Interestingly, only 10.56 % of BCBAs and BCBA-Ds currently identify Education as their primary area of practice (BACB, n.d.).  A number of BCBAs report significant challenges in obtaining stakeholder buy-in with school personnel, unethical caseloads, and in the modification of behavior analytic interventions to practice in schools, amongst other needs (Detrich et al., 2020; Syed & Bailey, personal communication, October 2020). BCBAs also report a lack of resources to guide in better ethical practices within a school setting. This discussion will focus on understanding common barriers behavior analysts encounter to achieving successful outcomes in schools, the role of behavioral frameworks such as multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), contextual fit of behavioral strategies and applications of strategies to practice, as well as approaches to engage in collaboration, leading to greater stakeholder buy-in, sustainability, and systems change. We will review tools and resources geared towards the application of behavior analysis in schools, and will discuss supervision practices we might engage in to further the utilization of ABA in schools with trainees. 

*This talk is a continuation and expansion of the discussion begun at FABA 2020.

Learning Objectives:

1. Attendees will gain an understanding of resources available to support behavior analytic practices in school settings

2. Attendees will be able to describe the role of behavioral frameworks in school settings

3. Attendees will be able to describe and engage in ethical practices to increase collaboration with school personnel, contributing to sustainability 

4. Attendees will gain an understanding of how to adapt behavioral strategies as discussed in empirical literature to school settings

About the Presenter

Noor Syed

Noor Syed, PhD, BCBA-D, LBA/LBS (she/her/hers) is an Assistant Professor of Applied Behavior Analysis, Clinical Coordinator, and founding Director of the Center for Autism Inclusivity (Research, Education, and Services) with SUNY Empire State College. She is also the Research Coordinator for the Global Autism Project and an Adjunct Advisor in Applied Behavior Analysis with Endicott College. She is a certified general and special education teacher in New York, U.S., birth through grade six. Over the past 15 years, Dr. Syed has worked with individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and developmental disabilities from early intervention through adulthood in school and center-based settings as a teacher, therapist, consultant, and administrator. Dr. Syed has consulted for autism clinics around the world, including in Uganda, India, Romania, Antigua and Barbuda, and Indonesia, and currently serves as the international and school-based expert on ABAEthicsHotline.com with Dr. Jon Bailey. Most recently, she assisted in building Lehigh University Autism Services and its corresponding practicum, which is an insurance and university-based program offering services in the home, community, and clinic. Dr. Syed’s interests lie in compassionate care, cultural humility, ethical practices, supervision, the practice of school-based BCBAs, and diversity. She received her undergraduate degree in ABA 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.