We discuss the use of two empirically validated behavior-change methods--checklists and goal setting--and designed a checklist to assist behavior analysts in improving their behavioral services to be more culturally responsive and trauma informed. We also present pilot data evaluating the use of the checklist and goal setting on the inclusion of…

Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions have been described as culturally responsive and family-friendly interventions, with research demonstrating improvements in children's development when receiving these services. Given the child-directed nature of Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions and the intervention's…

Expulsion is the harshest form of disciplinary action, and behavior policies are the foundation for this decision-making process. The purpose of this study is to uncover how behavior policies used in early childhood settings describe expulsion practices. Among the 111 early childhood programs in Western Massachusetts that met the search criteria…

This study investigates the efficiency of a developed training program based on ABLLS-R in reducing stereotypical behaviors among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The experimental approach is employed specifically the single experimental group. The study population consists of 7 children with simple ASD. A measuring stereotypical…

Negative cognitions play a key role in the development and maintenance of depression. To reduce depressive symptoms, most interventions either encourage adolescents to change negative cognitions, theorizing that the presence of negative cognitions underlies depression, or to acknowledge negative cognitions, theorizing that one's reaction to…

Challenging behavior in adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) can lead to decreased quality of life and social and community inclusion. Compared to research with children there is relatively limited research on effective behavior support interventions for adults with disabilities. The Prevent-Teach-Reinforce (PTR) program…

During their early years, children with autism may not meet the same communication and language milestones as their peers (Wodka et al., 2013). Many children with autism experience language delays and may rely on one-word or phrase speech, rather than using grammatically fluent speech (Anderson et al., 2007; Wodka et al., 2013) that is often…

Problem behavior disrupts classrooms across the United States, impacting student learning. Despite the adverse consequences, teachers often exclude disruptive students from school as a punitive and default response to problem behavior. Alternatives to exclusion are becoming increasingly popular in many school districts to improve behavior and keep…

Objective: Both aerobic exercise and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) improve depression, but perceptions of their credibility and efficacy are underexplored. These perceptions can contribute to treatment seeking and outcome. A previous online sample ranging in age and education rated a combined treatment higher than individual components and…

In this paper, Emeritus Professor Kevin Wheldall AM, who received the Eminent Researcher Award of this journal in 2023, describes his research over the past five decades, together with his wife and research partner Dr Robyn Wheldall. Following a biographical sketch, selected research is reviewed successively over five decades on language,…

Objective: College students report high rates of alcohol use and negative alcohol-related consequences (ARC). Many studies document that protective behavioral strategy (PBS) use is negatively associated with ARC. Few studies examine consequence severity and PBS helpfulness, both of which may provide nuance to this relationship. Participants and…

This review synthesizes the literature base evaluating the effects of behavior analytic interventions delivered via augmented reality (AR) technology for individuals with autism. We also conducted a quality review. We identified 14 studies with a majority of the studies (n = 11; 79%) utilizing single-case research design. Of the 14 studies, three…

Behavioral interventions delivered in preschools can help young children who need support for their behavior. However, preschool teachers face barriers to implementing behavioral interventions, leading to a research-to-practice gap. To better understand how to support preschool teachers, we conducted a scoping review of determinants (i.e.,…

Naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions (NDBIs) are considered one of the best practices for autistic children and their families. Most NDBIs include a component of providing training and/or coaching to caregivers to enhance skill acquisition and generalization. The procedures to implement these NDBIs are often clearly delineated in…

Noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) is an effective behavioral intervention when implemented consistently. NCR may be particularly well-suited for use in schools because of its perceived ease of use. However, previous laboratory research suggests that NCR may not maintain therapeutic effects if implemented inconsistently. Inconsistent implementation…