The use of aversive procedures in behavior support, particularly contingent electric skin shock (CESS), remains one of the most contentious and ethically charged issues in the field of behavior analysis. This topic sits at the intersection of clinical practice, human rights advocacy, public policy, and professional ethics.
Provider: BehaviorLive — via New York State Association for Behavior Analysis
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Join Free →This session will provide an update on NYSABA's ongoing investigation into stakeholder perspectives on aversive procedures, including contingent electric skin shock (CESS), and the availability of services for individuals with significant developmental support needs in New York State. We will share findings from our statewide survey, highlight advocacy efforts including the Shining a Light initiative (https://www.shiningalighttogether.org), and summarize recent meetings with legislators. The session will also present NYSABA's strategic plan to eliminate CESS and promote ethical, evidence-based supports. A panel of coalition and Board members—including the President, Public Policy Committee, Parent, Family, & Advocate Committees, and Past Presidents—will lead an open discussion and Q&A to foster transparency, collaboration, and community engagement.
| Certification Body | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|
| BACB® | 1 | Ethics |
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.
244 research articles with practitioner takeaways
187 research articles with practitioner takeaways
179 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.