tea, lunch, and tea and coffee all day.
Free BACB CEU will be available for all members

FREE ADVERTING ON ABA AUSTRALIA WEBSITE !!!

MEMBERS GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP. ALL MEMBERS CAN ADVERTISE THEIR BUSINESS OR IF THEY PROVIDE BACB SUPERVISION ON ABA AUSTRALIA'S WEBSITE FOR FREE. PLEASE SEND THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AND WE WILL ADD IT TO THE WEBSITE.

Not only will this benefit your business but if all member advertise their services we can provide a a robust directly to families/individuals/others professionals looking for service providers or supervisors.

To have be listed as a service provider or BACB approved supervisor you need to:

Be an ABA Australia member
For service providers be the owner, CEO, or General Manager of the company

Supply us with the following information by emailing: advertising@auaba.org.au

Service providers – company name, service locations, types of services/populations serviced, website, and contact information
BACB approved supervisors – name, credentials, location, type of supervision offered (e.g., in person, remote), trainee type (RBT, BCaBA, BCBA candidates), individual and/or group supervision, date you completed the supervisor training, and contact information
All listings will be available indefinitely. Please contact us if anything changes in relation to your listing (e.g., company closes, contact information changes, you no longer have capacity for more trainees).

Want to become an ABA Australia member or need to renew your membership?

Click below to become a member or renew.

Member Benefits:

Members receive reduced fees for the annual conference and other ABA Australia sponsored events.
Members receive a newsletter that contains news about activities of the association, reviews of books/articles of interest to behaviour analysis, and articles offering education information about the science of behaviour analysis and its application.
Members enjoy opportunities for networking and contributing of ideas through member meetings and committees.

ABA Australia Needs Your Help!

Thu, 19 Sep 2019 02:47:14 GMT

To complete the survey follow this link: https://forms.gle/iBKNL1Tt59DEgNgo9
We look forward to working with you!!

FC/RPM Position Paper Available

Tue, 17 Sep 2019 04:49:47 GMT

Position Paper Posted to Website

ABA Australia has adopted position paper that states that ABA Australia does not support the use Facilitated Communication, Rapid Prompting Method, and Spelling to Communicate as a means for people with disabilities to communicate. To read more about about this position paper please click the link below and scroll to the bottom of the page.

Warm Regards,
Board of Directors

Click to Position Paper

ABAA is now an ABAI Affiliate Chapter

Sat, 29 Jun 2019 12:46:39 GMT

We are very excited to announce that ABAA is now an affiliate chapter of the Association for Behavior Analysis, International (ABAI). We are honoured to be accepted as a national affiliate chapter as ABAI already has a national Australian affiliate chapter. In ABAI’s words, “This exception to ABAI’s policy

Sydney Social Club March 2019 Summary

Sat, 09 Mar 2019 12:33:42 GMT

On Monday, 4.3.19, the Sydney social club met up for lively discussion on parent and caregiver training. Below find a list of the articles discussed and the take home points from the discussion. Articles we discussed: Lerman, D. C., LeBlanc, L. A., & Valentino, A. L. (2015).

Sustainable World Research Award

Sat, 01 Oct 2016 12:45:43 GMT

We want to support researcher who are investigating sustainable practices/environmentally friendly behavior change using behaviour analysis. We are offering a $500 award to any basic, translation, or applied study in the area of sustainable environmental practices. If you are interested in this award, click here for more details.

Association for Behaviour Analysis Australia News

Early Bird Registration Now Open for the 11th Annual Conference

Keynote Speakers and Presentations Announced for the 11th Annual Conference

Member-Only Flash Sale Tickets Now Available for the 11th Annual Conference

The 11th Annual Conference Heads to Hobart

NDIS Advocacy Campaign: Community Support and Next Steps

Meeting with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission

Ongoing transparency and engagement

ABA Australia starts a national advocacy campaign for recognition of Behaviour Analysts in the NDIS

ABA Australia November Newsletter 2023

ABA Australia October Newsletter 2023

ABA Australia September Newsletter 2023

ABA Australia June 2023 Newsletter

ABA Australia May 2023 Newsletter

ABA Australia April 2023 Newsletter

ABA Australia March 2023 Newsletter

Is ABA Just Discrete Trial Teaching? (No!)

Reinforcement versus Rewards – What’s the Difference (And Why Does It Matter)?

What has ABA Australia been up to? (July, Aug, Sept 2022)

What Actually is ABA?

World Behaviour Analysis Day 2021

Celebrate World Behaviour Analysis Day on 20 March 2021

The 20th of March has officially been proclaimed World Behaviour Analysis Day by National Day Archive. A group of behaviour analysts have worked over the past year to make this day a real thing! Check out their website and Facebook for more information!

What can you do for World Behaviour Analysis Day?

2021 Conference Announcement

2021 Conference Announcement

November 2020 Update

Hello Australia!

Self-Regulation

BACB Application

Stay Apart but Stick Together

We are here for you, even though we will stay apart

Tips for ABA Practitioners assisting in NDIS Tribunal applications

2020 Events

Check out our events for 2020!

Pre-conference Workshop

Annual Conference 25th - 26th July 2020

A Tough Start to a New Year

A tough start to a new year

Global Certification

December 2019 Update

Clinical Application of ACT for Behaviour Analysts: 3-Day Intensive Course

FREE ADVERTING ON ABA AUSTRALIA WEBSITE !!!

ABA Australia Needs Your Help!

FC/RPM Position Paper Available

Position Paper Posted to Website

ABAA is now an ABAI Affiliate Chapter

Sydney Social Club March 2019 Summary

Sustainable World Research Award

Annual Conference
25th - 26th July 2020

Clinical Application of ACT for Behaviour Analysts:
3-Day Intensive Course