Compassionate ABA: Committing Ourselves to a Values-Based Approach belongs in serious BCBA study because it shapes whether behavior-analytic decisions stay useful once they leave a clean training example and enter caregiver coaching, home routines, team meetings, and values-sensitive decision making. For this course, the practical stakes show up in better alignment between intervention and the family context in which it must survive, not in abstract discussion alone.
Provider: BehaviorLive — via ABA Round Table
Take This Course →Including ethics, supervision, and topics like this one. New live CEU every Wednesday.
Join Free →In recent years, an increasing number of voices within the field of Applied Behaviour Analysis have been advocating for a shift from traditional ABA towards an approach which centres compassion, empowerment and choice in our efforts to improve the quality of life for individuals we support. This discussion has been conducted against the backdrop of popular misconceptions about key characteristics of ABA, the growing neurodiversity movement and valid criticisms about unethical applications of ABA that persist in modern practice. A plethora of research has emerged as to how ABA can best commit itself to a values-based, person-centred approach that respects autonomy, promotes well-being, and centres compassion. This includes a focus on assent-based practices (Breaux & Smith, 2022), compassionate variations to behavioural procedures, such as 'kind extinction' (Tarbox et al., 2023), and positioning compassion as the eighth dimension of ABA (Penney et al., 2023). Research into compassionate ABA will prove to be vital in reckoning with our long and complex history in supporting vulnerable individuals, eliminating unethical practices and applications of ABA, and advocating for ABA to be widely accepted as an evidence-based, values-driven approach to improving quality of life. This panel will outline and discuss the latest research, perspectives, and directions in committing ABA to a compassionate and progressive approach that moves from a place of supporting and empowering individuals while maintaining its evidence-based and scientific groundings.
| Certification Body | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|
| BACB® | 1 | General |
| COA | 1 | — |
| IBAO | 1 | — |
Passionate about driving transformative change and empowering communities, Georgiana Koyama is a highly respected leader in the field of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and a sought-after international keynote speaker. Her journey is marked by a commitment to fostering innovation, mentoring emerging talent, and advocating for impactful initiatives that drive societal progress. With a visionary approach, Georgiana serves as the Founder & CEO of All Behaviour Consultancy Ltd, leading a dynamic team dedicated to advocating for inclusive practices and empowering individuals with diverse needs to thrive. As a co-founder of Shaping Leaders and founder of Shaping Leaders Foundation, Georgiana is dedicated to cultivating a new generation of visionary leaders equipped to drive positive change in their communities and beyond. She shapes a future defined by leadership excellence and social impact through mentorship, education, funding and advocacy. Proudly serving on several Advisory Boards, Georgiana leverages expertise to support and elevate initiatives that promote education, equity and inclusion in communities worldwide. Through partnerships with professional and consumer organisations, tangible pathways for sustainable development are created. At the forefront of strategic planning, Georgiana collaborates with esteemed colleagues on various projects, driving initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and excellence within the profession. Her advocacy is particularly focused on the rights of young girls and women, with a dedicated effort to raise awareness and funds for victims of sexual gender-based violence in Sierra Leone, West Africa. Through her tireless work, Georgiana continues to be a driving force for ethical practice and excellence in Behaviour Analysis and Positive Behaviour Support, while championing the rights and opportunities for marginalised communities.
Dig into the research behind this topic — plain-English summaries written for BCBAs.
279 research articles with practitioner takeaways
232 research articles with practitioner takeaways
183 research articles with practitioner takeaways
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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.