BBS Conference

We had a great 2-day conference this year! Thank you to everyone who participated and supported our annual #BBSCon! 

Speakers, Keynotes, and Concurrents 

Dr. Paulie "Gloves" Gavoni, Ed.D., BCBA-D 
Keynote – 1.5 CEUs 

• Positional Authority Ain't Leadership  
  Supporting the needs of consumers across contexts requires good leadership. Unfortunately, good leadership is hard to find.  However, leadership isn’t about position or title (e.g., CEO, Director, Supervisor, Lead BCBA, etc.); it’s about positively influencing behavior toward a common goal.  Thankfully, decades of research on Organizational Behavior Management across organizations and leadership practices have given us a number of tools that are proven to be effective at bringing out the best in staff so they can bring out the best in those they serve. The purpose of this talk is to dissect leadership through a behavioral lens as means of producing socially valid outcomes in any organization. 

Louis Busch, MEd., BCBA, RP 
Concurrent Session – 1.5 CEUs 

• Humility in Practice: Shaping Ethical Spaces in Behavior Analysis 
  There is a growing interest in how the science of behaviour might contribute to issues of diversity, equity, and social justice. While these early endeavors appear to represent a promising movement towards increasing the cross-cultural efficacy of behaviour analytic practitioners, it is not yet clear whether the field of behaviour analysis fully understands, or is capable of practicing from a stance of humility. Cultural competency and its many derivatives (multicultural competence, transcultural competence, cultural awareness, cultural sensitivity, culturally safe practice or cultural responsiveness) are often identified as a goal for health and social service providers, but have been criticized for overemphasizing the acquisition of knowledge or skills without meaningfully confronting the power imbalances which perpetuate inequities. This presentation will explore the concepts of cultural humility and ethical spaces of engagement as a possible alternative. 

Lisa Orsi, MScCH, RP 
Concurrent Session 

• Building Bridges in Therapy: Behavioural Strategies for Enhancing Therapeutic Rapport 
  This presentation will discuss the dynamics of therapeutic rapport, emphasizing its critical role in successful therapy outcomes. Grounded in behavioural conceptualizations, the session will explore approaches that foster an effective therapeutic alliance. It begins by defining therapeutic rapport, highlighting its components of trust, empathy, and mutual understanding. Attendees will be introduced to practical strategies and techniques that enhance therapeutic engagement, conceptualized within a behaviour analytic framework. These strategies encompass active listening, the strategic use of reinforcement, the establishment of collaborative goals, and the adaptation of communication styles to meet client needs. Special attention is given to overcoming common barriers to rapport, including resistance, cultural differences, and communication discrepancies. 

Yasna Kumar, M. Ads., BCBA, RP (qualifying) & Sarah Walmsley, M.Ads 
Concurrent Session - 1 CEU 

• Foundations of Behaviour Supports in Adult Developmental Services and the Integration of Trauma-Informed Practices  
  Working in the adult developmental field carries a set of unique challenges, amongst these are ways of supporting individuals who engage in challenging behaviour. At Community Living Kingston and District (CLKD), adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities are supported in divisions that provide various levels of staff support. Within the agency, behaviour support can range from providing consultations to developing and supporting the implementation of a behaviour support plan. Considerations in behaviour support include but are limited to consent, the right to live at risk, lived experiences of staff, dual diagnoses, the impact of external factors (community and other support), and extensive trauma histories. CLKD has been fortunate to have four staff, certified by the Community Resiliency Initiative, to train each staff member to develop knowledge on the impacts of trauma. During the presentation, a case will be described where having trauma-informed training for the staff team was a variable that increased treatment integrity and contributed to positive behaviour change for the individual. This information supports the integration of trauma-informed training within behaviour support for staff teams who support individuals with trauma histories. 

Courtney Tulloch, BBPH, Meghan Redfearn, BBPH, & Griffin Chambers, BBPH 
Concurrent Session 

• A Trauma Informed Approach to Behaviour Management 
  To effectively and ethically provide support to adults in an in-patient setting, it is important to tailor intervention approaches with consideration to past medical history. This is particularly true for people who have experienced traumatic life experiences. Understanding the impact of trauma on behaviour is vital in fostering an environment that is supportive. By considering typical behaviours, such as hyperactivity, aggression, or avoidance, as potentially adapted coping strategies in response to traumatic events, clinicians can develop effective behavioural strategies to address immediate behavioural concerns, while also fostering long term psychosocial development. When health care organizations incorporate trauma-informed approaches to address challenging behaviours, it follows best practices of patient centered care. In this symposium we will identify adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), review the core principles of trauma informed care, and discuss examples of how a trauma informed lens is applied across in-patient adult services. 

Katie Bremner M.Ads, BCBA, Katie Deir M.A., BCBA, Jennifer Nieradka M.Ed, BCBA, & Marilyn Green M.Ed, BCBA  
Symposium: 2 CEUs 

• Practical Functional Assessment (PFA) and Skill-Based Treatment (SBT) in Schools 
  Practical Functional Assessment (PFA) and Skill-Based Treatment (SBT) is an evidence-based educational process to assess and address severe challenging behaviour that prioritizes safety, rapport, and dignity (Jessel et. al., 2018). Participants will delve into the methodology, understanding how these approaches were effectively employed to assess and intervene in challenging behaviours within the school environment. Through case studies and interactive discussions, attendees will gain insight into the practical implementation of PFA and SBT techniques. Furthermore, this symposium will explore the multifaceted barriers that impede the successful integration of skill-based treatment programs within school systems. The presenters will analyze obstacles that often hinder the effective implementation of interventions in school settings in school settings. By identifying and understanding these barriers, attendees will be better equipped to develop tailored strategies and advocate for necessary changes to foster a more conducive environment for skill-based treatment initiatives. Moreover, this symposium will provide participants with practical guidance on navigating the credentialing process for SBT. Attendees will develop the skills to identify suitable community partners, foster effective communication and establish mutual goals. 

Dr. Jordan Belisle, BCBA 
Keynote – 1.5 CEUs 

• Bringing Relational Frame Theory to LIFE: Introducing the LIFE Skills Training Curriculum 
  Research on derived relational responding has been increasing within applied behavior analysis with both children and adults (Belisle et al., 2020), yet integrating relational training with daily living and vocational skills has been slower to emerge (Dixon et al., 2018). The LIFE Skills Training Curriculum (Dixon, 2020) was developed to create comprehensive and individualized programming to teach skills that are socially significant in everyday life while supporting individuals with disabilities. This workshop will overview research on the LIFE assessment and curriculum, focusing not only on supporting complex behavior topographies, but creating response classes that are generative and flexible. Attendees will learn how to conduct and score the LIFE assessment, select and adapt individualized programming, and create skill development plans that are fit to the individual needs of clients. In addition, attendees will be provided with tools to ensure programming is person-centered and neurodiversity affirming that can be used within and outside of LIFE programming. Emerging research on derived relational responding and relational learning, along with critical discourse on the role of behavior analysts in supporting people with disabilities, will forever shape the future of the field – and ultimately will dictate our ability to build effective behavioral solutions for the clients that we serve.  

Pamela Shea, M.Ads., BCBA, CALC, Dr. Don Togade, Ph.D., BCBA-D, IBA, & Rhianna Lloyd 
Concurrent Session - 1 CEU 

• An Analytic Approach in Understanding and Reducing Prejudice to Cultivate Cultural Responsiveness  
  This conference presentation delves into the intersection of Relational Frame Theory (RFT) and the critical issues of prejudice and cultural responsiveness within the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). The presentation uses RFT literature as a conceptual framework to unravel the origins of racial bias and foster a deeper examination of one’s lived personal and sociocultural biases. Treatment approaches are rigorously evaluated, with a focus on strategies grounded in evidence-based principles. 
  The presentation will address the alarming lack of training in compassionate and culturally responsive care within the ABA profession. The presentation highlights a study involving a five-week motivational interviewing (MI) intervention, underscoring its positive impact on the perceptions of compassion and cultural responsivity among both ABA professionals and recipients. This study sheds light on the pressing need for enhanced training and skills development, particularly given the growing diversity within Canada. 
  This presentation is particularly relevant to behaviour therapists, mental health professionals, and academic educators and professors. It attempts to offer a comprehensive approach to understanding and addressing systemic racial bias through RFT, integrating evidence-based tools for prejudice reduction, and promoting cultural responsiveness within the ABA field. The findings from the MI intervention study contribute valuable insights to address skill deficits, emphasizing the foundational role of compassion in shaping future ABA practices. The presentation aims to inspire dialogue and action among professionals committed to fostering inclusive, compassionate, and culturally responsive practices within applied behavior analysis. 

Lee Anne Campbell, MPED (ABA), BCBA & Jessica Ross 
Concurrent Session - 1 CEU 

• Eyes forward: Using eye gaze as a means of accessing aba programming  
  Applications of eye-gaze technology for children with disabilities include providing a new way of participating in activities and learning, as well as engaging with and navigating the world (Holmqvist et al., 2018). This presentation will explore the introduction of the Hiru eye-tracker as an accessibility tool for one learner with autism spectrum disorder and Rett syndrome in teaching and demonstrating receptive skills. The purpose of integrating eye-gaze technology within existing applied behaviour analysis (ABA) programming was to reduce barriers and increase skill acquisition by providing a new way to engage in pre-existing programming.   

Tony DeBono, MBA, Ph.D., C. Psych 
Symposium 

• The Future of ABA in Ontario: A Conversation with the Registrar 
  This talk will describe the importance of regulation in protecting the public interest and will focus on the historic onboarding of Behaviour Analysts to the newly formed College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario on July 1, 2024. The Registrar looks forward to answering questions about regulation and its importance to the people of Ontario 

Jennifer Bellamy, M.ADS, BCBA, Jennifer Jarvis, M.Ads, BCBA, Merran Campbell, BCBA 
Panel – 2 CEUs 

• Reducing risk when considering safety measures  
  Panel discussion with BCBAs who oversee and implement safety measures when supporting individuals with severe challenging behaviour. This talk will provide a framework on how to determine if safety measures are required and safeguards to consider when introducing them.  Clinical trials in the use of SafetyPod in the adult sector will be presented.   

We were grateful to host the #BBSCon for the 11th time! We were looking forward to hosting the 2020 conference, but were not able to move forward with that due to the pandemic. Through the last 2+ years, many valuable contributions have been made to the field of behaviour science and access to online learning has grown exponentially. However, the value of face-to-face interactions and in-person learning has been highlighted throughout the past few years, and led us to plan an in-person conference the 2023 conference. 

Unfortunately, right before the conference, Fort Lauderdale experienced a 1-in-1000 year historic rainfall event and our speaker was unable to leave the state. However, with the technology available to us, we were still able to offer the 2023 conference in-person, and had Merrill join us virtually. We still had a great day of informative talks and connecting with everyone for our first post-pandemic event!

A special thanks to all the attendees, volunteers, committee members, and speaker who were all integral in the success of the 2023 conference!

Speaker 

Merrill Winston 

Merrill is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst who has worked in the field of Developmental Disabilities for over 35 years. Merrill has worked in small group homes, large residential facilities, secured facilities, family homes and schools with a broad population who exhibited behavior problems that ranged from mild to life-threatening. He is comfortable working with both verbal and non-verbal individuals and both children and adults with a range of diagnoses. His strengths include relating to direct-care staff in a manner that sets them at ease and working in real-time with children and adults. He excels in public speaking and has given numerous presentations at various professional conferences throughout the country. His areas of interest are crisis prevention and intervention, psychotropic medication usage with special populations and the development and implementation of training programs designed to increase the skill levels of parents, professionals, teachers, and direct-care staff. His goal when working with clients with behavior problems is not the simple reduction or elimination of the problem per se but the larger goal of defining and trying to manage and/or solve the problems faced by individuals with special needs and their families.  

Poster Gala 

The 4th year Honours Bachelor of Behavioural Psychology students presented their thesis posters during the lunch hour poster gala. Thank you to everyone who attended, inquired about their theses, and supported our local program!