The use of aversive interventions for individuals with significant developmental support needs remains one of the most contentious issues in applied behavior analysis and disability services. This panel discussion, organized through NYSABA's research initiative on public perspectives regarding aversive procedures, represents a critical intersection of empirical data, ethical analysis, public policy, and lived experience.
Provider: BehaviorLive — via New York State Association for Behavior Analysis
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Join Free →Panelists will include: Bobbi Rogers, Michael Gilberg, Esq., Dr. Debbi Napolitano, Dr. Nidal Daou Bobbi Rogers is the Director of Community Outreach for Proud Moments Therapy. She is the founder of Families FIRST. She created multiple new programs and support options across the New York area including a crisis intervention program that has been helping families since 2006. She speaks nationally on providing compassionate support options for Autistic children and families. She lives in Central NY with her three children and husband. She is the proud parent of a 23 year old Autistic young adult. Michael Gilberg is an autistic special education attorney who is here advocating to help other children avoid some of the challenges he went through. He is on numerous boards and committees and has devoted his life to the betterment of people with autism and other disabilities. Debbi Napolitano is a licensed Behavior Analyst in NY and Board Certified in Behavior Analysis at the doctoral level. In addition to her role as an Associate Professor at Daemen University, Debbi's work over the last decade + has focused on supporting youth in foster care and in juvenile justice as well as professional and personal advocacy endeavors. Nidal Daou is a parent, assistant professor of ABA at SUNY Empire, and a neurodiversity affirming researcher and practitioner seeking to bring about increased social validity in ABA. She actively served the autistic community in her hometown of Beirut, Lebanon and introduced ABA to her students there before relocating to the U.S. in search for services for her son. In this presentation we will report on the study conducted by NYSABA Board Members on the following: 1) New Yorkers perspectives regarding the use and social validity of aversive procedures with people with significant developmental support needs and 2) state of resources and areas of significant need in New York State. The survey sought to recruit participants from different identities and backgrounds. Presentations of the results will be followed by a panel discussing ethics surrounding the use of aversive procedures, as well as the state and need for resources in New York. Panelists will include individuals with diverse perspectives, including caregivers of individuals with significant developmental support needs, lawyers, autistic individuals, and professionals in the field of evidenced-based strategies and public policy. Please note: We recognize both the intense emotions and controversy that surrounds the use of aversive interventions. We appreciate your grace with our presenters and each other. Our presenters will endeavor to speak as honestly as possible about the emotionality that comes alongside this investigation and any discussion of aversive procedures. Aversive procedures are currently implemented throughout the state and country; presenters will attempt to provide our varying viewpoints on these with respect and grace towards each other, as well as discuss ways we can move forward that center dignity and advocacy for those we support.
| Certification Body | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|
| BACB® | 1.5 | Ethics |
| COA | 1.5 | — |
Dr. Noor Syed (she/her) is an Associate Professor of Applied Behavior Analysis, as well as the founding Director of the Center for Autism Advocacy: Research, Education, and Supports (CAARES) with SUNY Empire State University. She supported the launch of and coordinated a Masters of Science in ABA with SUNY Empire, in which a core tenet is affirming, responsive practice. Dr. Syed has also been named the Turben Director of Autism Advocacy with CAARES, whose primary initiative is to help SUNY Empire become a fully inclusive and supportive college for those who identify as neurodiverse through a multi-tiered system of support framework. The university was designated an Autistic Supportive™ institution in 2022. In addition, Dr. Syed is the director of Anderson Center International, an organization dedicated to providing training in evidenced-based strategies for scholars from under-resourced areas globally, and is President of the New York State Association for Behavior Analysis. She is an Adjunct Doctoral Advisor in ABA with Endicott College, and is a certified general and special education teacher. Dr. Syed serves on the ABA Ethics Hotline and on the Scientific Council with the Organization for Autism Research. She received her undergraduate degree in behavior analysis under Dr. Raymond G. Romanczyk in the Institute of Child Development at Binghamton University and completed her PhD in ABA with Dr. R. Douglas Greer at Teachers College, Columbia University. Dr. Syed has consulted with and supported autism centres around the world, including in Uganda, India, and Saudi Arabia, and has spoken about autism with the United Nations. She is a Trustee with the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies and co-leads their Distinguished Scholars program. Noor is Neurodiverse and came to this work because of her beloved cousin who was born with significant intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities.
Dig into the research behind this topic — plain-English summaries written for BCBAs.
239 research articles with practitioner takeaways
236 research articles with practitioner takeaways
232 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.