Applied behavior analysis (ABA) focuses on providing socially significant treatments and practices. Recent advancements in ethically-minded research have encouraged practitioners to think beyond the technical skills required for implementing behavior-analytic practices and consider how these practices are delivered. Compassionate care in ABA has…

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is characterized by significant distress and avoidance surrounding social and performance situations with marked interpersonal and academic impairment. This review paper highlights cultural considerations relevant to the conceptualization, identification and treatment of SAD in Black youth. Research evaluating the…

Differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) is a commonly used reinforcement-based system for reducing problem behavior. DRO systems are particularly useful in that they are effective for the treatment of maladaptive behavior and can be individualized based on the needs of the learner. One possible way to enhance the effectiveness of DRO…

Behavioral skills training (BST) is considered one of the most effective staff training techniques to implement a wide variety of behavioral technologies; however, research has found a lack of implementation of BST across human service settings due to a shortage of organizational time and resources. The purpose of the present study was first to…

Background: People with learning disabilities experience bereavement in the same emotionally overwhelming way as the general population. The Dual-Process Model of grief is characterised by the oscillation between "Loss-Orientation" and "Restoration-Orientation." These processes involve experiencing and accepting the emotional…

Teachers spend a significant amount of time redirecting students, addressing problem behaviors, and transitioning the class, leading to less instructional time. The Color Wheel System (CWS) is a classroom behavioral management intervention that uses clear, specific rules for different activities. It can be implemented in a variety of classrooms…

Students who engage in challenging behavior should receive preventive and intervening supports and services in general education settings based on their individual needs. These supports are necessary for students to be successful in school, yet preservice teachers receive limited education and training in both classroom and behavior management. As…

In this dissertation an integrated intervention in high schools is proposed for students with anxiety that combines CBT and yoga methods. The development of this program was derived from a critical review of the literature on CBT and yoga programs in high school that aim to reduce anxiety in students. Thirteen studies that used CBT programs and…

Differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) is a reinforcement schedule that commonly includes the delivery of a reinforcer following an interval during which a target behavior did not occur and extinction (i.e., the reinforcer is withheld following any instances of the target behavior). Although interventions using DRO schedules can…

Student misbehaviour presents a barrier to the successful education of students and the ability for teachers to be most effective in their classroom. The current approaches being utilized to manage behaviour in classrooms range from punitive to functional. To move school educators away from punitive measures and towards a functional view of…

Early adolescents entering middle school are at a pivotal developmental phase as they become less dependent on parents/guardians and seek greater autonomy while encountering a complexity of social demands requiring them to regulate their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors to achieve academic and social success. Yet, students who receive services…

Schools can play an important role in addressing growing concerns about adolescent mental health. Mental health of high school students has predominantly been the focus in literature with less emphasis on younger adolescents. This review identified articles published in the last decade that described evaluations of middle school-based mental…

Children with autism often display differences in functional and symbolic play and may experience barriers to social inclusion with peers in preschool settings. Therefore, interventions supporting social play between children with autism and their peers that can be feasibly implemented by teachers in inclusive settings are needed. A…

Packing involves not swallowing solids or liquids in the mouth. It is a significant mealtime behaviour to treat. Research has shown effectiveness of redistribution, but only two studies in highly specialised hospital settings in the United States have evaluated the use of a chaser. We extended this literature by conducting treatment in the home…

The purpose of this study was to increase the duration of treadmill walking to reach moderate exercise intensity level for a 26-year-old male diagnosed with moderate autism spectrum disorder (ASD) accompanying an intellectual disability. We used a structured system including token reward system of visual representation of progress. A changing…