The intersection of speech-language pathology and applied behavior analysis represents one of the most clinically productive — and historically contentious — boundaries in services for individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities. The Speech Pathology Applied Behavior Analysis (SPABA) Special Interest Group within the Association for Behavior Analysis International exists precisely to bridge this divide, recognizing that the behavioral conceptualization of communication and the clinical expertise of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are more complementary than competing.
Provider: BehaviorLive — via The Speech Pathology Applied Behavior Analysis (SPABA)
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Join Free →Each year, the Speech Pathology Applied Behavior Analysis (SPABA) SIG provides at least three $500 awards to deserving students in ABA or SLP/CSD programs and to practitioners in the fields of speech/language or behavior analysis. In 2025, three (3) awards were presented to those who conducted empirical research or who facilitated the dissemination of knowledge and collaboration between speech pathologists and behavior analysts. MN Hegde Research Projects advance the evidence base for behavior-analytic conceptualization for treatment of speech, language, communication, and feeding disorders. Courtney Keleher, MEd, BCBA The Effects of a Rule-Based, Problem-Solving Strategy on Analogical Reasoning in Children with Disabilities Advisor: Mary Jane Weiss, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LABA | Endicott College J. Logan Gibson, PhD, BCBA and Allison Alonzo, BS Improving Dysphagia Assessment Through an Electromyography-Informed Reinforcement-Based Strategy Advisor: J. Stephanie Gonzalez, PhD, BCBA | University of North Texas Barbara Esch Application Projects involve the effective use of the science-based principles of behavior by SLPs and may include research studies that contribute to the science of ABA and/or studies that reflect the mission of SPABA. none awarded in 2025 Nikia Dower Dissemination Projects can be cross-disciplinary dissemination of accurate information about speech pathology and behavior analysis. Linda Chow, MA, CCC-SLP, BCBA Integrating Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Speech-Language Pathology (SLP): A Collaborative Classroom Model for an Early Childhood Specialized Program for Students with Autism During the lunch break, attendees can view special pre-recorded videos in which the 2025 SPABA Award recipients showcase the projects that earned them this year's honor.
| Certification Body | Credits | Type |
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| BACB® | 0 | — |
| ASHA | 0 | — |
| COA | 0 | — |
| PDH | 0 | — |
Deirdre has a masters degree in communication sciences and disorders (i.e., speech-language pathology) and a masters degree in applied behavior analysis. She is dually certified and licensed as a board-certified behavior analyst-doctoral (BCBA-D) and a speech-language pathologist (CCC-SLP). In addition, Deirdre has a PhD in special education. Deirdre has extensive experience working with families and children with speech and language disorders and challenging behaviors in homes, clinics, and school settings. Deirdre’s research interest centers on understanding and implementation of evidence-based behavioral practices in the areas of behavior management and speech-language pathology. She has published qualitative and quantitative research in the areas of feeding disorders and communication deficits in ASD and/or developmental disability. In addition to working at CARD, Deirdre also serves as the SLP for a multidisciplinary team at Albany Medical Center hospital where she sees children with developmental disability for assessment of communication and feeding difficulties.Select Publications:Muldoon, D. M., McCarthy, E. B., Gray, R., Levan, J., (n.d.) Implementation Science: The combination of match-to-sample, prompting, and reinforcement to teach receptive vocabulary to autistic preschoolers with receptive language impairment. Submitted to American Journal of Speech-Language PathologyMuldoon, D. M., McCarthy, E. B., Gray, R., Levan, J., & Kletchka, C. (n.d.) Using behavioral momentum coupled with the special interests of an autistic child to increase expressive vocabulary: A single-case experimental design submitted to Behavioral Interventions. Gray, R., Muldoon, D. M., & McCarthy, E. (2024) Teaching Receptive Vocabulary to Two Autistic Children: A Replicated, Clinic-Based, Single Case Experimental Design. Autism and Developmental Language ImpairmentsMuldoon, D. M., & Gray, R. (2023) Teaching Receptive Vocabulary to Minimally-Verbal Preschoolers with Autism: A Single Case Experimental Design. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology. Muldoon, D. M., Murphy, T. & DeBonis, D. (2022) Tan and Crunchy is Where we Live: Caregivers’ Perceptions of Feeding/Mealtime with Their Young Child with A Feeding Difficulty. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology. Muldoon, D., Meyer, L., Cortese, J., & Zaleski, R. (2021) A literature review: Evidence base in speech-language pathology for the management of oral preparatory and oral phase dysphagia. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, SIG 13Muldoon, D. & Cosbey, J. (2018). A family-centered feeding intervention to promote food acceptance and decrease challenging behaviors in Children with ASD: Report of follow up data on a train-the-trainer model using EAT-UPTM. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology. Cosbey, J. & Muldoon, D. (2017). EAT-UPTM family-centered feeding intervention to promote food acceptance and decrease challenging behaviors: A single-case experimental design replicated across three families of children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental disabilities.
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All behavior-analytic intervention is individualized. The information on this page is for educational purposes and does not constitute clinical advice. Treatment decisions should be informed by the best available published research, individualized assessment, and obtained with the informed consent of the client or their legal guardian. Behavior analysts are responsible for practicing within the boundaries of their competence and adhering to the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts.