ABA Inside Track

We were so thrilled to be invited to Utica, NY to experiences Upstate Caring Partners 2024 conference: Contemporary and Compassionate Approaches to Support Individuals with IDD. Aside from sampling the local cuisine, hosting a live trivia event, and chairing a panel with some amazing folks (including previous guests Dr. Rajaraman and Dr. Weiss, we had a few minutes to break out the ol’ digital recorder and check in with folks at the poster session. Here are just a few of the great presentations from the floor that we think you’ll enjoy. Hope to see folks back upstate in 2026!

Though many of us likely use AI to auto-filI search results and find the name of songs, behavioral health has been steadily increasing the use of artificial intelligence in new and interesting ways for years. But is the tech outrunning our ability to ethically implement it? Dr. David Cox brings his deep knowledge of deep learning to the show this week to review what AI can offer, will offer, and what behavior analysts need to do to be prepared to accept or refuse its call. Though the part about AI doing all the scheduling does sound pretty great. This episode is available for 1.0 LEARNING CEU. Articles discussed this episode: Cox, D.J. & Jennings, A.M. (2024). The promises and possibilities of artificial intelligence in the delivery of behavior analytic services. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 17, 123-136. doi: 10.1007/s40617-023-00864-3 Jennings, A.M. & Cox, D.J. (2024). Starting the conversation around the ethical use of artificial intelligence in applied behavior analysis. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 17, 107-122. doi: 10.1007/s40617-023-00868-z If you're interested in ordering CEs for listening to this episode, click here to go to the store page. You'll need to enter your name, BCBA #, and the two episode secret code words to complete the purchase. Email us at [email protected] for further assistance.

Man, the more episodes we do around how well-meaning authorities tend to fall back to maintaining the inequitable status quo, the more examples of it we find. This week, we look at many of the practices in schools that continue to perpetuate ableism and what behavior analysts can do to disrupt these trends. And, spoiler alert, half of these practices were actually implemented to INCREASE access to education for individuals with disabilities. It turns out just trying to be nice doesn’t actually fix much without a solid understanding of individual perspectives. So, y’know, listen to the episode and don’t be “that guy”. This episode is available for 1.0 LEARNING CEU. Articles discussed this episode: Storey, K. (2007). Combating ableism in schools. Preventing School Failure, 52, 56-58. doi: 10.3200/PSFL.52.1.56-58 Bottema-Beutel, K., Kapp, S.K., Lester, J.N., Sasson, N.J., & Hand, B.N. (2021). Avoiding ableist language: Suggestions for autism researchers. Autism in Adulthood, 3, 18-29. doi: 10.1089/aut.2020.0014 Timberlake, M. (2020). Recognizing ableism in educational initiatives: Reading between the lines. Research in Educational Policy and Management, 2, 84-100. doi: 10.46303/repam.02.01.5 If you're interested in ordering CEs for listening to this episode, click here to go to the store page. You'll need to enter your name, BCBA #, and the two episode secret code words to complete the purchase. Email us at [email protected] for further assistance.

While we might be taking some time off for the holidays, you wouldn’t know it from our podcast schedule. This month we begin the countdown to episode 300 with an announcement of our big anniversary plans, some details of a new ABA Inside Track publication, and, of course, episodes on the cutting edge of behavior analysis. Specifically, we’re talking about ableism in the school system (and what behavior analysts can do to combat it) and how artificial intelligence may not be as scary as we thought (thanks to the soothing assurances of special guest, Dr. David Cox). Finally, we wrap up 2024 with a pair of bonus episodes: Our annual End-Of-Year extravaganza with podcasting friend, Matt Cicoria, from Behavioral Observations and our audio from Upstate Caring Partners awesome summer conference on compassionate care. See you in 2025! Articles for December 2024 Abelism in Schools Storey, K. (2007). Combating ableism in schools. Preventing School Failure, 52, 56-58. doi: 10.3200/PSFL.52.1.56-58 Bottema-Beutel, K., Kapp, S.K., Lester, J.N., Sasson, N.J., & Hand, B.N. (2021). Avoiding ableist language: Suggestions for autism researchers. Autism in Adulthood, 3, 18-29. doi: 10.1089/aut.2020.0014 Timberlake, M. (2020). Recognizing ableism in educational initiatives: Reading between the lines. Research in Educational Policy and Management, 2, 84-100. doi: 10.46303/repam.02.01.5 Artificial Intelligence and ABA w/ Dr. David Cox Cox, D.J. & Jennings, A.M. (2024). The promises and possibilities of artificial intelligence in the delivery of behavior analytic services. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 17, 123-136. doi: 10.1007/s40617-023-00864-3 Jennings, A.M. & Cox, D.J. (2024). Starting the conversation around the ethical use of artificial intelligence in applied behavior analysis. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 17, 107-122. doi: 10.1007/s40617-023-00868-z