Bio: Dr. Bridget Taylor is co-founder and CEO of Alpine Learning Group and Senior Clinical Advisor for Rethink Behavioral Health. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a Licensed Psychologist. Dr. Taylor is past president of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board and former Associate Editor of the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. She currently serves on the Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior (SEAB) board. Active in the Autism research community, Dr. Taylor has published numerous peer-reviewed research articles and book chapters on innovative practices to improve the lives of individuals with autism. Her most recent work explores compassionate relationship-building with families in providing clinical services to individuals with autism. Dr. Taylor has been recognized by the Association for Applied Behavior Analysis International for her outstanding contributions and received ABAI’s Fellow designation.

Title: Partnering with Parents: Clinical and Relational Considerations for Maximizing Success

Abstract: Clinicians may struggle with parent follow-through of intervention recommendations made during ABA-based parent training. Several researchers have proposed behavioral conceptualizations of nonadherence to treatment (e.g., Moore & Amado, 2021). For example, adherence may be more likely when reinforcement associated with implementing the plan occurs more readily. On the other hand, follow-through may be less likely when the side effects of treatment (e.g., an extinction burst) are punishing. Recent survey studies in applied behavior analysis have emphasized the importance of relationship variables when working with caregivers (e.g., Taylor, LeBlanc, & Nosik, 2019;) and propose that outcomes may be improved by fostering a compassionate and collaborative relationship with family members. This presentation reviews behavioral conceptualizations of caregiver implementation of treatment recommendations, suggests strategies to assess and address barriers to follow through, and recommends relational responses that may be critical to improving parental engagement in treatment.

Speaker: Amanda ("Mandy") Ralston

Bio: Founder & CEO. Serial Entrepreneur. Neurodiversity/DEI/Culture Forerunner. Perspicacious, Dynamic Speaker. Intellectual Decorator Crab. Evangelist in Chief.

Amanda (“Mandy”) Ralston is a queer, neurodivergent serial Founder. She is a 25-year veteran practitioner and has been certified as a behavior analyst since 2002. During her career she has founded two clinics that provided applied behavior analysis services to hundreds of families, schools, and individuals with autism or other developmental or intellectual disabilities. She successfully exited to the 4th largest ABA provider group in 2019. Mandy has served as a Subject Matter Expert to several international work groups and panels related to Behavior Analysis, Ethics, Outcomes, and Practice. She is a featured speaker in several mediums globally. She has twice been nominated for Small Businessperson of the Year in 2015 and 2017. She was the recipient of the Autism Innovation Award at the Autism Investor Summit in 2023. She is a frequently invited speaker for her work in the autism spectrum and “#ItsNotBinary: Avoiding binary thinking in work, life, and social media.”

Her most recent venture is NonBinary Solutions - a data analytics and technology firm making Clinical Decision Support Systems for providers and other constituents of Applied Behavior Analysis and neurodiversity.

Her behavior continues to be shaped by its impact on a world where autism exists, and the field of behavior analysis.

Title: #ItsNotBinary – Avoiding Black & White Thinking on Social Media and in Life

Abstract: In a world that feels increasingly binary, it is important to avoid such thinking when making decisions. Sorting into black and white categories is emotionally comforting. Uncertainty is anxiety provoking. So making decisions that are either Yes or No feels more certain than Yes AND or No AND. There are great benefits to understanding the tendencies and resisting the impulse to overly categorize.

Learning Outcomes: List 2-3 specific outcomes.

· Participants will be able to identify multiple examples of binary attitudes and biases.

· Participants will be able to employ self-interventions to help avoid the pitfalls of binary attitudes.

· Participants will be able to tact relevant Venn of nonbinary and the autism spectrum.

Speaker: Victoria Frazier and Laura O'Rourke

Title: Ethical Approaches to Supporting Adults in Washington

(Bio/Headshot to come)

Abstract: Supporting adults in Washington with the principles of applied behavior analysis has a long and versatile history. While the challenges and barriers are many, the impact of quality services has shown to be crucial to the successful quality of life for many individuals receiving supportive care in residential, home, employment, and community settings. Though ABA has evolved to be synonymous with children and autism, the application of the science of ABA is vastly more complex.

Participants will learn strategies for collaboration with other stakeholders to access and improve services for adults with challenging behaviors in adult settings. Presenters will provide recommendations for ethically providing services for adults receiving supportive care in Washington, as well as key strategies for addressing barriers which prevent access to care.

Speaker: Dr. Ashley Penny, Dr. Katy Bateman, Dr. Yev Veverka, Dr. Adriana Luna

*More information to come!