Despite growing acceptance of assent as a core component of ethical ABA practice, significant misconceptions continue to impede its widespread implementation. Many practitioners view assent-based practice as an all-or-nothing proposition, believing that honoring assent means allowing clients to avoid all demands, that assent is incompatible with effective treatment, or that assent-based approaches cannot be applied when clients engage in dangerous behavior.
Provider: BehaviorLive — via New Jersey Association for Behavior Analysis
Take This Course →Including ethics, supervision, and topics like this one. New live CEU every Wednesday.
Join Free →While the Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts (Behavior Analyst Certification Board, 2020) defines assent, the field of behavior analysis continues to require refining in its incorporation of assent-based practices. Recent research is starting to point behavior analysts on a trajectory towards a more in-depth understanding of assent-based practices (Rajaraman et al., 2022; Breaux & Smith, 2023). This workshop will teach participants how to recognize and honor 'assent' as well as to 'think through' adult responses when assent is observed or withdrawn by learners. There will be a focus on responding through a neurodiversity-affirming lens when you are unable to honor assent-withdrawal (e.g. imminent safety).
| Certification Body | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|
| BACB® | 1.5 | Ethics |
| COA | 1.5 | — |
Nicky Schneider is a Special Educator & BCBA with over 20 years of experience working with neurodivergent individuals of all ages and skillsets. She holds a bachelor’s degree in special education, a master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis, and a post-master’s certificate in Educational Administration; And has served as a special education teacher, behavior analyst and supervisor in private and public schools. Nicky’s passion lies in empowering those she trains to apply the science of behavior to nuanced settings and events. She provides mentorship, consultation and professional development to clinicians and schools who want to better infuse neurodiversity-affirming practices within their own behavioral repertoires & the red-tape of school systems. When Nicky is not on her soapbox, you can find her outdoors in the sunshine walking the boardwalk!
Dig into the research behind this topic — plain-English summaries written for BCBAs.
239 research articles with practitioner takeaways
225 research articles with practitioner takeaways
195 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.