ERIC Number: ED649085
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 177
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-3819-4195-1
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Establishing Autism Affirmation Repertoires among Behavior Analysts
M. Kristen Lancaster
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
Using affirming language when speaking about Autism and incorporating the sensory and social preferences of Autistic individuals have been identified as important components of culturally competent care for the Autistic population. Although behavior analysts are expected to provide culturally competent care, the field has not yet established guidelines or educational material that is consistent with the literature about Autism affirmation. This study used a nonconcurrent, multiple-probe, across-participants design to investigate the effects of an online affirmation-based cultural competence training program on the verbal behavior of three behavior analysts. The self-paced training was developed using Thinkific and included video lectures with active student responding questions and independent activities. All content was grounded in behavior analytic principles and synthesized with information about Autism affirmation to address Behavior Analyst Certification Board core ethical principles 2 and 4 and codes 1.07, 1.08, and 1.10. Effects of learning were measured with permanent product data for three verbal behaviors: (1) descriptions of Autism, (2) cumulative lists of known strengths related to Autism, and (3) treatment recommendations for hypothetical case studies. The results suggest the training was an effective intervention for increasing affirming descriptions of Autism and for increasing the number of reported strengths. The training also resulted in more affirming treatment recommendations for two participants. Addressing attrition bias, sampling bias, and data instability would improve this research. Including an assessment of client outcomes before and after intervention would provide more information about the applicability of the skills learned. This study contributes to discussions within the field about social validity, cultural competence, and ethical treatment for individuals with Autism. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Functional Behavioral Assessment, Language Usage, Training, Ethics, Allied Health Personnel
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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