Ecological validity in research refers to the extent to which study findings can be generalized to real-world settings, conditions, and populations. For behavior analysts conducting research with adults with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual and developmental disabilities, ecological validity is not a secondary consideration but a fundamental requirement for producing meaningful, actionable results.
Provider: BehaviorLive — via Missouri Association for Behavior Analysis
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Join Free →This training will detail the necessity of using ecologically valid research methods when conducting research with adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or other Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) (Fahmie et al., 2023). It is necessary to implement this research in the environments in which they occur in order for functional treatment results to be obtained. It is also crucial to the ongoing maintenance and generalization of the interventions that are implemented. This talk will give some practical examples of how such research can be conducted as well as examples of functional scientific endeavors and the necessary treatment contexts that should be present. The information will enable practitioners that work with adults to better evaluate research that is conducted with this population. The talk will cover both staff training research as well as functional applied research with problem behavior in adults with ASD and IDD.
| Certification Body | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|
| BACB® | 3 | Ethics |
Dr. Guercio has spent much of his career researching effective staff training protocols and behavior intervention strategies for staff and clients in settings where severe aggression is present. Since obtaining his master’s and doctoral degrees in behavior analysis and therapy from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Dr. Guercio has worked in settings serving as Director of Behavioral Services for the Missouri Department of Mental Health, and as Vice President of Clinical Services and Research at the Judevine Center for Autism/TouchPoint Autism Services in St. Louis. In his role at Benchmark Human Services, Dr. Guercio served as the Clinical Director. He developed and delivered behavioral services for clients with significant aggression and high risk behavioral needs, many of whom had been institutionalized for more than 15 years, often under restraints and heavy medication. He also serves as adjunct faculty in the behavior analysis department at Washington University, St. Louis University and Central Missouri University. He has also given more than 500 presentations at behavioral conferences and authored and/or co-authored over 65 articles in peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Guercio has written several book chapters on the treatment of intensive behavioral issues. He has authored or co-authored six books on staff training for direct support staff in adult settings, the transition to adult services, and the assessment and treatment of adults with significant behavioral challenges. Dr. Guercio serves on the Board of Editors for Behavior Analysis Research and Practice and is a reviewer for the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavior Analysis in Practice, and Behavioral Interventions. In his career, Dr. Guercio has helped design and run a program for individuals with sexually deviant behavior and substance abuse issues and has developed an entire treatment protocol based upon that program. In his current role as the Vice President of ABA and Crisis services for the ARC of the Ozarks, Dr. Guercio oversees intensive behavioral residential and clinical services for clients with complex needs and extreme challenging behaviors in the St. Louis region. Dr. Guercio currently serves on the ABAI Licensing Committee and is a board member of the Missouri Association for Behavior Analysis.
Dig into the research behind this topic — plain-English summaries written for BCBAs.
280 research articles with practitioner takeaways
279 research articles with practitioner takeaways
258 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.