Behavior-analytic-supported gynecological care for autistic individuals: an integrated care approach becomes clinically important the moment a team has to turn good intentions into reliable action inside home routines, treatment sessions, interdisciplinary consultation, and health-related skill support. In Behavior-analytic-supported gynecological care for autistic individuals: an integrated care approach, for this course, the practical stakes show up in safe, humane intervention that respects health variables and daily-life feasibility, not in abstract discussion alone.
Provider: BehaviorLive — via Hoosier Association for Behavior Analysis
Take This Course →Including ethics, supervision, and topics like this one. New live CEU every Wednesday.
Join Free →Compared to the general population, autistic patients are at high risk of sexual abuse, are less likely to receive sexual and relationship education and information about their sexual and reproductive health, and significantly underutilize gynecological services, including life-saving screenings such as cervical and breast cancer screenings (Zerbo et al., 2019). In these circumstances, it is essential that behavioral health providers contribute their knowledge so that this population has better access to services and that these services are tailored to their unique needs. Unfortunately, few medical professionals receive formal training in providing care to individuals with autism. This paper proposes a clinical pathway for gynecological care for individuals with autism, in which behavior analysts can contribute to health equity and better outcomes for this group.
| Certification Body | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|
| BACB® | 1 | General |
| COA | 1 | — |
Valeria earned her Master's in ABA at the Florida Institute of Technology in 2006 and her Doctorate in Behavioral Health at the Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies in 2024. She has worked in the field with diverse populations, from adult male sex offenders in Intensive Behavior group homes to children and adolescents in family homes. She was chair of one of the Local Review Committees in Hillsborough County, FL for a decade. Currently, she trains future behavior analysts in the US and abroad, as an instructor in verified course sequences for the BACB and QABA certifications, teaching in English and Portuguese. She works in Florida and in Latin America, offering supervision and mentorship to ABA professionals, and OBM consultation to organizations interested in improving their practices and creating a welcoming and supporting work environment.
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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.